Line #20 Main/CameraCentering


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2	%% Keep examples alphabetized.
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4
5	In a nutshell, this is the mechanic of allowing the player to center the camera (either behind the player character or where the PC is facing) in any 3D video game without a fixed camera. The main purpose is to help keep the player oriented on the action, and thus avoiding an EventObscuringCamera.
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7	It's often done by pressing a single button, and sometimes it's a combination of buttons (but this is usually reserved for games where every other single button command is being used for other things), or overlapping with other functions (such as doing one effect, and then centering immediately after you release the button). Some games even do this automatically (usually if the player is still for a few seconds).
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9	This has two forms depending on how the camera works:
10	* '''FPS Style:''' In a FirstPersonShooter, or a third person game with a behind-the-player camera, the camera merely centers on the Y-axis, as the camera is otherwise always looking directly ahead.
11	* '''Third Person Style:''' In games with free movement unattached to the camera, centering moves directly behind the player character and centers on the Y-axis.
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13	The centering is also either instantaneous or takes a fraction of a second (as the camera spins to the centered position). Even if a game also has a rotating camera, centering will still be faster and more accurate.
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15	Often this will use the same button as the CameraLockOn, and the game automatically switches between which function depending on if there are any enemies withing lock on range. Other games will overlap with the FreelookButton, and releasing that button will center the camera; in short, just tapping and releasing the button still acts as camera centering.
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17	See also FreeRotatingCamera.
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19	!!Examples:
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21	[[AC:FPS Style (especially notable or played with examples only please):]]
22	* ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' games often feature "Auto Pilot": a button or a button combination, that when pressed, not only brings the player's aircraft to a perfectly horizontal position but also makes sure the cockpit is on top. Unlike most examples of this trope, aligning a plane this way may take up to a second, since the whole aircraft has to be turned around instead of just changing the direction of sight.
23	* ''Videogame/MechWarrior'''s HumongousMecha have separate controls for the legs (steering) and torso (camera, aiming), which can make them confusing to operate in close quarters combat. Every game therefore comes with a "Center" button which will align the torso to the legs, legs to the torso, or the mean between the two. Some come with additional "level" button to center the Y-axis crosshair.
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25	[[AC:Third Person Style:]]
26	* ''VideoGame/DawnOfMana''
27	* ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'' overlapped with the lock on button. This also was done in the ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series and ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}''.
28	* In ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'', the block button also doubles as this function.
29	** Same in ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors''.
30	* ''VideoGame/EpicMickey''
31	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII''
32	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyCrystalChroniclesTheCrystalBearers''
33	* ''VideoGame/GodEaterBurst''
34	* Some of the ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' games do this when driving. Hitting the side/behind view buttons centers the camera once released. Other games have a dedicated button.
35	* ''VideoGame/JettRocket''
36	* ''VideoGame/KatamariDamacy''
37	* Some of the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' games.
38	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' uses this with the camera lock on. Most of the 3D ''Zelda'' games since then have done the same.
39	* ''VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo'' has this by clicking in the analogue on console versions, and it's very useful after you finish fights after moving the camera around a lot.
40	* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter''
41	* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes''
42	* ''VideoGame/OverlordI'', or at least ''VideoGame/OverlordDarkLegend''.
43	* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'', ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse'', and ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarZero''.
44	* Some of the ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' games.
45	* ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon\|1}}'' and its sequels.
46	* The ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'' games, once you release the freelook button.
47	* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'', but only in certain spots.
48	* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine''

Context Main / CameraCentering