fps

Hit markers: useful in multiplayer, distracting and overused in single-player

Hit markers are a staple FPS UI that give immediate feedback when shots connect, but their origin and best use are specific. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare popularized the 'X' glyph and its signature sound for multiplayer, where hit markers help players confirm hits despite network latency. The same markers have migrated into single-player games where they often add visual clutter and can be unnecessary because kills are already visually obvious.

• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare made the 'X' hit-marker glyph and its distinctive sound iconic in multiplayer.
• Hit markers provide concrete, immediate confirmation of landed shots, which is useful for competitive play and compensating for network delay.
• Most Call of Duty single-player campaigns historically omit hit markers because enemy deaths are visually clear without them.
• Designers now add hit markers broadly across games with guns, but this can create distracting, artificial UI elements in single-player experiences.