hitbox

A hitbox is a geometric region attached to a character or object in a video game that is used to detect contact with other objects or characters. When two hitboxes intersect, the game registers a collision, triggering events such as damage, scoring, or knockback. In many games, hitboxes are complemented by hurtboxes, which define the area where an entity can be damaged. A single character or move may have multiple hitboxes for different actions and multiple hurtboxes corresponding to body parts.

Hitboxes can be simple or complex. They are commonly represented as rectangles or circles for performance, but can also be capsules or polygonal shapes to better approximate a model. Some games employ pixel-perfect hit detection for specific moves, while others rely on approximate shapes to balance accuracy and computation. In fighting games, for example, attack hitboxes and defensive hurtboxes are defined for each frame of a move, with timing information guiding when a hit may connect.

In 3D games, hitboxes are often attached to bones or animation joints, moving and rotating with the character. This allows attacks to connect in a way that aligns with the visual action. Hitbox data is typically authored by designers or generated by the engine, and may be visualized during development to ensure clarity.

From a technical perspective, hit detection uses broad-phase methods to quickly rule out distant objects and narrow-phase checks for precise intersection tests. The design and accuracy of hitboxes influence game balance, fairness, and responsiveness, making them a central element of gameplay feel.