First-person view

Updated: 05/06/2024 by Computer Hope

In video games, FPV or First-Person View is a perspective seen through the eyes of a character. While the character's body isn't visible, hands and weapons nearly always are.

In contrast, a third-person view or "over-the-shoulder" view places the player's perspective behind or around the character.

Many games offer the ability to change between first and third-person view. Playing in first-person view can provide for a more immersive gameplay experience, while third-person view helps the player perform more accurate character movements. The image below shows the difference between the two viewpoints.

First person

As seen in the picture, first-person view gives you the feeling of being the game character and third-person view shows the character and the surrounding environment.

Tip

Many video games offer both third and first-person views, selectable in the options menu or by scrolling up and down on the mouse wheel.

Note

FPV may also be used in the real world. For example, you may have a drone with a camera and use a VR (Virtual Reality) headset to get a first-person view as you fly the drone.

Computer acronyms, Game, Game terms, Point of view, TLA