What does it mean to click to move and how it works in games?
Click to Move Meaning in Games
If a video game lets you control a character, usually you’ll have to use one of the three options to control it: use WASD keys on your keyboard, use a gamepad or a different kind of game controller, or use mouse buttons.
Mouse controls are often related to top-view video games, most notably classic role-playing games, hack and slashes, and strategy games, both turn-based and real-time ones. They can also be found in point-and-click adventure games. In other words, you’ll usually find click-to-move systems in games where you can see your character or characters from a certain distance.
Games that are played from a first-person perspective don’t use click-to-move systems, as it would be extremely inconvenient to play like that.
If a game features click-to-move controls, you can click anywhere on the visible area to order your character to move to that place. If there are obstacles between the character and the target location, the character may either refuse to go there or, if the game has pathfinding, try to automatically navigate around the blocking elements. It may also be possible to click on the minimap to make the character automatically run to a more distant location.
Let’s see the examples of what is click movement in some of the few selected video games.
Diablo Games
Diablo is a classic hack-and-slash action RPG franchise that popularized the genre and gave life to a lot of Diablo clones over the years. In Diablo, players control a chosen hero, and the camera follows them from above in an isometric view.
Clicking anywhere around the character makes them go to that place, which is very convenient, as it leaves all keyboard keys free to map for abilities and spells. You’re using one hand to move around and the other one to choose your active abilities – it makes slaying hordes of demons a satisfying experience.
MOBA Games
Click-to-move systems can often be found in MOBA games, especially the ones that are played from a top view. Similarly to Diablo, it’s more convenient this way, as you can cast your skills with one hand and control the character with the other one.
The main difference here is that the camera is not locked to your character; you can move the camera around, just like in strategy games. The catch is that camera movement is usually done with the mouse, too, by moving the cursor to the edge of the screen, which means you’ll have to learn to use the mouse to control both the character and the camera at the same time.
RuneScape
RuneScapefeatures a traditional click-to-move system, where you simply need to click where you want to go and the character will move there on their own. You can also click on the minimap to make the character go to places that are further away; the character will try to find a way and will navigate around obstacles.
Just be careful when doing it in a dangerous area, as you may accidentally draw the attention of nearby enemies. Better keep an eye on your character at all times.