What exactly does it do and does it hinder your play or actually help?

I haven't personally tried the auto-aim in this game because I never use auto-aim if it's an option. However, I would imagine that it is just like auto-aim in most of today's FPS games in that when you press the left trigger and your cross-hair is near an enemy your gun will automatically line up on that target for quicker target acquisition. I could be wrong though, anybody out there that uses auto-aim care to chime in on this one?

I haven't personally tried the auto-aim in this game because I never use auto-aim if it's an option. However, I would imagine that it is just like auto-aim in most of today's FPS games in that when you press the left trigger and your cross-hair is near an enemy your gun will automatically line up on that target for quicker target acquisition. I could be wrong though, anybody out there that uses auto-aim care to chime in on this one?
That's pretty much it.. In a way it's like a toned down aim-bot. It also slows the movement of the crosshairs when they are over the enemy, as well as slight "magnetism."

For the most part, it's "aim assist" rather than auto aim like most PC elitists claim. It basically doesn't go into effect until your crosshair is right next to someone, in that case it kind of sticks for about 2 tenths of a second before it leaves it to you. For the people that claim that Aim Assist makes you bad, they're bad. If you're on console and you're not using aim assist, you're hindering yourself as the sticks aren't as accurate as a mouse.

For the most part, it's "aim assist" rather than auto aim like most PC elitists claim. It basically doesn't go into effect until your crosshair is right next to someone, in that case it kind of sticks for about 2 tenths of a second before it leaves it to you. For the people that claim that Aim Assist makes you bad, they're bad. If you're on console and you're not using aim assist, you're hindering yourself as the sticks aren't as accurate as a mouse.

Says you. I never use auto-aim if it's an option and I have no problem kicking ass and taking names any day. I hate auto aim because when there are multiple enemies it will try to target the wrong one sometimes. I'm good with the 360 joysticks. I don't need auto-aim.

I get the feeling sometimes that I can't track an enemy fast enough because of the aim-assist.