OP I am not a game designer or engineer. But i will tell you what i know. There is a aim assist that is at play for anyone that plays this game and NO you do not have to be scoped in for it to work. How do you think so many people Quickscope in this game and all other COD games so successfully?
Yes you will see the aim assist at work when you are scoped in. But trust me when i say it still works even when you are just starting to pull up your weapon.
Like i have stated in other threads the last few days. I have still noy played this game since the update, so i do not know if this last patch had any effect on the Q/S community (hopefully it does).