Non-Player Character (NPC)

What is a Non-Player Character (NPC)?

A non-player character (NPC) is a virtual character that is designed to advance and/or enhance the storyline in a video or tabletop game. NPCs can be interactive or passive characters.

Interactive NPCs can say scripted lines or assist the player in some way. In Minecraft, for example, interactive NPCs called “villagers” engage with players by offering trading options. Villagers can have different professions, and interactions can be based on the village’s needs in addition to the player’s actions.

In contrast, passive NPCs characters do not interact directly with the player. Their purpose is to perform some action in the background that makes the game world seem more realistic. Many characters in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), for example, are passive NPCs whose sole purpose is to enhance the player’s sense of immersion by populating the game’s virtual urban environment, Los Santos.

Techopedia Explains the NPC Meaning

Non-player character definitions will also explain two ways the term NPC has been used outside video games in the last six years. The intent behind calling someone an NPC matters a great deal.

For example, if someone calls you a real NPC on Reddit, it’s probably meant as an insult. Essentially, the person is saying you have no mind of your own, you are not important, and therefore what you have to say is not important either.

If someone refers to you as a real NPC on TikTok, however, it may be meant as a compliment. That’s because on TikTok, there’s a growing trend for real people to pretend to be NPCs. In this type of viral video, content creators purposely try to create a sense of uncanny valley for fun or for profit by imitating an NPC.

Types of NPCs

In addition to interactive and passive non-playing characters, there are several standard roles that NPCs play. Each type of role serves a distinct purpose within the game world and adds a layer of depth to the game’s narrative.

Here are some common types of NPC roles:

What is the Difference Between a Bot and an NPC?

The terms “bot” and “non-player character” both refer to entities that are not controlled by game players, but the two terms cannot be used as synonyms.

NPCs are programmed with scripts written by the game’s developer and are designed to interact with players in limited ways. NPCs may challenge players, but they cannot win the game.

In contrast, bots are used to fill in player slots and are designed to try and win the game. Bots can change the way they interact with players because they are programmed with machine learning (ML) algorithms that can adjust themselves in response to other player’s actions.

How are NPCs Used Outside of Gaming?

NPC’s meaning in the context of gaming can also be applied to other contexts. Here are some examples of how NPCs can be used in specific real-world applications:

NPCs in Popular Culture

When a non-playing character is particularly engaging, humorous, or odd, it can transcend the game itself and enter broader popular culture. Here are a few ways this can happen:

NPCs can become Internet memes, especially if their spoken lines or repetitive behaviors are funny, relatable, or bizarre. Memes can spread rapidly on social media websites and discussion forums and introduce the NPC to a wider audience.

Some NPCs have gained a level of fame that has led to references in other games or media. This can be a nod to fans who will recognize the reference, thereby enhancing the intertextual play across different forms of entertainment.

For example, GLaDOS from the video game series Portal has her own meme generator, and film director Guillermo del Toro used her voice in ‘Pacific Rim.’ Her song Still Alive is so well known that it inspired a number of cover versions and parodies.

Certain NPCs have also gained fame in pop culture because they are annoying. This includes NPCs who repeatedly block player paths, are part of particularly difficult gameplay segments, or have irritating dialogue.

For example, Navi from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has become a cultural icon because she annoys players. Her infamous repeated phrase “Hey, Listen”? has made her the subject of jokes and memes within and beyond the gaming community.

How is NPC Used on Social Media?

In addition to providing fodder for internet memes and being used as an insult that implies someone lacks critical thinking skills, non-playing characters have also inspired an NPC cosplay ecosystem on social media sites.

In the last few years, it’s become a trend for people to record themselves pretending to be non-playing characters for fun and/or profit.

NPC Cosplay

NPC cosplay requires content creators to film themselves (or someone else) dressed up as an NPC character from a video game.

During the video clip, the NPC cosplay participant may consistently repeat the same action that their NPC performed in a video game. Part of the appeal of this type of NPC cosplay is the humor that comes from pretending to be a passive background character that is usually overlooked.

NPC Video Streams

NPC cosplay videos are often posted on YouTube and other community sites for fun, but streaming NPC videos can also be used to generate revenue on TikTok.

When an NPC streamer is referred to as a real NPC, it means that their NPC stream is so good that it’s difficult for the viewer to know if the video loop’s subject is a living human being or an avatar created with artificial intelligence (AI).

NPC streamers can earn money through tips, sticker gifts, or by charging viewers a fee to perform a different action.

Most Famous NPCs

Besides GLaDOS and Navi, other examples of famous NPCs include:

The Bottom Line

NPCs are an essential ingredient for creating immersive and engaging game experiences. Whether they are driving the story or simply enriching a virtual world’s atmosphere, NPCs play an important role in making digital environments seem more real.

However, the success of an NPC depends heavily on its design. The most useful NPCs are helpful and engaging without disrupting the player’s immersion within the game world. Ironically, the most famous NPCs are not always the most helpful.

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