"NPC" stands for "Non-Player Character." It originally refers to characters in video games that are controlled by the game's programming or artificial intelligence rather than by a human player
. These characters typically have limited, scripted behaviors and serve various roles such as shopkeepers, quest givers, or background inhabitants to make the game world feel more immersive
. On social media and in popular slang, "NPC" is used metaphorically to describe people who are perceived as lacking independent thought, simply following trends or repeating common opinions without critical thinking or original viewpoints
. This usage implies that the person behaves like a scripted character rather than an autonomous individual. However, using "NPC" in this way can be seen as insulting or dismissive
. In summary:
- Gaming context: NPC = Non-Player Character, a game character controlled by AI, not a player
- Social media slang: NPC = a person perceived as unthinking or conformist, likened to a scripted game character
Other less common meanings of NPC exist (e.g., National People's Congress, Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma), but the most widely recognized and culturally relevant meaning is "Non-Player Character" in gaming and online discourse
