An NPC, or Non-Player Character, is a character in a game that is not controlled by a player but by the game system or gamemaster. The term originated in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, where NPCs are controlled by the gamemaster to populate the game world and interact with player characters. NPCs can serve various roles such as allies, bystanders, competitors, or quest givers, and their complexity can range from simple descriptions to fully detailed characters with stats and backstories
. In video games, NPCs are controlled by the computer's artificial intelligence and have predetermined behaviors that influence gameplay but do not exhibit true independent thought. They help advance the plot, provide information, and add atmosphere to the game world
. Outside gaming, particularly on social media, "NPC" is used metaphorically to describe a person perceived as lacking independent thought or blindly following popular opinions or societal norms without critical thinking. This usage implies that the person behaves like a scripted character, repeating predetermined responses rather than original ideas
. In summary:
- In gaming: NPCs are characters not controlled by players but by the game or gamemaster, serving narrative and interactive roles within the game world
- In social media: NPC is a metaphor for individuals seen as unthinking or conformist, echoing scripted behavior rather than independent reasoning
