NPC stands for "Non-Player Character". In video games, an NPC is any character that is not controlled by a player, but rather by the computer, and has a predetermined set of behaviors that potentially will impact gameplay, but will not necessarily be the product of true artificial intelligence. In traditional tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, an NPC is a character portrayed by the gamemaster (GM) . Non-player characters populate the fictional world of the game, and can fill any role not occupied by a player character.
On social media, "NPC" is often used as a metaphor to describe someone who blindly follows popular opinion without critical thinking. It implies that the person in question conforms to societal or political ideologies without questioning or expressing unique viewpoints. The term "NPC" is typically used in online discussions, debates, or political discourse as a way to criticize or dismiss someones arguments or perspectives.
