History Main / NonPlayerCharacter

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they don't have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[DevelopersForesight dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled. GenreSavvy players will sometimes determine that an NPC has plot significance based on the fact that the {{G|ameMaster}}M is [[TheLawOfConservationOfDetail presenting the character with more details than usual]].

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they don't have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled. GenreSavvy players will sometimes determine that an NPC has plot significance based on the fact that the {{G|ameMaster}}M is [[TheLawOfConservationOfDetail presenting the character with more details than usual]].

->''"Welcome to Corneria!"''
-->--'''An NPC''', ''[[Webcomic/EightBitTheater 8 Bit Theater]]''

->''"[[MemeticMutation I used to be an adventurer, like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.]]"''
-->--'''Guards''', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim''

->''"I used to be an adventurer, like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee."''

->''"[[WelcomeToCorneria Welcome to Corneria]]!"''

->''"[[MemeticMutation I used to be an adventurer, like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.]]"''

-->- '''An NPC''', ''[[Webcomic/EightBitTheater 8 Bit Theater]]''

->''[[MemeticMutation I used to be an adventurer, like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.]]''
->--'''Guards''', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim''

This is a term referring to videogame characters other than the one guided by the person playing.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled. GenreSavvy players will sometimes determine that an NPC has plot significance based on the fact that the {{G|ameMaster}}M is presenting the character with more details than usual.

[[IThoughtItMeant No, not a character who isn't]] "[[ChickMagnet a player]]." Or a [[VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou Player.]] This is a term referring to videogame characters other than the one guided by the person playing.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled. GenreSavvy players will sometimes determine that an NPC has plot significance based on the fact that the [[GameMaster GM]] is presenting the character with more details than usual.

But at least in that format, the non-player characters have the ability to engage in conversation and go about a daily routine. When it comes to the vast majority of computer games, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically right where you don't want them to be in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists. A sufficiently cool NPC may even be PromotedToPlayable.

The term is sometimes, in [[TabletopGames tabletop]]-derived computer games, used to refer to ''any'' non-hostile character that the player did not create directly, even if the player has near-complete control of them for gameplay purposes. In fact, it has even been used to ''specifically'' refer to [[NonPlayerCompanion those characters that can join the player's group and be controlled by them]] but are not the one specific character representing the player.

Oddly, [=NPCs=], despite being normally clueless, can find out about things that happened [[NewsTravelsFast miles away]] and even know about all of your skills and past deeds like you're [[HiveMind all connected...]]

[[IThoughtItMeant No, not a character who isn't]] "[[ChickMagnet a player]]." Or a [[VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou Player.]] This is a term referring to game characters other than the one guided by the player.

[[IThoughtItMeant No, not a character who isn't]] "[[ChickMagnet a player]]." Or a [[VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou Player.]] This is a term referring to game characters other than the one you're playing as.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled. GenreSavvy players will sometimes determine that an NPC has plot significance based on the fact that the [[GameMaster GM]] is presenting the NPC with more details than usual.

But at least in that format, the NPCs have the privilege of going shopping and/or engaging in conversation. When it comes to the vast majority of computer games, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically right where you don't want them to be in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists. A sufficiently cool NPC may even be PromotedToPlayable.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled. GenreSavvy players will sometimes determine that an NPC is either TheMole or TheManBehindTheMan based on the fact that the [[GameMaster GM]] doesn't have to look up the NPC's last name or place of residence.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''Tabletopgame/DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled.

In the extreme case, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically right where you don't want them to be in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists. A sufficiently cool NPC may even be PromotedToPlayable.

The term is sometimes, in [[TabletopGames tabletop]]-derived computer games, used to refer to ''any'' non-hostile character that the player did not create directly, even if the player has near-complete control of them for gameplay purposes. In fact, it has even been used to ''specifically'' refer to those characters that can join the player's group and be controlled by them but are not the one specific character representing the player.

->--'''Guards''', ''TheElderScrollsVSkyrim''

Oddly, NPC's, despite being normally clueless, can find out about things that happened [[NewsTravelsFast miles away]] and even know about all of your skills and past deeds like you're [[HiveMind all connected...]]

In the extreme case, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically right where you don't want them to be in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists. A sufficiently cool NPC may even be PromotedToUnlockable.

In the extreme case, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically [[DroneJam right where you don't want them to be]] in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists. A sufficiently cool NPC may even be PromotedToUnlockable.

The term is sometimes, in [[TabletopGames tabletop]]-derived computer games, used to refer to ''any'' non-hostile character that the player did not create directly, even if the player has near-complete control of them for gameplay purposes.

-->- '''An NPC''', ''[[EightBitTheater 8 Bit Theater]]''

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything dev team]] or [[GameMaster gamemaster]] is exceptionally skilled.

[[IThoughtItMeant No, not a character who isn't]] "[[ChickMagnet a player]]." This is a term referring to game characters other than the one you're playing as.

[[IThoughtItMeant No, not a character who isn't]] "[[ChickMagnet a player]]."

[[IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with being a character who isn't]] "[[ChickMagnet a player]]."

Non-Player Character.

-->- '''An NPC''', ''[=~8 Bit Theater~=]''

In the extreme case, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically [[DroneJam right where you don't want them to be]] in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless dev team or GameMaster is exceptionally skilled.

In the extreme case, an NPC's entire existence will consist of walking back and forth (typically [[{{Dronejam}} right where you don't want them to be]] in 2D games) and [[WelcomeToCorneria saying the same line of dialogue over and over again.]] (That is if they have the honor of being able to move; sometimes they [[WhatAreYouLookingAt just stare in one direction]] until you talk to them.) Though, if necessary, they can [[TookAShortcut move with such speed and access that the player can only dream about.]] A privileged few may be made into [[{{Quest Giver}} quest-givers]], temporarily giving them some small worth in the eyes of passing protagonists.

The term originated with paper-and-dice role playing games, specifically the ''DungeonsAndDragons'' ancestor ''Chainmail''. It refers to characters that are operated by the game engine or game master. These characters are generally less "rounded" -- they do not have much CharacterDevelopment, unless the skill of the game engine or game master is exceptionally high.

-->- That one NPC in the first Final Fantasy game. ([[BeamMeUpScotty Supposedly.]])