NPC

1. What does NPC stand for in gaming?

Non-player character

In role-playing games (RPGs) and video games, NPCs are the characters that players do not control. In IRL RPGs, these characters are usually controlled by the game's DM. In video games, these characters are controlled by the game's AI.

In-game enemies, allies, and neutral characters can all be described as NPCs. For example, in MMORPGs, bosses are NPCs, and so are merchants. Player characters (PCs) can often interact with NPCs, either through dialogue, combat, or both.

Example

Who's your favorite NPC in FFX? Mine's Luzzu
Some NPCs are quite important ...
Some NPCs are quite important ...

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Updated February 28, 2022
2. What does NPC stand for on social media?

A person unable to think for themself

On TikTok and other social media platforms, people sometimes refer to those who mindlessly repeat others' comments and ideologies as NPCs. This variant of NPC is derived from the original, game-related use of the term, which describes an AI-controlled character.

In games, NPCs carry out preset actions while (usually) speaking one or more preset lines of dialogue. On social media, when someone calls another person an NPC, they're saying the person lacks the ability to think critically or take independent action, just like a game NPC.

Most notably, right-wing netizens often use NPC to belittle progressive users' opinions. These right-wingers think progressives have been "programmed" to repeat leftist views, rather than think for themselves.

Example

You're just an NPC, man. You'll repeat anything Biden says
A use of NPC on Twitter
A use of NPC on Twitter

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Updated March 24, 2023

NPC definition by Slang.net

This page explains what the acronym "NPC" means. The various definitions, examples, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

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