In a game, an NPC is a non-player character. They are controlled by the computer. They give quests. They sell items. They walk in circles. They are part of the world. They are not real players. The acronym stands for "non-player character." It comes from tabletop role-playing games.

In slang, NPC is an insult. It means someone who does not think for themselves. They follow the crowd. They repeat opinions. They have no original ideas. They are like a background character in a game. The term is controversial. It is used in politics, in online debates, and in everyday arguments. It is a way to dismiss someone.

Related terms

• Bot: an automated program, similar.
• Sheeple: people who follow the crowd, similar.
• Main character: someone who thinks they are the protagonist.
• Background character: someone who is unimportant.

NPC is a harsh word. It denies the other person's humanity. It says, "You are not real." That is a serious thing to say. It can be a joke. It can be a weapon. Use it carefully. The person you call an NPC might be more complex than you think. Everyone is the main character of their own story.