Non-player character

A man in a corner of a tavern, described in three words, can alter the fate of a kingdom. In the early days of tabletop role-playing games, the non-player character was not a complex algorithm but a human imagination projected by the gamemaster. These figures served as the supporting cast to the player characters, the protagonists who drove the narrative forward. While the players controlled the heroes, the gamemaster populated the world with allies, bystanders, and competitors who filled every role not occupied by a player. Some of these figures were mere sketches, lacking any game statistics or backstory, while others possessed complete skill sets, gear, and histories that rivaled the depth of the heroes themselves. The debate over how much detail to invest in these characters has persisted since the inception of the hobby, with some players insisting on fully defined NPCs and others preferring to improvise on the fly. The consensus remains that the more real these characters feel, the more engaging the interaction becomes for the entire group.

Scripted Lives

In the digital realm, the non-player character was born from the need to populate a world without human hands. Early video games relied on predetermined behaviors and scripted responses, creating entities that were not truly intelligent but followed a fixed set of rules. These computer-controlled figures were distinct from enemies, mobs, or creeps, carrying a connotation of neutrality or helpfulness rather than hostility. The evolution of this technology saw the transition from simple monologues displayed in floating text boxes to complex branching dialogue trees. Games produced by Black Isle Studios and White Wolf, Inc. pioneered the multiple-choice roleplaying experience, where every decision a player made could result in a different response from the character. This shift allowed the player character to develop a relationship with the game world, influencing the course of the story through conversation. The Ultima series exemplified this progression, moving from non-branching narratives in Ultima III: Exodus to the interactive dialogue of Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar and beyond.

The Living World

In the vast expanses of massively multiplayer online role-playing games, the line between player and non-player character sometimes blurred into the realm of the human. Certain online games featured NPCs that were entirely unscripted, controlled by employees of the game company rather than by code. These live actors served as virtual support for new players or as regular characters driving a continuing storyline, as seen in Myst Online: Uru Live. In games like Neverwinter Nights and Vampire: The Masquerade, a player acting as the gamemaster could possess both player and non-player characters to further the storyline. This level of control allowed for a dynamic narrative that felt alive, with the potential for customization where players could modify default scripts or create entirely new behaviors. The distinction between the scripted and the live became a spectrum, where the most immersive experiences relied on the unpredictable nature of human interaction rather than the rigid logic of a computer program.

Common questions

What is a non-player character in a tabletop role-playing game?

A non-player character is a figure in a tabletop role-playing game that is not controlled by a player but is instead projected by the gamemaster. These figures serve as the supporting cast to the player characters who drive the narrative forward. They can range from mere sketches lacking statistics to entities with complete skill sets and histories.

How did the non-player character evolve in early video games?

In early video games, the non-player character was born from the need to populate a world without human hands using predetermined behaviors and scripted responses. These computer-controlled figures were distinct from enemies or mobs and carried a connotation of neutrality or helpfulness. The technology evolved from simple monologues in floating text boxes to complex branching dialogue trees pioneered by Black Isle Studios and White Wolf, Inc.

When did Replica Studios unveil AI-developed non-player characters for the Unreal Engine 5?

The evolution of non-player characters reached a new zenith in 2023 when Replica Studios unveiled AI-developed non-player characters for the Unreal Engine 5. In cooperation with OpenAI, these entities enabled players to have interactive conversations with unplayable characters that felt remarkably human. This technological leap coincided with a cultural phenomenon known as NPC streaming which became popular on TikTok in 2023.

What is the origin of the term non-player character as an online insult?

From around 2018, the term non-player character transcended its gaming origins to become a potent insult in online culture. The label was used to suggest that a person was unable to form thoughts or opinions of their own, effectively reducing a human being to a scripted entity. This concept was often illustrated with a grey-faced, expressionless version of the Wojak meme.

What is a dependent non-player character in the Champions game system?

In the Champions game and related systems using the Hero System, a character could have a DNPC or dependent non-player character controlled by the gamemaster but managed by the player. This dynamic meant that the player's choices could put these dependents in harm's way, creating a moral weight to their actions. When a player character was injured or unable to act, they might temporarily take control of an NPC to maintain the flow of the game.

Non-player character

Scripted Lives

The Living World

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