non-player character
Programmed game denizen
A non-player character is a character in a video game or tabletop roleplaying game controlled by the computer or game master rather than by a player.
NPCs populate game worlds as shopkeepers, quest-givers, enemies, or background figures.
Outside gaming, calling someone an NPC suggests they lack independent thought or act predictably: These people are NPCs—they just repeat whatever they hear.
Uncontrolled game character
- quest giverOne who assigns missions
- shopkeeperSmall store manager
- vendorOne who sells goods
- innkeeperLodging establishment operator
barkeep · guildmaster · trainer · guardian · merchant · blacksmith · healer · villager
Character's past narrative
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- arcCurved line segment
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
lore · archetype · mentor · antagonist · foil · plot device · world-building · flavor text
Enrolled political supporter
- hirelingWorker motivated solely by pay
- retainerUpfront professional fee
- familiarKnown from experience
- mountClimb up or steed
summon · contact · informant · patron · rival · love interest · damsel · trickster
Calculating efficient travel routes
- scriptedWritten out beforehand
- idle animationAutomatic movement when inactive
- patrol routeSurveillance path regularly traveled
- aggroHostile, provocative conduct
state machine · reaction · routine · schedule · procedural generation · emergent behavior · adaptive · responsive
Digital user representation
- MMORPGMultiplayer internet adventure game
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- serverOne who attends tables
- instanceSingle occurrence of something
hub world · safe zone · social space · auction house · guild hall · metaverse · online
NPC
Uncontrolled game character
- quest giverOne who assigns missions
- shopkeeperSmall store manager
- vendorOne who sells goods
innkeeper · barkeep · guildmaster · trainer · guardian · merchant · blacksmith · healer · villager · peasant
backstory
Character's past narrative
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- arcCurved line segment
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
exposition · lore · archetype · mentor · antagonist · foil · plot device · world-building · flavor text · voice acting
party member
Enrolled political supporter
mount · summon · contact · informant · patron · rival · love interest · damsel · trickster · sage
pathfinding
Calculating efficient travel routes
- scriptedWritten out beforehand
- idle animationAutomatic movement when inactive
- patrol routeSurveillance path regularly traveled
aggro · state machine · reaction · routine · schedule · procedural generation · emergent behavior · adaptive · responsive · trigger
avatar
Digital user representation
- MMORPGMultiplayer internet adventure game
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- serverOne who attends tables
instance · hub world · safe zone · social space · auction house · guild hall · metaverse · online
non-player characterplayer character
User-controlled game persona
PC · protagonist · main character · avatar · player
non-player charactermain character
Story's central figure
protagonist · free thinker · real person · freethinker · nonconformist
player, character, played, playing, playable, replay, replayed, player's, players