NPC
えぬぴーしー
noun
non-player character
1.
non-player character
A character in a video game that is not controlled by a player. NPCs are controlled by the game's AI and often provide information, quests, or services.
NPCに話しかける。
Talk to an NPC.
このゲームはNPCが多い。
This game has many NPCs.
NPCから情報を集める。
Gather information from NPCs.
2.
someone who acts without independent thought
Internet slang for a person who seems to lack original opinions or behaves in a predictable, programmed manner.
あいつはNPCみたいだ。
That guy is like an NPC.
NPC的な反応しかしない。
They only give NPC-like responses.
自分の意見を持たないNPCにはなりたくない。
I don't want to become an NPC without my own opinions.
ETYMOLOGY:
Abbreviation of English "Non-Player Character."
SENSE 1 — GAMING:
Standard gaming terminology for characters controlled by the game's AI rather than a player.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- NPCに話しかける: to talk to an NPC
- NPC村人: NPC villager
- NPCキャラ: NPC character
SENSE 2 — INTERNET SLANG:
Used critically to describe people who seem to lack independent thought — they follow trends without questioning, repeat popular opinions, and appear to act in a predictable, scripted manner.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- NPCみたいだ: is like an NPC
- NPC的な反応: NPC-like response
REGISTER:
Sense 1 is neutral gaming terminology. Sense 2 is informal internet slang, often derogatory.