You might have come across one of these NPC streams while scrolling through the app.
Without any context the content seems pretty strange, yet the trend has gone viral!
What Is NPC Streaming?
‘NPC’ is an acronym for ‘Non-Player Character’, a term used to refer to video game characters that the player will only interact with for a short amount of time.
NPC’s usually have a few lines that they will use when the player interacts with them.
The term NPC has been adopted to describe these types of streams as the streamer acts like a non-player character.
The streamer will cycle through a set of phrases throughout the stream when prompted by viewers.
Viewers will send different types of gifts on TikTok and for each gift the streamer will give a certain reaction.
The Origins Of NPC Streaming
Natuecoco, a Japanese TikTok creator, is widely credited as the founder of this trend.
Her first stream featured her in cat ears and a matching wig repeating Japanese and Korean catchphrases.
For Natuecoco NPC streaming is an ongoing experiment to figure out what makes people tick.
She said that she was trying to see people’s reactions to different gestures, “So I created different motions and built a bridge of communication through the audience’s reactions.”
NPC Streaming As A Job
While it is not a traditional career path, some have been able to make a living off of these streams.
Viewers of these streams can buy virtual coins which can be used to send gift tokens to creators.
50% of the money spent by the users on stream will go to TikTok itself while the other half can be redeemed by the creator.
One of the most popular creators in this genre, going by the name of Pinkydoll, will say the phrase “Mmm ice cream so good” when she is sent an ice cream gift token.
NPC streams are based on this transactional process as viewers’ donations prompt actions from the streamer in real time.
Pinkydoll has garnered a large audience for herself with her streams amassing upwards of 30,000 views.
Because of her popularity she has been able to turn streaming into her job.
Do you think this trend will stick around or fade out? Let us know!
