In games, NPC means non-played character. NPCs look the same as played characters, or avatars in OpenSimulator virtual worlds, and often they behave the same too, at least at first glance.
Only when you try to interact with that character, might you realise it's an NPC. I emphasise 'might'. On a well-structured simulator, it's not always obvious.
NPCs versus Avatars
As I write this in late 2025, 95% of the human movements on my region, Arius, are NPCs. Twenty years ago, it was 100% avatars. But then, social media took off and former players left in favour of a 2D world.
Worldbuilders like myself remained, and technology in-game progressed. In the absence of human players demanding to be entertained, creators were now free to create.
NPCs proved perfect for populating the void with unique and purposeful characters.
NPC Evolution
Historically, NPCs attract flak from players who only want to interact with other avatars. Criticism tends to centre around NPCs pretending to be something they're not. I've never understood this view though, since avatars are rarely anything like the humans sitting at their keyboards controlling them.
For the most part, players embrace NPC interactions. The cult popularity of The Sims 4, now in its twelfth year, is testimony to the irrelevance of whether players are real or not.
The attraction to NPCs is fantasy without fear. As humans, other avatars you encounter won't always have the best intentions, or even acknowledge your existence, whereas NPCs always behave within their programming. They are predictable.
NPC Creation and Management
As my avatar Xay Tomsen, I create several NPC generators, management systems, and support scripts. These systems can also interact directly with other scripted products.
If you would like to see my NPCs in action, feel free to go in-world and check them out, or read on for more detailed info.
Teleport to IruMoto Script Factory
If you have a viewer installed, click the landmark below to teleport to IruMoto Script Factory. If you don't have a viewer and would like to check out virtual worlds, download the free Firestorm Viewer, and then join a grid. I recommend DigiWorldz where my avatar has lived happily since 2016. If you take this link to DigiWorldz, I do get a commission if you later decide to rent land. I appreciate your support. 😊
The two main systems are:
- IruMoto NPC Engine
- IruMoto NPC Master
NPC Engine is the powerhouse that runs the show. It generates an NPC and enables it to exist and act as per your chosen routines. Its most common configuration is in conjunction with the Time Generator, which enables your NPCs to follow automated set-and-forget routines.
NPC Master is an optional tool that temporarily takes control of one or more NPC Engines, allowing their NPC(s) to interact directly with the user's avatar. Typical uses for the NPC Master are modelling clothes and body parts at stores, recording visual stories, directing roleplay, and sex animation sequences.
Here are their respective pages if you'd like to learn more:
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the contact form. Otherwise, enjoy exploring this cool tech.
Have a brilliant day,
Andrew (Thommo) Thompson, a.k.a. Xay Tomsen
