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 remained though, 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 controlling them either.
For the most part, players embrace NPC interactions. The global 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.
Here is a short overview of my two main NPC systems. To learn more, visit their pages for full details.
If you would like to see my NPCs in action, feel free to go in-world and check them out.
Teleport to Arius, an Irukandji outpost
If you have a viewer installed, click the landmark to teleport to Arius.
IruMoto NPC Engine
IruMoto NPC Engine saves, stores, and generates a single NPC. As opposed to standard NPC generators, this engine is designed to fully flesh out an NPC so that you can create its back story and profile, give it a home location, and provide it with up to 11 different appearances and outfits.
With your NPCs ability to interact with the IruMoto Time Generator, it can also perform up to 300 programmed movements, actions, or activities, every 24 hours. It can also interact directly with its body enhancements such as PUMP Strip and Pump Cock + HUD.
NPCs generated by this engine can use up to three listen channels, allowing them to be triggered to life and controlled by Time Generator, NPC Master, avatar sensor, touch dialog, or chat command. Lost NPC Engines can be pinged to find their locations anywhere on your region.
I have 40+ NPC Engines and their NPCs in operation on Arius. They have virtually zero impact on game physics and generate no lag.
IruMoto NPC Master
IruMoto NPC Master gives your avatar temporary control over the actions of its associated NPC(s), via a dropdown dialogue menu. Common uses for the NPC Master are roleplaying, sex, companionship, parties, dancing, and visual storytelling.
Permissions can be set to Owner, Group, or Anyone.
For sex animation sequences, NPC Master also communicates directly with your avatar's scripted genitalia, e.g. Pump Cock + HUD.
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
