NPC

An NPC (Non-Player Character) is a video game character controlled by the computer rather than a human player — typically programmed with scripted, repetitive responses that don't change based on context. As internet slang, NPC became a meme in 2018 describing people who seem to repeat mainstream political or media talking points without independent thought, as if running a script rather than forming their own opinions. It's a pointed critique of ideological conformity.

What it means

The NPC meme gained significant traction when Twitter accounts impersonating NPCs — "gray blob" avatars responding to political events with scripted liberal talking points — were viral in the run-up to the 2018 U.S. midterm elections. Twitter suspended thousands of these accounts, which critics argued demonstrated the platform's political bias: satire was being removed for making fun of the wrong side.

At its most useful, the NPC concept points to a real phenomenon: media ecosystems that produce identical responses, talking points that spread unchanged from press release to pundit to social media, and a conformist culture that rewards performing the correct opinions rather than having genuine views. At its worst, it's dismissive shorthand for "anyone who disagrees with me."

How it works on Gab

The NPC meme circulates freely on Gab. Its target — conformist mainstream political culture — is a natural object of mockery in a community built around heterodox speech. The satire is an example of political speech that has faced censorship on mainstream platforms, which is precisely why it flourishes on free-speech platforms.

Related terms

NPCs are advanced normies. Echo chambers produce NPC-like behavior. Based is the antonym. Memes are how the NPC concept spreads.