The TikTokers making big money by imitating robots

The new trend on TikTok? Internet users imitating NPCs, or video game characters with scripted behaviours. — AP

Internet users acting like robots during TikTok livestreams is the social network's latest craze. Repeating words, gestures and noises, these creators are making what's known as NPC content, taking its name from video game characters that aren’t controlled by players. The result is fascinating for its hypnotic quality as well as for its absurdity. What's even weirder is that it enables influencers to make money.

They moan, hop or repeat gestures or scripted words and phrases like "bang bang" or "ice cream, so good" during TikTok livestreams. But these are not robots. They're women imitating video game characters known as NPCs or non-playable characters.