The NPC live stream trend, explained

TikTok live streamers are pretending to be video game characters and earning thousands of dollars in return.

Transcript

00:00Hi Ria!

00:04Creators are earning thousands of dollars for pretending to be video game characters

00:07thanks to the latest TikTok trend.

00:09It's called NPC streaming and it's where TikTokers pretend to be non-playable characters

00:14or people you typically encounter in video games that come pre-programmed with repetitive

00:18movements and catchphrases.

00:19People are bringing these characters to life via TikTok live where they stare into the

00:23camera and deliver cartoonish phrases and actions in response to digital gifts that

00:27viewers send.

00:28Thank you for the sushi!

00:29Strong, strong!

00:30AHHHHHH!

00:31Thank you for the cat paws!

00:33For the sender these virtual gifts can range in price from 1 cent to 500 dollars.

00:37But the enticing part for creators is that they get to keep a portion of the revenue

00:40of each gift.

00:41One particular creator who has gained a following for her NPC streaming is Fada Sinan also known

00:46as Pinky doll.

00:47Mm ice cream's so good yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes balloon!

00:55Sinan who draws in tens of thousands of viewers per live stream earns between $2,000 and $3,000

00:59$3,000 per day from TikTok GIFs. The fascination with NPC streaming has puzzled many, with some

01:04labeling it as fetish content and others an extension of cosplay. Regardless, NPC streamers

01:09like Sinon are unbothered by reactions, telling the New York Times, quote, at the end of the day,

01:14I'm winning.