ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

What Is NPC Streaming, the New Tiktok Trend?

Currently, these videos are all the rage on the famous video-sharing platform TikTok
PUBLISHED NOV 23, 2023
Cover Image Source: TikTok | PinkyDoll
Cover Image Source: TikTok | PinkyDoll

If you haven't come across videos on TikTok where TikTokers are acting like playable characters from video games, then we are here to tell you that they are nothing short of mesmerizing. The trend which is called  “NPC streaming” is all 'bout awkwardly repeating pre-programmed phrases and of course the movements. The most recognizable face in this trend is that of Pinkydoll, who is a Montreal-based content creator whose “ice cream so good” clips went viral this week. The phrases are her reactions to her gifts from thousands of viewers, who had sent her digital ice cream cones, roses, doughnuts, and hearts.

The logo of the mobile video sharing and social networking application TikTok | Getty Images | Photo by Chesnot
The logo of the mobile video sharing and social networking application TikTok | Getty Images | Photo by Chesnot

Currently, these videos are all the rage on the famous video-sharing platform TikTok. In a video, one young content creator can be seen sitting in a tub, dressed in a sombrero, greeting viewers in a robotic voice while splashing water in a loop. Mostly creators are seen, reacting to their gifts with phrases like “ice cream so good”, “slay, huh”, and balloon-popping noises that sound satisfying according to users.

The exact reason is unknown but we can all agree that there's something bizarre about seeing very limited movement being repeated over and over again. Another probable reason is that this trend taps into already existing trends like ASMR which is extremely loved on the internet. The viewers also love the engagement factor of it. They enjoy the fact that their gifts and rewards are being accepted in such a fashion and the fact that they are also getting a response. 



 

There's some talk surrounding this trend that suggests that these videos have sexual undertones and are explicit to some extent. Many have also talked about how the fact that payments are being accepted and offered in exchange for these lets the viewers feel an unhealthy sense of control over the content creators. The fact that the women who made this trend famous also have their own OnlyFans pages is only adding to the controversy.

Christine Tran, a University of Toronto doctoral researcher of internet culture and digital labor says “I think the NPC streamer can be understood as the media granddaughter of sorts to the ‘e-girls’ influencers that populated Twitch and TikTok in the early 2020s,” she says. “These are also self-sexualized creators who built their followings by combining the aesthetics of gamer culture with cam girl influencing.”

On the other hand, some people are using this bizarre trend to make some positive changes. DeRoche did the same thing for two hours straight, to raise money for her child's braces. She later spoke to the Guardian and said, “I have mad respect for people who are doing this for more than two hours a day – because it does take a lot of effort. You are using your brain a lot more than people think you are when you’re doing that type of thing because you have to remember what each thing means and respond to it in the same way every time. That said, it was honestly fun.”



 

TikTok is part of everyone's lives now and eliminating it is not an easy job. To avoid any mishaps, it's important to have healthy conversations regarding all this with your children and their social media feeds. This is why, every parent needs to take an interest in these apps and learn about them as much as they can. Curiosity and learning can ensure your and your child's digital welfare. A few ways to protect your kids from the negative effects of social media is by setting daily limits and censoring some of the pages. 

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The player also brought her husband along on the stage to support her.
8 hours ago
The guest who had very little idea about the Sun Valley poster was beyond delighted.
10 hours ago
The FSIS announced at least five people were injured from consumption of the affected products.
1 day ago
In the end, the guest was ready to fight her sister for an item worth thousands of dollars.
1 day ago
Fans were heartbroken to see the player, Ryan, walk away empty handed.
1 day ago
Harvey couldn't believe the hard researched facts about catfish on the show.
1 day ago
Carey demanded the Wikipedia page of "Stack the Deck" game to be updated after the win.
1 day ago
The player Titus Stevens missed out on taking home nearly $65,000 over an easy puzzle.
2 days ago
Harvey couldn't control himself after hearing some of the answers.
2 days ago
The thrift store find turned out to be quite profitable for the seller named Kimberly.
3 days ago
The creator showed proof that the store jacked up the price of an item by $3 during a sale.
4 days ago
The contestant, Linda Rivera failed to crack a seemingly easy phrase in the finale.
4 days ago
Fans couldn't believe that the player chose to miss out on such a good opportunity.
4 days ago
Host Drew Carey had to point out how loud the viewers were before the emotional victory.
5 days ago
While the guest got a massive appraisal for her grandma's ring, she was clear on her stand.
5 days ago
While some blamed the tough puzzle, a few were disappointed with the player, Rob Schwandt.
5 days ago
The player was a bit too excited for the trip and so was her husband in the audience.
6 days ago
The player, Ashton Hildebrand when on to win the showcase for prizes worth over $52,000.
6 days ago
The guest, Jad managed to bring a deal back from the dead and get exactly the amount he asked for.
6 days ago