1. **1970s-1980s:** NPCs were initially simple supporting characters with limited roles and predefined dialogues. They served as obstacles or enemies controlled by artificial intelligence in games like Pac-Man (1980) or Space Invaders (1978).
1. **1990s:** NPCs began to evolve into more complex entities. In role-playing games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) or Final Fantasy VII (1997), NPCs offered more elaborate dialogues and side quests. However, their behavior was still constrained by predefined patterns.
1. **2000s:** With advancements in technology, storage capacity, and console power, NPCs started becoming more detailed. Games like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) or Grand Theft Auto III (2001) introduced more open and detailed worlds with NPCs that had realistic routines and behaviors, interacting with each other.
1. **2010s and beyond:** The evolution of NPCs accelerated with the development of artificial intelligence and increased processing power. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) brought NPCs to new levels of realism and complexity. These NPCs have their own goals, motivations, make independent decisions, and impact the game’s plot based on player actions.
What is NPC and why is it considered a fundamental part of video games?