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Here’s the breakdown of what’s in store today

⭐ 1 Shift: Why We Watch NPCs and Mow Virtual Lawns

⚡ 1 Tip: Power of Negative Selection

💊 3 Resources: Creative Resources for Next Level Design Work

⭐ Shift

Why We Watch NPCs and Mow Virtual Lawns

I am going to unpack(for better or worse) this fascinating new trend that's making a buzz on TikTok - the NPC streaming trend. (NPC = Non-Playable Character) Users are getting into the spirit of gaming by roleplaying as NPCs, embodying their characteristics of repetitive dialogue and movements, all in response to their followers and audience sending them "gifts".

Pinkydoll, a creator based in Montreal, has become quite popular in this space. Here's how the whole gig works: NPC streamers like her repeat a series of non-sequitur dialogues and actions - think facial expressions, gestures, peculiar phrases - that are seemingly purposeless, apart from creating a certain ambiance in the virtual world. This performance art resembles the actions of background characters (NPCs) in video games. The kinds that you run over while driving in GTA. These interactions are facilitated by ‘gifts’.

Gifts, in this context, are small monetary tips that vary from 1 to 40k coins, which viewers can purchase with actual money. It's quite the monetization model, as the bigger the gift, the more money spent. The coins, when given, manifest on the stream as little cartoon presents, such as roses or ice cream cones, and the NPC streamer reacts to each one with a set phrase.

While people might scoff at the trend, these streamers are banking on it - literally. Pinkydoll, has catchphrases tied to each gift – “Ice cream so good” for an ice cream cone, “Gang gang” for a GG icon, and “You got me feeling like a cowgirl” for a cowboy hat. I mean, WTF!

But How do you classify NPC streaming?

Some people have tied this trend with fetish videos, but there's also a concern that labeling it as such could potentially expand digital surveillance and trigger moral panic against sex workers. Indeed, some popular NPC streamers produce adult content on other platforms just fyi.

The phenomenon isn't unique to TikTok though. Platforms like Twitch have been operating similar models for a while, where viewers accrue channel points as long as they are watching a stream. They can use these points to buy special emojis or subscriptions, putting real money into the pockets of streamers. In this environment, NPC streamers are just another genre of creators who commodify their bodies for the online marketplace.

Interestingly, NPC streamers have a distinctive aesthetic - think exaggerated wigs, filters, and costumes, which seem to reflect the stereotypes associated with controversial gamer "e-girls." And just like e-girls, NPC streamers have been celebrated as anti-heroines, smartly capitalizing on the attention economy. So I guess in a way, NPC streamers are an evolution of game streamers, offering their bodies as intimate interfaces for audience interaction.

Additionally, this trend borrows from the ASMR trend as well as it’s a bit hypnotic lol. The repetition makes it fit for people seeking sensory stimulation.

This whole narrative around NPC streaming goes beyond our need for simple entertainment. It taps into our deeper yearning for interactivity, for immersion in alternate realities that video games provide us. (It reminded me of the game Sims for some reason.) Speaking of which, this brings us to another bizarre yet increasingly popular facet of gaming – simulator games.

Rise of Mundane Simulator Games

Simulator games like "Microsoft Flight Simulator" or "The Sims," have always been popular as they offer a safe space for experimentation and escapism. If you look up top most played games on Steam there are games like Euro Truck Simulator and Farming simulator coming in the top 50 (all time games). That was surprising to me and it got me into another rabbit hole but I promise I’ll connect some dots.

What stood out to me is the unexpected popularity of a game called "Lawn Mowing Simulator." You basically operate different types of mowers, and are tasked with being careful to not over-mow any area. mm.. that’s it really. There’s another one called Power Wash Simulator which is one of the highest rated games on Steam coming in at no. 73, way above games like DOOM and Skyrim. These games are a far cry from high-octane shooters or fantastical role-playing adventures.

Why is this happening, you ask? Well, at a time when our real-world lives are increasingly complicated and unpredictable, the predictable, task-oriented world of simulator games offer a comforting escape. It's sorta like mastering a craft - achieving that perfect lawn cut or the smoothest flight path offers a sense of accomplishment. Simulator games offer not only a break from our chaotic reality but also let us play out our fantasies of control and perfection. I still spend hours on Cities Skyline building the perfect city.

Let me now connect the dots for you (and this is just my thesis.. so look at it as only cultural commentary)

So what’s the shift?

Blurring the lines between reality and fantasy

In essence, NPC streaming and the rise of simulator games showcase our ever-evolving relationship with digital technology and gaming culture. I can’t help but think that there a few similarities and correlations between these two worlds. Here’s my attempt at deciphering why both these bizarre trends exist and are driven by the same core motives-

Escapism: Like many forms of social media and entertainment, the NPC trend provides a form of escapism for both viewers and participants. It's a break from reality, a chance to step into a different character or world. This is exactly why simulator games are successful. A chance to live like someone else.

Control: In these simulation games, players have a complete control over the environment and tasks. They can take a chaotic scenario and transform it into something neat and orderly. This provides a sense of achievement and satisfaction, which can be therapeutic and comforting. In real life, the results of our actions can often be unpredictable, but in these games, every correct move is rewarding. Here is the kicker… I think the NPC trend is exactly this - viewers feel a sense of control (over NPC humans) when they offer gifts and the streamer performs to that cue. Call it a fetish or a deep rooted human desire but it feels like you as a viewer almost have this unwavering influence on the NPC streamer.

Both these worlds offer an alternate reality where users can enjoy control and direct feedback for their actions, something that real life doesn't always provide. Think about it, we're now constantly finding new ways to play, interact, and even work - blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, creator and audience, game and life. It's a wild, wild virtual world out there!

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⚡ Tip

Power of Negative Selection

Here’s a fun design exercise for you. The primary idea behind Negative Selection is to focus on what you don't want or what shouldn't be in a solution, product, or scenario. By clarifying and understanding what's undesirable, you can indirectly highlight or arrive at what is desirable. Personally, I also feel coming up with stuff you don’t want is easier.

Process:

1. State the Challenge: Clearly define the problem or challenge you're facing.

2. List the Negatives: Instead of brainstorming solutions, list all the outcomes, features, or attributes you don't want. This could range from things that wouldn't work to those that would be counterproductive.

3. Analyze and Flip: Go through each negative item and flip it. Turn each unwanted outcome into a positive desire or requirement. This inversion will give you a clearer picture of what you're aiming for.

4. Refine: With a list of positive outcomes in hand, refine and prioritize them to align with the original challenge.

Eg. Let’s say you are tasked with designing a user-friendly and engaging mobile app to help individuals reach their personal fitness goals.

List the Negatives:

1. Doesn't cater to beginners.

2. Has generic workout plans that aren’t customizable.

3. Requires expensive equipment.

4. Lacks motivation or rewards for progress.

5. Only targets one type of fitness (e.g., strength training).

6. No social interaction or community features… etc.

Analyze and Flip:

1. From "Doesn't cater to beginners" to "Should have beginner-friendly tutorials and workout plans."

2. From "Has generic workout plans" to "Offers customizable workout plans based on user goals and fitness levels."
   

   You get it!

Happy Designing!

💊 Resources

3 links to boost your creativity.

• Burst Photos CC0 Stock photos library by Shopify

• Icons8 Stock Photos with tons of customization. Great for Branding Imagery but the AI on some images can be a bit janky

• How to Land Big Brands - A small excerpt from a Podcast interview with Jennifer & Amy Hood, co-owners of Hoodzpah