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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.