Non-playable characters' peripheral effect in relation to narrative and worldbuilding in video games

Abstract: The goal of this thesis is to find out how non-playable characters (NPC) in their own peripheral way, contribute to the narrative and worldbuilding of a video game. A prototype of a role-playing video game (RPG) was created for this particular study, in order to investigate and measure the effect of NPCs on worldbuilding and narrative in video games. Participants were recruited for the testing of the prototype followed by semi-structured interviews. The interviews were then analyzed and a conclusion on how NPCs affect the narrative and worldbuilding was reached, that being through multiple fronts such as foreshadowing future events and giving the world life with culture, and personal identities.