A new TikTok trend has taken the storm, with many Malaysian content creators joining the bandwagon. Typically, they do livestreams acting like an “NPC” – an automated “non-player character.” The NPC trend has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok, where many Malaysian content creators have started to act like NPCs. These creators can earn impressive sums, with some disclosing they make up to RM4,000 daily.
What is an NPC?
In simple terms, these content creators dress in a particular way and act like a non-player character (commonly in video games) with pre-written dialogue. They repeat phrases such as “Thank you for the gift” and “Wow flower,” responding to gifts from their audience.
Some people may be confused by this trend, but did you know they are making big money?
How do these NPC creators make money?
Commonly, during these live streams, viewers send monetary tips to the creator, which appear on the screen. The tips come in the form of cartoon gifts like a rose, crown, or ice cream – to which the creator reacts in real-time.
Then, the creators respond with a catchphrase depending on what gifts appear on the screen, with minimal movement. Typically, they will repeat the movement.
For instance, creators like the twins Chamiy Malik, Faamiy Malik, and Nazri Yahya have proven they can capitalize on riding the trend. Here are their stories:
The NPC twin attracts viewers from South Korea
Chamiy and Faamiy Malik, popularly known as Cha and Faa @twoberriess on TikTok, are constantly making RM3,000 to RM4,000 daily as NPC twins. With over 200,000 followers on TikTok and 2.6 million likes, their audience ranges from children, teenagers, and adults. Their daily live streams easily attract thousands of audiences where they both demonstrate choreographed movements and fulfil viewer requests by repeating catchphrases.
As it may look easy, the twins clarified that they need to practice repeatedly to ensure their movements are synchronized. Cha and Faa do live streams twice a day. According to them, their live streams attract not only Malaysian viewers but also an international audience, including viewers from South Korea.
Due to their creativity, their earnings are not funnelled from NPC content only; they also leverage their online business, which they promote during live streams. Asked who encouraged them to do NPC content, Cha and Faa told the local news that they were encouraged by their mother to explore NPC content.
NPC creators are not “beggars”
In a different story, Nazri Yahya, @nazri.butterfly, shared that he started doing NPC content on TikTok just four months ago and has experienced remarkable success. Despite some netizens labelling NPC creators as “beggars,” Nazri said he received endless support from his followers.
According to Nazri, live streaming as an NPC has become his full-time job since quitting his 9-5 job in August. Usually, his live streams attract over 1,000 to 6,000 viewers and he goes live for over six hours. Despite all the critics, Nazri is happy with what he is doing, and this job gives him financial stability.
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