Viral TikTok NPC trend is the most disturbing yet
The viral TikTok NPC trend is everywhere right now, with the platform being accused of platforming risque streams similar to Twitch's hot tub meta.
17th Jul 2023 10:48
TikTok Pinkydoll | Rockstar Games | TikTok Natuecoco
Viral TikTok NPC trend is the most disturbing yet
The viral TikTok NPC trend is everywhere right now, with the platform being accused of platforming risque streams similar to Twitch's hot tub meta.
17th Jul 2023 10:48
TikTok Pinkydoll | Rockstar Games | TikTok Natuecoco
Forget women stripping off to their bikinis and jumping in a hot tub on Twitch, there's a new risque meta climbing the ranks of streaming and getting everyone talking. This time, it's TikTok's viral NPC trend that has viewers questioning WTF is going on and why we are watching people munching virtual ice cream.
Whether it's hot tubs, tight-fitting yoga pants, or selling farts in jars, internet personalities will always find a way to push the boundaries of what streaming services like Twitch and Kick will allow to be shown. TikTok is pretty rigid with what it considers 'adult' content, but then comes the NPC trend.
What is the TikTok NPC trend?
Seemingly coined by popular streamer Pinkydoll, the NPC trend is currently everywhere. Basically turning the TikTok personality into an NPC you might find in GTA or The Elder Scrolls, they sit/stand there and sway like a poorly programmed background character.
You then send them virtual gifts, and they react with a recurring bank of lines, watching the views flood in and their bank balances balloon. It's not as obviously seductive as Twitch's hot tub debacle, but either way, it's making the likes of Pinkydoll some serious coin.
Pinkydoll is at the forefront of the trend, with one tweet about her gathering almost 50 million views. If that wasn't enough, one of her biggest backers is music producer, Timbaland - who Pinky even broke character for. She's seen her viewership soar, and at the time of writing, she's crossing 400k subscribers.
The good, the bad, and the weird of the NPC trend
Others like Cherry Crush TV have quickly cottoned onto the TikTok NPC trend, although Pinkydoll seems unbeatable. As both Pinkydoll and Cherry maintain OnlyFans accounts, critics claim this goes against TikTok's "sexually suggestive content." Then again, there is nothing overtly sexual in these streams.
Some have pointed to the "NPC kink" fetish, and while we're not kink-shaming, it's likely at least some of these streamers know the niche market they're appealing to. Considering one TikTok coin costs around $0.01 and some gifts cost thousands (with streamers getting a portion of the profits), the trend can be a lucrative one.
Everyone wants a slice of the pie, and one of the strangest we've found is TikTok user Malik, who tries to imitate a Miles Morales NPC. Also, shout out to Crystal Alana Bennett, who looks like she's fighting for her life trying to keep up. We've got to hand it to Pinky and Cherry, it takes a lot of stamina to keep up with the NPC trend.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
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