If NPCs Were Sentient

[nothingspringstomind]

Would that make your player character the stupidest one in the world then?

Think about it, if you saw some random idiot running everywhere and smashing every object he finds while muttering something about coins, and occasionally staring off into space for several minutes/hours or spinning around in circles, you'd probably think something was very very wrong with him.

Or an unblinking, psychotic mute who, even though he has access to the latest in weapons technology, insists on running around and hitting the combine mechs with his crowbar.

 

[Erana]

If things were a video game, then I would expect that someone like me would be an NPC rather than a main character- If someone were to sweep through my life doing great things, all the more power to them. I'd be really pissed if they didn't take the time to do that sidequest to help me with my life problems, however.

I mean, really. How nice would it be for someone to drop in and fix everything for you?
Though in case this is a bethesda game, I'm duct taping my laptop to my leg. You Nerevanes and your sticky little fingers.

 

[SirAroun]

Minecraft would be unplayable

 

[Versuvius]

Also: Videogames would be banned for crimes against sentient beings, because fucking with a universe through an all powerful avatar is unethical. I would still go on omnicdal Arcanum rampages though...heh

 

[SidingWithTheEnemy]

Good idea Mr. Nothingspringstomind ,
I would finally date Miranda and Tali and Liara and have that long awaited foursome.
Then I would spend the rest of my life inside "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" being the onetime superheroguildmasterbadass of all guilds ever and enjoy myself there...
It's not that they could do anything to me with Chamaeleon 100%, so pretty save bet.
Magic is fun, Soulstones and wine aplenty, hell before it gets boring you can buy furniture and put your magic weapons on display.

 

[Extra-Ordinary]

Oh my, that's alot to think about. I'm not going to attach strings to this one. I assume you mean that it's not just good programming and that these NPC's, for all intents and purposes, have life. They have thoughts and feelings, friends and family. They have unique personalities and would react to situations how a person would with their personality. If they were mortally injured they would scream and cry and beg to their God why this is happening...
It's a lot to take in. I don't think I would keep playing game; at least not the one's where I can kill humans. I'll kill anything that express (in a way that I understand) that it's feeling pain. Boy, that sounds cruel. But luckily this is not the case, I'm get to keep playing.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Minecraft would be unplayable

I dunno. It might be pretty awesome. You would have to set traps and build much thickers walls and always counter the monsters new strategies.

Imagine if the creepers just blew themselves up on your walls!

 

[emeraldrafael]

If everyone in Saints Row or GTA just suddenly became sentient after seeing what i did to them ebfore, I'd sure as hell keep playing the way I did and double triple probably septuple my efforts to commit an inner city genocide otherwise I'd wind up looking at the death penalty for theft, assault, murder, destruction of property, public nudity, prostitution, acts of terrorism, assault/murder of law enforcement officers, GTA, hate crimes, sexism, racism, etc.

 

[Elsarild]

Well, to use your own example, in GTA, I'd carry on, since sometimes I can see NPC's spawn,, hovering a bit over the ground, so I know their lives has little to no meaning, since I can pretty much conclude they have no home, no family, no relations since they just got spawned into exsistance.

Other games? I'd be in more trouble, they would properly want to kill me.