KUALA LUMPUR: Just by repeating the same movements within a period of 30 minutes to an hour, some people can accumulate 'contributions' amounting to RM4,000 per day.
This is the profit earned by trend content creators, known as Non-player Characters (NPC), on TikTok until some of them are labelled as 'beggars' online.
In video games, NPC refers to characters not controlled by players, serving as side characters with repetitive movements and dialogues, lacking on storyline, but players can interact with them.
However, on the TikTok platform, content creators portray or mimic NPC characters by interacting with viewers in a limited way, only repeating the same conversations or movements each time they receive a 'gift' donation.
Viewers can choose the form of 'gift' to donate before it is converted into 'coins'.
Content creator Nazri Yahya, 22, with the username @nazri.butterfly, said he has been following the NPC trend for four months, garnering between 1,000 and 6,000 viewers each time he goes live.
"Although it is tiring, the results obtained from this trend are beneficial and entertaining for the followers.
"I will go live for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of one hour," he said when interviewed by Harian Metro.
According to him, despite some labelling NPC content creators as beggars, he doesn't take it to heart as he still receives support from the followers.
"I decided to become a full-time NPC content creator after quitting my job last August, and it brings personal satisfaction to me.
"I was surprised to get the attention of 400 viewers the first time I went live and earned RM4,000 in three days of broadcasting.
"I am aware of some insulting comments, but I don't take it seriously because it doesn't harm me," he said.
He mentioned that some parents praise the content he produces for capturing the attention of their children.
"My audience is not only local but also includes TikTok users from China and the US who watch my character," he said.
Meanwhile, NPC twin pair Chamiy Malik and Faamiy Malik, known as Cha and Faa, said their characters receive high views every day
."The highest views we have ever received are about 18,000 viewers, consisting of children, teenagers, and adults," they said.
Cha said their estimated income can reach between RM3,000 and RM4,000 per day.
She mentioned that despite appearing easy, playing NPC characters requires training and time management.
"We train to have the same movements and improve each movement based on the type of 'gift'.
"We go live twice a day, in the afternoon and evening, while in the morning, we manage our online business," she said.
Cha admitted that the activity is exhausting, but the results are worth it because besides earning a decent income, they indirectly promote their business.
"We go live as late as 3 or 4 in the morning and as early as 9 or 10 at night. Our viewers are not only local but from countries like South Korea.
"There are also business customers from our viewers, boosting the business that has been running for three years," she said.
They will continue the activity as they receive support from their mother.
"Our mother suggested that we create such content because it is a trend now. We never expected it to get attention and a lot of response," she said.
NPC content trend damages societal thinking the Malaysian Consumers' Association (MCCA), however, reminds the public not to be too swayed by trends that bring no benefits.
Its president, Siraj Jalil, said the NPC content trend on TikTok is a gimmick of characters in video games that provide scripted responses after players interact with them.
"I believe those who follow this trend are the generation that plays video games and imitates every character in them," he said.
He said the MCCA opposes the creation of such content because it may become an unhealthy trend.
"The NPC trend does not bring any meaning to the audience and