Difference between playing an NPC and a PC

[Mulu]

I used to DM in player client. We had DMFI tools and created PC/NPC's that were both for individual play and for facilitating the play of others, though mostly the latter. With the wands you had nearly the full power of a DM, sans the ability to possess or move NPC's, though you could still throw your voice with the voice widget. I remember running five separate conversations at once, four through NPC's set with the voice widget and one through my PC, and the other players thought they were talking to multiple DM possessed NPC's. Those PC/NPC's were frozen in level and had significant plot involvement, frequently being quest givers but that would also accompany the party on the quest. It worked extremely well, but it did require a roleplay style of facilitating the game for others, a support role not the main star. As plot characters, they were immortal until chosen to die for a plot reason.

So, a hybrid is possible. Of course, on that same server members could play and DM, since it was a one server world. The PC/NPC was an option for people who preferred the player client, and they mostly functioned as DM assistants. I almost always had a DM in game with me when running my PC/NPC. But even playing the PC/NPC was not the same as just playing. I had a regular PC as well on that server, and enjoyed being able to just play without having to be a "fixer" of every problem that came up for others. So, apples, pears and pear-apples, each a very different experience.

[Brokenbone]

I finally know what the voice throwing widgets are for now...!

Thought to myself "what DM in their right mind would use these when they could instead jump NPC to NPC", I guess maybe there's other "non DM client" applications for them... if for some reason (DM consent or maybe a weird henchman arrangement) a PC was permitted to put words into the mouths of others.

...

Anyhow, back on topic, good post from Zelknolf, and FI's post made me wonder what pear pie might taste like. Thanks both!

[Pathos Street]

NPCs are exposition in a story being told to & lived by PCs. Might as well consider them like the trees and stones in a video game, where it is counterproductive to render them when a PC isn't in the area.

[Mulu]

As a total aside, I'm a heavy user of the voice widget even in DM client. I frequently have as many as six NPC's chatting at once, and it's a lot faster to type that than it is to jump and type.

[Nalo Jade]

One other note...

Maybe a bit off the intended topic ...

If I have a player in the campaign that has decided to volunteer to DM on server X and the campaign then leads to that server, they have to BS some in character reason they can't go to that area ...

That doesn't seem right to me.

It certainly doesn't encourage DMing.

We need more DMs.

This would increase the number of DMs.

The risk is worth it, especially if its on a case by case basis.