2019-05-01+PC+Gamer

I

have the distinct
memory of bumping
into an NPC in Grand
Theft Auto 4. The
citizen dropped his
phone, which he’d been using to
take a photo of a building. He
groused about my rudeness, and
then, rather than picking his phone
up off the ground, he simply took a
second phone from his pocket and
resumed taking pictures.

One of the easiest ways to see how
deep the simulation of NPCs goes is
to interrupt their routines. Someone
is walking down the street and you
stop them. Do they eventually
continue on their way, or do they
stroll off in a completely different
direction? And where do they go
when you follow them? Nowhere?
Somewhere? Do they travel aimlessly
in circles or do they actually have a
start and end point?
While playing The Division 2 beta
over the weekend, I run into some
NPCs who were heading out to
gather food. Having spent a lot of
time in my gaming life following
NPCs around, my expectations
weren’t high that these settlers were
really going to gather food. I figured

they’d just wander through the

streets randomly until they got into

combat or circled back. I was wrong.

I followed the group of foodies for

a couple of minutes. They were very

polite, noticing my presence and

giving me a thumbs-up.

That’s nice and all, but I was still

doubtful they had an actual mission.

After tailing them for a few blocks

they turned off the street and

approached a building.

A few drew weapons. One took

cover. Another sat down for a brief

rest. They seemed cautious about

entering, so I ran on ahead and

checked it out. Through the doors

was a courtyard, and it did indeed

have some food supplies in it. And, to

my surprise and pleasure, this little

group of food gatherers actually

started gathering food.

On the way back, we ran into a

few members of an enemy faction.

Gunfire erupted, grenades were

thrown, and the settlers dropped

their box of food, took cover, and

pulled out guns. We fought and killed

the enemies, and then I ran back to

where the box of food was, fully

expecting it to just be left there.

Again, I was wrong! Yes, it’s done

a bit awkwardly, as two scavengers

clip through each other, but one does

actually pick up the food.

SAFELY HOME

As for what happens when they

make it back to the base, well, I

wasn’t exactly included in the

mission debriefing. One of them

shouts in victory, and the gate opens

for me, but the NPCs have their own

special door that only they can enter.

It’s cool, though. I’ve got other

things to do anyway. I can’t just hang

out with food collectors all day! I’m

an important Division agent, after all.

You guys... you guys have fun in your

secret food room. Without me.

CHRIS LIVINGSTON

THIS MONTH

Followed along.

ALSO PLAYED

Far Cry New Dawn

DiscoveringthesecretlivesofNPCsinTHEDIVISION 2

“And where do they go when you

follow them? Nowhere? Somewhere?”

ON THE WAY BACK, WE RAN

INTO A FEW MEMBERS OF

AN ENEMY FACTION

Nextmission:scavenge

somesleeves.

Can’t be too choosy about

meals these days.

EXTRA LIFE

NOW PLAYING (^) I MOD SPOTLIGHT I HOW TO I DIARY I REINSTALL I WHY I LOVE I M U S T P L A Y