This concept represents the in-game character controlled by the player—as opposed to
Non Player Characters who aren't. Typically the game puts you in charge of at least one entity, but the extent to which that entity
is an actual character, as opposed to being a
Featureless Protagonist or
Non-Entity General, depends on the genre, the game, the game's developers, and even (if
Character Customization is available) the player him- or herself. Our page on
Player and Protagonist Integration has more details on the different points along the scale that are possible here.
Sometimes, the term PC only refers to
The Protagonist, particularly if they are created by the player, while
NPC is used even for
other party members who the player still controls but are preexisting characters within the game world, rather than a personal avatar. For more information on possible PC/NPC party configurations, see
Player Character Calculus.
It's a curious thing, but most PCs in tabletop RPGs have a sort of personality archetype that applies regardless of the genre of the game the PCs are in or the personalities of the people playing them. They tend to be:
This largely stems from the PCs being
the main characters in their story and, more importantly,
knowing it.
Finally, a wise word to all tropers: don't conflate Player Characters with players.
Ryu punches Ken, Ryu does not punch
the player. Unless
something has gone horribly wrong. Or
something has gone horribly right.
