Pedestrians - Games

In video games, pedestrians serve as ambient NPCs that populate virtual worlds, enhancing realism through idle animations, contextual dialogue, and reactive behaviors to player actions. They often function as environmental storytelling tools, reflecting societal norms or dystopian themes through their routines and interactions. From open-world traffic to stealth-game distractions, pedestrians can be gameplay elements—obstacles, witnesses, or dynamic hazards. Their presence critiques player agency, as violence against them may trigger consequences or remain unpunished, questioning moral frameworks in simulated spaces. Ultimately, pedestrians bridge immersion and mechanics, transforming static settings into lived-in ecosystems.