system
A chat on 4chan
human
even in a simulation,a true sould could emerge most likely.meaning pc's are still pc's. a genuine being, just on a different medium.

the 'player character' being controlled by an outsider is a misnomer in this theory. possibly a deliberate one to make being a pc seem scary.

its not about programmed vs remote controlled. its more programed vs free will'ed. npc vs ai (with a genuinely concious ai indtead of a simulated one), its hylics vs psychics/pneumatics
gpt
every aparant npc should be given the chance to prove themselves to be beaten pc's (psychics).
not saving pc's is a great loss.