Not totally related, but in the mid 2000s, I had thought that being made an NPC in a video game was a really kind honor- that someone probably really cared about you.
(usually if they didn’t, you’d get relegated to a humiliating gag or antagonist. Technically also NPCs, I guess, but not what you think of as “NPC”)

…And then the internet went and turned NPC into an insult.

Makes me feel sad for all those loving tributes and Make a Wish kids.