NPCs are not soulless automatons

NPCs are egregore-controlled humans, they still have an independent mind but their mind is enslaved and used as a tool for expressing the egregore mind, like a two-way radio channel.
see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egregore
Its possible to disrupt the link to egregore by subversive thought insertion(aka memes), allowing the original mind to assert its will and independent thought. The egregore can't focus on multiple mental challenges simultaneously and the "radio channel" has limited capacity.
NPCs can be reformed to PCs.

Also, the label NPC is the most apt description of the phenomena:
1.Its neutral and non-political(except the implied "dehumanization")
2.Its readily understood due gaming being popular
3.It hints at true nature of humans
4.It doesn't introduce any complex ideas
The only flaw here is black/white division of NPC/PC, since its likely a spectrum similar to Autism and to less extent Dyslexia.
"High-functioning NPCs" may live through sub-conscious programming without expending much mental effort, like some meditators turning off "discriminating mind" to reach unfiltered "pure consciousness". There might be even a psychological benefit to stay in that state - it will lower chances of self-reflective self-digging/self-pity/etc.
The NPC autopilot-thinking will also protect it from handling existential issues, meta-reflection/introspection are essentially a form of self-criticism and hit the ego assumptions/values very hard.