How does gta online handle npcs compared to the single player mode?

The online multiplayer version of Grand Theft Auto focuses on player versus player and mission‑based gameplay, so non‑player characters are typically confined to set roles such as mission partners, gang members, or incidental street NPCs. Their actions are largely predetermined and do not adapt to player choices beyond the mission context. In contrast, the single‑player narrative allows NPCs to exhibit more varied behavior, follow complex story arcs, and respond to the player’s actions with changes in dialogue, expression, and support or hostility. Consequently, the online mode offers a more static representation of NPCs, prioritizing stability and performance across many concurrent players.