[agent008t]

But take computer games, for instance. The main character (or any important character) is usually very different from everyone around them. Both in the way they act, but also the way they look. Nobody wants to play as the NPC.

To me, that applies to real life as well. But it would seem that a lot of people want to stand out in a video game/movie/book etc., but conform in real life?

[theoh]

Not everyone can be the protagonist in real life, but they can imitate a prominent person and thereby associate themselves with that person's success and prestige. It's a variety of narcissism in which less successful people deal with their narcissistic urges by becoming "followers".

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_narcissism#The_char...

[azeotropic]

There are obvious disadvantages to being the PC -- your life is not stable or safe. In real life, there are no save points. It's not so surprising that people live real life as an NPC, but fantasize about the excitement of being a PC, and consume media that allows them to indulge that fantasy without risk.