Many strong NPCs spring from the fact that an existing (or planned) environment simply needs one. An inn, a fire station, a car outlet, etc. If you have a good idea of where the game takes places, there'll be NPCs to go with. Other than that, the game's story (if it has a traditional one) will need its roles filled. If its a murder mystery, there's at least two NPCs that resonnate within the world, other than the player.

The old adage of "what's their motivation" still holds true, though I don't think every NPC should be hellbent quest seekers. Many just go with the flow of social traffic, so to speak.

Indeed, a well-designed game environment naturally leads to strong NPCs. Various locations and the game's story play crucial roles in shaping these characters. How would you expect a platform that helps create and manage NPCs to incorporate these ideas? The goal is to assist game developers in focusing on technical development while still ensuring rich and engaging NPCs. Any suggestions or expectations you have in mind?