Dialogue tree: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Dialog tree example.svg|thumb|right|399px|Example of a simple dialog tree.]] |
[[File:Dialog tree example.svg|thumb|right|399px|Example of a simple dialog tree.]] |
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A '''dialog tree''' or '''conversation tree''' is a gameplay mechanic that is used throughout many [[adventure game]]s<ref>[http://pc.ign.com/articles/164/164528p1.html IGN: Escape From Monkey Island Review]</ref><ref>[http://godpatterns.com/adventure-games/adventure-game-design-patterns Adventure Game Design Patterns at God Patterns]</ref><ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~ervind/sierrademos.html Strange Things in Sierra's Adventure Game Demos]</ref><ref>[http://videogames.yahoo.com/printview_feature?eid=1068735 Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Hands-On - Yahoo! Video Games]</ref><ref>[http://www.gamedev.net/reference/articles/article247.asp GameDev.net - NPC Conversation Techniques]</ref><ref>[http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,508/ Adventure Gamers : Callahan's Crosstime Saloon]</ref> (including [[action-adventure game]]s<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071223122303/http://starcontrol.classicgaming.gamespy.com/history/fford.shtml The Pages of Now & Forever - All About Star Control]</ref>) and [[role-playing video game]]s.<ref name="fundamentals"/> When interacting with a non-player character, the player is given a choice of what to say and makes subsequent choices until the conversation ends.<ref name="fundamentals"/> |
A '''dialog tree''' or '''conversation tree''' is a gameplay mechanic that is used throughout many [[adventure game]]s<ref>[http://pc.ign.com/articles/164/164528p1.html IGN: Escape From Monkey Island Review]</ref><ref>[http://godpatterns.com/adventure-games/adventure-game-design-patterns Adventure Game Design Patterns at God Patterns]</ref><ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~ervind/sierrademos.html Strange Things in Sierra's Adventure Game Demos]</ref><ref>[http://videogames.yahoo.com/printview_feature?eid=1068735 Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Hands-On - Yahoo! Video Games]</ref><ref>[http://www.gamedev.net/reference/articles/article247.asp GameDev.net - NPC Conversation Techniques]</ref><ref>[http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,508/ Adventure Gamers : Callahan's Crosstime Saloon]</ref> (including [[action-adventure game]]s<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071223122303/http://starcontrol.classicgaming.gamespy.com/history/fford.shtml The Pages of Now & Forever - All About Star Control]</ref>) and [[role-playing video game]]s.<ref name="fundamentals"/> When interacting with a [[non-player character]], the player is given a choice of what to say and makes subsequent choices until the conversation ends.<ref name="fundamentals"/> Certain [[video game genres]], such as [[visual novel]]s and [[dating sim]]s, revolve almost entirely around these character interactions and [[Nonlinear gameplay|branching dialogues]].<ref name="Gamasutra"/> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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The concept of a dialog tree has existed long before the advent of video |
The concept of a dialog tree has existed long before the advent of [[video game]]s. The earliest known dialog tree is evident in a story known as [[The Garden of Forking Paths]] where all major outcomes from an event branch into their own chapters. Much like the game counterparts this story reconvenes as it progresses (as possible outcomes would approach n^m where n is the number of options at each fork and m is the depth of the tree). |
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The first computer dialogue system was featured in [[ELIZA]], a primitive [[natural language processing]] [[computer program]] written by [[Joseph Weizenbaum]] between 1964 and 1966. The program emulated interaction between the user and an [[Artificial intelligence|artificial]] therapist. With the advent of [[video game]]s, [[interactive entertainment]] have attempted to incorporate meaningful interactions with virtual characters. [[Nonlinear gameplay|Branching dialogues]] have since become a common feature in visual novels, [[dating sim]]s, [[adventure game]]s, and [[role-playing video game]]s.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web|title=Defining Dialogue Systems|author=Brent Ellison|date=July 8, 2008|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3719/defining_dialogue_systems.php|accessdate=2011-03-30}}</ref> |
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== Game mechanics == |
== Game mechanics == |
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The player typically enters the gameplay mode by choosing to speak with a [[non-player character]] (or when a non-player character chooses to speak to them), and then choosing a line of pre-written dialog from a menu. Upon choosing what to say, the non-player character responds to the player, and the player is given another choice of what to say. This cycle continues until the conversation ends. The conversation may end when the player selects a farewell message, the non-player character has nothing more to add and ends the conversation, or when the player makes a bad choice (perhaps angering the non-player to leave the conversation). |
The player typically enters the gameplay mode by choosing to speak with a [[non-player character]] (or when a non-player character chooses to speak to them), and then choosing a line of pre-written dialog from a menu. Upon choosing what to say, the non-player character responds to the player, and the player is given another choice of what to say. This cycle continues until the conversation ends. The conversation may end when the player selects a farewell message, the non-player character has nothing more to add and ends the conversation, or when the player makes a bad choice (perhaps angering the non-player to leave the conversation). |
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Games often offer options to ask non-players to reiterate information about a topic, allowing players to replay parts of the conversation that they did not pay close enough attention to the first time.<ref name="fundamentals"/> |
Games often offer options to ask non-players to reiterate information about a topic, allowing players to replay parts of the conversation that they did not pay close enough attention to the first time.<ref name="fundamentals"/> These conversations are said to be designed as a [[tree structure]], with players deciding between each branch of dialog to pursue. Unlike a branching story, players may return to earlier parts of a conversation tree and repeat them. Each branch point (or node) is essentially a different menu of choices, and each choice that the player makes triggers a response from the non-player character followed by a new menu of choices. |
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These conversations are said to be designed as a [[tree structure]], with players deciding between each branch of dialog to pursue. Unlike a branching story, players may return to earlier parts of a conversation tree and repeat them. Each branch point (or node) is essentially a different menu of choices, and each choice that the player makes triggers a response from the non-player character followed by a new menu of choices. |
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In some genres such as [[role-playing game]]s, external factors such as charisma may influence the response of the non-player character or unlock options that would not be available to other characters.<ref name="fundamentals"/> |
In some genres such as [[role-playing video game]]s, external factors such as charisma may influence the response of the non-player character or unlock options that would not be available to other characters.<ref name="fundamentals"/> These conversations can have far-reaching consequences, such as deciding to disclose a valuable secret that has been entrusted to the player.<ref name="fundamentals"/> However, these are usually not real [[tree data structure]] in programmers sense, because they contain cycles as can be seen on illustration on this page. |
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Certain game genres revolve almost entirely around character interactions, including [[visual novel]]s such as ''[[Ace Attorney]]'' and [[dating sim]]s such as ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'', usually featuring complex branching dialogues and often presenting the player's possible responses word-for-word as the [[player character]] would say them. Games revolving around relationship-building, including visual novels, dating sims such as ''Tokimeki Memorial'', and some role-playing games such as ''[[Shin Megami Tensei: Persona]]'', often give choices that have a different number of associated "mood points" which influence a player character's relationship and future conversations with a non-player character. These games often feature a [[Persistent world|day-night cycle]] with a time scheduling system that provides context and relevance to character interactions, allowing players to choose when and if to interact with certain characters, which in turn influences their responses during later conversations.<ref name="Gamasutra"/> |
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These conversations can have far-reaching consequences, such as deciding to disclose a valuable secret that has been entrusted to the player.<ref name="fundamentals"/> |
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Another variation of branching dialogues can be seen in the [[adventure game]] ''[[Culpa Innata]]'', where the player chooses a tactic at the beginning of a conversation, such as using either a formal, casual or accusatory manner, that affects the tone of the conversation and the information gleaned from the interviewee.<ref name="Gamasutra"/> |
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However, these are usually not real [[tree data structure]] in programmers sense, because they contain cycles as can be seen on illustration on this page. |
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== Value and impact == |
== Value and impact == |
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Revision as of 16:16, 30 March 2011
A dialog tree or conversation tree is a gameplay mechanic that is used throughout many adventure games[1][2][3][4][5][6] (including action-adventure games[7]) and role-playing video games.[8] When interacting with a non-player character, the player is given a choice of what to say and makes subsequent choices until the conversation ends.[8] Certain video game genres, such as visual novels and dating sims, revolve almost entirely around these character interactions and branching dialogues.[9]
History
The concept of a dialog tree has existed long before the advent of video games. The earliest known dialog tree is evident in a story known as The Garden of Forking Paths where all major outcomes from an event branch into their own chapters. Much like the game counterparts this story reconvenes as it progresses (as possible outcomes would approach n^m where n is the number of options at each fork and m is the depth of the tree).
The first computer dialogue system was featured in ELIZA, a primitive natural language processing computer program written by Joseph Weizenbaum between 1964 and 1966. The program emulated interaction between the user and an artificial therapist. With the advent of video games, interactive entertainment have attempted to incorporate meaningful interactions with virtual characters. Branching dialogues have since become a common feature in visual novels, dating sims, adventure games, and role-playing video games.[9]
Game mechanics
The player typically enters the gameplay mode by choosing to speak with a non-player character (or when a non-player character chooses to speak to them), and then choosing a line of pre-written dialog from a menu. Upon choosing what to say, the non-player character responds to the player, and the player is given another choice of what to say. This cycle continues until the conversation ends. The conversation may end when the player selects a farewell message, the non-player character has nothing more to add and ends the conversation, or when the player makes a bad choice (perhaps angering the non-player to leave the conversation).
Games often offer options to ask non-players to reiterate information about a topic, allowing players to replay parts of the conversation that they did not pay close enough attention to the first time.[8] These conversations are said to be designed as a tree structure, with players deciding between each branch of dialog to pursue. Unlike a branching story, players may return to earlier parts of a conversation tree and repeat them. Each branch point (or node) is essentially a different menu of choices, and each choice that the player makes triggers a response from the non-player character followed by a new menu of choices.
In some genres such as role-playing video games, external factors such as charisma may influence the response of the non-player character or unlock options that would not be available to other characters.[8] These conversations can have far-reaching consequences, such as deciding to disclose a valuable secret that has been entrusted to the player.[8] However, these are usually not real tree data structure in programmers sense, because they contain cycles as can be seen on illustration on this page.
Certain game genres revolve almost entirely around character interactions, including visual novels such as Ace Attorney and dating sims such as Tokimeki Memorial, usually featuring complex branching dialogues and often presenting the player's possible responses word-for-word as the player character would say them. Games revolving around relationship-building, including visual novels, dating sims such as Tokimeki Memorial, and some role-playing games such as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, often give choices that have a different number of associated "mood points" which influence a player character's relationship and future conversations with a non-player character. These games often feature a day-night cycle with a time scheduling system that provides context and relevance to character interactions, allowing players to choose when and if to interact with certain characters, which in turn influences their responses during later conversations.[9]
Another variation of branching dialogues can be seen in the adventure game Culpa Innata, where the player chooses a tactic at the beginning of a conversation, such as using either a formal, casual or accusatory manner, that affects the tone of the conversation and the information gleaned from the interviewee.[9]
Value and impact
This mechanism allows game designers to provide interactive conversations with nonplayer characters without having to tackle the challenges of natural language processing in the field of artificial intelligence.[8] In games such as Monkey Island, these conversations can help demonstrate the personality of certain characters.[8]
References
- ^ IGN: Escape From Monkey Island Review
- ^ Adventure Game Design Patterns at God Patterns
- ^ Strange Things in Sierra's Adventure Game Demos
- ^ Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Hands-On - Yahoo! Video Games
- ^ GameDev.net - NPC Conversation Techniques
- ^ Adventure Gamers : Callahan's Crosstime Saloon
- ^ The Pages of Now & Forever - All About Star Control
- ^ a b c d e f g Rollings, Andrew (2006). Fundamentals of Game Design. Prentice Hall.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d Brent Ellison (July 8, 2008). "Defining Dialogue Systems". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2011-03-30.