Jump to content
The Dark Mod Forums

Random Conversationalism


SneaksieDave

Recommended Posts

Not sure this is the right place to post this, so please move if it's not.

 

I recently started playing Gothic (and I'm loving it) and there is a sort of random conversation that goes on in between NPCs. It consists of generic barks they can say back and forth to each other that blend together for the most part. For example, walk past a couple of NPCs in conversation and they might say (I don't have it memorized - this is just to give an idea),

 

NPC 1 "Are you sure you want to do it that way?"

NPC 2 "Well, I don't know..."

NPC 1 "I told them it wasn't going to work, but no one listened."

NPC 2 "When you rely on people for things, this is what happens."

NPC 1 "I'm going to have to take care of this myself."

etc...

 

In Gothic, it's a bit simplistic, but with some creative design and a system of tags where only certain replies can be given to certain barks, this could really work well, in places where generic talk is desired rather than a scripted conversation. I'm pretty sure a lot of that goes on in Thief 3 already, e.g.,

 

"Look alive there, you vagabond."

"Yes, your lordship................................

. idiot."

 

"Evenin'."

"Who asked ya?" or "All's well!" or just "Evenin'."

 

Combining T3's concept with Gothic's, and making the responses actually *directed* could have fantastic results. I believe some brief talk about this has taken place, so do take a look at Gothic if you get a chance. I'm imagining something like:

 

Group A:

"So, what do you think?"

"What are you going to do about it, then?"

"What happened?"

"What?!"

 

can have responses from,

Group B:

"I don't know, it doesn't make much sense to me."

"Who knows? I wasn't there. Who cares, anyway."

"It's not good, I can tell you that much."

"I don't see it as important. They can easily find another way to do things."

 

which is followed by,

Group C:

(followups)

 

or,

Group D:

(sidetrackers)

 

or,

Group E:

(re-initiators)

 

Etc. That sort of thing. Anyway, I was just thinking about the structure of it all because of Gothic. Obviously the usage is limited to areas where the NPCs are not the focus, because there is clearly no replacement for real conversation and scripted events. But in areas like the populated wing of a mansion during a ball, or city streets (like Gothic - the AI feels quite alive), it'd be very useful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, I suggested this some time ago. Don't know if NH decided to go ahead with it or not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Already planned for this, it's in the vocal design key but I'm not aiming to make it overly complicated. With the number of characters we have to record...the amount of conversation variations would be insane. Not to mention making them all work together.

 

I think it's better to focus on a limited Greeting/ Reply system and give it plenty variety than to make numerous branches that are limited to keep things small. They do exist in T3 but there are only around 3 optional greetings and replies. I aim to double that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In Gothic they have bits and pieces of conversations. So any time you are passing by an AI it sounds as if you are interrupting or listening in on an ongoing conversation. This works quite well, because the phrases are quite generic. Of course you notice it after some time, but it still sounds pretty realistic.

Gerhard

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Ansome

      Finally got my PC back from the shop after my SSD got corrupted a week ago and damaged my motherboard. Scary stuff, but thank goodness it happened right after two months of FM development instead of wiping all my work before I could release it. New SSD, repaired Motherboard and BIOS, and we're ready to start working on my second FM with some added version control in the cloud just to be safe!
      · 0 replies
    • Petike the Taffer  »  DeTeEff

      I've updated the articles for your FMs and your author category at the wiki. Your newer nickname (DeTeEff) now comes first, and the one in parentheses is your older nickname (Fieldmedic). Just to avoid confusing people who played your FMs years ago and remember your older nickname. I've added a wiki article for your latest FM, Who Watches the Watcher?, as part of my current updating efforts. Unless I overlooked something, you have five different FMs so far.
      · 0 replies
    • Petike the Taffer

      I've finally managed to log in to The Dark Mod Wiki. I'm back in the saddle and before the holidays start in full, I'll be adding a few new FM articles and doing other updates. Written in Stone is already done.
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      TDM 15th Anniversary Contest is now active! Please declare your participation: https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/22413-the-dark-mod-15th-anniversary-contest-entry-thread/
       
      · 0 replies
    • JackFarmer

      @TheUnbeholden
      You cannot receive PMs. Could you please be so kind and check your mailbox if it is full (or maybe you switched off the function)?
      · 1 reply
×
×
  • Create New...