Difference between revisions of "A beginner's guide, lesson 6 - Quest Dialogue"

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The next three lessons will work to develop a quality version of a quest. While we will do this exercise, I have designed the quest to allow us to focus on key skills as we go on. This lesson deals with the creation of dialogue.  In lesson seven we will really turn our focus to scripting, although you will begin scripting in this lesson. The eighth lesson will complete the quest by focusing on AI and Audio.

The next three lessons will work to develop a quality version of a quest. While we will do this exercise, I have designed the quest to allow us to focus on key skills as we go on. This lesson deals with the creation of dialogue.  In lesson seven we will really turn our focus to scripting, although you will begin scripting in this lesson. The eighth lesson will complete the quest by focusing on AI and Audio.

==Adding an NPC==

==Adding an NPC==

It is far easier to edit an existing NPC. We want Vilanus to be an Imperial, so let's select an existing NPC who is an imperial. We don't actually have to choose an Imperial, but it saves us a job. Avoid NPCs with scripts attached. Again, you can do so but you will need to remove the script which is an extra job. I usually look for NPCs who have either a 1 or a 0, preferably a 0, in the user column. This means they are hardly used in the game. Let's chose the actor called TestORMale as our base.  

It is far easier to edit an existing NPC. We want Vilanus to be an Imperial, so let's select an existing NPC who is an imperial. We don't actually have to choose an Imperial, but it saves us a job. Avoid NPCs with scripts attached. Again, you can do so but you will need to remove the script which is an extra job. I usually look for NPCs who have either a 1 or a 0, preferably a 0, in the user column. This means they are hardly used in the game. Let's chose the actor called TestORMale as our base.  

We will place our NPC in the Foyer of the Imperial Hotel in the Talos District. Again this is an arbitrary choice, based on the fact that Taverns, Inns, and hotels contain public spaces which are ideal for casual contacts. We could of course if we wished to use this NPC again build him a house or office to work from.  

We will place our NPC in the Foyer of the Imperial Hotel in the Talos District. Again this is an arbitrary choice, based on the fact that Taverns, Inns, and hotels contain public spaces which are ideal for casual contacts. We could of course if we wished to use this NPC again build him a house or office to work from.  

Now double click on him to open up his details.  

Now double click on him to open up his details.  

   

   

;Class  

;Class  

;Summonable  

;Summonable  

;Race  

;Race  

;Female  

;Female  

;Combat Style  

;Combat Style  

;Death Item  

;Death Item  

We can also alter the inventory if we wish. Again by careful pre-selection we can save ourselves a job. Remember to scroll across the information in the object window to select suitable characters that match your requirements as closely as possible, to reduce how much work you need to do.

We can also alter the inventory if we wish. Again by careful pre-selection we can save ourselves a job. Remember to scroll across the information in the object window to select suitable characters that match your requirements as closely as possible, to reduce how much work you need to do.

We can leave his faction details alone for now.

We can leave his faction details alone for now.

==Quest Conditions==

==Quest Conditions==

The conditions are applied to the person speaking the line, called the object. Click the NEW button at the bottom of the page.  

The conditions are applied to the person speaking the line, called the object. Click the NEW button at the bottom of the page.  

===Condition Function===

===Condition Function===

These can be divided into sets of similar functions which I have chosen to call families.

These can be divided into sets of similar functions which I have chosen to call families.

Several functions require a parameter to work. Several don't. It depends on the function.

Several functions require a parameter to work. Several don't. It depends on the function.

===Comparison===

===Comparison===

We have completed the basic set up for our quest.

We have completed the basic set up for our quest.

Again this is blank. We can add stages in the same way as we added the quest. In the column marked Quest Stages, right click and select new. The pop-up expects a number between 0-255. We tend to use 10, 20 30 etc to allow room for extra stages. Go ahead and enter 10.  

Again this is blank. We can add stages in the same way as we added the quest. In the column marked Quest Stages, right click and select new. The pop-up expects a number between 0-255. We tend to use 10, 20 30 etc to allow room for extra stages. Go ahead and enter 10.  

Let's add some.  

Let's add some.  

Again this is blank to begin with. We will add a topic which will be used at the start of the quest.

Again this is blank to begin with. We will add a topic which will be used at the start of the quest.

I have assumed that you have never programmed before in writing this tutorial. If you have you will be at an advantage when it comes to writing scripts.

I have assumed that you have never programmed before in writing this tutorial. If you have you will be at an advantage when it comes to writing scripts.

These are the formal instructions that you place in the script to tell the game what you want it to do. The Wiki makes a distinction between what these do. It should be noticed, the differences for beginners may appear very slight.

These are the formal instructions that you place in the script to tell the game what you want it to do. The Wiki makes a distinction between what these do. It should be noticed, the differences for beginners may appear very slight.

The commands are:

The commands are:

-Used to identify the script obviously

-Used to identify the script obviously

-These are a set of descriptors which identify the VARIABLES used in a script

-These are a set of descriptors which identify the VARIABLES used in a script

-Used in conjunction with each other to create BLOCKS of script.

-Used in conjunction with each other to create BLOCKS of script.

-Used together with optional ElseIf and Else commands to form CONDITIONAL blocks.

-Used together with optional ElseIf and Else commands to form CONDITIONAL blocks.

-Use to break a scripts running for that run only.

-Use to break a scripts running for that run only.

-Used to assign new values to variables

-Used to assign new values to variables

The full stop or period “.” is a command which identifies the REFERENCE that a FUNCTION should use.

The full stop or period “.” is a command which identifies the REFERENCE that a FUNCTION should use.

*SHOWsomething

*SHOWsomething

One way to think of variables is as a container which stores a number. The different variables types, Short, Long etc. determined how big a container will be assigned to that variable name.

One way to think of variables is as a container which stores a number. The different variables types, Short, Long etc. determined how big a container will be assigned to that variable name.

Here gold001 is the object id

Here gold001 is the object id

Several functions work by changing a specific example of an object. There may be many chests of a particular object type in the game and you want to add gold to only one of them. The reference ID is a unique identifier for that instance of an object. You add the reference by double clicking on the example in the render window (or by selecting edit from the cell objects window). In the object pop up dialogue box you add a unique name to the reference id box. Note that for this to happen the object must be placed in a cell. To use this reference in a script you will need to click the persistent reference check box. This tells the game to always remember that object even if the PC leaves the cell that it is in.

Several functions work by changing a specific example of an object. There may be many chests of a particular object type in the game and you want to add gold to only one of them. The reference ID is a unique identifier for that instance of an object. You add the reference by double clicking on the example in the render window (or by selecting edit from the cell objects window). In the object pop up dialogue box you add a unique name to the reference id box. Note that for this to happen the object must be placed in a cell. To use this reference in a script you will need to click the persistent reference check box. This tells the game to always remember that object even if the PC leaves the cell that it is in.

==The Script Editing Window==

==The Script Editing Window==

I personally keep a large library of scripts. Some that I have written, and loads copied from forums and other mods. I can then refer to these when I need a solution to a problem.

I personally keep a large library of scripts. Some that I have written, and loads copied from forums and other mods. I can then refer to these when I need a solution to a problem.

Finally there is a drop down menu. This allows you to select the script type. There are 4 types of script, but results scripts are not edited or compiled in the script editor. We will see this shortly.  

Finally there is a drop down menu. This allows you to select the script type. There are 4 types of script, but results scripts are not edited or compiled in the script editor. We will see this shortly.  

You can edit or change this at a later date if you make an error.

You can edit or change this at a later date if you make an error.

Now we need to attach the script to our quest.  

Now we need to attach the script to our quest.  

Where it says script open the drop down menu and scroll down to find the BGM001QuestScript. Click on this and you're done.  

Where it says script open the drop down menu and scroll down to find the BGM001QuestScript. Click on this and you're done.  

==Conditions==

==Conditions==

We can limit this in many ways

We can limit this in many ways

At the bottom of the window is the condition box.  

At the bottom of the window is the condition box.  

Select Argonian from the list.  

Select Argonian from the list.  

The comparison reads == which is correct.  

The comparison reads == which is correct.  

We want to change this to the false response 0.000.

We want to change this to the false response 0.000.

In English this means:  

In English this means:  

If they are an Argonian they fail this condition and they cannot say this line.

If they are an Argonian they fail this condition and they cannot say this line.

(This is an inclusive condition, since it includes a group in that response.)  

(This is an inclusive condition, since it includes a group in that response.)  

   

   

One such faction is the ICFaction. It groups all the NPCs who are considered citizens of this city. It is a useful way to distinguish between the merchants', soldiers, and workers of the capital and a tourist from Chorrol who is passing through. We can use this to again include or exclude factions

One such faction is the ICFaction. It groups all the NPCs who are considered citizens of this city. It is a useful way to distinguish between the merchants', soldiers, and workers of the capital and a tourist from Chorrol who is passing through. We can use this to again include or exclude factions

Set up a NEW condition.  

Set up a NEW condition.  

Finally we want to exclude our NPC Vilanus Villa from saying these lines. This is why we added him to the game first.

Finally we want to exclude our NPC Vilanus Villa from saying these lines. This is why we added him to the game first.

Then from the parameter list select BGVilanusVilla.   

Then from the parameter list select BGVilanusVilla.   

Remember to set the value to 0 so that your condition doesn't include him.

Remember to set the value to 0 so that your condition doesn't include him.

Create a new condition.  

Create a new condition.  

This runs a check to ensure the PC hasn't advanced at all in the quest, effectively removing it from all NPC's if it has.

This runs a check to ensure the PC hasn't advanced at all in the quest, effectively removing it from all NPC's if it has.

First create a new topic called BGMVilanusVilla using the method we have just used (Right Click-New). You can leave the response blank for now.

First create a new topic called BGMVilanusVilla using the method we have just used (Right Click-New). You can leave the response blank for now.

;Add Topic

;Add Topic

==Stage Update==

==Stage Update==

We have now progressed through the quest to stage 10. We can of course leave this blank. Sometimes we want to stage bump simply to activate/deactivate conditions that use the GetStage function.  

We have now progressed through the quest to stage 10. We can of course leave this blank. Sometimes we want to stage bump simply to activate/deactivate conditions that use the GetStage function.  

This response is fine, unless of course we are already in the Talos district.

This response is fine, unless of course we are already in the Talos district.

   

   

{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5"

{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5"

|-

|-

Another way to pass on information via dialogues is to use the GREETING topic. If you remember the discussion in lesson four about how conversations work, all dialogues begin with a GREETING, which is selected by the game from the GREETING topic.  

Another way to pass on information via dialogues is to use the GREETING topic. If you remember the discussion in lesson four about how conversations work, all dialogues begin with a GREETING, which is selected by the game from the GREETING topic.  

If we add our own greeting and set the right conditions we can force a start to a dialogue.  

If we add our own greeting and set the right conditions we can force a start to a dialogue.  

We can now add Vilanus Villa's little speech.  

We can now add Vilanus Villa's little speech.  

Now click OK to add the response.

Now click OK to add the response.

:''Your uncle has passed away peacefully in his sleep.

:''Your uncle has passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Now add this by now familiar script function to the result script for this info response.

Now add this by now familiar script function to the result script for this info response.

Job Done.

Job Done.

Let's try this

Let's try this

   Set BGM001.MetVilla to 1

   Set BGM001.MetVilla to 1

The first time we greet him he gives the longer speech, the second time a shorter one.

The first time we greet him he gives the longer speech, the second time a shorter one.

Try this one yourself using this summary to guide you.  

Try this one yourself using this summary to guide you.  

==Locating the Cottage==

==Locating the Cottage==

Around this location, is a dungeon with some external guardians, some bandits and an oblivion gate. This means any NPC will be harassed by bad guys that we don't have to work too hard to create.

Around this location, is a dungeon with some external guardians, some bandits and an oblivion gate. This means any NPC will be harassed by bad guys that we don't have to work too hard to create.

We need to add two other items to the cottage.

We need to add two other items to the cottage.

We will find these under the Static Objects.

We will find these under the Static Objects.

Now select a MapMarker and drop it just outside the cottage door, in the exterior cell.

Now select a MapMarker and drop it just outside the cottage door, in the exterior cell.

We need to add a bit of script to enable it. First we need to add a bit more conversation.

We need to add a bit of script to enable it. First we need to add a bit more conversation.

This activates the map marker and gives the player the key to the cottage.

This activates the map marker and gives the player the key to the cottage.

ShowMap MapMarkerID, enableFastTravel (optional)

ShowMap MapMarkerID, enableFastTravel (optional)