NPC chat

[elminster]

NPC chat idea came up in \"the quest\" thread in General Discussion forum, and I decided to create a separate thread for it (people just don\'t like to read loooooong threads)
So, here it is:

I think the click-based interface should be combined with the typing interface. (it was pointed out in another thread somewhere)

Whenever you begin talk with an NPC, a chat-dialog would show up. It would consist of three parts: a chat-history, the predefined list, plus a single line editor at the bottom, like the one that is present in the game now. The list would contain COMMON sentences, that you would probably do with that NPC (ask for beer from a bartender, ask for weapons, repair from a blacksmith, etc.). Whenever you click one of these, it would have the EXACT same effect, as if you had typed that in and pressed ENTER. It just saves you the time, as writing COMMON things a thousand times can become really boring after some time - not speaking of typos...

Here is some ASCII-ART for a chat-dialog:
This d.a.m.n board removes spaces - I needed to use points ( \".\" )

/-------------------\\
|Message history... |
|___________________|
| ................. |
| 1.Predefined text |
| 2.Predefined text |
| 3.Predefined text |
|___________________|
|You say:.......... |
\\-------------------/

For more details, see the end of \"the quest\" thread in the \"General Discussion\" forum.

So, what do you say? And developers?
--
Greetings,
E.

P.S: Is it intended, that the board replaces \"d.a.m.n\" with \"dang\"?
I wrote here D.A.M.N.E.D: DAMNED ?(

[beza1e1]

If you do things a thousand times you should have time or you just want to level up, what is no reason. While ordering your beer, there is no need to hurry, so you can type the sentence as well.

Typos are a reason, perhaps a system of automatic correction/guessing should be implemented in the NPCs

[elminster]

Originally posted by beza1e1
Typos are a reason, perhaps a system of automatic correction/guessing should be implemented in the NPCs

Right, and they might as well ponder on Schr?dinger formulae...

--
Greetings,
E.

[beza1e1]

Hey i tried to forget physics!

Ok i know, this is not that high on the todo-list, but perhaps ... as feature after 1.0

[logan_dugenoux]

Another idea : a list of often-typed sentences, client-side.
Each sentence typed is remembered, like in a \"unix shell\" for example.
And using the up arrow in the chat, you select one from the 15 sentences you typed last.
It\'s simple. effective. natural. it is vraiment g?nial quoi.

[elminster]

Originally posted by logan_dugenoux
Another idea : a list of often-typed sentences, client-side.
Each sentence typed is remembered, like in a \"unix shell\" for example.
And using the up arrow in the chat, you select one from the 15 sentences you typed last.

HECK, I didn\'t even think of this, but NOW that you mention, it is brilliant. Although there is a big problem with it: it won\'t solve the problem of typing, as when you chat for an hour with your friend, and then go to the inn, then the \"inn history\" will be waaaay out from the \"shell\". This means, you would need to have one history for EVERYONE who you talk to...
OR
Have an editor, where you can store your predefined sentences, like the forum signatures here, but you could store more than one.

But I still think the original idea should be made - it is simpler.
Write, keep the ideas coming!

--
Greetings,
E.

P.S.: I will make a new thread for this history-thing. I think it is really missing. I miss it too.

[Thynett]

I like elminster\'s idea (the first one)

Now for the second one :

Have an editor, where you can store your predefined sentences

Here\'s the version that is used in DAOC :
on the left hand side of your screen you have locations to place short cut buttons. You can put shortcuts for attack styles, spells, crafting... And you can also put shortcuts for sentences.
For instance you would write \"/type name:taylor /say my taylor is rich\" (I don\'t remeber the exact formula, maybe someone that would still play DAOC could correct me), then you would get this \"taylor\" button, and when pressing it you would automaticaly say \"my taylor is rich\"

Easily customisable, it is top moumoute quoi !

[beza1e1]

Yeah Thynett that sounds like really good solution for me. It would mean to implement some kind of scripting language, which would give you the power to build your interface on your own. Somebody wants a button for \"/say give me more beer\" somebody only one for \"/spell huge fireball\"