[RELEASED] Dialogue System for Unity - easy conversations, quests, and more!

[TonyLi]

Dialogue System for Unity - Features

We highly recommend both articy:draft and the Dialogue System for Unity. We have had a great experience with both of them.

–Studio ZA/UM, developer of 2019 Game of the Year Disco Elysium,
made with the Dialogue System for Unity

The Dialogue System is a proven, complete solution for interactive conversations, designed from the ground up with a polished user interface system, cutscene sequences (camera shots, animation, etc.), node-based visual conversation editor, dynamic state, and more, with easy integration into your existing gameplay framework.

You can find the Dialogue System in RPGs, adventure games, shooters, visual novels, and many other genres. In business and industry, the Dialogue System features in corporate training applications, procedural law simulations, and other serious games.

Available on the Asset Store!

Try out the Evaluation Version for free

“This asset does everything it promises and more. It comes with great documentation and examples of different uses of the system. The support from the publisher is top notch as well. You’d be hard pressed to find a better value on the Asset Store.”

A Must-Have for Game Storytellers
Pixel Crushers’ Dialogue System is hands-down the best asset I’ve ever gotten from the asset store and worth every penny. It’s easy to use and incredibly intuitive once you learn the basics. It allows developers to tell very robust stories through the use of triggers, interactive conversations, and quest systems… They have amazing customer service. I couldn’t have completed my game without this excellent Dialogue System. I can’t recommend it enough. If you are trying to do any form of storytelling in your game, this is a must-have!

Dialogue System for Unity - Games Showcase 2020

Requires Unity 4.6.5 or higher.

Ultra-Quick Start

"This dialogue system is by far the best one available on the Asset Store.

It comes with vast amount of different uses and features and a lot of examples and integration packages to make it work with other popular assets such as NGUI or uSeq in no time. Documentation is rich and all scripts are commented and summarized in a clear way which helps a lot while working with the system.

I’m using this asset with Chat Mapper and together they are awesome environment to write and test interactive dialogue… This is by far one of the best purchases I’ve made on the Asset Store."

Features:
Editor:

• Visual, node-based editor
• Optional compact outline-based editor perfect for large conversations
• Edit-time conversation player for quick testing
• Importers for Chat Mapper, articy:draft, Arcweave, Celtx, Twine, Ink, CSV, and Neverwinter Nights
• Built-in localization support, or use Unity Localization package or i2 Localization

Engine:

• No scripting required
• Dynamic, branching conversation trees
• Barks and gameplay alerts
• Cutscenes (voice acting, audio, animation, camerawork, etc.)
• Quick Time Events (QTEs)
• Quest system
• NPC status relationship system
• Easy language localization
• Save/load without scripting
• Optional Lua scripting and variable system supports sophisticated dialogue conditions
• Comprehensive documentation and tutorials

Runtime UIs:

• GUI-independent; works with all GUI systems

• Built-in support for the Unity UI, Unity GUI, NGUI, TextMesh Pro, and others

• Modular interfaces: swap in your own UI or cutscene system

• Several beautiful, fully-customizable UI skins

• Detailed sci-fi environment & animated model

• Works in 2D, 3D, VR, and AR

Integration:
Provides general-purpose integration components for any framework, plus custom components for drop-in integration into:

• Cinemachine & Timeline

• Action-RPG Starter Kit

• Adventure Creator

• AI Tree

• Arcweave

• articy:draft

• Bolt

• Celtx

• FMOD

• ICode

• Animator Timeline Editor

• Behavior Designer

• Compass Navigator Pro

• Core GameKit

• Corgi Platformer Engine

• Customizable Sci-fi Holo Interface

• Easy Save

• Emerald AI

• FaceFX

• Feel

• KGFMapSystem

• Lively Chat Bubbles

• Look Animator

• Love/Hate

• I2 Localization

• Ink

• Inventory Engine

• Inventory Pro

• Localization Package

• Master Audio

• Now We’re Talking

• Opsive Ultimate Character Controllers

• Opsive Ultimate Inventory System

• ORK Framework

• PlayMaker

• plyGame

• Quest Machine

• RPG Builder

• Realistic FPS Prefab

• RelationsInspector

• Rogo LipSync

• RPG Kit

• RT-Voice

• SALSA with RandomEyes

• S-Inventory

• SLATE Cinematic Sequencer

• SoulLink

• Speech Recognition System

• Super Text Mesh

• Opsive Character Controllers

• Opsive Ultimate Inventory System

• Text Animator

• Top-Down RPG Starter Kit

• Twine

• Ultimate Notification System

• uMMORPG

• uRPG

• uSurvival

• uSequencer Cutscene Creator

• Visual Scripting

• Yarn Spinner

• Wwise

For Programmers:

• Includes complete, thoroughly documented & optimized C# source code
• Designed to be easily extended without modifying source – lots of event hooks!
• Full API reference

Tested on standalone, web, mobile, and consoles.

"This is an amazing asset at every sense. It has a small learning curve but once you get the hang of it, creating dialogues is a breeze. The asset has a lot functions; has its own quest system and variables, a dedicated save system and Lua scripting support. Don’t be alarmed by the word “scripting” though, it takes you few hours to learn the syntax and you’re good to go. The examples provided with the asset are quite adequate, make sure you study them before you jump into creating dialogues.

The asset also has NGUI, Playmaker and uSequencer support which is actually why I chose this asset over the other similar ones. It works great with Chat Mapper software but if you don’t want to go down that road, the asset has its own dialogue editor which is very easy to use. You can also create different styles of dialogues, from adventure games to Mass Effect type dialogues with quick time actions.

The developer was very quick to respond to an issue and very helpful… I’d recommend it to anyone who needs a solid dialogue system in their game."

Links:

• Asset Store
• Evaluation Version
• Demo
• Documentation
• Video Tutorials

“You really get an amazing value for your money with this asset. Sure it’s a Dialogue System but the amount of extras is staggering - you get a flexible sequencer (which can actually be used with uSequencer), quest system, LUA scripting, lots of different component scripts (triggers), tools and support for all other major assets (Daikon, Playmaker, NGUI). There’s even a fully fledged 3D space marine model you can use in your games. Support is great, documentation is very thorough.”

"This is a very high quality, well documented, and powerful dialog system. I have used several of the others in this category and each has their weaknesses and strengths but overall usability and versatility of this system is in a class of its own. Make sure you look at the work that has gone into the documentation alone. If all assets were this well documented our lives would be much better. If you’re concerned about support - no need. Fast responses from the author and clear and concise answers to the questions I have posed. Triple A Asset IMHO!

Change History:
Version 2.2.46:
Core:

• Changed: If Dialogue Manager’s Allow Alerts During Conversations is UNticked, now queues alerts during conversations for when conversation ends.
• Improved: Conversation dropdowns (e.g., Dialogue System Trigger) now have Open button to quickly open conversation in Dialogue Editor.
• Improved: Dialogue Editor Watches tab now shows active conversations with buttons to jump to conversation in editor.
• Improved: Added option to remove synced content from other databases when breaking sync connection.
• Improved: Usable.overrideName, Usable.overrideUseMessage, and Selector/ProximitySelector.defaultUseMessage are now virtual properties.
• Improved: StandardDialogueUI.CloseAfterPanelsAreClosed is now virtual.
• Improved: Added InputDeviceManager.cursorLockMode if you want to change default cursor lock mode from Locked to Confined.
• Improved: Added Misc section to Lua “…” wizards containing relevant built-in Lua functions.
• Improved: Added no repeat option to RandomizeNextEntry() sequencer command and Lua function.
• Fixed: SetContinueMode(original) sequencer command.
• Fixed: StandardUISubtitlePanel.ShowContinueButton() when other process delays continue button and block input duration is set.
• Fixed: Updated Tools.StripTextMeshProTags to strip , , , , , and .
• Fixed: Removed temporary debug log line from StandardUIQuestLogWindow that was inadvertently left in.
• Fixed: SaveSystem.saveDataApplied is now still invoked even if scene has no savers.
• Fixed: DialogueLua.SetVariable() and IncrementOnDestroy now observew Assignment.MonitoredVariables.
• Changed: Release of sequencer camera now only waits 1 frame plus end of frame to allow active required commands to finish instead of 2 frames.

Third Party Support:

• Adventure Creator: Lua action now uses “…” wizard.

• articy:draft:

• Added “Reorder IDs” option.

• Fixed importer translation of “///”.

• Custom Conditions property content now properly goes into dialogue entry’s Conditions field.

• Instruction nodes followed by input pin condition now import a buffer node between to delay evaluation until instruction code has run.

• Cinemachine: Updated integration for Unity 6 (Cinemachine 3) compatibility.

• i2 Localization: DialogueSystemUseI2Language component now has option to use custom field (e.g., Articy Id) for dialogue entry terms.

• Ink: Added Lua(x) function.

• Input System: Monitors InputSystem.onDeviceChange. No need to configure Joystick/Keyboard inputs To Watch.

• Playmaker: Added Add/SubtractFsmFloat/Int() Lua functions.

• SALSA Lipsync Suite: SALSA components can now be on subject’s child GameObjects.

• Text Animator: Updated to support typewriter skip ahead without animating skipped characters. Requires Text Animator 2.1.2+.

• Timeline: Improved preview text for Timeline-controlled conversations; added ability to override dialogue UI.

• Yarn: Added <> command to append sequences to previous line.

Version 2.2.45:
Core:

• Improved: Added Allow Custom Actor Panels checkbox to Standard Dialogue UI component.
• Improved: Exposed Dialogue System Trigger > Stop Conversation On Trigger Exit > Margin To Allow Trigger Exit to inspector.
• Improved: Standard Dialogue UI’s allowDialogueActorCustomPanels now applies to menu panels in addition to subtitle panels.
• Improved: Added StandardDialogueUI.ShowActorInPanel() method.
• Fixed: SetPanel(actor, panel, immediate) now initializes portraits even if actor wasn’t previously in another panel.
• Fixed: Assignment.VariableChanged() event is now called after variable has been changed to new value.
• Fixed: StandardUISubtitleControls.SetTypewriterSpeed() didn’t set speed.
• Fixed: StandardUISubtitlePanel > Add Speaker Name was added to display but not recorded in accumulatedText.
• Fixed: Added “Main” checkboxes to Item and Location templates in Dialogue Editor.

Third Party Support:

• Adventure Creator: Updated for 1.80 and AC’s new asmdefs.
• Arcweave: Fixed build issue.
• articy:draft: Updated articy 3.x localization importer addon with some bug fixes.
• Compass Navigator Pro 2: Added integration.
• RPG Builder: Now sets player’s Display Name field so you can use that instead of rpgGetPlayerName() if you prefer.

Older Release Notes

“Brilliant! Great functionality and solid support for various third party assets (e.g. Daikon Forge) at a reasonable price. And unlike many other assets this has been polished to the very last detail: Descriptions in every single folder, lean and clean structure, no warnings. I wish more assets would care so much about a streamlined and polished content.”

Stop looking for other alternatives. This is the plugin you need! Dialogue System is an ultra powerful tool that allows you to do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g related to dialogues: Everything. It works with a vast array of third party plugins for Unity like Playmaker among others, works like a charm with uGui and it comes with lot of examples and UI setups for you to start working from day 1. It says everything you can read in the description! If you need to deal with dialogues/text in general, simply go for it. Forgot to mention that the developer is ultra dedicated and will answer you with detailed explanations in case you need help.

Not only is this great for dialogues. The associated Lua scripting environment is amazing and opens up tons of possibilities. Our team relies on the LuaC# interfacing for practically all the functions in our current titles, including visual novels and virtual reality games. I also feel it’s the best save/load solution in the entire asset store, and it has great integration with tons of third party software. Also ridiculously good and fast support. Highly recommended - extremely underpriced for what you get.

Please post any feedback here or email support (at) pixelcrushers (dot) com.

[TonyLi]

Thank you to everyone who’s picked up a copy of the Dialogue System for Unity already! Please don’t hesitate to email or PM me with any questions or suggestions for the development roadmap.

I haven’t received any requests for Chat Mapper discount codes. Perhaps the notice was tucked too deep in the original post. As a reminder:

Through April 2014, email me your invoice number for a 10% discount code good for any single Chat Mapper license!

[TonyLi]

Version 1.0.6 was just submitted to the Asset Store!

New Features:

• NGUI 3.x support.
• Additional cutscene sequence commands for controlling Mecanim characters.

Other Notes:

• If you’re using Urban Brain Studios’ Chat Mapper versions 1.6.0 - 1.6.1.0, please upgrade to version 1.6.1.1 to fix an XML export bug.
• Chat Mapper 1.6.x introduces several great new features, including data validation. Unfortunately this means the Dialogue System can no longer repurpose the built-in Video File field for cutscene sequences. The Dialogue System now uses a custom field named Sequence. See the 1.0.6 Release Notes for more details.

[TonyLi]

Version 1.0.7 was submitted to the Asset Store!

Changes:

• Fixed a conversion error with Chat Mapper 1.6 group nodes.
• Fixed a bug with Dialog[ ].SimStatus conditions.

[TheNorthridge]

Do you know if this is works with Realistic FPS Prefab?

If it did, you’d save me a great deal of time

[TonyLi]

@TheNorthridge

Do you know if this is works with Realistic FPS Prefab?

If it did, you’d save me a great deal of time

I don’t see why not. I built it for a first/third-person Mass Effect style project. But I’ll confirm and let you know soon!

[TheNorthridge]

Thanks!

[TonyLi]

The Dialogue System for Unity works fine with Realistic FPS Prefab. Here’s a proof of concept that took all of 5-10 minutes: Unity Web Player | FPS Prefab Sandbox Test. (Sorry it’s a 35 MB load; the sample scene that comes with the Realistic FPS Prefab is kind of big.)

If you run up to the first robot on the path, it will automatically start a conversation.

You’ll probably want to pause the FPS action during conversations. You can use the Set Enabled On Dialogue Event component to disable FPS components when the conversation starts and re-enable them when the conversation ends. The included demo scene does this with a simple third-person controller. That’s just one way, of course. It’s really up to you how you want it to work. And I’m here if you need assistance to get it working just the way you want.

More-detailed video tutorials are coming over the next few days, too.

[TheNorthridge]

Hi Tony,

Demo works great for a first try

How well does the Quest System work?

Cant wait to get my hands on this tool

-Sean

[TonyLi]

Hi Sean,

@TheNorthridge

How well does the Quest System work?

The quest system is complete and will also be getting additional features in an upcoming release.

Please feel free to peruse the quest system documentation at: http://www.pixelcrushers.com/dialogue_system/manual/html/quest_log_system.html

And try out the quest logs in the Sci Fi and Fantasy demos. The source Chat Mapper project for the Fantasy demo is on the demo page. You can look through it in Chat Mapper to see how the quests were written.

[TheNorthridge]

Hi Tony,

Sorry, I mean as in, how well does the Quest System work in the FPS Prefab?

Its vital it works, as it’ll be the main source of missions, where in exploring the city, you pick up quests, complete them, and gain rewards from them.

It will also drive the story forward.

-Sean

[TonyLi]

@TheNorthridge

Sorry, I mean as in, how well does the Quest System work in the FPS Prefab?

I’ll put together a proof of concept using the Realistic FPS Prefab tomorrow morning and post the link here.

[TheNorthridge]

Cool Thanks for the Help

Remind me to send you a pack of cookies

Now to learn and relearn the Dialogue instructions!

[TonyLi]

I just used the same link: Unity Web Player | FPS Prefab Sandbox Test

I added a quest. The Esc key brings up a main menu borrowed from the feature demo, from which you can view the quest log.

I used the Set Enabled On Dialogue Event component to “pause” the FPS action during conversations.

I also wrote two very short scripts to give the Dialogue System access to the internal state of the FPS scene.

This script removes a weapon when you give it away during dialogue (called by a sequencer command in the dialogue):

public class AddRemoveWeapon : MonoBehaviour {
	
	public WeaponBehavior weapon;
	
	public void RemoveWeapon() {
		weapon.haveWeapon = false;
		weapon.gameObject.SetActive(false);
	}

}

This script is used to tell the Dialogue System that you’ve picked up an item:

public class LuaOnPickUpItem : MonoBehaviour {
	
	public string luaCode;
	
	public void PickUpItem() {
		Lua.Run(luaCode);
	}

}

[TheNorthridge]

Are you a Wizard? lol

I love it. Thanks

Cant wait to try this out on Monday

[TonyLi]

Great! Let me know if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help!

[TonyLi]

I just posted an integration package for the Realistic FPS Prefab to the customer download section of our website. (The prerequisites are the Dialogue System and Azuline Studios’ Realistic FPS Prefab.)

If you’ve purchased the Dialogue System for Unity and would like access to the download section or the promotional 10% discount code we’ve arranged with Urban Brain Studios (the makers of Chat Mapper), please contact me with your invoice number!

[jeremiasz]

1. Is Daikon Forge GUI supported? It’s much faster and easier then NGUI
2. About save game functionality, if I have Dialogue System do I still need tools such as “Easy Save 2”?
3. Does Chat Mapper need its own license?
4. What about localisation options?

[RayWolf]

I know chat mapper needs its own license. Its worth it tho…imho best tool for composing multiple choice dialogues out there. The best is, you can TEST the dialogues directly in chat mapper until they do what you want. When you dont go for multiple choice stuff you dont need chat mapper I think.

[Original-Big-Dan]

Hallo! Interesting looking package!

Do you guys support or look to support Articy Draft .xml export in the future?