The difficulty in choosing dialogue options - from my POV

[Tarthrin]

I know there is a difference between player knowledge and character knowledge. Normally the issue is not wanting to tell the player stuff that their character wouldn't know. However, I think a different problem occurs when the character knows (or should know) something that the player does not.

 

I really like having dialogue options, especially ones that actually have an impact. The problem I have is I will fret over each and every option everytime there is new dialogue with an NPC. Which is the "right" choice?

 

 

I think the main reason for this is there is almost always no background information or nothing to base your decisions on.

Sometimes it's easy, (NPC: "Hi, I am a bandit, give me your money" Me: "No")

Sometimes it's hard, (NPC: "Hi, I am non-famous noble #14, please donate to my worthy charity" Me: "Uhhh, I gave at the office")

Sometimes it's questionable, (NPC: "Hi, good buddy, lend me five bucks" Me: "Do I know you?")

 

There are so many questions to think about. Having some insight into the person could change your entire perspective of that person.

 

This is not a complete least but is a decent example of the things I would think about:

• Do you know this person?
  
• Have you ever heard of this person (good/bad reputation)?
  
• Is this person famous and thus could be considered "common knowledge"?
  
• Is this person who he/she says they are?
  
• If they are part of an organization, have you heard of it?
  

My two cents.

Edited October 16, 2012 by Tarthrin

[Nonek]

And that's the beauty of text as a medium, the conversation does not have to start immediately, we can have an introduction: An armoured knight of Lord McMurderpants strides towards you, his steel gauntlets flexing and his eyes burning with the light of a true fanatic. Though your party members quail and wibble in fear you stand tall and strike an Errol Flynn pose, before thrusting out your hand to accept the warriors salutation. Dropping to one knee he places his lips upon your signet ring, before enquiring whether you want to meet up with Tarquin for tea, scones and a good old natter.