The Conversation device is a tool you can use to create interactive conversations between players and NPCs during gameplay. Keep reading to see some creative ways to make the most of this device on your own island.
Because conversation trees cannot be built in Creative, you can only use a Conversation device with Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). For more on this device, see Conversations.
Basic NPC Conversation
The Conversation device is perfect for livening up your characters by providing interactions with players. In this example, you’ll use the Character device with the Conversation device to make this happen.
This example starts in Creative, then moves into UEFN.
Devices Used
1 x Conversation device
1 x Player Spawner device
1 x Character device
Set Up the Devices
From Creative, place a Player Spawner device.
Place a Character device.
Place a Conversation device.
Customize the Conversation device as follows
Option Value Conversation Type
Box
Button Text Color
White
Speaker Name
Tomatohead
Show Indicator Bubble
Of
Customize the Character device as follows:
Option Value Character
Tomatohead
Use Animated Idle
On
Emote
Air Guitar
Interact Type
Send Event Only
Interaction Text
Tal
Configure the following event on the Character device so that when the player interacts with the character, the conversation will begin.
Event Select Device Select Function On Interacted With Send Event To
Conversation Device
Initiate Conversation
Configure the following event on the Conversation device so that when triggered in the conversation, the character will play the emote.
Event Select Device Select Function On Interacted With Send Event To
Conversation Device
Initiate Conversation
In UEFN, create a Conversation Bank called Conversation.
Create the following conversation:|
Customize the Conversation device as follows:
Option Conversation
Conversation
You now have the functionality for a basic conversation with an NPC!
Design Tip
As you’ll see in the following examples, the Conversation device can create branching conversations with unique responses for different player choices. Even a conversation as simple as this can be helpful in making your world feel more lively!
Shop Conversation
The Conversation device is great at giving the player clear choices to make during gameplay! In this example, you’ll create a shopping interface that simplifies the flow of choices for the player!
Devices Used
1 x Conversation device
1 x Player Spawner device
1 x Character device
1 x Conditional Button device
1 x Item Placer device
3 x Item Granter devices
Set Up the Basic Devices
Start with the Greasy Grove POI starter island.
Place a Player Spawner in the restaurant.
Customize the Player Spawner to set Visible in Game to Off.
Place a Character device behind the counter.
Customize the Character device as follows:
Option Value Character
Beef Boss
Use Animated Idle
On
Interact Type
Send Event Only
Interaction Text
Shop
Place a Conditional Button device in front of the counter and register one Gold to the device.
Place an Item Placer device in another part of the restaurant and register one Gold to the device.
Place an Item Granter device and register an Ice Cream Cone to the device.
Customize the Item Granter as follows:
Option Value On Grant Action
Keep All
Equip Granted Item
Yes
Duplicate this device twice, registering a Pizza Slice and Banana to each duplicate respectively.
When duplicating the device, make sure to clear out the registered items before adding new ones!
Configure the Conversation
Place a Conversation device.
Customize the Conversation device as follows:
undefined Option Value Speaker Name
Shop
Show Indicator Bubble
Off
Configure the following events on the Conversation device so that each of the first three conversation events will grant a different food item.
Event Select Device Select Function On Conversation Event One Send Event To
Ice Cream Item Granter
Grant Item
On Conversation Event Two Send Event To
Pizza Slice Item Granter
Grant Item
On Conversation Event Three Send Event To
Banana Item Granter
Grant Item
Configure the following event on the Conditional Button device so that when the player pays one Gold, they will be able to buy food.
Event Select Device Select Function On Activated Send Event To
Conversation Device
Initiate Conversation
In UEFN, create a Conversation Bank called Shop Conversation.
Create the following conversation:
Customize the Conversation device as follows:
Option Value Conversation
ShopConversation
Design Tip
The Conversation device has a number of nodes that can help you create unique gameplay in the conversation itself. The Restart Conversation node can create looping conversations such as this one, and the Random node is great for making your conversations more dynamic and surprising!
Build a Shipwreck Experience!
Because the Conversation device can call events on other devices at specific moments in the conversation, you can use Fixed Point Camera devices to create a more cinematic conversation!
Devices Used
1 x Conversation device
1 x Player Spawner device
1 x Character device
1 x Boat Spawner device
2 x Fixed Point Camera devices
1 x Post Process device
Set Up the Basic Devices
Start with the Oasis Island starter island.
Place a Player Spawner device on the island.
Customize it so Visible in Game is Off.
Place a Character device.
Customize the Character device as follows:
Option Value Character
Castaway Jonesy
Use Animated Idle
On
Emote
Cheer
Interact Type
Send Event Only
Place a Boat Spawner device in the water.
Customize the Boat Spawner as follows:
Option Value Description Enabled During Phase
None
Visible During Game
Off
Configure the Cameras
Place a Fixed Point Camera looking at Castaway Jonesy at a slight angle. Use the Creative Preview functionality on the camera to look at what the camera sees and adjust it to your liking.
Customize the camera as follows:
Option Value Enabled During Phase
None
Transition Out Time
1.5 Sec
Place another Fixed Point Camera, this one looking at the Boat Spawner.
Customize this camera as follows:
Option Value Enabled During Phase
None
Transition In Time
1.5 Sec
Place a Post Process device.
Customize the device as follows:
Option Value Post Process Effect
70s Print
Blend Out Duration
1.0
Set Up the Conversation
Place a Conversation device.
Customize the device as follows:
Option Value Conversation Type
Box
Button Text Color
White
Speaker Name
Castaway
Show Indicator Bubble
Off
In UEFN, create a Conversation Bank called CastawayConversation.
Create the following conversation:
Option Value Conversation
CastawayConversation
Customize the Conversation device to the following setting:
Bind Functions / Events
Direct event binding is how you set devices to communicate directly with other devices. This involves setting functions and events for the devices involved.
Configure the following event on the Character device so that when the player interacts with Castaway Jonesy, it starts the conversation.
Event Select Device Select Function On Interacted With Send Event To
Conversation Device
Initiate Conversation
Configure the following events on the Conversation device to trigger different gameplay changes at different moments in the conversation.
Conversation Event 1: At the start of the conversation, triggers the camera switch to be in front of Castaway Jonesy.
Conversation Event 2: Triggers the camera switch, boat spawn, and post processing change when Castaway Jonesy sees the boat.
Conversation Event 3: Triggers Castaway Jonesy to cheer when he’s getting excited about his idea.
On Conversation Ended: Ensures all fixed point cameras are disabled at the end of the conversation so the focus is returned to the player.
Event Select Device Select Function On Conversation Event One Send Event To
NPC Camera
Enable
On Conversation Event Two Send Event To
Post Process Device
Blend Out for All
On Conversation Event Two Send Event To
Boat Spawner
Enable
On Conversation Event Two Send Event To
Boat Camera
Enable
On Conversation Event Two Send Event To
NPC Camera
Disable
On Conversation Event Three Send Event To
Character Device
Play Emote
On Conversation Ended Send Event To
Boat Camera
Disable
On Conversation Ended Send Event To
NPC Camera
Disable
You now have a shipwreck narrative experience!
Design Tip
The Conversation device can trigger any events from within the conversation, allowing all of these camera switches! Think of all of the other devices that can be connected to a conversation. Maybe monsters will spawn at a specific point in your conversation if the player picks the wrong option, or maybe the player will get a health boost if they correctly solve a riddle!
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