{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/dialogue--family-agency","type":"mechanic","id":"dialogue--family-agency","lang":"en","title":"NPC Goals and Autonomy","summary":"An NPC pursues their own goals, sets limits and may refuse, redirect or end a conversation.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/dialogue--family-agency/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-agency.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-agency.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Dialogue","NPC and content systems"],"sourceIds":["source-8fcf1671c353b49b"],"sources":[{"id":"source-8fcf1671c353b49b","title":"Disco Elysium","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"The NPC's own goals and state determine the initiative, choice of topics, and refusal of the proposed conversation."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-agency-variants\"></a>\n\n- Own purpose of conversation. Rule: The NPC seeks to obtain information, achieve action, or hide a fact, and not just respond... <a id=\"variant-agency-01\"></a>\n- Belief model. Rule: The answer depends on what the NPC believes to be true, including misconceptions. <a id=\"variant-agency-02\"></a>\n- Personal preferences. Rule: The same tactics have different effects on characters with different values ​​and habits. <a id=\"variant-agency-03\"></a>\n- Boundaries of authority. Rule: Even a convinced NPC may not have the right or ability to fulfill a request. <a id=\"variant-agency-04\"></a>\n- Counter conditions. Rule: The NPC makes his own request and changes the frame of the original request. <a id=\"variant-agency-05\"></a>\n- Refusal to cooperate. Rule: The character may refuse to answer or act according to internal rules. <a id=\"variant-agency-06\"></a>\n- Adaptation to tactics. Rule: The NPC notices the player's repeated move and changes the reaction to its further use. <a id=\"variant-agency-07\"></a>\n- Independent decision. Rule: After a conversation, the NPC chooses an action based on his goals, knowledge and limitations. <a id=\"variant-agency-08\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working taxonomy compiled for this request. Titles are descriptive; sources confirm individual principles and examples, and not the entire list."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"dialogue","id":"family-agency","title":"Dialogue","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/dialogue/#family-agency","categoryIds":["section-3"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"NPC Goals and Autonomy","description":"An NPC pursues their own goals, sets limits and may refuse, redirect or end a conversation.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"crop":{"x":563,"y":38,"width":825,"height":712},"game":"Disco Elysium","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/632470/ss_23836438cd455287232be5ae9c4f48d5c488967b.1920x1080.jpg?t=1780913406","credit":"ZA/UM","rights":"© ZA/UM. All rights reserved.","caption":"Garte insists on repayment","alt":"Garte insists on repayment","markers":[{"x":79,"y":50,"label":"The other character returns to their own objective"}]},"tips":["Make NPC refusals and counter-demands follow their own interests."],"examples":[{"title":"Disco Elysium","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/dialogue"}}