---
key: mechanic/dialogue--family-deception
type: mechanic
id: dialogue--family-deception
lang: en
title: Lies and hidden intentions
summary: >-
  A participant hides intentions or distorts facts; the player constructs a lie
  or checks another character’s claims.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/dialogue--family-deception/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-deception.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-deception.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Dialogue
  - Game rules
sourceIds:
  - source-35e125772539de82
sources:
  - id: source-35e125772539de82
    title: L.A. Noire
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: dialogue
    id: family-deception
    title: Dialogue
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/dialogue/#family-deception'
    categoryIds:
      - section-2
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Lies and hidden intentions
    description: >-
      A participant hides intentions or distorts facts; the player constructs a
      lie or checks another character’s claims.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/la-noire-reactions-manual.webp
      width: 1362
      height: 1067
      crop:
        x: 0
        'y': 0
        width: 700
        height: 800
      game: L.A. Noire
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/'
      originalUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/#page=9'
      credit: >-
        Team Bondi / Rockstar Games; source comparison from the official PC
        manual, PDF page 9
      rights: >-
        Screenshots © their respective rights holders. Provided in the official
        guide or product article; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC
        BY 4.0.
      caption: Scripted witness reactions in L.A. Noire
      alt: Scripted witness reactions in L.A. Noire
      markers:
        - x: 39
          'y': 10
          label: The game lets the player observe a reaction during an answer
    tips:
      - >-
        Compare answers with evidence: a facial expression alone does not prove
        a lie.
    examples:
      - title: L.A. Noire
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/'
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
---
# Lies and hidden intentions

id: dialogue--family-deception
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/dialogue--family-deception
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/dialogue--family-deception/

A participant hides intentions or distorts facts; the player constructs a lie or checks another character’s claims.

## At a glance

![Scripted witness reactions in L.A. Noire](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/la-noire-reactions-manual.webp)

[L.A. Noire](https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/) · Screenshots © their respective rights holders. Provided in the official guide or product article; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. The game lets the player observe a reaction during an answer

- Compare answers with evidence: a facial expression alone does not prove a lie.

- [L.A. Noire](https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/)

## How it works

The player withholds information, creates a false impression, or recognizes a discrepancy between words and intent.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-deception-variants"></a>

- Outright lie. Rule: The player states a fact that contradicts the known state of the world. <a id="variant-deception-01"></a>
- Half-truths and omissions. Rule: A formally correct message creates a false impression in the interlocutor. <a id="variant-deception-02"></a>
- Bluff. Rule: The player feigns an opportunity, knowledge or readiness that he may not have. <a id="variant-deception-03"></a>
- Impersonating someone else. Rule: The player uses someone else's identity, status or authority in a conversation. <a id="variant-deception-04"></a>
- Legend and alibi. Rule: Maintain a consistent version of events through a series of clarifying questions. <a id="variant-deception-05"></a>
- Checking someone else's version. Rule: The player matches the NPC's words with facts, past answers and behavior. <a id="variant-deception-06"></a>
- Exposure. Rule: The contradiction or evidence is openly presented to the lying participant. <a id="variant-deception-07"></a>
- Consequences of revealed lies. Rule: Discovered deception changes credibility, the position of witnesses and access to future negotiations. <a id="variant-deception-08"></a>

## Context and limits

Author's working taxonomy compiled for this request. Titles are descriptive; sources confirm individual principles and examples, and not the entire list.

## Connected materials


## Sources and 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.

- [L.A. Noire](https://store.steampowered.com/manual/110800/) (id: source-35e125772539de82)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors