---
key: mechanic/dialogue--family-reactive
type: mechanic
id: dialogue--family-reactive
lang: en
title: Rule-based selection and generation
summary: >-
  Rules select or generate lines from world and character state; quality and
  generation boundaries require separate checks.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/dialogue--family-reactive/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-reactive.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-reactive.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Dialogue
  - NPC and content systems
sourceIds:
  - source-7c2bbd0eb6950585
sources:
  - id: source-7c2bbd0eb6950585
    title: Vaudeville
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240920/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: dialogue
    id: family-reactive
    title: Dialogue
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/dialogue/#family-reactive'
    categoryIds:
      - section-3
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Rule-based selection and generation
    description: >-
      Rules select or generate lines from world and character state; quality and
      generation boundaries require separate checks.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/dialogue-vaudeville-01.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      crop:
        x: 488
        'y': 113
        width: 952
        height: 697
      game: Vaudeville
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240920/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/2240920/ss_31ae0ee63bba90fbc7756f9f8351eee424406ff8.1920x1080.jpg?t=1770214371
      credit: Bumblebee Studios
      rights: >-
        Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed
        Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: Generated NPC replies in Vaudeville
      alt: Generated NPC replies in Vaudeville
      markers:
        - x: 80
          'y': 77
          label: The NPC generates a reply in the conversation history
    tips:
      - >-
        Validate permitted facts and separate generated text from authority over
        game state.
    examples:
      - title: Vaudeville
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240920/'
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
---
# Rule-based selection and generation

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

Rules select or generate lines from world and character state; quality and generation boundaries require separate checks.

## At a glance

![Generated NPC replies in Vaudeville](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/dialogue-vaudeville-01.webp)

[Vaudeville](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240920/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. The NPC generates a reply in the conversation history

- Validate permitted facts and separate generated text from authority over game state.

- [Vaudeville](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240920/)

## How it works

Rules select or form cues from the state of the world and characters; quality and generation boundaries are checked separately.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

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

- The answer is based on the state of the world. Rule: The system selects a reaction taking into account events, objects and current circumstances. <a id="variant-reactive-01"></a>
- Prioritize what is most relevant. Rule: From several available dialogue lines, the one best suited to the context is selected. <a id="variant-reactive-02"></a>
- Replay protection. Rule: Replay history reduces the likelihood of returning one dialogue line too often. <a id="variant-reactive-03"></a>
- Template with variables. Rule: General construction receives specific names, objects, places and results. <a id="variant-reactive-04"></a>
- Combining fragments. Rule: The answer is assembled from compatible parts, taking into account the state of the speaker. <a id="variant-reactive-05"></a>
- Event short remarks. Rule: An observed event triggers a short comment, warning, or appeal. <a id="variant-reactive-06"></a>
- Generative formulation. Rule: The model creates text for a given intent and a set of valid facts. <a id="variant-reactive-07"></a>
- Separation of speech and action. Rule: The generated dialogue line receives game consequences only through verifiable system rules. <a id="variant-reactive-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.

- [Vaudeville](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240920/) (id: source-7c2bbd0eb6950585)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors