---
key: mechanic/dialogue--family-topology
type: mechanic
id: dialogue--family-topology
lang: en
title: Dialogue graph structure
summary: >-
  Connections between dialogue nodes determine branches, loops, merges and the
  order of available topics.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/dialogue--family-topology/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-topology.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/dialogue--family-topology.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Dialogue
  - Structure and input
sourceIds:
  - source-8fcf1671c353b49b
sources:
  - id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b
    title: Disco Elysium
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: dialogue
    id: family-topology
    title: Dialogue
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/dialogue/#family-topology'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Dialogue graph structure
    description: >-
      Connections between dialogue nodes determine branches, loops, merges and
      the order of available topics.
    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: Replies offer different conversation paths
      alt: Replies offer different conversation paths
      markers:
        - x: 79
          'y': 72
          label: Available replies define the next transitions
    tips:
      - Make repeatable topics and final decisions distinguishable.
    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
---
# Dialogue graph structure

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

Connections between dialogue nodes determine branches, loops, merges and the order of available topics.

## At a glance

![Replies offer different conversation paths](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp)

[Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) · © ZA/UM. All rights reserved.

1. Available replies define the next transitions

- Make repeatable topics and final decisions distinguishable.

- [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/)

## How it works

The connections between conversation nodes define branches, backtracks, merges, and the order of available topics.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

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

- Linear sequence. Rule: The conversation follows a given path; control may be limited to advance and exit. <a id="variant-topology-01"></a>
- Branching tree. Rule: Each choice moves the conversation to its own thread with separate continuations. <a id="variant-topology-02"></a>
- Branching with convergence. Rule: Different answers give local reactions, then bring the conversation back to the general point... <a id="variant-topology-03"></a>
- Central topics menu. Rule: After discussing the issue, the player returns to the general list of available topics. <a id="variant-topology-04"></a>
- Return chain. Rule: Conversation allows you to return to previous questions with a new context. <a id="variant-topology-05"></a>
- Conditional episodes, storylets. Rule: The system selects small scenes based on the state of the world and characters. <a id="variant-topology-06"></a>
- Parallel threads. Rule: Several discussions develop simultaneously, and the player distributes attention between them. <a id="variant-topology-07"></a>
- Multi-stage conversation. Rule: A connected conversation continues across multiple scenes, locations, or encounters. <a id="variant-topology-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.

- [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) (id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors