Dialog

Style Guide

Avoid special characters for narration

Avoid using characters like * when describing events or doing narration. Just clear the name (see \nm), and describe what happens.

DO

\nm[]Garnet gained 200 gold.

DON'T

\nm[]*Garnet gained 200 gold* 

Don't let commands force the structure of the message.

By using \nm or \face you shouldn't be compelled to change the structure of the dialog. If you want to start the text on the first line, then do so.

DO

\nm[Garnet]Hi!
My name is Garnet, and I like cotton robes.
Cotton robes are the best!

DON'T

\nm[Garnet]
Hi!
My name is Garnet, and I like cotton robes.
Cotton robes are the best!

Externalize internal monologues when possible, use parenthesis when not

DO

\nm[Garnet](I wish my cotton robes was pink)

Don't use emoticons (smilies) in dialog.

DON'T:

\nm[Garnet]OMG U TEH BST! xD

Don't use special characters in dialog.

DON'T

\nm[Garnet]♥ OMG! ♥

Names

To set the name of the speaker use the \nm command in the Show Text command dialog for an event

\nm[Speaker_name]

Displays the name of the speaker. If Garnet is the one speaking or thinking write the following:

\nm[Garnet]

By ignoring the name but using the command will remove any suggestion that the text comes from an actor, useful when writing descriptions.

\nm[]

Faces

To select faces use the common events found on index 131 onwards. This will automatically update the face to reflect Garnet's current state.

In the Event Commands window go to page 1 and select Call Common Event..., press the down arrow and scroll down to event 130 onwards and select the emotion the main character is intended to express from the list.

The Face Common Events page lists all images, indexes and common events for reference.

To remove the face from a dialog, use common event 130: Clear Face.

Manually

To manually set the face use the \face command in the Show Text command dialog for an event

\face[Image_name]

Face displays the actor image in the lower left of the dialog window. The images are taken from the Graphics\Pictures folder, and are referenced by their filename, excluding file extension. To use the Garnet_normal_01.png image, found in the Graphics\Pictures folder; one writes the following:

\face[Garnet_normal_01]

By ignoring the name, but using the command, will remove the image box, useful when writing descriptions or having speakers without portraits.

\face[]

The face variable may also be set manually by using the Script... event command (page 3) and providing the name of the file intended to be used for $game_system.face_graphic

$game_system.face_graphic = "Garnet_normal_01"

$game_system.face_graphic = ""