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Dialogue Participant Component

The Participant Component identifies actors that can engage in dialogues.

What Does It Do

  • Links actors to specific dialogue trees
  • Manages participant state (Ready, Active, Disabled)
  • Handles audio component references for voice playback
  • Provides participant-specific data to dialogues

Key Requirements

Player Pawn Requirement

Player Pawn must have Participant Component for full functionality.

Flexible Placement

Unlike Manager Component, Participant can be attached to any Actor. Once Player Pawn has its own, any other Actor that can be part of a dialogue can be granted this Component.

Audio Component Recommended

Add Audio Component to parent Actor for voice playback support.

Actor Preparation

For NPCs (Active Participants with Dialogue)

Components Needed

  • Dialogue Participant Component
  • Audio Component
  • Visual representation (Static Mesh/Skeletal Mesh)

For Player (Active Participant without Own Dialogue)

Components Needed

  • Dialogue Participant Component
  • Audio Component

Audio Component Setup

Required Settings:

  • Auto Activate: false
  • Component Tag: Add DialogueAudio tag
  • Socket Attachment: Attach to mesh socket if available

Why Audio Component?

Essential for dialogue voice playback. Without it, no voices will be heard, breaking dialogue immersion.

Adding the Component

Step 1: Open Actor Blueprint

  1. Open your Actor (NPC/Player Pawn)
  2. Add Component → Search "Mountea Dialogue Participant"
  3. Select appropriate version:
  4. Mountea Dialogue Participant - Basic C++ component
  5. BP_MounteaDialogueParticipant - Pre-configured Blueprint

Step 2: Add Audio Component

  1. Add Component → Audio
  2. Configure settings:
  3. Name: DialogueAudio
  4. Auto Activate: false
  5. Add Tag: DialogueAudio

Example Setup

For Character class:

Component Configuration

Essential Settings

Dialogue Graph

  • Type: Dialogue Tree Asset
  • Purpose: Defines what dialogue this participant uses
  • Requirement: Must not be null for dialogue to work

Critical Setting

This is the most important variable. Without it, dialogues cannot start.

Instance-Level Configuration

Update this per instance in the level, not in class defaults.

Default Participant State

  • Type: Enum (Ready, Active, Disabled)
  • Purpose: Initial state when component starts
  • Default: Ready

Active State Restriction

Active state cannot be set as default.

Audio Component Identifier

  • Type: String
  • Purpose: Name or Tag of the Audio Component
  • Options: Use component name or tag
  • Alternative: Use SetAudioComponent function instead

Per-Instance Setting

Configure this per level instance, not class defaults.

Runtime Restrictions

Dialogue Graph Changes

  • Can be changed during gameplay
  • Not allowed during active dialogue
  • Validated when dialogue starts

Participant Events

On Dialogue Graph Changed

  • Triggers when Dialogue Graph updates
  • Provides New Graph reference
  • Only fires if value actually changes

On Participant State Changed

  • Triggers when state updates
  • Provides New State value
  • Only fires on actual state change

On Audio Component Changed

  • Triggers when Audio Component updates
  • Provides New Component reference
  • Can provide null reference

On Start Node Changed

  • Triggers when start node updates
  • Provides New Start Node reference
  • Can provide null reference

Setup Workflow

1. Create NPC Blueprint

Create Blueprint → Inherit from Pawn/Character → Name: BP_NPC

2. Add Required Components

  • Dialogue Participant Component
  • Audio Component (configured properly)
  • Visual components (mesh, etc.)

3. Configure in Level

  1. Place NPC in level
  2. Select instance
  3. Set Dialogue Graph in Details Panel
  4. Configure Audio Component Identifier

Level Configuration

Always configure Dialogue Graph and Audio settings on level instances, not class defaults.

Best Practices

Component Setup

  • Use pre-made Blueprint components for faster setup
  • Configure audio components properly for voice support
  • Don't define dialogues in class defaults

Level Instance Configuration

  • Set unique Dialogue Graph per NPC instance
  • Configure Audio Component Identifier per instance
  • Test dialogue assignment in-game

Audio Management

  • Use consistent audio component naming/tagging
  • Attach audio to appropriate mesh sockets
  • Ensure Auto Activate is disabled

Common Issues

Dialogue Won't Start

  • Check Dialogue Graph is assigned and not null
  • Verify participant state is Ready
  • Ensure both actors have Participant components

No Audio Playback

  • Confirm Audio Component exists and is configured
  • Check Audio Component Identifier matches
  • Verify Auto Activate is disabled

Component Not Found

  • Check Audio Component Identifier spelling
  • Verify component tag/name exists
  • Use SetAudioComponent as alternative

Next Steps

Dialogue Tree Creation