Dialogue Overview [Unreal Development Kit]

This here is a video post demonstrating some of the latest work I've done in class. It begins with a level composed of a few mazes and simple puzzles, which you can see if you watch the video below. The objective was to implement sound (dialogue) in the level that would be triggered once you reached certain spots. Check it out real quick!

So the first thing you may notice is that the dialogue will start playing when all the character does is move. That's because it was implemented with what's called a trigger - something that reacts to an event which causes another event. In this case, the event is the character moving past a designated area. The outcome is the dialogue being played. There are a total of four dialogue lines that are each triggered prior to entering the next trial room.

In recording and mixing the dialogue, I chose to narrate it in a manner that would give some character to what could have been a rather dull line. Something a bit more of a serious tone, as to alert the listener that it may be a good idea to pay attention and take care in their actions or else death will be upon them. So that's why I used the tone I did - and let's face it, everything's cooler if Bear Grylls says it.

When it came to processing the dialogue, I left it pretty dry. A quick attack, moderate release, and 6:1 ratio on a compressor, some low cut EQing with added presense above 5kHz, and that's about it. I wasn't going for anything unique or crazy, as I feared that may detract from the intelligibility of the dialogue. There are very few things that are more annoying during gameplay when you can't understand the instructions!

Now I'll explain the trigger method a bit more in depth. I utilized what's called a trigger volume. A trigger volume is just as it sounds - a volume that acts as a trigger. In this instance, I created a rectangular volume that occupies the entire width and height of the hallway. It's essentially like having an invisible wall that once you walk through, something happens. This volume specifically triggers an audio sample. For your listening pleasure, you are graced with [almost] Bear Grylls' wisdom to help guide you through the challenges that await you.

-Matthew Morrison