41 — BPC_DialogueChoiceSystem

Blueprint Spec — UE 5.5–5.7

Parent Class

ActorComponent

Dependencies

Purpose

Presents branching dialogue choices to the player and routes the selected response back to the narrative system. Manages choice availability based on narrative flags and time limits.

Responsibilities

Receive choice set from dialogue flow (via dispatcher from BPC_DialoguePlaybackSystem)
Filter choices by required flags (only show choices player qualifies for)
Display choices via WBP_DialogueChoiceDisplay
Apply time limit if configured (auto-select default on expiry)
Route selected choice tag to BPC_NarrativeStateSystem
Trigger consequence dialogue branches by returning next sequence tag

Does NOT Handle

Playing dialogue lines (that is BPC_DialoguePlaybackSystem)
Evaluating narrative consequences beyond setting choice flag (that is BPC_BranchingConsequenceSystem)
UI visual styling (that is WBP_DialogueChoiceDisplay)

Variables

Name	Type	Description
`CurrentChoices`	Array of S_DialogueChoice	Available options for active choice
`DefaultChoiceIndex`	Integer	Auto-selected if timer expires
`ChoiceTimeLimit`	Float	Seconds before auto-select (0 = no limit)
`ChoiceTimer`	TimerHandle	Countdown timer
`bChoiceActive`	Bool	Player is currently choosing
`TimeRemaining`	Float	Remaining time for UI display

Structs

Struct	Fields	Description
`S_DialogueChoice`	ChoiceText: FText, ResultFlagTag: GameplayTag, NextSequenceTag: GameplayTag, RequiredFlagTag: GameplayTag, bIsHidden: Bool, Priority: Integer, FlavorText: FText (tooltip/thought)	One choice option

Functions / Events

Name	Inputs	Outputs	Description
`PresentChoices`	Choices: Array of S_DialogueChoice, TimeLimit: Float	—	Opens choice UI and starts timer
`SelectChoice`	ChoiceIndex: Integer	—	Player or system selects a choice
`GetValidChoices`	Choices: Array of S_DialogueChoice	Array of S_DialogueChoice	Filters choices by RequiredFlagTag against narrative state
`HasValidChoices`	Choices: Array	Bool	At least one choice available?
`OnChoiceTimedOut`	—	—	Default choice auto-selected
`CancelChoice`	—	—	Exits choice without selecting
`ProcessSelectedChoice`	Choice: S_DialogueChoice	GameplayTag (NextSequenceTag)	Sets narrative flag and returns next sequence
`IsChoiceActive`	—	Bool	Query

Event Dispatchers

Name	Parameters	Fired When
`OnChoicesPresented`	Choices: Array of S_DialogueChoice	Choice UI opens
`OnChoiceSelected`	SelectedChoice: S_DialogueChoice, ChoiceIndex: Integer	Player makes selection
`OnChoiceTimedOut`	DefaultChoiceIndex: Integer	Timer expired
`OnChoiceCancelled`	—	Choice dismissed without selection
`OnChoiceCompleted`	NextSequenceTag: GameplayTag	Choice processed, ready for next dialogue

Blueprint Flow

[PresentChoices called]
  └─► Call GetValidChoices (filter by narrative flags)
  └─► If no valid choices → skip (choose default or cancel)
  └─► Set CurrentChoices to valid set
  └─► Set bChoiceActive = true
  └─► Broadcast OnChoicesPresented to WBP_DialogueChoiceDisplay
  └─► If TimeLimit > 0 → start ChoiceTimer

[SelectChoice called]
  └─► Validate ChoiceIndex is in range
  └─► Get selected S_DialogueChoice
  └─► Clear ChoiceTimer
  └─► Broadcast OnChoiceSelected
  └─► Call ProcessSelectedChoice

[ProcessSelectedChoice]
  └─► If ResultFlagTag is valid → BPC_NarrativeStateSystem.SetFlag(ResultFlagTag)
  └─► Set bChoiceActive = false
  └─► Broadcast OnChoiceCompleted with NextSequenceTag
  └─► Hand NextSequenceTag back to BPC_DialoguePlaybackSystem

Communications With

Target System	Method	Why
`BPC_NarrativeStateSystem`	Direct	Set choice flag, check required flags
`BPC_DialoguePlaybackSystem`	Dispatcher (receives) + Direct (returns)	Receives choice points, returns next sequence
`WBP_DialogueChoiceDisplay`	Dispatcher	Opens/closes choice UI
`BPC_BranchingConsequenceSystem`	Dispatcher	Choice flag changes trigger consequence evaluation

Reuse Notes

Choice filtering by RequiredFlagTag allows context-sensitive dialogue without branching logic in the system. Choices can be hidden (e.g., secret dialogue options only appear if player has a specific lore unlock). The system handles all choice patterns: timed, untimed, locked, hidden, and priority-sorted.

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