Interactions
Work in Progress
This documentation is still being expanded and refined. Features, screenshots, and descriptions may change until Talescape's public release. If something is unclear or you need help, please ask on the official Talescape Discord. We're happy to clarify or update pages as needed.
Every story in Talescape is built around moments of interaction, the way Dreamers explore scenes, inspect objects, and use the items they find. This article explains how interaction works in the player and how Bards can define interactive behavior inside scenes.
Overview
Dreamers interact with the world through two primary actions:
| Action | Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Single Click or Touch | Examines an element and shows its description or dialogue. Often used for observing details or flavor text. |
| Interact | Hold Click or Touch | Performs an action on the element, such as talking to a character, opening a door, or triggering an event. |
These two layers keep exploration intuitive while leaving room for complex event logic. Both can be assigned separately to any scene element or item.
Scene Interactions
Each scene can contain multiple interactive elements, such as characters, objects, or background details.For every element, you can define what happens when Dreamers look at it or interact with it.
Examples:
- Looking at a painting might display a short description.
- Interacting with the same painting could reveal a hidden switch or unlock an achievement.
Elements without assigned actions simply react with no effect, allowing you to decide exactly what is interactive.
Item Interactions
Items can be examined or combined to create more complex logic.
| Interaction | Description |
|---|---|
| Inspect | Clicking an item in the inventory opens its details or description. Useful for notes, documents, or story clues. |
| Use on Scene Element | Drag and drop an item onto a scene object to trigger an event (for example, using a key on a locked door). |
| Combine Items | Drag one item onto another to merge them or trigger a condition-based event (such as combining a bottle and water). |
You can freely define what these interactions do using Events and Actions. For example, “Use Key on Door” could trigger an action that changes a variable, plays a sound, or opens the next scene.
Testing Interactions
During preview, all interactions can be tested directly in the Story Player. Use the Debug Menu → Logs tab to verify which events are triggered when looking or interacting with an element. If an interaction doesn’t respond, check that the corresponding event is connected and active in the element’s settings.
Best Practices
- Keep the difference between looking and interacting clear, it helps players understand intent.
- Use descriptions generously; they give scenes atmosphere and depth.
- Avoid overloading every object with interactions, focus on what matters to the story.
- Make sure drag-and-drop targets are visually clear and large enough to avoid frustration.
- Always test interactions with the Debug Menu to confirm that the correct events fire.
Talescape’s interaction system gives Bards full control over how Dreamers experience their worlds, from a simple glance at a flower to complex item combinations and puzzle logic. By defining clear “look” and “interact” behaviors, you create a world that feels alive and responsive, inviting Dreamers to explore every corner of your story.