Multiple Dialogue Block Cookbook
🕑 Added 2017-12-30 02:32:47 +0000 UTC A long-awaited feature that’s been added back into Ren’Py 6.99.14 is the ability to show multiple blocks of dialogue to the player at the same time. This feature was present in early versions of Ren’Py, but had to be removed to make way for the screen system. The new Say with Arguments syntax made it possible to re-add it, so it’s now back in Ren’Py.Multiple dialogue blocks can’t work with Ren’Py right out of the box. This is because there are multiple ways of displaying two blocks at once, and it’s up to a creator to tell Ren’Py which style to use. This month's article goes through common ways of presenting multiple dialogue blocks, and show how to add them to Ren’Py.
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Comments
Ryan Ramkelawan
I emailed it under ryan9327@gmail.com
Renpytom
Can you email your styles.rpy file to pytom@bishoujo.us, please?
Ryan Ramkelawan
I updated it now but it still doesn't work. I get an expected statement error message.
Renpytom
Are you using 6.99.14? It's needed to make it work.
Ryan Ramkelawan
Hi! I tried making a styles.rpy file but the effect isn't working. Should I modify the script.rpy to make it appear. I'm new to Ren'py and coding.
Renpytom
It will properly do 2 at a time. (And can be extended to 3, though I didn't cover that here.) e "Hello world." (multiple=2) l "Hello, yourself." (multiple=2) t "You're kind of rude." (multiple=2) l "I am who I am." (multiple=2) Will work, and require 2 clicks to get through.
Fulcrum-E
Okay, so if you do the crazy thing of attempting to chain multiple instances of the multiple dialogue blocks, like a rapid conversation between for instance between Eileen, Lucy, and Tom. Will this framework go Eileen/Lucy and carry over to Lucy/Tom automatically, or do you have to construct the Lucy/Tom separately?
Renpytom
I don't understand your question 100%, but I'll take a guess at it. The bottom line of dialogue can be any length, it will wrap around just like the top one does. (The only reason it doesn't here is I couldn't think of something for Lucy to say.) The things that aren't supported are the {p} and {w} tags, since this requires showing everything at once.
Fulcrum-E
This is most impressive. That being said, is the bottom dialogue block carry over, or is this good for one screen? I'm simply curious.