Talking to NPCs: Three LLM-Driven Approaches to Dynamic RPG Dialogue

Summary

We explore three distinct architectures for integrating large language models into RPG NPC dialogue: a free-form conversational approach, a constrained slot-filling approach, and a hybrid guided approach. Each system is evaluated on coherence, immersion, and player satisfaction. The paper identifies trade-offs between narrative consistency and conversational freedom, providing design guidelines for game developers adopting LLM-driven dialogue.