NPC Movement

[bsommerfeld]

Hey!

I noticed that ZNPCsPlus currently handles move actions via teleport instead of navigation / walking.

Would movement with actual navigation (go to a target location / follow a player) be in scope for this project?

Context: I maintain a Java A* pathfinding library (called "pathetic") that runs well on Spigot/Paper.
If this is interesting, I could prototype a minimal goTo(Location target) implementation as a PR (no API breakage, few hours of work).

Would that be something you’d consider?

[ShiftingKill]

Hey!

I noticed that ZNPCsPlus currently handles move actions via teleport instead of navigation / walking.

Would movement with actual navigation (go to a target location / follow a player) be in scope for this project?

Context: I maintain a Java A* pathfinding library (called "pathetic") that runs well on Spigot/Paper. If this is interesting, I could prototype a minimal goTo(Location target) implementation as a PR (no API breakage, few hours of work).

Would that be something you’d consider?

I'm coding Escape From Tarkraft and I will use this pathing algorithm so my Tagilla boss can rush... Did you just say you're going to give this guy free code for going to a target? I wanted to check if a location was reachable with Citizens API so people can't abuse a melee boss by standing out of reach. But now I kinda want to replace citizens pathfinding entirely with Pathetic. I have a behavior goal adapter that can take control of the NPC, setting waypoints, so is it as simple as querying a List from Pathetic and using that with the citizens Navigator? This is epic work

[bsommerfeld]

That's the spirit, @ShiftingKill! I built pathetic for raw performance and easy integration while being accurate as fuck, and I don't want to gatekeep that.

You absolutely have to look at this PR by @steveb05 [#399]. He built an entire ecosystem around pathetic which is just insane work.

Your Tarkov project sounds sick and is exactly the right use case where pathetic performs. And to answer your question: Yes, absolutely. Use pathetic to calculate the path and feed it into Citizens.

[D3v1s0m]

Hey!

I noticed that ZNPCsPlus currently handles move actions via teleport instead of navigation / walking.

Would movement with actual navigation (go to a target location / follow a player) be in scope for this project?

Context: I maintain a Java A* pathfinding library (called "pathetic") that runs well on Spigot/Paper.
If this is interesting, I could prototype a minimal goTo(Location target) implementation as a PR (no API breakage, few hours of work).

Would that be something you’d consider?

Yes @bsommerfeld . If you could implement a proper movement feature into ZNPCsPlus, we would add that. But ensure that it has all 3 features.

1. Path using waypoints. Select location points where the npc should move in order. Has 2 settings, loop (go from last point to first and continue), and return (reverse traverse the path). This should be available for all npc types.
2. Exact path with all metadata like change of equipments, hand held items and rotation. Basically do exactly what the player did. Need to record the whole path. This should only be for player like NPCs like zombie, skeleton, etc (including player ofc).
3. Player follow. Self explanatory.

Need a pause feature for all 3.
And also have API functionality for them.

If you do need any help, please join the discord server.

[ShiftingKill]

The guy did PhD math and you want him to spoonfeed you code? Did I not just spend 24 hours doing what you just told him to do? LOL. Why don't you make your crazy specific features and utilize the resource. The API provides everything you need wtf did I just read a job listing? Is this paid work??

[bsommerfeld]

Hey!
I noticed that ZNPCsPlus currently handles move actions via teleport instead of navigation / walking.
Would movement with actual navigation (go to a target location / follow a player) be in scope for this project?
Context: I maintain a Java A* pathfinding library (called "pathetic") that runs well on Spigot/Paper.
If this is interesting, I could prototype a minimal goTo(Location target) implementation as a PR (no API breakage, few hours of work).
Would that be something you’d consider?

Yes @bsommerfeld . If you could implement a proper movement feature into ZNPCsPlus, we would add that. But ensure that it has all 3 features.

1. Path using waypoints. Select location points where the npc should move in order. Has 2 settings, loop (go from last point to first and continue), and return (reverse traverse the path). This should be available for all npc types.
2. Exact path with all metadata like change of equipments, hand held items and rotation. Basically do exactly what the player did. Need to record the whole path. This should only be for player like NPCs like zombie, skeleton, etc (including player ofc).
3. Player follow. Self explanatory.

Need a pause feature for all 3. And also have API functionality for them.

If you do need any help, please join the discord server.

@D3v1s0m Thanks for the list, but I think we have very different expectations here.

My offer was a voluntary contribution to provide a pathfinding foundation you can build on. Since ZNPCs currently handles movement via teleportation, the requirements you listed basically amount to building an entire navigation subsystem from scratch. That is completely out of scope for a library integration.

Since my time is currently better invested in projects that are actively integrating the engine, I will retract my offer for now.
Feel free to use Pathetic if you decide to tackle those features yourself. If you have specific technical questions regarding the integration, feel free to hop on the Pathetic Discord.

Good luck!

[TeslaOwner]

Just wanted to share, it seems like OP has taken this personally and is sub-redditing about you being a "Choosing Begger":

• https://www.reddit.com/r/programminghumor/comments/1pd9n7j/pov_you_try_to_contribute_to_open_source_in_2025/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/ChoosingBeggars/comments/1pd4964/i_offered_to_implement_a_complex_pathfinding/

This is really disturbing, as he clearly used this to promote his own project, then if you look at his project, the README reads like someone who should be in a hospital.

[D3v1s0m]

Just wanted to share, it seems like OP has taken this personally and is sub-redditing about you being a "Choosing Begger":

• https://www.reddit.com/r/programminghumor/comments/1pd9n7j/pov_you_try_to_contribute_to_open_source_in_2025/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/ChoosingBeggars/comments/1pd4964/i_offered_to_implement_a_complex_pathfinding/

This is really disturbing, as he clearly used this to promote his own project, then if you look at his project, the README reads like someone who should be in a hospital.

That is exactly why I stopped responding. What they are providing is basically an A* algorithm as a function(I guess). It's like providing the steering wheel of a car and asking for the car to be built. That PR wouldn't have helped me much. And I do not have the time right now to implement this whole feature which works on all versions which is a pain.