NPCs pathing and world grids

[madmax]

So currently NPCs that path stop moving when the player leaves the grid they are on.

I would like to propose that we look at getting a pathing system that works in the background.

The system should be able to do the following...

• Only send the data for an NPC that is pathing to the clients that can see it
  
  • The core should would work out in the background constantly the location of pathing NPCs and when they come into view of a player they would just path in like normal.
    

Approach #2

• Add a flag that pathing NPCs have
  
  • Could activate the grid the NPC is on and going onto.
    
  • NPCs would activate grids like players with this approach.
    
  • Mobs could be spawned (like wolfs and such) this would replicate retail better since pathing NPCs could sometimes be attacked by wolfes etc.
    

Approach #3

• Overhaul the waypoint system so pathing NPCs still path without players needing to be on the grid with them
  

[Foereaper]

#2 is the obvious choice. I have an idea on how to go about doing this, however I'll have to look further into it.

Edit:

After some digging, CREATURE_EXTRA_FLAG_ACTIVE (4096) should do exactly this.

[Kittnz]

Solution #3, doesn't this also activate the grid even if the player isn't there?

[Foereaper]

Solution #3, doesn't this also activate the grid even if the player isn't there?

Yes, and that's why this would not be feasible. Random movement is also assigned through the way point system, thus almost every single grid would be active at once. This would cause massive resource usage and wouldn't be feasible in the long run. I believe nr 2 is the best solution, which the core already supports.