advanced_npc/doc/api.md

Advanced_NPC API Reference Alpha-2 (DEV)

• More information at https://github.com/hkzorman/advanced_npc/wiki

IMPORTANT: This WIP & unfinished file contains the definitions of current advanced_npc functions (Some documentation is lacking, so please bear in mind that this WIP file is just to enhance it)

Introduction

You can consult this document for help on API of behaviors for the NPCs. The goal is to be able to have NPCs that have the same functionality as normal players. The NPCs make Sokomine's mg_villages in Minetest alive although they can be manually spawned outside the village and work as good as new. Here is some information about the API methods and systems.

• npc.lua also uses methods and functions from the dependency: mobs_redo https://github.com/tenplus1/mobs_redo

Initialize NPC

The API works with some variables into Lua Entity that represent a NPC, then you should initialize the Lua Entity before that it really assume a controled behavior.

Methods

• npc.initialize(entity, pos, is_lua_entity, npc_stats, occupation_name) : Initialize a NPC

The simplest way to start a mob (of mobs_redo API) is by using the on_spawn function

on_spawn = function(self)
    npc.initialize(self, self.object:getpos(), true)
    self.tamed = false
end

Or after add in the world

local obj = minetest.add_entity({x=0, y=10, z=0}, "mobs:sheep", {naked = true})
local luaentity = get_luaentity(obj)
npc.initialize(luaentity, luaentity.object:getpos(), true)
luaentity.tamed = false

NPC Steps

The API works with NPC steps, then on_step callback need run the npc.on_step(luaentity). This function process the NPC actions and return the freeze state, which is used for stop mobs_redo behavior.

Example:

on_step = function(self, dtime)
    npc.on_step(self)
end

Mobs of Mobs_Redo API uses do_custom function instead of on_step callback and it needs return the freeze state to stop mobs_redo behavior. Here is a recommended code.

do_custom = function(self, dtime)
	
    -- Here is my "do_custom" code
	
    -- Process the NPC action and return freeze state
    return npc.on_step(self)
end

Actions and Tasks Queue

Actions are "atomic" executable actions the NPC can perform. Tasks are sequences of actions that are common enough to be supported by default. Each action or task is wrapped on a Lua table which tells the action/task to be executed and the arguments to be used. However, this is encapsulated to the user in the following two methods for a NPCs:

Methods

• npc.add_action(luaentity, action, {action definition}): Add action into NPC actions queue
• npc.add_task(luaentity, task, {task definition}): Add task into NPC actions queue

For both of the above, action/task is a constant defined in npc.actions.cmd, and {task/action definition} is a Lua table specific arguments to each action/task.

Example

npc.add_task(self, npc.actions.cmd.USE_BED, {
    pos = {x=0,y=0,z=0},
    action = npc.actions.const.beds.LAY
})
npc.add_action(self, npc.actions.cmd.SET_INTERVAL, {
    interval = 10,
    freeze = true,
})
npc.add_task(self, npc.actions.cmd.USE_BED, {
    pos = {x=0,y=0,z=0},
    action = npc.actions.const.beds.GET_UP
})

See more in actions_and_tasks.md documentation.

Schedules

The interesting part of Advanced NPC is its ability to simulate realistic behavior in NPCs. Realistic behavior is defined simply as being able to perform tasks at a certain time of the day, like usually people do. This allow the NPC to go to bed, sleep, get up from it, sit in benches, etc. All of this is simulated through a structured code using action and tasks.

The implementation resembles a rough OS process scheduling algorithm where only one process is allowed at a time. The processes or tasks are held in a queue, where they are executed one at a time in queue fashion. Interruptions are allowed, and the interrupted action is re-started once the interruption is finished.

Places Map

Places map define which NPCs can access which places.

Methods

• npc.places.add_owned(luaentity, place_name, place_type, pos, access_node) : Add owned place. pos is a position of a node to be owned. access_pos is a position of a node to be accessed. Place is added for the NPC.
• npc.places.add_shared(luaentity, place_name, place_type, pos, access_node) : Add shared place

Dialogues

Dialogs can be registered to be spoken by NPCs.

Tags

The flags or marks of the dialogue text. Tags can be used for ....

• "unisex" : Both male and female NPCs can say the defined text.
• "phase1" : NPCs in phase 1 of a relationship can say the defined text.

Methods

• set_response_ids_recursively() : A local function that assigns unique key IDs to dialogue responses.
• npc.dialogue.register_dialogue({dialogue definition}) : Defines and registers dialogues.
• npc.dialogue.search_dialogue_by_tags({search_tags}) : A method returning a table of dialogues if called.

Definition tables

Dialogue Definition (register_dialogue)

{
    text = "Hello.", --[[ 
    ^ The dialogue text itself. 
    ^ It must be included in the method.]]
    
    tags = {"tag1", "tag2"} --[[ 
    ^ The flags or marks of the dialogue text. 
    ^ The object can be excluded. ]]
}

Examples:

Syntax example 1:

npc.dialogue.register_dialogue({
    text = "Hello.", -- "Hello." will be said by the NPC upon rightclick and displayed in the messages section.
    tags = {"unisex", "phase1"} -- The flags that define the conditions of who and what can say the text.
})

Syntax example 2:

npc.dialogue.register_dialogue({
    text = "Hello again."
    -- The tags object is excluded, meaning that any NPC can say "Hello again." upon rightclick under no condition.
})