NPC Movement Frequency

[Mohenjo Daro]

Alright, so I've been toying around with EO (base 2.0) and changed the NPC speed but the frequency of how often, NOT fast, they move looks weird and I'm trying to find where the code is in the source for movement.

So basically I want the movement to be more fluid rather than jerky.

Also, I'm planning to add a scrl bar to judge what the frequency is, don't think that will change anything though.

[SkywardRiver]

> Alright, so I've been toying around with EO (base 2.0) and changed the NPC speed but the frequency of how often, NOT fast, they move looks weird and I'm trying to find where the code is in the source for movement.
>
> So basically I want the movement to be more fluid rather than jerky.
>
>  
>
> Also, I'm planning to add a scrl bar to judge what the frequency is, don't think that will change anything though.

Frequency is in ModServerLoop

[Mohenjo Daro]

> Frequency is in ModServerLoop

Yes, but what is it called?

[SkywardRiver]

I think it's somewhere in UpdateMapLogic. I'm just going off the top of my head right now though, so don't take my word for it 100%

[Mohenjo Daro]

Well, I've found that area but still don't know what to look for, the ' Check to see if Npc can move   or whatever didn't help

[SkywardRiver]

> Well, I've found that area but still don't know what to look for, the ' Check to see if Npc can move   or whatever didn't help

Well use common sense. Find where the call for UpdateMapLogic is located.

[Mohenjo Daro]

Yeah, I'm trying to use it.

[Mohenjo Daro]

Yeah, no, this isn't going well at all

[Rob Janes]

NPC movement is handled in Sub UpdateMapLogic,

Sub UpdateMapLogic is called from Sub ServerLoop in ModGameLogic

I believe by EO2 and EO3 it's called every 1000 ticks. So where it says tmr1000 < GetTickCount you should find it saying "Call UpdateMapLogic"

You'll see below where it says tmr1000 = GetTickCount + 1000.  This number is where you decide how often it's called. You could comment it out from here and create a brand new timer to as I think tmr1000 also calls other functions, so you'd simply want to remove the UpdateMapLogic from within the nested if statement for tmr1000 and then add this

dim tmrUpdateMap as long

if tmrUpdateMap < GetTickCount

Call UpdateMapLogic

tmrUpdateMap = GetTickCount + 500

end if

that number, 500 (500ms) lets you decide the frequency.

[Growlith1223]

Changing how fast the server updates the map logic isn't so great. you're not just increasing movement speed for the npc, you're updating EVERYTHING faster.

[SkywardRiver]

> Changing how fast the server updates the map logic isn't so great. you're not just increasing movement speed for the npc, you're updating EVERYTHING faster.

This exactly. You'll have to rewrite how NPC movement is handled (maybe put it in it's own loop) for what you want.

[Rob Janes]

_{Unless you're competent in VB6 – this will be the only way to achieve what he wants to do. You could essentially create a new routine for handling NPC movement and call that from the Server Loop, but this would be for an experienced developer.}

[Rob Janes]

And FYI the things affected by UpdateMapLogic are Item spawn rates, NPC AI (movement, attacking, regeneration), doors, and Hots/Dots

[Growlith1223]

To an optimist freak like me, i don't like increasing the speed in which other things move, it only creates more stress on the cpu(albeit very little but if you know me, i hate that shiz so much), i'll try and make a tutorial on how to accomplish this with a bit better optimized way of doing it.

[Rob Janes]

If this were 1998, I'd be concerned haha!

But any tutorial would be beneficial to users here trying to learn! :)

[Growlith1223]

> If this were 1998, I'd be concerned haha!
>
>  
>
> But any tutorial would be beneficial to users here trying to learn! :)

haha yea, specs nowadays can handle the server and client like nothing, but i still like to keep a fixed mind of "i wanna try and make this engine as optimized as i can!" lol but yea, i'm going to try and make a tutorial on how to make the npc movement a bit more smoother to kind of allow for that constant walking feeling.

[Mohenjo Daro]

Thanks, Growl, I'll sit tight and wait for that, just let me know if you decide not to do the tut. But do you think you could use a scrl for it so that you can choose the smoothness?

[Growlith1223]

Well the movement will be exactly like the player movement. so basically changing a timer will change the movement

[Mohenjo Daro]

Alright, and that I can change :D

[aeronx]

Did anyone solve this already? thanks

[Mohenjo Daro]

Well, I never figured it out cause I don't like messing with the server loop, but Grow figured it out I think

[aeronx]

Grow! show yourself and explain this to me please! Thanks!