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% Waypointing - NZ:P Mapping Documentation
Waypointing
Introduction
Nazi Zombies: Portable makes use of a waypointing system to define nodes that zombies may path between. This allows for a fairly simple and intuitive, albeit limited, way to allow mappers to create custom pathfinding for their maps.
Waypoints can be edited directly in-game via the waypoint editing mode, foregoing the need to recompile the map when creating or adjusting waypoints. This mode can be accessed via the command waypoint_mode cvar.
Saving a set of waypoints via this mode will generate a .way file within the maps folder of NZ:P; a plain-text file containing data for each node.
With .way files being plain-text, they can be opened in any text editor. Doing so will reveal the following data structure:
| Data Identifier | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | The co-ordinates of the waypoint node. |
| ID | The numerical identifier of the waypoint node. |
| Special | The associated wayTarget ID of a valid nzp_func_door that has been correctly linked to the waypoint node. |
| Target 1-8 | 8 Possible waypoint nodes that are connected to the waypoint node. |
Another limitation of the waypoint system is that there is a hard limit of 256 total nodes.
Interacting with Waypoints
| Actions | Description |
|---|---|
| Create | Creates a default (blue) waypoint node at the players position. |
| Select | Selects waypoint node currently being aimed at. |
| Link | Link selected (yellow) node to aimed at default (blue) node. |
| Remove | Deletes current selected (yellow) node. |
| Move | Move current selected (yellow) node to player position. |
| Create Special | Converts selected (yellow) node to a special node. Must be adjacent to a valid func_nzp_door. |
Special Waypoints
Special Waypoint nodes are used in conjunction with a valid func_nzp_door to prevent zombies from attempting to path through currently closed doors.
A valid func_nzp_door requires an ID to be set in the wayTarget entity field. Targetting this wayTarget within waypoint mode is as simple as placing a waypoint node within the door entity you have created, and creating a special entity
whilst this node is selected. Correct use of this function can be clarifyed by a console output.
Pathing Behaviour
Zombies will move along a path dictated by the mapper through connected waypoint nodes until they are within sight range to path to a player on their own (Where "Sight" is dictated by both the zombies shins, chest and forehead being able to see the player).
When zombies reacquire a path to the player (Whether that be after hopping a barricade post-spawn, or in attempt to find the player after they have teleported outside and back into the map.), they will do so via the closest waypoint node to them. There is however a heuristic cost, meaning zombies will attempt different paths via alternate nodes if the closest node to them is not reachable.
