Minetest_game: Spawn mod: make the spawning code a global function usable by mods

[tacotexmex]

With a good spawnpoint finding algorithm in place, it could be utilized in order to teleport multiple players apart in a specific radius with a specific coordinate as center point. It can be part API function, part chat command:

• minetest.spreadplayers(x, z, min_range, max_range, player)
• /spreadplayers x z min_range max_range player

(the player variable would be optional)
////////////////////

EDIT by paramat: Request changed, see new thread title and discussion.

[paramat]

Good idea, something i have wanted to do for a long time, see https://github.com/minetest/minetest/issues/6229
There are some issues, where does a player get respawned? Their initial spawn might need to be stored in a world file to be used for respawn, which could get big and slow to access on a popular server.

[tacotexmex]

In my mind this would be a specialized teleport command and function and thus not update respawn point.

Perhaps it’s not a true fit for the spawn mod then although the algorithm is the same. On the other hand this would definitely be a good feature to have on on_join for servers who don’t want all players spawn at one point but evenly spread around an area.

[paramat]

I see, i slightly misunderstood.

[paramat]

Ok, i feel the function you specifically request is too narrow a feature, and i don't see a need for the chat command. However i do feel that the spawnpoint search should be available as a global function for mods to use as they wish for various purposes, so a function that is more neutral and universal.
Then maybe the spawn mod itself could have an option for scattered spawnpoints.

[tacotexmex]

the spawnpoint search should be available as a global function for mods to use as they wish for various purposes, so a function that is more neutral and universal.

Yes, I also realize that the feature is a bit niched so this would provide a good general solution to solving this specific problem.

Let’s reframe and rename the issue?

[paramat]

I agree.

[tacotexmex]

With the new direction in mind, I want to state my wish for a method of getting and setting the friendly biome IDs.

[paramat]

Rolling #2116 into this, biomes could be an argument of this function.

[paramat]

Related issue: I'm thinking this spawn mod should function 'on respawnplayer' too, i've noticed after a death a player respawns a long way from their initial spawn and in unfriendly biomes. With engine spawning, initial spawn and respawn are similar places.
EDIT: Done.

[paramat]

PR #2257 as a start. Later i might add an optional feature to spawn mod for scattering players across a world, which will lead to very interesting server dynamics as explained in https://github.com/minetest/minetest/issues/6229

[paramat]

Looks like #2257 will be moved to engine 'builtin' for use by all games.

EDIT: If it is, MTG will require changes, so keeping this open.