A highly configurable A* pathfinding library for Java, designed for extensibility through custom node validation and cost processing. Ideal for 3D environments and game development.
Ironically named, seriously powerful.
pathetic is a high-performance, battle-tested pathfinding library engineered for demanding, concurrent backend
systems. Forged and hardened in the high-traffic environment of large-scale Minecraft servers, its architecture is
designed from the ground up for server-side performance, scalability, and extensibility.
It’s the ideal engine for bringing intelligent navigation to your most challenging projects.
A state-of-the-art A* implementation that leverages advanced data structures like a Fibonacci Heap and closed-set
optimizations (using Bloom filters) to dramatically reduce search times in large spaces.
Engineered and stabilized in live, high-traffic gaming environments, ensuring stability and resilience under heavy load.
It’s not just tested; it’s proven in combat.
The engine is inherently thread-safe, effortlessly handling multiple pathfinding requests simultaneously. This makes it
ideal for use in microservices and other modern backend architectures.
Customize the pathfinding logic with custom NodeValidationProcessor and NodeCostProcessor implementations to model
any environmental rule or cost heuristic you can imagine.
While its roots are in gaming, pathetic is a top-tier solution for a wide range of professional applications:
| Category | Application |
|---|---|
| 🚚 Logistics & Supply Chain | Calculate optimal routes for delivery fleets in complex, dynamic environments. |
| 🤖 Robotics & Automation | Power the navigation for autonomous robots in warehouses, factories, or outdoor settings. |
| 🎮 Gaming & Simulation | Drive pathfinding for thousands of NPCs in real-time or model complex movement. |
| 🔬 Complex Systems | Analyze and simulate crowd flow, network traffic, or other path-based systems. |
For comprehensive guides, API reference, and usage examples, please see the official project wiki. It contains detailed information on everything from installation and basic usage to advanced topics like custom processors.
The name “path-etic” is a tongue-in-cheek reminder of the project’s humble beginnings. What started as a simple pathfinder quickly evolved into a highly-optimized engine. We kept the name as a testament to that journey and as a humorous contrast to its powerful capabilities.
Pathetic-Bukkit (https://github.com/bsommerfeld/pathetic-bukkit) was also an early part of this project, developed in collaboration with @Ollie, who co-founded Pathetic and contributed significantly in its initial stages.