Flashing Lights News

Hello all,

I'm happy to announce that an early version of AI Update Part 2: AI Backup is now available for testing on the unstable branch! This update expands and improves on the recently introduced AI backup system by introducing the ability to use a walkie talkie to call for backup while you are out and about in the open world.



This update also lets you call for backup from police, fire or EMS departments, regardless of the department you're playing at the time.

We look forward to hearing what you think of this early version of the update, and will be reading all of your posts on this announcement, the Steam forums and our Discord.



[h2]How to Access the Unstable Branch and Play The Update[/h2]

To access the unstable branch you can do the following:
- Load up Steam and head to your library
- Right click on Flashing Lights and then select "Properties"
- Head to the Beta tab and in the drop down select "unstable_test_branch" (no password needed)
- This will then download the new update for you

https://store.steampowered.com/app/605740

[h2]Full Patch Notes - 23/10/2024 Unstable Build[/h2]

AI Backup (Singleplayer Only)
- Use radio to call for backup (Default key "Tab" where you choose to control partners or call for backup)
- Texture mods for backup vehicles and characters (Using Slot 1 in Assign Menu for each model)
- Command backup AI characters while they are out of car
- Police backup (Police Car, Sheriff SUV, Swat Van)
- Firefighters backup (Engine Truck, Fire SUV)
- EMS Backup (Ambulance, First Responder SUV)

New
- Light patterns on Mod.io (Add prefix Lights_ to exported file, example: Lights_My Mod Name.txt and upload as .zip (no folders))
- Dispatch now give calls around players (1300m radius), the range limit is ignored when using next mission command [/nm_]
- Sheriff partner character
- More props for pedestrian crossings in City East, Cod Town, Beach Town and City Marina
- Partners and backup units now show on minimap and full map UI

Traffic Spawner Improvements
- New waypoint finder around player (might improve multiplayer lag with 6+ players)
- Using optimized waypoint finder the spawner will try to use free spots to spawn more traffic
- Distanced traffic optimization (based on distance it will turn off AI driver character or wheel animations)
- Pedestrian waypoints added in City East, Port and Beach Town Pier

Pedestrian and Traffic Fixes
- NPC loading improved to fix loading hickups at game start and when loading missions (The NPC pool now has 60 pedestrians which should be enough for default pedestrian count and missions, if for custom missions need more, it may load more pedestrians but could cause some hickups)
- NPC pedestrian pooling was broken and during gameplay new pedestrians were created for each spawn causing memory increase over time and possible crashes or lag on multiplayer
- NPC in missions now despawn when player cancel the mission and leave area
- NPC pedestrians no longer stop spawning after a while
- When loading a game, now only the host creates NPC pedestrians and traffic, solving an issue with clients loading duplicate NPCs and traffic unnecessarily, causing lag for all players and memory increase
- Sorting and fixes for multiplayer entity ID mismatch causing random sync issues and lag while Photon tried to fix it with destroying NPC clones and creating new instances
- Pedestrians no longer spawn partially in the ground while loading before they start walking
- Pedestrians no longer walk around with a gun floating in front of their head
- Function for missing traffic lights in City East and Beach Town

Fixes
- Multiplayer car seat rotation sync fix for players
- In multiplayer sometimes pedestrians stopped walking
- Toggle auto-off sirens setting now saves when you get out of your vehicle
- On each game load and each vehicle menu launch, customized siren slots previously got messed up
- Beach Town pier poles rendering fix
- Hovering parked cars aligned with ground in Beach Town and Cod Town
- Parked cars are now using optimized traffic car models
- Changed default setting for parked cars from Low to Medium when creating a game
- Changed default vehicles for new players (SUV for police and Engine for firefighters)
- Map buildings and roads were previously loaded duplicate on CPU

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

We're excited to announce that AI Update Part 1: AI Partners is OUT NOW on the default branch, meaning it's available for everyone! A huge thanks to all of you who helped test this update when it was on the unstable branch
Get out there and save the city - now with AI partners! At the police station, fire station or hospital, select your AI partner by interacting with the relevant marker and head out!





Police Partners

The police partners will be able to frisk and arrest suspects, shoot back if being shot at, and chase down suspects. They can also ride in your vehicles and be told to wait at locations or in a vehicle.

Firefighter Partners

These partners can help put out fires using extinguishers, use hydraulic spreaders to rescue persons trapped in vehicles. They can also ride in your vehicles and be told to wait at locations or in a vehicle.



EMS Partners

EMS partners can prepare patients for transport for you by working through the treatment checklist, before you either transport the patient yourself or call for AI transport. You can also set your EMS partners to wait for your command before running to a patient, meaning you can command them to attend one patient while you take care of another.

Nils is now working on AI Update Part 2 - AI Backup! This update will allow you to call for backup when out on callouts, arriving and then leaving the scene when the situation is dealt with.

Watch out for news!

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team



New
AI Partners
- Locate Partners icon in departments (limited AI character to choose from for now)
- Press TAB to toggle mouse cursor to select AI's commands in upper right corner
- By default partners will follow player and get in/out player vehicle

Police Commands
- Frisk
- Arrest
- Wait
- Sit in car
- Go to location
- Follow player
- Toggle if they should chase escaping (on foot) suspects automatically

Firefighter Commands
- Use fire extinguishers or ignore fire
- Toggle use of spreaders
- Wait
- Sit in car
- Go to location
- Follow player

Medic Commands
- Toggle if partner should go to patient automatically
- Prepare patients for transportation (Player then has to take them or call for pick up)
- Wait
- Sit in car
- Go to location
- Follow player

Updated
- "INTERCEPTOR" DLC mod support (Tag Name: INT)
- Vehicle menu now show available seat count for each vehicle (trunk and Van's cage not counted as seats)
- Fix for partners icon showing up at Cod Town police station in multiplayer game

Fixes for Interceptor DLC
- Visor lights mirrored on the passenger side
- Trunk lights updated
- Police radio chatter sound removed for FD, EMS and Civ versions

Hello all,

We're excited to reveal the Interceptor SUV Pack DLC, featuring a brand new SUV vehicle and liveries for police, fire and EMS, which is available NOW at $2.99/£2.99/€2.99! We are running a 10% off launch discount to celebrate, and you can save even more by purchasing the DLC through the Chief Edition bundle.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3051230

Be the first on the scene with the Interceptor SUV pack, featuring vehicles for each department!

DLC includes:

Police Interceptor SUV
- Sheriff livery
- Black and white livery
- White livery
- Unmarked black livery

EMS Interceptor SUV
Fire Interceptor SUV
Civilian Interceptor SUV (accessible via the sandbox menu)





New
- "INTERCEPTOR" paid DLC available for Police, Fire, EMS and civilian roles

Fixes
- When in vehicles in first person view, pressing Horn input would reset camera to 3rd person view
- Adjustments to waypoint system to avoid pedestrians spawning on building roofs and bushes/hedges
- Improved NPC pathfinding around vehicles
- NPCs now detect and won't go through closed doors
- Using /cam chat command having a typo could break the chat and game
- Vegetation system had internal calculations issue. Possible performance improvement
- Added Vehicle menu and Healing ability to city police department's back area
- Added City East department's map tags
- FEX car missing trunk lights
- Sandbox > Civilian Mode menu could glitch vehicle menu when opened multiple times
- Custom mission files added to Steam Cloud Save (.mission files have to be saved in default location)



As previously announced, the unstable version of our latest game update is now available to play!

AI Update Part 1 is now available on the unstable branch! This update allows you to select AI partners at your relevant department building - these will follow you around the city and help out with callouts!

We need your help testing this update before it goes live for everyone on the default branch! Let us know what you think on the forums and on our Discord, as always!

Check out our previous announcement for all the details on that update and instructions on how to access the unstable branch!

Watch out for news on this update and more coming soon!



The Steam Summer Sale is here and Flashing Lights is available at it's best discount yet! We also have a selection of Flashing Lights DLC on sale too. Check it out in the Excalibur Games Summer Sale 2024:



Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

AI Update Part 1 is now available on the unstable branch! This update allows you to select AI partners at your relevant department building - these will follow you around the city and help out with callouts!

We need your help testing this update before it goes live for everyone on the default branch! Let us know what you think on the forums and on our Discord, as always!





Police Partners

The police partners will be able to frisk and arrest suspects, shoot back if being shot at, and chase down suspects. They can also ride in your vehicles and be told to wait at locations or in a vehicle.

Firefighter Partners

These partners can help put out fires using extinguishers, use hydraulic spreaders to rescue persons trapped in vehicles. They can also ride in your vehicles and be told to wait at locations or in a vehicle.

EMS Partners

EMS partners can prepare patients for transport for you by working through the treatment checklist, before you either transport the patient yourself or call for AI transport. You can also set your EMS partners to wait for your command before running to a patient, meaning you can command them to attend one patient while you take care of another.



To access the unstable branch you can do the following:
- Load up Steam and head to your library
- Right click on Flashing Lights and then select "Properties"
- Head to the Beta tab and in the drop down select "unstable_test_branch" (no password needed)
- This will then download the new update for you



The Steam Summer Sale is here and Flashing Lights is available at it's best discount yet! Check it out in the Excalibur Games Summer Sale 2024:



We look forward to hearing all your thoughts!

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

We are still working away on the AI update and wanted to offer you a progress update!

We can now confirm that this update will release in two parts:

[h3]AI Update Part 1: AI Partners[/h3]

This update will allow you to select AI partners at your relevant department building - these will follow you around the city and help out with callouts!

[h3]AI Update Part 2: AI Backup[/h3]

This update will introduce AI backup, allowing you to call in for support when out on callouts. This will see backup arriving on the scene and leaving the scene when the situation is dealt with.

[h2]Dev Vlog and Release Window[/h2]



We're excited to announce that we're targeting a late June unstable release for AI Update Part 1.

As it's been a little while since you've last heard from us we also wanted to give you an in-development look at AI Update Part 1, directly from the developer Nils!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jvt1XpKdQ

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team