Flashing Lights News

Hello all,

Welcome to a very exciting Flashing Lights news update! We're delighted to unveil our next roadmap, taking you all the way up to v1.0 and beyond.



Please note that in the background, alongside this roadmap, we will be investigating AI improvements!

September:

• EMS enhancements
  
• New ambulance van
  
• New EMS treatments
  

We kick off this roadmap with a much requested update to the EMS department! We've heard your requests, and will be improving upon current EMS gameplay mechanics, and adding a new ambulance van with its own unique interior. Finally, we will be adding a number of new EMS treatments.

October:

• Sandbox menu update
  
• AI pedestrian outfit variety
  
• Animation fixes
  

We have loved seeing what you have all been getting up to with the new sandbox menu (F6 is the default key - check it out if you haven't already!). That was just the beginning - we will be updating the sandbox menu with fun new options in October! One of these new options, the ability to switch to a civilian character model, will open up some new role play opportunities!

Let us know what sort of options you'd like to see added to the sandbox menu.

We'll also be updating AI pedestrian outfit variety, and working on animation fixes - both of which will help make the game feel that bit more natural.

December:

• Mod support (Textures + sounds)
  
• Tutorial (Hints + controls tips)
  
• World Update (Rural towns + new locations)
  
• Performance Optimisation
  

Mods by player: Elias Auxilibus

Mods have unofficially been a part of the Flashing Lights community for a long time, but we have heard loud and clear that you want in-game mod support. Which is why we're so excited to announce that mod support for textures and sounds, utilising mod.io, will be introduced in the December update.

We'll also be updating the game world, fleshing out rural towns and adding new locations.

Crucial performance optimisations are also coming with this update. We have been working hard on new environment and scenery optimisations which should deliver a smoother experience for players.

Lastly, we'll be delivering a tutorial, including hints and control tips.

2023 Q1 + Q2:

• Bug fixes
  
• Steam achievements and cloud saves
  
• Rep points unlock system
  
• World update
  
• v1.0 launch
  

In the first half of 2023, we will be focusing on improving game quality by tackling bug fixes - but also updating the game world further, introducing a reputation points unlock system, and adding Steam achievements and cloud save support.

This will mark the point at which we leave Early Access and hit v1.0 - crucially though, this will NOT be the end of the game's development. In fact, we have a number of new features already planned for the second half of 2023...

2023 Q3 + Q4:

• K9 for police and fire departments
  
• Day/night cycle and weather
  
• AI backup
  
• Continued community-led enhancements
  

We're excited to announce that we will be adding AI backup in the second half of 2023! This will come in handy for when you're protecting the city alone (playing single player) - for instance, if you're playing as a police officer and come across a fire, you'll be able to call an AI backup firefighter to take on the blaze.

Just as exciting is the planned day/night cycle and weather effects, and the K9 for police and fire departments.

Aaaaand, breath out... that's all we have to share for now, but we hope you are as excited as we are for the future of Flashing Lights!

Keep an eye out for the September update, and keep on sharing your thoughts, feedback and suggestions!

Thanks for all the support,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

We have a small update for you today, which includes a number of bug fixes.

We've also added sound effects for NPC vehicles and footsteps, fleshed out some environmental details for Cod Town and increased NPC traffic variety. Some vehicles are now dirty, and some now have visible cargo inside of them.

We've also added the Sandbox Menu, which is reasonably bare-bones for the time being, but we will be adding to it in the future. Use F6 to take a look. We look forward to seeing what fun you all get up to with this ;)





New
- NPC vehicles now have engine sound effects
- Pedestrian footstep sounds added
- Cod Town updated with more environmental details
- Added variety in NPC traffic: dirty textures and cargo props
- Added the Sandbox Menu: Available for single player and multiplayer host only (default key: F6)

Fixes
- Player characters on fire will now extinguish after a period of time
- Traffic getting stuck at random locations
- Traffic no longer spawns inside each other, making cars blast into the air
- Police mission "Officer Needs Assistance" missing AI police car fixed
- Wider traffic spawn radius introduced
- Suspect now correctly identified on map for Escaped convict call (id 1012)
- AI EMS/Tow/police transport route fixes to not spawn on top of player
- Fixed an issue with AI not fleeing as intended from some traffic stops
- Fixed an issue with traffic count not adjusting after requesting an AI tow truck
- AI drivers no longer do donuts on spawn if previously asked to get out of vehicle
- Map optimizations introduced including low poly objects for suburbs, roads and highways when viewed from a long distanced
- Jumping on a vehicle no longer breaks the player character's footstep sound effects
- Traffic stop icon on dashboard now only displays for police vehicles
- Terrain fix at area 73-39
- Police database image for sedan car updated
- Fixes to shadow rendering for player vehicles
- Player vehicle motion wind sound removed
- Added warning in multiplayer menu about some players pretending to be members of the development and admin teams



Today we want to give you your first look at the next update, which will launch in September. We've heard loud and clear that you want enhancements for the EMS department, and so this update is entirely focused on EMS!



September - EMS Update:
- EMS enhancements (enhancements to the current EMS mechanics)
- New ambulance van (including a unique interior)
- New EMS treatments

We have big plans for Flashing Lights, and we can't wait to let you all know what we have in store! We've made the decision that the next roadmap will cover not just the next few updates, but will reveal our plans for the rest of 2022 and for 2023. So it's taking a little longer than expected - but it will be worth the wait!

Check back on 16 August, when we'll be revealing the next roadmap!

Hi all,

Welcome to Flashing Lights' June update!

This time around we have focused on traffic stops! We've updated traffic car models, added the ability to shoot NPC vehicle tires and expanded traffic stop options. You can now run portable drug tests, interact and open doors to search vehicles, and ask drivers a variety of questions.



You may also notice that we have made some adjustments to time of day and lighting. We hope you enjoy the updated lighting!





New
- Shoot traffic car tires
- Portable drug test on traffic stop
- Updated traffic cars with interiors and openable doors
- Traffic cars now spawn in random colors
- Vehicle search with legal, illegal and permit items
- Weapon permit in police database for AI
- Perform traffic stop from both sides of vehicle
- Traffic car's front side windows are now open during traffic stop
- Traffic stop questions
- Drivers look at player during traffic stop
- Drug test for pedestrians
- Ramps on central median at hospital ambulance bay





Fixes
- Firefighters could get stuck in crouch pose after dropping patients
- Fixed an issue where players could die infinitely after revive
- Fire hit damage reduced
- Player could set on fire from inactive fire zones
- Traffic spawn rate improvements
- Traffic violation location section now fills grid address
- Updated traffic vehicle images in computer database
- Ocean texture updated
- Day time light updated
- Camera effect Ambient Occlusion updated
- Some vegetation types missed optimization
- Vegetation spawn distances updated
- Clouds pixelating in distance
- Adjusted traffic car's tow tag
- Blue lights tone adjustment



We're not ready just yet to share more regarding the next roadmap, but keep your eyes peeled!

As always, we want to say a huge thank you for playing and for your support!

The Flashing Lights Team

Hey all!

We have a surprise small update for you all, which adds a rescue truck for the fire department, the ability to use the deck gun on the fire engine, and water level indicator lights for fire trucks.

New
- Rescue truck for fire department
- Deck gun on fire engine is now usable
- Water level indicator lights on fire trucks

Fixes
- Player fire damage updated
- Stats counter for completed fire and rescue missions
- Hose didn't despawn when player died or teleported
- Connecting a supply hose to both ends of the same truck created am infinite water supply
- Gas station fire locations updated
- Suburbs house fire updated to spread between floors
- Fire could reignite after mission was completed
- Player could die in a loop after random revive or heal
- Tow truck missing in vehicle menu
- Vehicle lights configuration could break when players clicked on Save and Exit while lights were still loading on preview vehicle
- All game textures optimized
- Tow tutorial pop up removed on rescue truck

Keep an eye out for more news as we approach the June update:

Hey all,

It's time for another Flashing Lights update, and it's another biggie!



This update focuses on the fire department, introducing dynamic spreading fire - this makes fire callouts feel more authentic, realistic and engaging! We can't wait to see what you think.

We've also revamped the hose and water system, allowing you to connect hoses between fire trucks, use a secondary water spray function, and you can now drop and pick up hoses.



A new conventional fire truck has been added to the roster of available vehicles - a lot of you have asked for this, so we're happy to add it!





New
- Fire system with spreading
- New vehicle for Fire Department: Fire Engine
- New hose system. You can now connect supply lines between trucks. If truck is moved, all hoses disconnect
- You can now drop the water hose on the ground by pressing 1 (to switch to empty hand) - pick it up by clicking on the icon
- Added water hose nozzle spray straight and fog modes. Switch using Horn input (MMB or H)
- Player footstep sounds on tarmac/grass/dirt road
- Braking sound effects for trucks
- Vegetation in the city green areas
- New spreaders model

Fixes
- Portable ladders optimized and updated
- Fixed camera angle when placing portable ladders
- Ladder Truck water canon now uses water from truck
- Added red dots to the full map indicating all hydrant locations
- Added additional entrapment call [id 2003] in another suburbs buildings type
- Hose connections to trucks no longer lock them in place
- Blocked pedestrian paths through fire department
- Antialiasing fix in Graphics Settings
- No more negative points after respawn in contact with water
- Vehicle fire should not have spreaders icon visible
- Fixed ability to request Motor Vehicle Collision (id 3000) calls with /nm_ command
- New ocean material



We hope you enjoy this update! We'll see you in June for the traffic stop update!