AI Update Part 2: AI Backup + New Light Bar DLC Out Now
Hello all,
I'm happy to announce that the AI Update Part 2: AI Backup is out now! 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.
Emergency Response Lightbar Collection available now
We are also happy to announce the Emergency Response Lightbar Collection is out now. This comes with 10 new highly requested lightbars. Each can be used with all departments and most vehicles.
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 - 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 - NPC vehicles have correct lights when at night - Fixed an issue that caused the UI to freeze if double clicking on done in character menu - Minimap water texture fixed
Thanks, The Flashing Lights Team
(Unstable Version) AI Update Part 2: AI Backup - Now Available for Testing!
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.
How to Access the Unstable Branch and Play The Update
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
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 - 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
AI Update Part 1: AI Partners - OUT NOW
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 <3
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!
AI Update Part 1 - AI Partners
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
Full Patch Notes
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
OUT NOW: Interceptor SUV Pack
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.
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)
Base Game Patch Notes - 9 July 2024
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)
AI Update Part 1 - Unstable Version Now Available!
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!
Excalibur Games Summer Sale 2024
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
AI Update Part 1 - Unstable Version Now Available!
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!
AI Update Part 1 - AI Partners
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.
Accessing the Unstable Branch
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
Excalibur Games Summer Sale 2024
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
AI Update Part 1 Coming Soon - Watch the Dev Vlog!
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:
AI Update Part 1: AI Partners
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!
AI Update Part 2: AI Backup
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.
Dev Vlog and Release Window
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
Hotfix 22.03.2024
Fixes - Couldn't drive the Beast Swat truck after using the hatch - Added missing moddable texture slots for Beast Swat truck - Added Beast DLC link to main menu - Sheriff livery updated for the Beast - Now can use weapon wheel while on the Beast's hatch - Default lights setup sorted for all vehicles
Beast Swat Truck DLC + Small Bug Fix Update Now Available
Hello all,
We're excited to reveal the Beast Swat Truck DLC, which is now available to purchase for $2.99/£2.99/€2.99.
Strengthen your police department forces with the Beast Swat Truck DLC! The Beast is a massive armoured personnel carrier, providing outstanding protection for your police department in times of crisis.
Quickly jump on for a ride with the side rails or even get a better view of the situation from the roof hatch.
Alongside this DLC release we have also launched a small update to the base game in order to support the DLC and fix a few issues.
Fixes
- Improvements for vehicle menu loading (possible crash fix) - Axe and chainsaw functions broke after breaking down a house door with halligan - Revive menu got stuck after requesting NPC EMS - Small optimizations for multiplayer client vehicles - In game opening Settings>Graphics the resolution's confirm window popped up - Weapon wheel breaking on larger resolutions - Ocean water shader fix to render behind fog/volumetric light - First person view in vehicle mirrors didn't render props
Flashing Lights is currently available at 66% off as part of Steam's Spring Sale!
We've also got both the Thunder Sport Sedan Pack and Pickup Truck Triple Pack DLCs on sale at 33% off.
Make sure to check out these limited time discounts on the sale page.
Hotfix update 29th Feb 2024
Hello everyone
We have released an update to Flashing Lights which primarily focuses on fixes, and adds a few additional aspects to the mission editor.
Build 270224-1 (Windows & Mac)
New in Mission Editor - Smoke zones (need SCBA and Fan) - Female SWAT character - In editor now show the counter of NPCs, tow targets and fire - Can place player heal med kits (Functions category) - Another police car as prop - Ambulance vehicle as prop - Police, fire and medic NPC as prop
Fixes - Undesired police car and police NPC spawning at custom mission's injured patient locations, if the call ID was above 9999 - Tow fixes for default police missions [ID 1014 & 1015] - Towing for custom missions could break depending on vehicle props count - Towing cars jittery movement fixed - Police mission "Escaped convict vehicle incident" [ID 1012] was not able to finish in singleplayer - Parking tickets didn't spawn and could place them with no limit and generate stats - Updated parking ticket visuals - Hostage NPC missing walking animation when following player - Player canceling talk menu with Hostage NPC, could make them un-interactable - NPC hostage might break interactivity when put in car - NPC suspect's gun floating in front while having hands up - Fire starter option in mission editor could flip on/off by itself - Bank interior props (doors, wet signs) could duplicate multiple times (Mac) - Terrain updated that blocked bank's lower garage (Mac) - Translations updated and added localisation to Mission Editor - Role menu icons updated
February Update Now Live | Mission Editor, Bank + Callout, Swat Van, Fixes
Hello all,
We've just launched a big update for Flashing Lights, which includes plenty of new content as well as lots of bug fixes and improvements.
Mission Editor
Jump into the new Mission Editor, which allows you to customise your experience by using game tools to create your own callouts! Select NPC types, vehicle props, environment props, fire and more. Best of all, you can share your callouts via mod.io for your friends and your fellow players to try. To browse and play user-created callouts, head to the 'Mods' section from the main menu and narrow your selection down by ticking 'missions'.
If you're looking to get into modding for Flashing Lights, make sure to check out the handy mod.io guides.
Bank + Callout
West from the city's fire department building you'll find a newly added bank. There's also a brand new callout which sees you respond to a bank robbery, apprehending suspects and recusing hostages.
Swat Van and Character
We've also introduced a Swat van, with the ability for players to climb on the roof and hold onto the sides while another is driving. Adding a little more variety to the character creator, you'll find a new Swat helmet option for police as well as a new male Swat character. A female Swat character is coming soon.
Weather Cycle
This update also adds a weather cycle, meaning you'll see various weather conditions dynamically as you play. You'll now encounter clear skies, cloudy skies, fog, light rain, heavy rain and storms. By default the weather will cycle randomly every 2 - 5 minutes, but you can customise this in the sandbox menu - here you can turn the weather cycle on or off or manually select a weather state.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
As well as new content we have of course been keeping a close eye on bug reports and have been hard at work fixing issues. This update includes fixes for Structure Fire callouts auto-completing, Structure Fire with Possible Entrapment callout getting stuck, issues with interacting with driver patients in the Motor Vehicle Collision callout and lots more.
Flashing Lights + DLC Discounts Now Available
Flashing Lights is currently available at 66% off, our biggest Steam discount to date, as part of the Excalibur Games Publisher Sale!
We've also got both the Thunder Sport Sedan Pack and Pickup Truck Triple Pack DLCs on sale at 33% off.
Make sure to check out these limited time discounts on the sale page.
Full Patch Notes
New: Mission Editor (Custom missions can be shared via mod.io) - Armed suspect NPC - Hostage NPC - Ragdolled NPC (FD can carry them and EMS can interact) - Injured NPC (for EMS players) - 9 vehicle props (optionally set vehicle props as mission goal for police player's tow truck) - 11 environment props - Fire modules - Rescue tent as hostage drop off - Ability to change mission icon and dispatch title
New - City Bank added (West from city FD) - Bank robbery mission [ID: 1016]: apprehend suspects and rescue hostages (bring hostages to rescue tent) - Swat van added, with the ability to climb on the roof or hold onto van sides - Livery mod support for Swat van (texture mod name: FTR-SWAT) - Swat character (male) and helmet for police - Weather cycle (By default, a random change in weather every 2-5 minutes. Weather can be adjusted manually in the Sandbox menu>time menu) - Added mod sorting tags for in-game Mod Assign Menu (same tags as on Mod.io)
Fixes - EMS players in singleplayer couldn't interact with driver patients in "Motor Vehicle Collision" [ID 3000] - Fire callout "Structure Fire" [ID 2000] auto-completing - Fire callout "Structure Fire with Possible Entrapment" [ID 2003] getting stuck - NPC spawner for missions could select the wrong mission or skip spawning - Firefighters dropping carried patients with the input "Hand" (1 by default), blocked the ability to interact with them to call for transport - Player characters sometimes didn't stop burning when fire is extinguished - FEX model wheel fixes for long-distance rendering - Tow mission vehicles (including custom mission wrecks) - Thunder DLC civilian version did not spawn - Long-distance vegetation billboards culling fixed
AI Fixes - Suspects now shoot at the player when they see you, rather than constantly blasting walls - Adjusted shooting and running ratio for suspects unrelated to mission editor - Patients and ragdolls could spawn underground
General Fixes - Optimized weapon shots, had a memory leak - Optimized game size (around 2.5gb) - Optimized vehicles and buildings shadow settings - shadow bleeding (gaps) fixed - Mac shader errors at Beach Town, glowing white areas resolved - Added missing audio channel for spike strips, which was ignoring volume settings - Game world gravity now resets to default when returning to main menu - Pressing Esc while in Controls menu could break menu navigation - Fixed Beach Town levitating props at departments
