Hello all,

Flashing Lights' October 2019 update is here, and it's a spooky one!

A night time mode has now been introduced, accessible via the in-game settings when setting up a game! Additionally, some spooky surprises have been added to celebrate Halloween - try running with a patient on a stretcher and letting go... or perhaps try approaching an NPC with a chainsaw and see what happens...



All new features in this update are here to stay for good, so there's no need to worry about them being removed after Halloween.

For now, you can select night mode as an option in the settings, but we do plan to eventually introduce a dynamic day/night cycle.

Flashing Lights is now discounted for a limited time in the Steam Halloween Sale!

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

New

- Night time option now available in game settings
- Additional lanterns at police, fire and EMS stations added
- Added ability to put suspects in police vehicle trunks
- Stretcher now drops out of ambulance if driven with back doors open (single player only for now!)
- Sprint with the stretcher and then let go to give patients a ride
- NPCs are now injured when attacked with chainsaw and/or axe
- Pedestrians start running if shots fired in area or are being approached with active chainsaw

Fixes

- Fire wind correction
- Fire smoke particle flicker fixed
- Terrain adjustments for locations around the city to prevent driving under the map
- Fixed a game freeze while climbing on ladder truck rear and clicking on ladder control at same time
- Player vehicle emergency light brightness adjustments
- Player vehicle interior static dashboard lights altered
- Police SUV could get stuck in lampposts when hit in high speeds - this is now fixed
- Minor adjustments for ladder control UI
- Chainsaw and axe cut animation no longer appear when used on doors, trunks etc
- Axe is no longer held like a shotgun
- Axe swing animation added
- Spawning or pushing stretcher in water without holding it, could lead to issues with the countdown UI - this is now fixed

There's much more to come in 2019 and beyond - check out the roadmap for more details:



Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

Thank you to the more than 1,700 of you who voted in the Flashing Lights November and December roadmap poll via the official Discord! We can now reveal the results of the vote.

1. Fuel system - 1712 Votes
   
2. SCBA (Self-contained breathing apparatus) + player health for fire and smoke - 1432 Votes
   
3. Player police van - 1278 Votes
   
4. Ability to tackle suspects as a police officer - 1201 Votes
   
5. Prisoner transport missions - 1110 Votes
   
6. Get in/out vehicle animation - 872 Votes
   
7. Further vehicle interior dashboards - 810 Votes
   
8. Player vehicle sound sync in multiplayer - 685 Votes

Based on your votes, we have finalised the full Q4 2019 Early Access roadmap!



it's been wonderful to get your thoughts on which features are most important to you so that we could prioritise certain features for over the next few months!

If a feature you voted for isn't listed in the roadmap, don't worry! They are all planned features, they just may not arrive in the November and December updates.

Likewise, if your most wanted feature wasn't an option in the poll, that simply means that it wasn't in the scope of the November and December updates. While we can't yet confirm any specifics, we can say that there are lots more updates to come throughout 2020.

We wanted to leave you with one more thing today - a little teaser for October's mysterious 'Spooky Seasonal Update'...



Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

Community voting for the November and December roadmap is now open! Please join our official Discord and head to the #Announcements channel to vote.

Keep in mind that you're voting only on features that are within the scope of the November and December updates - there will be plenty more Flashing Lights updates to come throughout 2020 which we're not ready to speak about yet.



The first ever Flashing Lights community roadmap vote is here! Thank you for participating and having your say.

We have collated feedback from everyone and combined it with our own plans, to create a list of up and coming features. However, it may not be possible to release all these features by the end of the year. So we want your help to decide which features we prioritise - this vote will then inform the November and December roadmap!

It's easy, simply join the Discord, head to #announcements, and vote for the features which are most important to you!

(You can vote for as many pieces of content as you like, but we recommend only voting for the features you really care about, as if everyone votes for everything we are back at square one)

Voting closes: Fri 11 Oct morning (BST time)
Roadmap to be announced: Mon 14 Oct

Hello all,

We've just launched the September update for Flashing Lights, which introduces a functional fire department ladder truck as well as six new fire department callouts! Manually extend and position the ladder to climb up and fight fire multiple stories high.

Also debuted is a new piece of equipment for the EMS department, which you can use to help treat injured patients: the neck collar.



Read on for full patch notes, but first we have some news for you on what to expect from Flashing Lights over the next three months!



We're excited to reveal that October will see the release of a spooky seasonal update, introducing a bunch of fun and unexpected gameplay additions. Take a look at the screenshot on the roadmap for just a tease of what's to come.

Then, for the November and December updates, we're trying something entirely new for Flashing Lights: opening up the roadmap to community votes! You'll be able to have your say on what you'd most like to see in the November and December updates, selecting from a variety of options.

The voting will be held via the official Flashing Lights Discord, so make sure to join in there if you haven't already! Voting will open in the coming weeks.

New

• Functional ladder truck with outriggers added
  
• Ladder truck visuals updated
  
• Water gun added to top of the ladder
  
• 6 new fire callouts featuring high rise emergencies
  
• Additional props added in some areas for new callouts
  
• Fire hydrant positioned at back of the fire station
  
• Neck collar, new item in Med Bag, now available
  
• EMS and Rescue injured inspection now shows status of each body part

Fixes

• Traffic advisor light patterns modified
  
• Ladder truck texture adjustments
  
• Chainsaw volume adjusted

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

In just four weeks time we will be exhibiting Flashing Lights at EGX 2019! The massive games expo takes place from 17th - 20th October in London, UK, and it's your chance to meet Nils Jakrins, Flashing Lights' dev! You'll also have the chance to meet some of the Excalibur publishing team and pick up a Flashing Light sticker.



If you're there on Sunday 20th October you'll also have the chance to hear Nils speak about how he broke into the industry and voice any advice he has for aspiring game developers. The panel will be livestreamed on the EGX Twitch channel and available to watch as a VOD on YouTube after the event for those of you who can't make it.

Four panellists, all with their first games supported by Excalibur Games, speak about how they broke into the industry, their experiences so far, their current projects and what advice they would give to aspiring developers and others looking to get into the industry. Panel: Yen Ooi (Road to Guandong), Nils Jakrins (Flashing Lights), Arvydas Žemaitis (Shoppe Keep) and Tom Malinowski (Tracks – The Train Set Game).



Before this month is out we will of course be releasing the September update, featuring the functional fire ladder truck, new fire callouts and further EMS improvements. Keep an eye out!

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

Flashing Lights' August update is now live! This content update introduces proper controller support, with a pre-set default controller layout. This means you can now plug in your controller of choice and you're good to go!



We've also added traffic advisory light bars for all vehicles, as well as further traffic ticket options. Read on for the full patch notes.




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




Don't forget to join the official Flashing Lights Discord for update sneak peaks!



- Controller support with default layouts for handheld controllers and steering wheels added (with this update all controls will reset once to the new default layout)
- Mouse cursor system updated to support movement by controller
- Traffic advisory light bars for all department vehicles added. By default, use buttons 3; 4; 5
- Additional options for traffic tickets - Driving License None/Expired, Registration Suspended and Insurance Expired
- Ability to autofill person name or number plate details in police computer database search and traffic tickets


- Controller sensitivity issues for camera movement and steering
- Vehicle steering adjustments
- Camera will auto-follow vehicle quicker if mouse/controller look around input active
- Input for callouts Accept/Skip was not registering mapping changes
- Police computer Scan Vehicle in Front stopped working occassionally - this has been fixed
- Police computer was disabled until game restart, if opened in first person mode and then changed vehicles. This is now fixed.
- Police computer screen in vehicle now will stay on when player gets out without turning it off
- Police computer cursor fixed
- Respawned NPC data now correctly displays on police computer
- Police computer showed double screens (3d and 2d) in first person mode. This has been fixed.
- Police computer showed 2d screen when turning it off in first person mode
- Police computer in first person mode zoomed out camera when clicking back to Homescreen - this has been fixed.
- Tow truck NPC no longer can be interacted with in multiplayer
- Missing healing scenarios for Unconscious person call now added.
- Traffic stop on foot compliance time shortened
- Translation fixes following community feedback

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

A much requested feature has arrived in Flashing Lights! You are now able to use the in-car police computer in order to scan car licence plates. With information on whether or not the driver has any traffic violations, parking tickets, an arrest history or warrant, you can make informed decisions on your course of action.



Also included is details on the car's insurance, and registration. Scan the licence plate of a stolen vehicle and the driver may even evade traffic stops and flee.




New

• Police vehicle computer system reworked(English only for now)
  
• Database search for pedestrians and drivers
  
• Use Left Shift to turn on computer, on/off interaction cursor and lock controls/camera movements
  
• Use scroll wheel for computer screen size or camera zoom for first person view
  
• More details on NPC profiles added - birth date, driving license status, warrant, wanted or not wanted, citation history, arrest history
  
• You can now use police computer in both front seats in vehicle
  
• Computer now turns towards the seat the player is sitting in
  
• Computer screen is now synced in multiplayer
  
• Vehicle license plate database system added
  
• Vehicle license plate scanner added
  
• Computer outline added to indicate when cursor mode is active

Fixes

• Camera zoom reset after using in first person mode fixed
  
• NPCs now run when they get out if vehicle is stolen
  
• Fixed an issue where revive menu did not open/close while using chat
  
• Missing NPC vehicle fleeing message when chase starts fixed

There's lots more to come soon, with controller support scheduled for August and a fire update in September! Of course, we'll also be tackling further bugs and issues each month too.



Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

Thanks for all of your invaluable feedback since last week's EMS Update Part 2!

We've just launched a small hotfix, addressing some of the most pressing issues.

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

• Fixed an issue with the revive menu being stuck, stopping players respawning
  
• Random players getting shot by suspects regardless of distance or mission involvement fixed
  
• Invisible patients on EMS missions, leading to players stuck in inspection mode fixed
  
• EMS NPC transport patients now correctly despawn for client players
  
• EMS mission now ends when calling NPC transport
  
• Now limited to one EMS transport per patient, can not call if already requested
  
• You can no longer pick up a patient with a stretcher if NPC transport has been called
  
• Police computer radar translations amended

We look forward to releasing the next content update, activating the police computer NPC profile search feature, towards the end of this month!

Why not join our official Discord for sneak peeks and the opportunity to play in-development updates early? JOIN NOW



Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

We're very excited about today's Flashing Lights news and we think you will be too!

Here's the rundown:

• EMS Update Part 2 now live!
  
• July, August, September roadmap revealed!
  
• Seven new languages now supported: Traditional Chinese, French, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish

Before we get to all the exciting details, we'd like to remind anyone looking to join in with the fun that Flashing Lights is currently 25% off in the Steam Summer Sale until Tuesday!

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





Today's update introduces the ability to revive shot and injured players when playing as a medic in multiplayer, as well as the ability to call for assistance when shot and injured as any of the three departments in both single player and multiplayer.

Seven new languages are now fully supported too. Read on for the full details:

• When playing as EMS in multiplayer you can now revive shot and injured players
  
• When shot and injured in single player you can now call an EMS NPC to revive you
  
• When shot and injured in multiplayer you can now call an EMS player to revive you
  
• Revive menu added so that you can choose to call for an EMS assist or to respawn at station when shot and injured
  
• 7 new languages now supported: Traditional Chinese, French, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish
  
• Player ID numbers now shown on chat messages
  
• "Unconscious person" callout updated to include a bystander EMS NPC

• Suspects no longer can shoot after being frisked
  
• Vehicle acceleration power reduced
  
• Sirens can now be heard from a wider radius
  
• Player healthbar added to minimap (F2) toggle
  
• Some adjustments for NPC EMS transport to make their arrival smoother
  
• Birthday cake and hat removed :(
  
• Multiplayer police players can not be shot by other players
  
• Random invisible patients, suspects and pedestrians fixed
  
• Fixed issue where role or character change made map tags duplicate
  
• Police car 1 lights adjustments
  
• NPC EMS characters no longer run through ambulance

We are excited to kick off year 2 of Flashing Lights' Early Access with a bang! Join us on the official Flashing Lights Discordto chat with the developer, find fellow players and see update teasers!

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team

Hello all,

Flashing Lights is now at 25% off in Steam's massive Summer Sale! If you haven't already, why not grab the game now? 25% off is the deepest Steam discount we've ran to date.

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


Flashing Lights is expanding with next week's EMS Update Part 2, and is bringing with it seven new supported languages! As of next week's update, Flashing Lights will be fully playable in...

• Traditional Chinese
  
• French
  
• Dutch
  
• Swedish
  
• Danish
  
• Brazilian Portuguese
  
• Polish

Of course, the game is already localised in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, German, Russian and Spanish!

Note: Part 2 of the EMS update was originally slated for late June, but we've pushed the launch back by a week. Apologies for the wait!

Thanks,
The Flashing Lights Team