This is the third part of our LSPDFR 0.4 Preview Series.  Not caught up yet?  Check out the initial announcement here: https://www.lcpdfr.com/forums/topic/81745-lspdfr-04-announcement-first-preview

 

So, this article is a little bit different than most.  Recently, a number of people have expressed an interest in hearing some more details about the technology behind LSPDFR 0.4, including some of the developments that we've made with respect to artificial intelligence in the mod and also perhaps some more information about the ways in which LSPDFR 0.4 can be customized through code.  While exact details like this are a little difficult to provide as plans can, and often do, change - we've gathered together a number of new systems and features to present here which we think both developers and players alike will be looking forward to.

 

 

The Crime System

 

To start with, one of the new systems that we've introduced in LSPDFR 0.4 is the not-very-originally-named Crime System.  The Crime System was originally developed as an expansion of what we had previously done in LCPDFR 1.0 where players could press ALT + E to 'call in' things that had happened, with the key example being a suspect taking off from a traffic stop - units wouldn't respond until it had been called in.

 

This is back in LSPDFR 0.4, but with a big twist.  The Crime System recognises a number of different events which could take place in-game (called Crime Events), such as a person firing a weapon, a car being stolen or somebody being run over.  Each time one of these things (and a couple of others) happens in-game, it's picked up by LSPDFR so that our systems can react to it.  This gives us similar functionality to LCPDFR 1.0, where if you're attacked by a criminal then you're able to report this and the criminal will be targeted properly by other units, but it also opens up some new possibilities that we've added for LSPDFR, including the ability for nearby civilians to actually call 911 if they witness a crime.

 

 

The Crime System allows for far greater interaction with GTA V's rich environment, providing a more dynamic experience during patrols.

 

The cool thing about this is that since GTA V is a very rich game in terms of the ambient environment, it's actually quite possible that crimes like this can take place in the game and we think it makes things a whole lot more immersive when you can actually react to them with the full support of LSPDFR behind you, rather than having to engage in a mad dash after someone in the vain hope that you'll catch up before they turn a corner and disappear! 

 

Plus, the Crime System will be available in the API for LSPDFR 0.4, easily allowing developers to add new Crime Events by specifying the crime, victim and suspect.  This could be useful, for example, in a drunk driver callout where the player searches for the offending vehicle.  Once they've found it, they'll be able to report this to dispatch and trigger a pursuit, without the need for any additional code - a lot more convenient than having to handle this manually.

 

 

Scenarios

 

Sticking with the topic of improvements to a lot of the technology that powers LSPDFR, we've added all new functionality throughout the mod for custom Scenarios.  In general, we like to think of Scenarios as short ambient sequences which can just spontaneously happen within the world.  In addition to this, though, we also support Scenarios across a couple of our other systems, like both pursuits and traffic stops.  This opens up a bunch of new opportunities for gameplay as just like in real life, there's now so much more that could happen during a traffic stop.  Perhaps they exit their vehicle while you're approaching?  Do they have a weapon, or are they just angry and complaining?

 

 

From 'routine' traffic stops gone totally wrong to suspects ditching their cars and bailing, Scenarios add all new depth to LSPDFR.

 

The best bit about Scenarios, though, is that we've also added them to the LSPDFR 0.4 API, and while we've come up with a few of our own, we know that there's many developers who will knock it out of the park in their attempts to find new and interesting ways of enhancing the experience with Scenarios.   Be it by creating new situations that can happen during traffic stops, devising new ways that pursuit suspects will attempt to elude officers, or even by taking advantage of some of the other additions to 0.4, like the Crime System for example, to add a bunch of new ambient crimes throughout the game, we think that the new Scenario system will add much more depth and variety to LSPDFR.

 

 

The scene after an escaped pursuit suspect's burned out vehicle was located.

 

 

Artificial Intelligence

 

Finally, in 0.4, we've re-worked a lot of our artificial intelligence.  We'll be sharing more details about these improvements, particularly as it relates to the overhauled pursuit system, in the near future but for now here's a taste of things to come, with some technical explanation, from our very own @LMS

 

30 minutes ago, LMS said:

Another big change is coming to pursuits, the AI for both, criminals and cops has been rewritten completely to allow for a much more realistic experience and more fine-tuning for specific behavior.  It is now based on behavior trees, similar to how many games or game engines define AI behavior.  We hope that by defining small parts of behavior and chaining them together to more complex actions, we will be able to maintain our code more easily and prevent it from growing too complex. 

 

We also tried to create a real challenge in terms of pursuits while still allowing the player to enjoy the chase.  This resulted in various different options for chases, for instance how well the suspects handle cars including possible boosts for their driving skills.  Some of you might know that GTA V limits the maximum speed for AI controlled vehicles allowing you to easily catch up and pass a sports car on the highway.  If you want, this limit is now gone resulting in a more realistic pursuit experience for fast vehicles.

 

Of course, while improving the suspect AI our cop AI started to show its age.  It has also been redesigned completely especially focusing on less aggressive driving behavior. Your fellow officers will now actually respect you and also only ram the suspect if the situation permits it. 

 

Finally, since we are now able to read data from the game’s internal pathfinding, we were able to introduce some interesting new features.  For instance, depending on the route of the suspect they might now also try to block the suspect from passing them, especially when called in recently as backup.  This also helps with clearing up traffic since we have a general idea of where the suspect and the cop cars are headed next and based on their vehicle type, the suspect will now also prefer different types of roads.

 

Stay tuned for more news about 0.4, coming soon.

This sounds amazing! We probably need a clean install of GTA (do we?) which is all set up and done. But now I'm really in the mood to go out policing again, but that would mean I need to reinstall again soon. What to do, what to do...

Edited May 14, 20187 yr by Cookooloo

Thanks for giving us some insight into the technical and API enhancements you're working on! Looking forward to using these as a developer and a player. 

Not gonna lie, when the site was down the other day I was thinking LSPDFR was updated. Sigh.

Well, good to hear another update though.

 

I made a vow to not reinstall LSPDFR until the 0.4 release though. I'd rather not install 2000000 scripts for them to be useless the next day (or there about).

 

Thanks for the amazing work and making LSPDFR what it is! I would've never found my creative abilities in texture designs if it wasn't for this mod. Keep up the outstanding job, and here's to many more years; Cheers!

Edited May 14, 20187 yr by Niedosik

Likewise; I'm waiting for 0.4 to re-up LSPDFR and start policing again. Can't wait!

6 minutes ago, JClem said:

Likewise; I'm waiting for 0.4 to re-up LSPDFR and start policing again. Can't wait!

I hope to see you on the streets soon Officer Ronson!

"Officer Ronson and his clones obviously couldn't make it to the flashlight party."

Edited May 14, 20187 yr by Niedosik

Looks awesome, keep up the great work. Thanks for the update on this and it seems like the developers of scripts will have their hands full making  this a whole lot more interesting. 

It'd be interesting to know if since the AI is being reworked, if they'll be able to utilize all those alleyways and such that are in the city. I've always wanted suspects to really feel like they're trying to ditch me, rather than drive around the same block 100,000 times.

this will be AWESOME

The hype is getting higher with each such Preview topic. Exciting details here, thank you for sharing them! 🙂

2 hours ago, Sam said:

Scenarios

 

Sticking with the topic of improvements to a lot of the technology that powers LSPDFR, we've added all new functionality throughout the mod for custom Scenarios.  In general, we like to think of Scenarios as short ambient sequences which can just spontaneously happen within the world.  In addition to this, though, we also support Scenarios across a couple of our other systems, like both pursuits and traffic stops.  This opens up a bunch of new opportunities for gameplay as just like in real life, there's now so much more that could happen during a traffic stop.  Perhaps they exit their vehicle while you're approaching?  Do they have a weapon, or are they just angry and complaining?

 

 

From 'routine' traffic stops gone totally wrong to suspects ditching their cars and bailing, Scenarios add all new depth to LSPDFR.

 

The best bit about Scenarios, though, is that we've also added them to the LSPDFR 0.4 API, and while we've come up with a few of our own, we know that there's many developers who will knock it out of the park in their attempts to find new and interesting ways of enhancing the experience with Scenarios.   Be it by creating new situations that can happen during traffic stops, devising new ways that pursuit suspects will attempt to elude officers, or even by taking advantage of some of the other additions to 0.4, like the Crime System for example, to add a bunch of new ambient crimes throughout the game, we think that the new Scenario system will add much more depth and variety to LSPDFR.

 

 

The scene after an escaped pursuit suspect's burned out vehicle was located.

 

I just mentioned in the other thread on page 6 that I wish the suspects were a bit more creative and violent and tried to do something other than act like spaced out AI.

 

I just mentioned in the other thread that I wish the suspects were a bit more creative and violent and tried to do something other than act like spaced out AI. What a nice surprise and nice update to what's in store. Seems I've stumbled upon this at the right time. Thanks for your work on this everyone!

 

Quick question. Please... PLEASE find a way to develop or pick up where the creator of Vocal Dispatch left off. Instead of having to hit a key to update dispatch like you are describing, make it more in depth like it is with Vocal Dispatch! Telling dispatch I'm 10-41 and 10-8 and having her respond copy that "officer so and so" is so damn awesome! Not to mention asking for code 2 or 3 backup, air support, swat, tow truck, coroner, EMS etc! I just wish she would say 10-4 or copy when giving my 20 or just giving a 10-4 when updating through out the call.

 

I really wish the developer would come back to keep working on it. It has SO DAMN MUCH POTENTIAL!

 

Anyway, amazing work guys!

I'm so damn hyped for 0.4  It's going to change LSPDFR and make things so much nicer!

 

including the ability for nearby civilians to actually call 911 if they witness a crime.

 

YES PLEASE!!!!

 

 

 

This is looking dope. Keep it up! 

Nice to see that a lot of work is being done to the AI for both cops and criminals, hopefully that means there's more variation in pursuits in terms of paths the suspect takes and that they can present a challenge to the player. In 0.3 one of the problems I noticed is the suspect doesn't try any maneuvres and they would always carry on in a straight line using the same road over and over.

 

I have a few questions though, are there any improvements to the AI that you would have liked to implement but are unable to due to game limitations? Does the engine still offer you many ways to improve the AI despite this obstacle? I hope that makes sense.

 

My final question is, have you fixed the AI making U turns on major roads and highways?

 

Looking forward to future updates, keep up the excellent work.

I can't wait.

Edited May 15, 20187 yr by Mamalama555

omg lcpdfr random traffic stop shooting, Awesome!!!

This is shaping up amazingly! I'm so excited to see any more news (and, ofc, the release) of 0.4!

OMG I'm hyped!

Can't wait for it! Nice work Sam! 😉

I’m fairly new to lcpdfr (joined approx 1  month ago )and I have to say this is some

of the most incredible developing I have ever seen! I am beyond thrilled to see an update fairly close to me starting off.  To any developers involved in anyway, shape, or form it is because of you and this mod that I bought a gaming pc 

i have ZERO regrets 

I wish that there will be a mod store right in the game or in a different program that will keep the mods up to date. It could take less time to install and uninstall mods. So hyped about this new lspdfr though !!