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American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:00 pm
by Roger Wilco Jr
Website Here

I have often heard Elite Dangerous being compared to Euro Truck Simulator. It made me look, several times, and I thought ETS looked pretty fun. I thought it would be really interesting driving around Europe and seeing the sights. But it's 3-4 years old and looked a little dated so I thought I'd wait for a possible newer version. I just found out that a new version is coming out next week, but it takes place in America - California & Nevada to start. That's cool - born and raised in SoCal for 30 years, so I've been all over those roads. It's supposed to have better scenery and you get to drive cars and do other stuff too. It looked like it may have better graphics too, but maybe ETS2 has been upgrading graphics along the way too. Anyway, I think I want to get this. Something to do while FD gets their shit together. ;)

Any ETS2 fans here? I should probably join a related board, so first I'd appreciate a tip on what's the best board for a noob. Next, what do you think about what controllers are really required. I'd think a steering wheel is just about mandatory. The last driving game I played was Indy Car Racing II (Papyrus) back in the 90's. I used a joystick then, but that was mostly oval racing. Road racing at Laguna Seca was good, but a pain w/o being able to look into turns. I also only used automatic transmissions. Now with head tracking, I think these driving simulators should be pretty cool, but how much does having pedals and shifters add to the experience. I'd think using a automatic transmission would still be fun (I'm not training to be a trucker). Can you use a HOTAS throttle for an accelerator (and somehow brake), or does adding pedals really make a big difference in the game play. Then there is the gear shift and clutch issue.

Some of these controllers are pretty expensive. Any thoughts or tips, based on your experience, would be appreciated. And I'm sure I can find out a lot more info (possibly too much to wade through) at a trucker board.

Thanks. :)

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:21 pm
by smartroad
My advice, take a gun ;) :lol:

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 4:34 pm
by TorTorden
I have heard good things about euro truck simulator, and from what I have read its not just hauling down the road, but it also is about building a logistics trucking business, taking jobs, growing to hire drivers etc.

Don't know about controllers and what not, but do love having rudder pedals for elite.
Now flight pedals has both the rudder axis where you push one forward the other move back and a rotation axis for each pedal that work more like car pedals (kinda, mine goes the wrong way :( ) and you can lock the rudder axis with a pair of chocks intended so they can be used for car games as well.

Still think I would like a wheel though. And yeah they get expensive...

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 5:18 pm
by wobblyone
I thought I'd jump in here as I love the truck sims. I'm getting ATS as I've played ETS2 and was really surprised by it.
Some might think it boring, but it is relaxing and satisfying.
Basically you choose a job, pick up the trailer,drive to the destination, drop off the trailer,get paid!
It doesn't sound fun but there is day night cycle, weather changes, loads of other traffic and a really cool radio.
Also as Tor says, when you earn enough money you can start your own company by buying a garage and trucks and then hiring drivers.

A wheel and peddles is the way to go for realism. It is expensive,so I manage with a Logitech Dual Action controller (similar to Xbox or PS3 controller)

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 6:06 pm
by Roger Wilco Jr
smartroad wrote:My advice, take a gun ;) :lol:

Is that for the Calais to Folkestone run in ETS2, to keep the "refugees" from hijacking you?
Or is it just to be armed in America? Well, I am. ;)
Or something else?

TorTorden wrote:I have heard good things about euro truck simulator, and from what I have read its not just hauling down the road, but it also is about building a logistics trucking business, taking jobs, growing to hire drivers etc.

Yeah, I heard someone talking about keeping big spread sheets that reminded me of how people talk about Eve Online. That type of play doesn't interest me, like filling out Captian's Log in ED and etc.

wobblyone wrote:Some might think it boring, but it is relaxing and satisfying.

I think this is just my speed.

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:00 pm
by FCB1891
Played ETS 2 a while back. Nice sim, no realism towards surroundings though (drove the same highway ingame as on my way to work irl.

Road signs are quite accurate.

For controls i used my ps4 controller although mouse and keyboard worked as well.

All in all a decent game but still a lot of growing potential.

Ps. Willie Nelson and Bruce Springsteen are serious added value while playing

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:57 pm
by TorTorden
Roger Wilco Jr wrote:Yeah, I heard someone talking about keeping big spread sheets that reminded me of how people talk about Eve Online. That type of play doesn't interest me, like filling out Captian's Log in ED and etc.


Well that depends on how serious you take it.
I knew many hardcore eve players that never opened a spreadsheet or even a notepad.
Then again I took it a few steps further and built a MySQL database and php scripts running against API services keeping tabs on towers with fuel, prices on goods etc etc.

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 12:32 am
by Schmobius
It will be a crime against humanity if this song isn't on the soundtrack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd5ZLJWQmss

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 1:07 am
by Roger Wilco Jr
Schmobius wrote:It will be a crime against humanity if this song isn't on the soundtrack:

That song was pretty popular with us kids riding the bus to school in 5th or 6th grade - that, and Walk This Way. Unlike kids today, we didn't understand the lyrics. ;)

I ordered an overpriced midgrade wheel & pedals and reactivated my 5yo Steam account. After installing it, Dirt 2 was still waiting for download - it came with the MB for my current media center PC. Well, wtf, it should get some pretty good frame rates on my newer PC. :roll:

Re: American Truck Simulator

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 1:57 am
by Orion
I will be getting ATS too :) quite excited for it in between DW runs. Check out this guys channel for tips reviews and gameplay too if interested - https://m.youtube.com/user/DaSquirrelsNuts


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