American Truck Simulator

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:19 pm

Some of the things I've gotten to love about ATS are the hidden paths, the Easter eggs of the game. I came across a really super one in western Nebraska, which I will put in spoilers in case folks want to find it for themselves.

Spoiler:

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:32 pm

Another thing I really like are the historic markers. The base game and the early DLC didn't really have many (if any?) of these, but they have become more common in the more recent DLC. These are based on real historic markers and as a history buff I enjoy learning more about an area I'm driving through.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:16 am

And just in case you can't get to Boca Chica in the very southern tip of Texas to look at the SpaceX Starship on top of the Super Heavy booster in real life, you can just got there in ATS

em2nought · Post by **em2nought** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:32 am

It's on sale during the Steam summer sale.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 8:29 am

Funny, I literally just left the south tip of Texas yesterday afternoon. (in ats)

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 4:12 pm

GreenGoo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 30, 2024 4:51 pm
Rip wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 6:34 pm It is one of those things I do when I want to relax and listen to music.

I especially like it in VR, but don't let your kids do that. VR is bad for younger kids.
I suspect it's the same for my son

My son is no longer a teenager and his sister is almost finished high school so the VR would probably not be an issue, if I ever got around to getting one. Which I have not.

I can see the appeal, and my son is waiting for new territory DLC too, but I don't think I'll be playing it any time soon. I'm glad there are products like this for those who enjoy them though. That's cool.

He should be fine. My understanding is the danger is when they are still developing balance and coordination.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 4:13 pm

jztemple2 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:32 pm Another thing I really like are the historic markers. The base game and the early DLC didn't really have many (if any?) of these, but they have become more common in the more recent DLC. These are based on real historic markers and as a history buff I enjoy learning more about an area I'm driving through.

Yea, I always pull off to read any I see.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:00 pm

With the latest California update released as part of the 1.5 update, I see that I have a bunch of roads to drive again, plus two new cities to visit.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:05 pm

Back in Bakersfield, just picked up a cargo that came with my JCB Equipment Pack

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:50 am

What's your cut?

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 11:01 am

Unagi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:50 am What's your cut?

Not enough!

raydude · Post by **raydude** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 2:10 pm

Rip wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2024 4:13 pm
jztemple2 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:32 pm Another thing I really like are the historic markers. The base game and the early DLC didn't really have many (if any?) of these, but they have become more common in the more recent DLC. These are based on real historic markers and as a history buff I enjoy learning more about an area I'm driving through.

Yea, I always pull off to read any I see.

Do those things show up on the map or GPS or otherwise clue you in that they exist? I ask because I drive in first person in-cab view with a wheel and stick and I can't see those things unless I know they're coming up.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 3:36 pm

raydude wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 2:10 pm
Rip wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2024 4:13 pm
jztemple2 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:32 pm Another thing I really like are the historic markers. The base game and the early DLC didn't really have many (if any?) of these, but they have become more common in the more recent DLC. These are based on real historic markers and as a history buff I enjoy learning more about an area I'm driving through.

Yea, I always pull off to read any I see.
Do those things show up on the map or GPS or otherwise clue you in that they exist? I ask because I drive in first person in-cab view with a wheel and stick and I can't see those things unless I know they're coming up.

As far as I know, there isn't anything in-game on the map that shows their location. Usually, but not always, there is a road sign noting that a historic marker is coming up. However, some are located in rest areas or in towns/cities.

I did a web search but didn't find any online maps. I did find a couple of resources in the ATS wiki,

Idaho Highway Historical Marker Program - A page with all the markers listed, plus a map.
Texas Historical Marker Program - A page with all the markers listed, plus a map

There might be other states with markers and pages in the wiki, but I didn't find them.

And for an additional bonus, Printable Road Atlas of ATS with all current towns, roads and landmarks - 1.50 - WIP, an SCS forum entry.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Wed Jul 17, 2024 1:09 am

I decided to drive through the newly updated San Francisco very fast and dangerously. Highlights are the two main bridges, an uncovered hidden passage and my truck gets airborne!

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Wed Jul 17, 2024 3:52 am

After more than two hundred hours of ATS driving (mostly) the speed limit, I decided to have some fun blasting through part of Wyoming.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:31 pm

wonder if SCS will ever license out their maps - seems like all this geography work could be used for any number of games. they could be possibly be repurposed for say, a long-haul bicycle touring simulator? a road trip simulator? or some such...

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 6:38 pm

That video was way cool! You ARE a maniac sir. Your voice sounds so young. I expected an older guy to have an older guy voice all this time.You sound 22. hahahah Cool. Thnx for the run through Wyoming.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 8:47 pm

There shouldn't be speed cameras like ETS. How do they address speeding?

Punisher · Post by **Punisher** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:36 pm

hitbyambulance wrote: ↑Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:31 pm wonder if SCS will ever license out their maps - seems like all this geography work could be used for any number of games. they could be possibly be repurposed for say, a long-haul bicycle touring simulator? a road trip simulator? or some such...

Especially once they finish the whole US!
Racing sim
Open world shooter
Open world bank robbery sim
Open world police sim
The list goes on...

Heck. If possible, these could even be mods.

I haven't played in a while and even then stuck to the map route.
What happens when you get on a highway that should take you to the next state but it isn't there?
Road block? Wreckage? Invisible barrier?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:37 pm

Real-time weather.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:46 pm

Punisher wrote: ↑Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:36 pm What happens when you get on a highway that should take you to the next state but it isn't there?
Road block? Wreckage? Invisible barrier?

There is a barrier, a series of white "X"s blocking the road. AI traffic will go through it (and come through it) but you can't.

Punisher · Post by **Punisher** » Wed Jul 31, 2024 4:53 pm

Got anew force feedback wheel set I needed to try out so this is one of the games that I booted up and started over.
Only did 1 LA to Bakersfield load. Didn't realize until I remembered to check my mirrors that I was hauling 2 trailers. Made it without crashing at least.
Also did a basic drive around.
The wheel makes it much easier than keyboard although I can't get all the keys to work how I want. It's what I think is an offbrand, PXN V99 set.
Does anyone know of a setting or mod to give me voice directions? I missed several turns because I'm used to the "turn right" type audio.
I'll have to try it again with my Quest 3 connected to make looking around much easier.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Wed Sep 04, 2024 6:26 pm

Arkansas DLC released September 16th

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Sep 04, 2024 10:56 pm

When I go into the office, I drive past more people than live in Arkansas.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:42 am

Arkansas has been released:

And for those keeping track of recent releases

Aug 11, 2023 Introducing Nebraska - Released 2024.05.16
Sep 14, 2023 Introducing Arkansas - Released 2024.09.16
Dec 29, 2023 Introducing Missouri
Jun 18, 2024 Introducing Iowa

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 10:36 am

I haven't played this in awhile but I may start just so I can get the Arkansas dlc.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 6:51 pm

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles sale
- includes sale on American Truck Simulator DLC. $4.79 each for:

Montana
Wyoming
Colorado
Idaho
Utah
Washington
Oregon
New Mexico

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 11:06 pm

I see I've missed a lot of free dlcs. Downloading them now.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 11:34 pm

Narrator: They were not free

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 2:59 pm

In the vastness of all the dlcs there are 6-8 that are free. Probably just cab visuals.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:55 pm

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 4:12 pm

Ohh! sorry, yeah there -are- free DLCs. I misread DBT's post as him expecting to find all the new maps to be free.

I do this.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 4:13 pm

I thought you might have been going for a deeper psychological angle.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 4:16 pm

Narrator: While the DLCs were free, they still came with a price.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 5:03 pm

I think I might be burned out on ATS and will be passing on the Arkansas DLC, at least for now. There is a glut of new things to play, or old ones with new updates. I'll go back to ATS at some point...

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Sep 24, 2024 12:14 am

1.52 Update: Driving Academy

We are excited to share with you that a new game module for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator will be introduced with the 1.52 update - Driving Academy. This free update will include sets of scenarios which we hope will teach our players a thing or two about driving and maneuvering a truck in a fun and captivating way.

We are venturing into new territory, inspired by years of feedback from players who have told us that our games have helped them grasp the basics of truck driving. Many have used it to get a sense of handling a truck and trailer, learning how to maneuver and reverse. With this in mind, we thought we'd take it a step further by introducing a series of challenges specifically designed to improve and expand these skills.

Rumpy · Post by **Rumpy** » Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:27 pm

Interesting. One of their early games was called Scania Driving School, and it was exactly the same type of gameplay that they are now implementing in both their games.

Baroquen · Post by **Baroquen** » Tue Sep 24, 2024 7:03 pm

Those scenarios look like all the things I try to avoid when playing ATS.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Wed Sep 25, 2024 1:22 am

and Driving Academy might be what pulls me back into this one

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:17 pm

Louisiana will be the next state:

Aug 11, 2023 Introducing Nebraska - Released 2024.05.16
Sep 14, 2023 Introducing Arkansas - Released 2024.09.16
Dec 29, 2023 Introducing Missouri
Jun 18, 2024 Introducing Iowa
Oct 10, 2024 Introducing Louisiana