Octopus Overlords

The Meal wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:52 pm

Holman wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 8:29 pm I find myself wishing they would remake Interstate 76 using this engine.

Think of a first-person vehicular FPS with the whole Southwest, reasonable physics, and a trading/upgrade economy built in!

It's all there but the weapons right now.

had a delivery to Sacramento and the destination was Depot Park. This place was owned by the Army where they made bullets and other ammunition. It's not converted office buildings and warehouses. My agency has an office there so I was a bit excited when I saw the gates saying Depot Park. There's some similarities but it has a ways to go

My youngest started playing again which gave me a hankering. Unfortunately it seems a bit more stale than it felt previously. I guess I am just not into the chill experience. Now that money isn't really a big concern, I find the whole thing less interesting. Playing it does kind of make me want to get back to Snow Runner, which is similar but definitely not chill!

coopasonic wrote: Fri May 13, 2022 3:05 pm My youngest started playing again which gave me a hankering. Unfortunately it seems a bit ore stale that it felt previously. I guess I am just not into the chill experience. Now that money isn't really a big concern, I find the whole thing less interesting. Playing it does kind of make me want to get back to Snow Runner, which is similar but definitely not chill!

I know I'm rather burned out as well on ATS on the regular state maps, so I'm waiting for the two new states to be released. If you are looking for more of a challenge in ATS, there are the special cargoes, usually way oversized and difficult to maneuver. The latest update added a number of new routes for those kinds of cargo. It is rather clever how the devs added police escorts to the game who stop traffic for you when you are negotiating those really tight turns at intersections.

Regarding SnowRunner, in a fit of misunderstanding how Epic's coupons work, I ended up buying both season passes . I'm burned out there on delivering cargoes, but I tend to spend time on each new map just exploring them. Some day I'll actually accomplish all the missions...

For those looking for something new in ATS and don't mind dealing with a beta update, the new American Truck Simulator: 1.45 Open Beta is available. Highlights are the addition of Cody + US-14 to the Wyoming DLC, ownable Cistern Trailers, Gas & Truck Stops rebranding, optional mods support for Convoy, rain sensors for windshield wipers and the option to hide inaccessible road markers.

Decided to switch to this game from Euro Trucking Simulator 2 for a change. I'm leaving Roswell with a milling machine, the kind used to remove asphalt from roads for repaving.


IFLOP has great pancakes!


It's the little touches that make my cabin a home


If you're in Roswell you just have to visit this place


For all your alien needs


I know some folks aren't fans, but I love this scenery.

Approaching Artesia, which has a plane on a plinth.


Gotta wait for a train. Don't worry, they are never very long.


Ah, good old Chemron diesel, it's the real thing!


Got some sleep, but I have to get going. Time is money! It's pretty dark though.

Going from Artesia NM to Moab UT with a tandem load of petroleum products. Going to have the beacon lights on for this.


It's zero dark thirty and I'm on my way


But, how do they know that they are happy?


I love driving at night for the peace and quiet. But you can't enjoy the scenery.

Driving back through Roswell again


The UFO art center again, but at night. Check out the street lamp in front


Sitting behind a police car at a light. I've always promised myself that some time when I'm not dragging a trailer behind me I'd follow one of the AI cars and see where it goes.


"Hey buddy, want to drag? Hey, want to drag? Hello? Can you hear me?"


Hey, he has great solutions for my little business!


My friends in the dump truck. How did they get in front of me?

jztemple2 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:05 pm Approaching Artesia, which has a plane on a plinth.

51-9455/9503 General Motors F-84F-35-GK Thunderstreak
...
9486 USAF 508th SFW. 1956: USAF 4080th SRW. 1956-58: USAF 3600th CCTW. 1958-62: Indiana ANG 113th FS.
1962: USAF 2854th ABW. 1963: USAF 45th FS (15th TFW).
(15th TFW) flew through top of trees on approach to skip bombing target at Avon Park gunnery range Oct 1, 1962.
Pilot was uninjured and landed safely at MacDill AFB. Aircraft received major damge.
Massachusetts ANG 131st FIS. Now on display with city of Artesia, New Mexico

Isgrimnur wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:36 pm

jztemple2 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:05 pm Approaching Artesia, which has a plane on a plinth.

51-9455/9503 General Motors F-84F-35-GK Thunderstreak
...
9486 USAF 508th SFW. 1956: USAF 4080th SRW. 1956-58: USAF 3600th CCTW. 1958-62: Indiana ANG 113th FS.
1962: USAF 2854th ABW. 1963: USAF 45th FS (15th TFW).
(15th TFW) flew through top of trees on approach to skip bombing target at Avon Park gunnery range Oct 1, 1962.
Pilot was uninjured and landed safely at MacDill AFB. Aircraft received major damge.
Massachusetts ANG 131st FIS. Now on display with city of Artesia, New Mexico

You know, if I showed up in the middle of the night with a flat bed truck and some cutting torches... hmmm

Sunrise in New Mexico. I'll be in Utah for sunset.


I bet I can get a good deal on this truck


A rest stop on I-40, the old Route 66


Arrghh! I can't get out of the rest area!


AARRGGGGHHHH!!!


Finally got out into the traffic flow with only a little damage.

jztemple2 wrote:
You know, if I showed up in the middle of the night with a flat bed truck and some cutting torches... hmmm

Empty weight: 13,830 lb

Of course, the engine and other stuff has probably been removed, so you could probably knock off at least 3,000 lbs.

No, really, I meant to do that


I feel like I'm playing Twister


Three guys, four cases of booze and some trailers. Write your own story.


The Albuquerque Junction. In real life I've driven through there a few times.


I trust my own vehicle to the fine folks at PANA Auto Care Centers

jztemple2 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:48 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:36 pm

jztemple2 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:05 pm Approaching Artesia, which has a plane on a plinth.

51-9455/9503 General Motors F-84F-35-GK Thunderstreak
...
9486 USAF 508th SFW. 1956: USAF 4080th SRW. 1956-58: USAF 3600th CCTW. 1958-62: Indiana ANG 113th FS.
1962: USAF 2854th ABW. 1963: USAF 45th FS (15th TFW).
(15th TFW) flew through top of trees on approach to skip bombing target at Avon Park gunnery range Oct 1, 1962.
Pilot was uninjured and landed safely at MacDill AFB. Aircraft received major damge.
Massachusetts ANG 131st FIS. Now on display with city of Artesia, New Mexico

You know, if I showed up in the middle of the night with a flat bed truck and some cutting torches... hmmm

jztemple2 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:10 am

Holy crap! How did they even have that plane on the trailer?

Yeah, I was going to post that, but no need now!

Getting onto I-25 North, again a road a know pretty well.


I'm leaving Albuquerque, heading northwest towards Durango and then on to Moab. In real life a few years ago my wife and I did this route the other way, leaving Moab to spend a few days in Durango, then down to Albuquerque which just by coincidence was in the middle of its balloon festival. The traffic was pretty bad


This really is what the terrain looks like out there, it's pretty amazing.


Uh-oh, someone is going to have some explaining to do to the dispatcher!


Wait, aren't those the same three guys I saw in Albuquerque with the cases of booze? Are they following me? Am I following them?

Welcome to colorful Colorado!


Leaving Durango, passing over the Animas River. When we were in Durango in real life, we observed a ritual. My wife has this thing where she wants to dip her toes into any significant body of water on our travels. So of course, we had to find a place where she, with her bad knees, could get down to the river's edge, shuck off a shoe and get her toes wet. And so we could check the Animas River off the list

Horsies!


But if he can have fish anytime he wants, why does he look so unhappy?


And that was Colorado, now entering Utah


I've only seen one of these setups with the temporary traffic lights one time in all my years traveling. I see them a lot in ATS and ETS2.


Oh yes, we visited this kitchy tourist stop as well IRL. Actually kind of fun.


At Moab and crossing the Colorado River. When IRL we visited Moab, we did two boat rides on the Colorado. One was a jet boat ride, lots of spray and bouncing around. The other was a sunset ride, more leisurely and very nice.


In fact, that's actually the building from which we left to go on our boat rides, pretty cool that it is in the game.


Almost too dark to see the sign.

The new Montana DLC will be released August 4th. Can Texas be far behind?

American Truck Simulator: 1.45 Update Release

Changelog

Map
Cody + US-14 Addition to Wyoming DLC
Gas & Truck Stops Rebranding

Gameplay
Optional MOD Support for Convoys
Rain Sensor Option
Option to hide inaccessible road markers

Vehicles
Ownable Cistern Trailers (Dry Bulk and Fuel Tank)

Ragfragginmumbledyschnertz!

Mod is an abbreviation. It is not an acronym. Random internet people using 'MOD' is one thing. Professional developers using it is .

/rantoff

The Montana DLC comes out tomorrow. Here's what the new state map will look like in the game. Right now me and my truck are sitting in the city just to the west of Thompson Falls, just waiting

Got the Montana DLC and now I'm heading out to there to start working on the Montana Community Event. Unfortunately, the game update also reset me to my closest garage back in Washington, so it's a run up through Idaho to reach my first Montana city.

Free running to go pick up my cargo:


My cargo is down there somewhere. Look at all the cement mixers!


Nope, I'm not moving a cement mixer. It a bucket for a front end loader. They could have left me a little more room to get out the trailer.


This is my route


Man, that's not going to buff out!


Yeah, oversize load, so clear the highway!

Still in Idaho. Hey, they have a big future!


Hmm, steak...


This is one of those hidden roads added a few updates ago. They aren't marked on the map, but when you turn onto one they start showing up as a dashed line. This one goes to an overview of a bridge where someone is making a selfie with a stick.




I didn't see any actual "Welcome to Montana" signs. This is the closest I saw.

Troy, Montana



Bad Rock Canyon




Cool, my destination is actually in the park.


Turning in to the entrance


Ah, am I supposed to buy a ticket or something?


Wait, I have official business!


Man, I'm actually in the park proper.


Finally dropping off my cargo right at sunset.

Pretty.

And I at the "buff out" comment.

You're not getting that load over the Going to the Sun road.

Alefroth wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:05 pm You're not getting that load over the Going to the Sun road.

Actually I did play a mission after the above one and brought a back hoe over the Going to the Sun road . The trailer was a bit shorter and I did scrap it up a bit . I parked at the Logan Pass visitor area and did some screenshots, I'll try to post them later. I'm in Havre right now but it's dinner and TV time so it will be a while.

Here's that trip over the Road to the Sun.

What I hauled:


The route:


He'd better be on that bike if he's going to run me down.


I don't even want to know what it is that they are talking about


Maneuvering around a small parking lot for some shops in Glacier National Park


Yeah, that's what they think!

It's going to be a tight squeeze:


Hey, that's a mountain over there! The sign says so.


They want to know if I can manage the turn as well


A pretty waterfall in the distance

Approaching Logan Pass Visitor Center


A few pictures from the area. That's me in the parking lot.

Out of the park, now at St Mary.


Some sights on the way to Havre in Montana




The only K-rail for miles and this guy runs into it.


A town here, a town there.




The sun is getting low. I'll drop my load and get some rest.

This thread caused me to install the game and give it a whirl. I owned it for a while but never really played it.
Even the vanilla game pretty cool. Just playing with a controller and the game controls fine. It's oddly relaxing.

Parking with a trailer, however, is just beyond me. It's just so bizarre how the trailer twists and jackknifes.

Just picked up the Pacific Northwest pack. (I guess they're having a sale in celebration of the Montana expansion release).

ChaoZ wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 12:29 am This thread caused me to install the game and give it a whirl. I owned it for a while but never really played it.
Even the vanilla game pretty cool. Just playing with a controller and the game controls fine. It's oddly relaxing.

Parking with a trailer, however, is just beyond me. It's just so bizarre how the trailer twists and jackknifes.

Just picked up the Pacific Northwest pack. (I guess they're having a sale in celebration of the Montana expansion release).

There's also an in-game radio (press "R") if you want to mellow with some tunes.

I dont recall...do bugs get splattered on the windshield? Just wondering how deep the sim experience went.

It's very detailed in some aspects, and kinda dumb in others.

For example, there's no police pulling you over. If you have traffic infractions enabled, it's just a popup and a fee deducted. What they ought to do is randomize police presence and make you lose time AND funds if they catch you speeding. Not asking for all-out police chases, but there should be a balance for risk and reward. The system they have now fines you for going even 2mph over.

As I understand it, in the real world, keeping logs and not running overtime is critical, but aside from some fatigue modelling, there's no heavy penalty for driving too much.

And daehawk, no bugs on the windshield that I've seen so far. Nice rain effects though.

ChaoZ wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 12:36 pm It's very detailed in some aspects, and kinda dumb in others.

For example, there's no police pulling you over. If you have traffic infractions enabled, it's just a popup and a fee deducted. What they ought to do is randomize police presence and make you lose time AND funds if they catch you speeding. Not asking for all-out police chases, but there should be a balance for risk and reward. The system they have now fines you for going even 2mph over.

As I understand it, in the real world, keeping logs and not running overtime is critical, but aside from some fatigue modelling, there's no heavy penalty for driving too much.

And daehawk, no bugs on the windshield that I've seen so far. Nice rain effects though.

I run with the traffic infractions and fatigue off. They are for me unnecessary features, I like to speed and zip through red lights . And I don't drive at night because you can't see the scenery, which is something I like to see. I suspect that most players are more into the role playing of trucking goods all around, that's what I enjoy. I also tune in Beatles Radio or 181 FM The Eagle, which is classic rock.

ChaoZ wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 12:29 am Parking with a trailer, however, is just beyond me. It's just so bizarre how the trailer twists and jackknifes.

This is what made it click for me when I first learned to pull a trailer in real life: If you're backing up with a car, the steering wheel is to turn the car left and right. If you're backing up with a trailer, the steering wheel is to move the front of the trailer left and right in order to 'aim' it where you want it to go.

So, if you're wanting to turn left as you back up (visualize this), you have to move the front of the trailer to the right in order to have the whole thing pointed left, and then you need to turn back to the left (now you're driving the cab like a car) to get back in front of it to push it back.

I just use the chase camera myself.