Octopus Overlords

jztemple2 wrote: 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

Hopefully that means moving into the other Southern states thereafter.

I'll pay to drive through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia (highways I know well), but not Oklahoma or Nebraska.

Holman wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:00 pm

jztemple2 wrote: 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

Hopefully that means moving into the other Southern states thereafter.

I'll pay to drive through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia (highways I know well), but not Oklahoma or Nebraska.

NO! I want the tri-state area!

jztemple2 wrote: 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

half way through by the end of next year! amazing

jztemple2 wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:17 pm Louisiana will be the next state:

Damn it

Holman wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:00 pm

jztemple2 wrote: 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

Hopefully that means moving into the other Southern states thereafter.

No. No no no no - they are one state away from Chicago and re-creating Route 66. This is a no-brainer for them, I would lose my mind if Illinois wasn't 'next, next'.

like - why on Earth give us Iowa, if you aren't going straight to Chicago.

Academically speaking, they were smart to start on the west coast (and texas) - but then they blew it. They should have started a straight latitude line to the east and got to the east coast, and then did the east coast. Following the same latitude (this is like Guns, Germs and Steal - now that I think about it) - makes it easier on the graphics as they marched eastward with like flora - and hit the big cities like Chicago, Detroit,Clevland,Phili,NewYork, to pick up potential customers from all those cities. And also creating a "from Coast to Coast" appeal that America lives for... Then, and only then - do you fill in the North and South of that line, and you do that based on population/big city destinations (probably pretty east coast heavy at first).

I've gone from fly-over to drive-past.

I mean, even the state's big lure is: "the crossroads of America"


"-Come to Indiana, because you need to go through us."

Unagi wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2024 11:01 am Academically speaking, they were smart to start on the west coast (and texas) - but then they blew it. They should have started a straight latitude line to the east and got to the east coast, and then did the east coast. Following the same latitude (this is like Guns, Germs and Steal - now that I think about it) - makes it easier on the graphics as they marched eastward with like flora - and hit the big cities like Chicago, Detroit,Clevland,Phili,NewYork, to pick up potential customers from all those cities. And also creating a "from Coast to Coast" appeal that America lives for... Then, and only then - do you fill in the North and South of that line, and you do that based on population/big city destinations (probably pretty east coast heavy at first).

I'm wondering if they think doing justice to e.g. Chicago and NYC will require some sort of engine upgrade.

Have they done any truly dense skyscraper cities yet? Do they feel right?

Blackhawk wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2024 12:11 pm I've gone from fly-over to drive-past.

and they're filling in everything _below_ Minnesota territory

Holman wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2024 3:12 pm
Have they done any truly dense skyscraper cities yet? Do they feel right?

They have done things like Dallas and it looks great. Chicago would be no more than that really, I would think.

There are rumours that they might be starting on Canada soon.

I've been away from ATS for a while. Are there any must-have mods I should know about? Physics, traffic, realism, etc?

I play with mouse and keyboard, no steering wheel.

Holman wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 4:23 pm I've been away from ATS for a while. Are there any must-have mods I should know about? Physics, traffic, realism, etc?

I play with mouse and keyboard, no steering wheel.

I've removed all my mods I've added over the years, I've found that the basic game is good enough.

I play with a controller myself. I find it handy when I drive with assisted steering and cruise control so I can go into chase view and look at the scenery.

jztemple2 wrote: 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.

This update has now been released.

Do they accurately model the mosquito hordes?

Or the smell of chicken feces as one drives through the Fort Smith area?

Introducing Illinois

Oh yeah.
Now we’re talking !

Today the Missouri DLC was released

Aug 11, 2023 Introducing Nebraska - Released 2024.05.16
Sep 14, 2023 Introducing Arkansas - Released 2024.09.16
Dec 29, 2023 Introducing Missouri - Released 2025.04.03
Jun 18, 2024 Introducing Iowa
Oct 10, 2024 Introducing Louisiana
Feb 11, 2025 Introducing Illinois

Out of sheer boredom with just hauling loads from point A to point B in ATS, I decided to do some roaming with just the tractor. However, to make it interesting I chose to emulate in ATS that classic American movie "Vanishing Point" from 1971. In the movie, the main character Kowalski is delivering a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum to San Francisco. So I did a quick travel to the Denver area then used the map to set a route to San Francisco, avoiding interstates whenever possible. I decided on two general rules; use the cockpit view whenever possible, and drive as fast as the truck would let me.

In this video I went from Denver to just east of Reno, Nevada. I had to stop due to real life interruptions but we can just assume that, just like in the movie, Kowalski never made it to the coast.

A few more DLC and you'll be able to do Smokey and the Bandit!

I've picked up the DLCs for Arkansas and Missouri. Obviously I'm too late for the Cruising Arkansas event, but I'm doing the Missouri one now. Was able to get up nice and close to the St Louis Arch:


We've been there in real life and actually rode up inside the arch and peered out the little windows at the top. Also visited the great museum that is located underground next to the Arch.

Also went to Jefferson City and drove near the state capitol. In RL we've also visited there and actually sat up in the gallery while a legislative session was in progress; pretty cool.


I hadn't realized how much of California I now have to re-explore since the three or four updates they have done to the state. And there are three new cities to see too.

Those arch elevators are an... interesting ride.

I grabbed Missouri and Arkansas the other day, partially because I like the events. I intended to run a delivery to unwind and ended up playing for an hour or two. Paid off one of my two garage bank loans before I was done. Not exactly 'one more turn', but I did end up playing longer than expected.

One more mile.

Coming soon: Cars

In the past, we've shared our ambition to expand the ways players can engage with the game world—not just through driving Class 8 trucks and hauling cargo, but by exploring that same world through different types of vehicles and experiences. Road Trip represents a step in that direction. Once introduced, it should allow players to enjoy the vast landscapes of ATS not only from the cab of an 18-wheeler but also from behind the wheel of, say, a powerful pickup or even a sports car. We hope this new perspective will appeal not only to long-time players but also to those who may be discovering the world of ATS for the first time.

This is something I've been wanting since I first played the game.

Blackhawk wrote: Sat Apr 12, 2025 3:13 pm
This is something I've been wanting since I first played the game.

yeah, they're not wasting all that world map work on 'just' trucking

also, they should to integrate cargo shipping and link up with European Truck Simulator

Give us weapons and a national scale version of CAR WARS, you cowards!!