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Posted by: Lopov Jul 9 2020, 10:16 AM

In this thread I'll occasionally be posting screenshots from the American Truck Simulator. As the name suggests, you're put in a role of a truck driver and must drive cargo between various cities / states. The game is based on the European Truck Simulator - if comparing the maps, the ETS is much, much bigger than ATS, but new stuff (states for ATS or countries for ETS) are still being added. Roads / highways are based on real ones, except that they're significantly scaled down of course, nonetheless it can take a long time to get from point A to point B. I started with ETS first, but I'm so familiar with European highways, so for the time being I enjoy driving across the USA more.

In the beginning you must accept contracts from various different companies, when you earn enough caps septims dollars, you can start your own company, buy your own truck etc. The game is quite realistic, that's why it's been a commercial success all over the world, maneuvering the truck is quite difficult, especially in towns, when streets get narrow and you must reverse (a nightmare for now, but it'll get better), but even apart of driving, you must watch out for regular refuel, getting enough rest, obey traffic rules (or try your luck and not get caught). Various unexpected events can happen on the road, like accidents, traffic jams, flat tires, random police controls, road work, traffic re-routing, more or less anything that can happen in real life.

I forgot the name of the town in Arizona where I started (I think it was Tucson), but I remember that the final destination of my first contract was a town named Show Low. Although I was used to trucking from ETS, this route was more challenging, because it involved a double trailer. I managed to get to Show Low without any % of damage - the more the truck or cargo damaged, the less you get paid.

https://imgur.com/OltdIBc

https://imgur.com/qBWCvOO - sometimes I flash my headlights when another truck is driving in my direction, as a sort of greeting. Some drivers greet me back.

https://imgur.com/bQuUhOZ - it took a while to turn left obviously. I'm in the truck with the Wallbert logo, the second trailer isn't visible in this pic.

https://imgur.com/sTVj2na - by default the traffic is more sparse but then roads feel too empty, so I increased the density in the game's .ini settings.

https://imgur.com/j6Dov6m

https://imgur.com/ypqgHTn

https://imgur.com/UkPRj3y

https://imgur.com/ITLA9sC

https://imgur.com/IIKxtHJ

https://imgur.com/Ip6CWN0

Posted by: TheCheshireKhajiit Jul 9 2020, 02:09 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VN54M1OXA

So when do we get a thrilling tale of an evil trucker haunting the highways in search of victims?


P.S. The game looks really beautiful!

Posted by: Renee Jul 9 2020, 04:56 PM

Goodness Lopov has become a trucker! Man, those graphics are great. Do you have to pass any sort of license to start this game, or do you just drive? I have a real-life acquaintance who drives BIG trucks and special licenses are required.

Also, do you shift gears? From what I understand, those big trucks have a special way to shift... double-clutch I think it's called. And they can have a lot of gears, too... not just 4 or 5.

> That is very true about truckers flashing lights. IN fact, if one truck passes another, the truck being passed will flash lights to let the passing truck know it's safe to get in front of the passee's truck.

> Do you listen to music as you drive? You can play some old country as you drive. Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, etc. (As Khajiit has shown above).

> Also, do you chew tobacco? Will you be getting a tattoo with your wife's name on it? Or better yet, a tattoo which simply says ~MOTHER~

Posted by: Acadian Jul 9 2020, 05:07 PM

I'm so glad you're enjoying this trucking simulator! The graphics look great and I can imagine a lot involved to figure out how to manuever those big rigs. Looks like you went right into 'hard' mode by running a double trailer!

Haha! A Lopov shot of your truck!

Posted by: Renee Jul 9 2020, 05:11 PM

Lopov you should see if you can make a cargo route to Vegas. Or through it. I myself have never been to Vegas but I went through Reno once, and they had some of that casino glitz going on there.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 9 2020, 06:46 PM

@TheCheshireKhajiit - there won't be an evil trucker this time. The developers stated that they won't 'develop' this part of the game - hitting pedestrians or buildings - at all, instead they'll focus simply on driving mechanics and add-ons for trucks. Well you can destroy your truck if you hit some heavy building, but it's not like GTA style, where you could go on a rampage. There are really a lot of various addons for trucks, like body paints, cabin accessories, chassis modifications, the list is so long, that not even I know what all it encompasses.

@Renee - the only license required is a valid account on Steam, I guess.

There are four different driving modes - two with mouse & keyboard, one with controller and one with wheel (and pedals, although they're not a must). Changing gears is possible only in the last two modes. I'm satisfied with the M & K approach for now.

You can listen to some real radios that are automatically generated as you drive, or you can insert streams of any world radio stations to an .ini file, and listen to any radio you want.

You can't chew tobacco unfortunately. In fact except choosing a 'profile pic' and seeing the driver when rotating the camera around, there aren't other actions possible, you can't walk out of the truck. If you have a flat tire, there's a combination of buttons you must press to repair it / replace it, or you can call for help. I haven't yet experienced this scenario but I got a ticket for speeding today.

New Las Vegas exists yes, and it's available by default, without any DLCs. It's quite big, but not entire town is covered, you can only drive on predetermined roads. But apparently they made LV bigger with one of the latest updates. States that are currently available to traverse are: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The next big update / DLC will bring Idaho and or Colorado.

In comparison, ETS was released in 2012 and now, 8 years later, almost entire Europe has been covered, but there's still room for more. ATS was released in 2016, so it'll be at least 4 years and more to cover most of the USA, I'm assuming. Oh, BTW, Reno is also featured in ATS, alongside already mentioned Las Vegas, Carson City and Elko.

@Acadian - it actually wasn't my intention to run a double trailer, I was shocked when I saw in the side mirror, that the second trailer began moving as well as I accelerated. In Europe it never happened that one of quick contracts would involve a double trailer, so maybe they changed it for the ATS, or maybe it was just a coincidence. One thing I noticed first is that lanes are wider in ATS than in ETS, just like in real life.

A good look at the Lopoved shot will reveal me (the driver) behind the wheel. To keep things simple, I'll refer to myself as the driver, because I also used my real name in the game.

Posted by: Renee Jul 9 2020, 07:37 PM

Oooh, go to Portland Oregon at some point! I lived there for many years. Curious to see if you can see the https://images1.opb.org/c_limit%2Ch_1000%2Cq_90%2Cw_640/15857355568_55d872dba9_o_1533849025361.jpg and other famous landmarks. Probably not. I don't think they allow BIG trucks into that area of the city.

You should get a wheel + pedals. Your wife would roll her eyes every day! Plus, I think you once said your father used to have a racing game and had a wheel, which your mom made fun of.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 9 2020, 08:14 PM

Steel Bridge is in the game, from what the Wiki says, but if I read this correctly, it's not driveable, you can only see it. Here's the text from the Wiki:

Portland's many bridges earn Portland the nickname "Bridge town" so SCS had to include several in their re-creation of the city. The Fremont Bridge (drive-able), the Steel Bridge, the Burnside Bridge, the Hawthorne Bridge, the Marquam Bridge (drive-able), and the Tilikum Crossing can be seen in-game.

Yes, my father was playing Nascar, I'm not sure, maybe he still does from time to time. He bought a wheel for it, but no pedals. My mom wasn't too thrilled to see that wheel fixated on the desk.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 9 2020, 08:19 PM

Khajiit beat me to the Convoy link...

This game looks really good, especially the cars you see on the roads. Do you have to go through things like weigh stations?

Posted by: Lopov Jul 9 2020, 09:27 PM

Yes, you must. As a matter of fact, I was just fined $260€ for avoiding one. I saw the message on screen too late, because it appeared right above the GPS and I wasn't paying attention to the GPS, because the road ahead was flat straight.

Posted by: haute ecole rider Jul 10 2020, 09:35 PM

As someone who spent a LOT of time driving on the interstates among the Big Rigs: I can vouch for the headlight flashing. At least in the Midwest, where there's a lot of congestion and construction, the Big Rigs flash their headlights if the truck in front has clearance to make a lane change. I remember asking my Dad about it once (he knew a lot of Big Rig drivers from his work) and he explained to me that it's to let them know they can move into the lane in front of you. Once that driver makes the change, they'll flash their lights back at you as a "Thanks, buddy" signal.

I started doing that while driving my little car on those Interstates - I really paid attention to the Big Rigs and gave them space if they needed to change lanes. Sometimes I knew they would need to before they did! So I would be watching for that turn signal (and hanging back, pissing off the a$$hole drivers behind me who wanted to cut everyone else off) and be ready to flash my brights at them - I also made sure they could see ME in THEIR rearview mirrors! It was not unusual for them to flash their lights "Thanks buddy" at me once they would slide in front of me, always made me feel good.

There was even one or two occasions where that same Big Rig would have the chance to return the favor to me and flash their lights when I needed to make a lane change in front of them. I think both of those times were in that perpetual construction zone on I-90 right around Gary, IN. Always a nightmare to drive in those days . . .

Posted by: Lopov Jul 11 2020, 10:00 AM

haute, your post reminded me of an event that happened to me a few years ago, while driving from my hometown Maribor to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. I was driving on a left lane and a big rig (double trailer) was driving on my right. I noticed the sign for a roadwork on his lane, and when he noticed it too, he turned on the left (damn what's the word? The blinking light to let others know whether you're going left or right) and I flashed my headlights at him to let him in front of me, because soon two lanes were joined to one. Once the common lane once again separated he moved back to the right lane, and as I overtook him, he flashed his headlights at me. But here is not the end of the story. About half an hour later I stopped at one of the reststops to drink a coffee. As I was returning to my car, some man approached me and it turned out that he was the trucker. By coincidence he stopped at the same reststop and recognized my car so he waited around a bit, hoping that he'd meet me. He said that it rarely happens that drivers let them in front and asked me, if he can pay me a coffee, so I had another coffee together with this trucker from Serbia.

Now here are some more pics:

https://imgur.com/25VPKKO

https://imgur.com/9UTsWe8

https://imgur.com/NNtEuDQ

https://imgur.com/MbYIJlD

https://imgur.com/P7AAD4D

https://imgur.com/iZHMNfj

https://imgur.com/S1XSwvC

https://imgur.com/tI0dIQs

https://imgur.com/Yg2I9Ds

https://imgur.com/ucaRGbu - he let me through, I don't whether this is game mechanics or a coincidence that he stopped, but some drivers won't let you through in case of a road obstacle.

https://imgur.com/pYIh7GE

https://imgur.com/rahtSUz That's where we needed to come to turn right. This isn't the game for impatient people.

https://imgur.com/ALNC7mb I think it altogether lasted about 6 minutes to make that right turn.

https://imgur.com/9ttgg42

https://imgur.com/c5KDMxj

https://imgur.com/6L2iFIe

https://imgur.com/w2dqCZP

Wasteland https://imgur.com/Ez8GgB9

https://imgur.com/bUxJm8h

https://imgur.com/RCbQKjB

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 11 2020, 07:32 PM

It is cool that they have car accidents closing off lanes, and the cars involved are even crumpled up!

The sunrise pic is really good, I wonder if Decrepit is driving the train in the background?

A Frog! The street lights in that pic are sideways as well. Normally they hang vertically in the US.

Hey its trees!

It's Lopov behind the wheel!

The wasteland does look like the wasteland.

Posted by: Acadian Jul 11 2020, 07:53 PM

Fill up the tank! That’ll cost ya!

Aww, I love sunrises in the desert and you captured a beautiful one.

Haha, a Frog Ribett-150.

This really is a nice looking game!

Posted by: Renee Jul 13 2020, 01:10 PM

Lopov: we simply call those flashing lights blinkers, or turn signals. Turn signals is the more formal word in my parts, though in other parts of America they are probably called by other names.

What kind of trailer is that in the Night picture? What are you supposed to be hauling?

Whoa, it's a service station. Oh my gosh, an actual car wreck! "Charged" looks like https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=best+buy&form=HDRSC2&first=1&scenario=ImageBasicHover. It's funny how they keep dancing around all the official brands and makes.

The more I see pictures of this game, the more I get interested. I mean, is there a version where we can simply drive a car around? All these pics are making me miss my traveling days. I'd get an old Nissan pickup or Corolla like I used to own. Be a traveling hippy again.

Me too! Back when I used to drive all over the country I got into the habit of flashing the lights on my little car (or pickup) to let them know it was safe to cut in front of me. Sometimes they'd flash back.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 13 2020, 05:29 PM

@SubRosa - I noticed that in some towns traffic lights are hanging vertically.

I also noticed Ford S-Max on roads, which was immediately unusual to me, because AFAIK this model is produced in Europe only. I checked it up on the Wiki and noticed that the car indeed isn't sold in the USA. So I'm assuming that it's an oversight, because the producers are from the Czech Republic.

@Acadian - the FROG inscription apparently caused quite a ruckus in the forums when seen for the first time, because fans wanted to see Ford written there. Now instructions can be found online how to edit the inscription or download a mod that changes it.

@Renee - once you buy your own truck, you can drive it without any trailer as well anywhere you want, but you must have some cash to pay for the gas of course. You can't drive a common car around. If you're in a mood just for driving, I recommend GTA San Andreas, it features cities, deserts and forestland. If you're not feeling like doing any missions, you can enter cheat codes to enable all possible areas without doing any missions. I often did this if I felt like just driving around. Compared to GTA IV and V, San Andreas' drivers actually have much better AI.

I don't remember anymore what was I hauling in that night route but I remember that it was something heavy.

We call those lights "blinker" as well, but it's of course not our original word but borrowed from German, or even English, as I just learned.

Posted by: Renee Jul 13 2020, 08:12 PM

Thanks, but nah, I don't want to go back to GTA. Vice City was fun when I tried it (pre-Oblivion) back in 2006. I'd feel silly playing a gangsta at age 50.

The appeal of these truck simulator games is seeing all that scenery. It reminds me of driving around in my 20s and 30s all over the country. I did do some searches and you are right. There are several truck simulator games, but nothing which lets someone just travel around in a car. I think it'd be sort of fun playing as a courier in an ordinary car, which is a job I had at age 18. I drove a Nissan truck. That's when I learned to drive a manual, because of that job.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 14 2020, 09:35 AM

You don't need to play as a gangsta if you'll be just driving around. But you need cheat codes to enable the whole map, because game-wise it gets opened as you progress through quests. But honestly I don't expect that you'll be returning to the GTA.

Things that bother me or I find them difficult in the game so far:

-cornering! I still haven't gotten used to it, especially if hauling some extremely long trailer. Maybe it can't be properly achieved with mouse & keyboard, but I often have problems with the tail of the trailer brushing up against sth. like traffic lights or light poles. If I try to take a wider arc when turning, it works, but only as long as there isn't incoming traffic.

-I absolutely have no idea how to reverse properly, that is so, that the trailer moves in the desired direction. There are a lot of instructions written online how to do it properly, looks like I'll need to give them a thorough read.

-the game is quite strict when it comes to punishing you if you drive through a red traffic light. Even if you drive through a crossroad while there's still green light, but then for some reason takes a long time (like cornering) to make it through, so red light comes on in between, you can get a fine, if spotted by a police patrol, which are especially in towns present very often.

Here are some more pics from my last routes before buying my very own first truck.

https://imgur.com/TY2ZeWi

https://imgur.com/cFWbmD6

https://imgur.com/F0Fmw2b

https://imgur.com/YNMdwj5. This trailer, for instance, was extremely difficult to manoeuvre in corners.

https://imgur.com/1EYDeQp

https://imgur.com/k9tK9Dc

https://imgur.com/Hh4N5wc

https://imgur.com/PhEqvOT

https://imgur.com/PhIgo38

After earning around $50,000 I took a loan at one of the banks and bought my first Truck - https://imgur.com/mRN22hn.

Once you own your own truck, you must drive to the desired contract location yourself and attach https://imgur.com/zftufUq. All costs, including fuel, repairs etc. must from now on be covered by you.

https://imgur.com/S5azbgC

https://imgur.com/E4VfZBb

https://imgur.com/w9qHARs

https://imgur.com/BlF1mpw, because I slept too long, so I was late for the delivery. In the end I was fined $3000 for arriving late, so it was automatically subtracted from the supposed pay.

Posted by: Renee Jul 14 2020, 04:06 PM

Nah, can't do it. It's kind of funny that I once did play GTA, but that was mostly because I was so fascinated with being in an open world. After discovering Oblivion of course... I never looked back. I did look to see if Truck Simulator is on consoles. I'd be tempted to buy a PS4 or Xbox 1 if so, but it's a computer-only game.

Lopov buys a European truck. That's amazing how much money gets exchanged in this game. Taxes, fees, tolls, and you can even get your pay docked if you show up late.

As far as "things that you can't do properly".... that is why I was asking if you have to obtain a license before being allowed to drive. Because I know in real life this is a top requirement!

And yes, it's a good idea for intersections to be clear before you begin to travel through them. So even if the light is green, you have to be careful. Although in Maryland, the rule is that if somebody gets stuck in an intersection and the light turns red, everyone else must wait for the stuck car or truck to make it through before anyone else can proceed.

That's a weird haul you've got there in the Weigh Station picture. I've never seen anything like that!

Posted by: Acadian Jul 14 2020, 06:33 PM

These shots are great fun to look at as you highlight the beauty and challenges of 'On the Road'.

Do you plan later on to get a truck with a sleeper cab?

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 14 2020, 09:04 PM

That last trailer is really weird looking. It seems like it is about to scrape against the ground at any moment.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 15 2020, 07:15 AM

@Renee - since yesterday I'm getting better at cornering. I did some learning online and read that it depends on pressing W (forward) and/or A/D (cornering). Although commands are always the same, it depends on what kind of trailer are you transporting, for longer ones you must slowly press A/D with pauses when cornering, while with lighter, shorter trailers it is advisable to hold the A/D command. I tried it yesterday and noticed a difference.

@Acadian - you noticed good that my Volvo doesn't have a sleeper cabin. Yes, I definitely plan to buy such a truck later, there are lots of different trucks for sale, but they get available as you progress through levels. For instance, my current Volvo can't haul any heavy cargo, it's meant for light-to-medium cargo.

@SubRosa - I know, I thought that at first something went wrong when attaching the cargo.

Yesterday I learned a lesson not to save the game while on an active contract, because if the game auto-updates, the contract is cancelled, and you're put back to you original garage. I spent quite some time and fuel to reach the desired contract location, but it was in vain in the end. Nonetheless, I'm back on the road again, and now I'm heading to Carlsbad in California. The name of the town sounds almost identically as Karlsbad (today Karlovy Vary) from the Czech Republic.

In other news, I have already been involved in a few accidents and although I wasn't always the guilty one, the game regarded me as guilty. Happens in real life too. Once while on a highway, the ambulance car suddenly changed the lane and hit in my Volvo, but I was fined $700. I also got a few speeding tickets, especially in towns, but I haven't yet been "caught" on highways.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 15 2020, 08:22 AM

Then there is Carlsberg, which you should not be drinking if you are driving through Carlsbad.

Posted by: ghastley Jul 15 2020, 07:33 PM

They started off with good intentions, calling places "New Xxxxx" like New Amsterdam (now called New York) but soon they were just using the original names. The Yanks don't always pronounce them the same, either, so Worcester is not pronounced Woostah in the US of A.

And strangely, the really good names, like Ashby-de-la-Zouch or Hetton-le-Hole or Nether Wallop don't seem to have crossed the pond.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 16 2020, 03:19 PM

https://imgur.com/kn5KquJ

https://imgur.com/Rcyyf4b

https://imgur.com/bYqc5ku

https://imgur.com/KACTO7k

https://imgur.com/BwQO4Or

https://imgur.com/BO79ssO

https://imgur.com/No41jNQ

https://imgur.com/ETlzRCQ - obviously you can't drive to streets / roads where these signs stand

https://imgur.com/vHNa3ov

https://imgur.com/LhLDxdU

https://imgur.com/iW1UzCw

If you've got to travel, by the Nine Divines, https://imgur.com/R7zV1uL We had sightings, you see...the trains...

https://imgur.com/6Xjfsdw

https://imgur.com/EHWaor6

Because I rotated the camera around to take the last pic, I immediately after taking the screenshot, crashed into the fence on the right, which almost overturned my truck and I blocked the entire road, so some vehicles behind me and on the other lanes crashed into me. I was fined $2000 altogether and my truck was quite damaged, so I needed to take it to the nearby repair shop. Nonetheless, it was worth taking a screenie.

Posted by: Renee Jul 16 2020, 08:23 PM

Nooo Lopov! You can't keep getting into accidents!

That's a good question actually: is there any sort of reload feature if things go wrong? I am guessing probably not. Like, maybe when you're picking up contracts you can try to reload if you don't like what you've been given, or is that wrong?

Ambulances, police, and fire trucks.... we always pull over to the side (if there is a side) and brake to a full stop. That's on a normal, lower-speed road. If we're on a highway, the law probably differs from state to state. In Maryland I think the rule is we don't always have to pull all the over to the side, but obviously we need to get out of their way.

However, what you're describing is the ambulance turned into your truck, which sounds more like a glitch to me.

That seaside picture is lovely. It must almost be as shocking as getting out of a Bethesda tutorial dungeon, after miles and miles of desert.

Isn't that SACKALL lawyer billboard quite ugly? See, you don't have huge, ugly ads like this in Europe, right? All that beautiful landscape... ruined by silly advertisements. New Vegas also has these billboards everywhere, but at least those are humorous (given the circumstances).

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 16 2020, 09:24 PM

Bushnell makes me think of binoculars, not farms.

Oh noes, mad European trucker on the loose!

Roadwork. The orange barrel is the state animal of Michigan

*waves at Decrepit as he goes by in the train*

Got into an accident while taking a selfie. That sounds so like a Millenial!

Posted by: Acadian Jul 16 2020, 11:00 PM

Some beautiful scenery shots from the open road in New Mexico.

Overturned. As they say, keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.

Peeking at bus passengers. Because of their vantage, truckers often see some very amusing things happening in the front seats of cars next to them.

Neat shot of the crossing train.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 17 2020, 09:52 AM

@Renee - you can reload anytime you want. But so far I haven't done it yet, I prefer that things happen as they do, even if it involves getting speeding tickets, causing accidents or being late by deliveries. It's more spontaneous this way.

The ambulance didn't have flashing lights on, it merely changed the lane, because it wanted to overtake the car in front, I assume. But I was guilty. Must be because of my name, Lopov = scoundrel.

Oh, we have ads by highways too, sometimes they're "wisely" put right in front of some beautiful trees. Things significantly worsen up before every elections.

@SubRosa - it's mad Lopov behind the wheel!

I prefer delivering heavy cargo, because then my truck can't reach top speed in any case, so I have no choice but to go slow. If I transport some light cargo, my "inner GTA beast" takes over on occasion, so I drive close to or even over the speed limit.

State animal of Michigan!?

@Acadian - yeah, it's quite a view from so high, too bad that nothing 'happens' in ATS.

Apparently you can also witness big accidents taking place, so far I've only seen small ones take place, but apparently trucks can overturn in front of your eyes too.

New DLC Idaho was released yesterday and shrewd developers put it immediately in some bundle to get a discount if bought quick enough. So I bought it and got Utah as well. There's never enough of states.

Posted by: Renee Jul 17 2020, 02:24 PM

Lol you nailed it!

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 17 2020, 08:08 PM

Oops, I got confused. https://images3.memedroid.com/images/UPLOADED205/58cc81d9a4ce1.jpeg

Posted by: Lopov Jul 19 2020, 10:10 AM

https://imgur.com/v74RzJI

https://imgur.com/AhKIRb1

https://imgur.com/S4GOK44

https://imgur.com/WjgHF3B

https://imgur.com/aHfxtOJ

https://imgur.com/Hn0RvTB - my destination was the gas station & rest area on the right. But something happened up front and we were standing still for a few minutes.

https://imgur.com/uSuZsXF

https://imgur.com/s3yRgjh

https://imgur.com/cnFMJVp

https://imgur.com/Z7HCegb

https://imgur.com/QUGx7AE

Posted by: Acadian Jul 19 2020, 02:19 PM

I'm really enjoying your screenshots. My favorite place to drive in the US is in the southwest - a land of wide open spaces and beautiful views.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 19 2020, 08:08 PM

Great sunset, hope you did not get blinded by it and crash!

Chemron is a disturbing name. That is where the AI that takes over the world comes from.

That is a really cool lakeside/seaside destination.

I was expecting mass murder at the name "GTA perspective"

Posted by: Lopov Jul 22 2020, 08:49 AM

@Acadian - maybe you'll recognize some roads from the SW in the future.

@SubRosa - I'm more cautious now when taking screenies.

Chemron reminds me of REPCONN in fact.

https://imgur.com/PXerKLD

https://imgur.com/ppvJJbb

https://imgur.com/vgo65Gs

https://imgur.com/appSSSD

https://imgur.com/7ozma5j

https://imgur.com/9dIXUlb

https://imgur.com/99FnsYQ

https://imgur.com/LA0Vrte

https://imgur.com/wY7oTCB

For anyone that'd like to watch a part of a route Page-Bakersfield, I made a semi-long LP, it's around 20 minutes. It shows my drive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7w0KA8JsTM&t=176s. To make things more appealing, I was often driving in the so called "3rd person", that is outside of the cabin. For a normal gameplay I don't switch views, I drive only from inside the cabin.

There's also part 2, where I drive from Page to Primm, going through Las Vegas, which I'll upload in the future.

EDIT: For some reason the video automatically puts me to 2:50, not sure why. In case the same happens to you, just move the slider back to the start.

Posted by: Acadian Jul 22 2020, 06:19 PM

More great screenshots and still loving the desert/west coast scenery. The LP vid offered a nice additional perspective on the game. And you even had good music playing! I can certainly appreciate the fun, even addictive pleasure this game looks like it can provide.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 22 2020, 09:26 PM

I'm with the Sk8ter Boi!

I guess no is going to miss that they drove into Bakersfield.

It is cool that you stop in motels and have to go through toll booths.

The bridge is cool.

Eureka! Are the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carson_Mansion and the http://www.victoriana.com/VictorianHouses/queenannevictorian.html in the game?

Posted by: Renee Jul 24 2020, 01:05 PM

That's so crazy! They have skateboarders doing their tricks. What an unimportant detail. Maybe I'd expect to see this in GTA or Sims. Not a truck simulation game.

Lopov gets a motel room. That is one thing I wondered, if you can rent a room for the night or day.

I had a girlfriend from Bakersfield when I lived in California. This was back in the early 1990s. Never been there myself. Believe it or not I was not a gamer back then. Not until the year 2000, matter of fact.

I remember stopping in Eureka back when I moved to Oregon. I had Chinese food for dinner! I think I picked up a hitchhiker somewhere north of Eureka.

That's a question: are there hitchhikers? Can you pick somebody up. Is this common in Europe? I know it was common during the 1970s when we visited / lived there. Hitchhiking has become rare in America, at least on the east coast. When I was a teen it was more common. Like a dummy, I used to occasionally pick people up. Never had any problems, but it can be dangerous, of course, picking up total strangers.

Cool, I'm glad you posted that video, and since I commented heavily during our messages, I can't wait to see the next one.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 24 2020, 07:10 PM

@Acadian - thanks! Today I uploaded the video of the drive through your hometown, maybe you'll recognize some roads or landmarks. Maybe you'll even recognize yourself in some car.

@SubRosa - the only tool booth encountered so far was the one before that bridge. In European TS they're much more common.

I assume that landmarks which you mention, aren't present in the game, because the Wiki states only:
-Mad River
-church
-Humboldt Bay

@Renee - it's nice to see a town named Eureka, considering its original https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_(word).

There aren't hitchhikers in the game unfortunately. That'd be an interesting addition for sure.

From what I've traveled across Europe, hitchhiking isn't extremely rare but it's not too common either. It used to be more common years ago for sure.

Today's video takes off where the previous one ended, and shows the drive from the weigh station to Primm, going through Las Vegas. I'd say that not much interesting happens in the first half of the video, except me getting shortly stuck around 6:40, because I didn't take an arc wide enough when cornering, but from around 10:00 onwards I was driving through Las Vegas. Around 13:00 a so called unexpected event takes place on the road. The video ends in Primm, which is also featured in Fallout NV, but in ATS it's in a much better state.

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

Posted by: Acadian Jul 24 2020, 08:09 PM

Toll roads are very common in the northeast portion of the US. Fairly rare elsewhere.

I couldn't get the vid to come up. You Tube comes up fine but the vid says 'Video Unavailable'. To troubleshoot, I tried the vid from your previous (Bakersfield) vid and that still works just fine.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 24 2020, 08:46 PM

Ohio is notorious for their toll roads, such as the Ohio Turnpike. So far as I know, we do not have any here in Michigan however.

I also cannot get the video to work.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 24 2020, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the warning, it shows up fine for me, so it must be some regional-related issue. I'll try and fix it.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 24 2020, 09:22 PM

It's because of some song that's played on radio, there are copyright issues.

A friend of mine recommended me to port it over to HookTube.

Let me know if https://hooktube.com/watch?v=btnyPvfUbNw works.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 24 2020, 10:24 PM

No joy there either. I see an errror message that says = YouTube API said: The request cannot be completed because you have exceeded your quota.

Posted by: Acadian Jul 24 2020, 11:02 PM

I get your vid (ATS in Las Vegas) with a prompt to hit play. When I hit play, it goes to 'Video unavailable'.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 25 2020, 10:25 AM

The video is banned in US and Australia, that's why you can't see it, my Friend from France can see it fine, for instance. I don't have a solution ATM and I unfortunately already deleted the original video from my desktop. Now if I download it back from Youtube, it's in a miserable quality and I'd need to upload it to some other provider. Maybe I'll come up with some fix in the coming days, if there is any.

EDIT:
I found an option on Youtube to make the video mute, maybe that will fix it, the process will take a while. Then I'll write here the playlist to listen to while watching.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 25 2020, 01:33 PM

I think it'll work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btnyPvfUbNw&feature=youtu.be. I don't see any warnings about restrictions anymore.

The video gets completely silent two times, two songs were problematic, because of copyrights in the USA and Australia. The first song wasn't that good, but the second one, close to the end, was High Tide from Blondie, which is a great song for cruising.

Posted by: Acadian Jul 25 2020, 01:51 PM

Works well now and a fun vid! I love the open road stuff prior to and after Las Vegas and it is interesting to run through the middle of the city on I-15. Yup, those high rise casinos on the left (I noted Bellagio and Luxor) are right along the Strip. Oops - amazing how much room you have to allow for turns to keep everything on the road.

Posted by: Lopov Jul 25 2020, 07:01 PM

I'm glad you recognized some landmarks. In big cities most roads aren't driveable, you can drive through but you can't get near most of prominent landmarks - in a way it makes sense, I assume that big rigs aren't allowed to drive deep inside city centers in the USA, just like it's in most parts of Europe, unless it's some very important delivery.

Turning with long trailers can be difficult, so I'm always happy when I see that there's no incoming traffic.

As a matter of fact I decreased the frequency of traffic because my game started to suffer from the glitch, where driving from a side road to a main road would cause endless traffic to be generated and incoming down the main road. Apparently it's a known glitch that occurs over time, so I made traffic now slightly more sparse.

Posted by: SubRosa Jul 25 2020, 07:41 PM

Everyone is passing you, speed up!

Bon Jovi! I was not expecting to hear that. I always imagine that the only music a truck will play is https://youtu.be/-u1Kzcs-z3c

When I saw the ferris wheel and lit up tower I thought it was Nuka World... Looks like you managed to avoid Driver Nephi and Motor-Runner in your drive around New Vegas though...

Posted by: Renee Jul 27 2020, 01:22 PM

Here goes Lopov in his BIG orange Volvo cab. What are you hauling today? Looks like construction equipment of some kind. Some important job somewhere. Woo hoo!

Yeah it really is dark. That's exactly what the American west at night is like. Ha! The Vplvo's got the same turn signal noise my mom's Saab used to have

Wow, that's Bon Jovi? I've never heard this song before.

I was gonna say most driving games reward the gamer in other ways, right? Racing games.. you are rewarded for going fast and beating everyone else. GTA... you are rewarded with gold stars for causing as much havoc and crime possible. Truck Simulator rewards for following rules (or breaking them slightly, in the case of going slightly over the speed limit, I assume. Nobody drives the actual limit in America unless they're impaired or older).

Uh oh, Zero Tolerance Zone! You haven't been drinking, have you Lopov? I love seeing the opposing traffic coming the other direction. This is giving me nostalgia for my youth.

Whoa, I think I see Vegas. Watch out for ghouls and raiders and Khans!

The steering wheel has freeking phone call buttons!

Uh oh.... did you get stuck? Oh. I think you had to turn the music down because of copyright stuff. Bummer.

There it is Interstate 15 I've been on that highway before. How do you move your driver's head around? I know WASD = truck movement right? But I guess you're using the mouse to move his head?

Ha ha a street cleaner cleaning the highway! I have never seen such a thing!


Acadian I am also glad you got to recognize some landmarks and buildings.

Posted by: Lopov Aug 4 2020, 08:29 PM

@SubRosa - sometimes I overtake others as well, but that usually means that I'm not having a trailer attached.

@Renee - that song from Bon Jovi has been very popular here.

You can earn a bonus if you deliver some cargo very quickly, but that usually means going over speed limit, which in turn increases a chance for a fine or even for an accident. Fines are fairly high, so there's no point in driving fast, because bonuses for quick deliveries aren't that high.

You control the camera around with your mouse, it can be fairly difficult to rotate the camera around and manage your truck driving completely straight.

Street cleaners here are fairly common, but they clean up roads, where higher speeds are allowed, at late nights only. If sober, you can't miss them, because they have dozens of flashing blinkers.

I took the following pics a while ago, but I'm fairly certain that the first ones are from Portland.

https://imgur.com/D6u4SVn

https://imgur.com/v4U7qAL

https://imgur.com/uewBJoo

https://imgur.com/MMhy55s

https://imgur.com/xorVbsg

https://imgur.com/nu2qy3M

https://imgur.com/taPIFQ6

https://imgur.com/q0dJVzP

https://imgur.com/hQarUSV

https://imgur.com/Uc7ctQF

https://imgur.com/pkxKGcX

I don't know the answer but maybe some of you would know.

Renee, what's the name of the volcano, that you asked me about, if it's present in the game?

Posted by: Renee Aug 4 2020, 08:54 PM

Mount Saint Helens is the volcano. It blew up on my mom's birthday when I was in grade school.

I check out the rest of the pics later... getting out of work now.

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 4 2020, 09:31 PM

I have no idea what that big building in the distance is in the last pic. I am from Detroit. All I know about Seattle is the space needle, coffee, and Nirvana. Oh, and Shadowrun of course.

Posted by: Acadian Aug 4 2020, 11:48 PM

Some great pictures up around Seattle. The game looks just great! Posing - lol! Sorry, I'm not familiar with that big blockish building in the distance either.

Some great pictures up around Seattle. The game looks just great! Posing - lol! Sorry, I'm not familiar with that big blockish building in the distance either.

Posted by: macole Aug 5 2020, 03:21 AM

I’ve never been to Seattle but going by the shape it could be the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Seattle_landmarks#/media/File:Seattle-PacMed-2571.JPG

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 5 2020, 03:46 AM

Or it could be https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Barad-d%C3%BBr

Posted by: Lopov Aug 5 2020, 08:28 AM

I checked the wiki and it's in the game. I haven't noticed it yet, however.



Trucks like to pose too.



Okay, thanks, I'll check if that'll come up with any results in the ATS wiki.






EDIT: The Pacific MC didn't come up among results, but the Pacific Tower did. https://www.google.com/search?q=seattle+pacific+tower&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwieqPPXxYPrAhW-BhAIHVMHCGgQ_AUoAnoECBsQBA&biw=1920&bih=929 could be it, I think. Some additional googling revealed that the Pacific Tower used to be known as the Pacific Medical Center.

for macole.

Posted by: Renee Aug 5 2020, 07:11 PM

Yes, the third picture is definitely Portland. Gosh I miss that town. Steel Bridge is the one with the pulleys up top in the far distance. The next bridge (closer) is Burnside. That's where I almost got ambushed in that bicycle protest! Hawthorne is the closest bridge, I think. See, that is Interstate 5. In those days I mostly lived on the right side of town, either Northeast or Southeast.

I am thinking the "on the bridge" pic is the bridge going over the Columbia River? So that would be just after leaving Portland, right? That bridge goes into Vancouver, which is the first town north, so now you'd be in Washington. If you ever do that route again look to the right with your mouse. Mount Saint Helens should be to the right somewhere north of Vancouver.

Ah, no Space Needle. Too bad. That's the only landmark I know in Seattle. Seattle and Portland are both famous for microbrews (homemade beers, sort of) grunge music (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc.) and coffee coffee coffee. My theory: coffee is important because most of the year, let's say 8 or 9 months, are 'bad' weather. Important to keep one from getting depressed, coffee is.

And I think that's my fixation with gaming during bad weather. When I lived there, Tomb Raider became my favorite game once I discovered it. I'd be gaming for stupid hours as it was overcast / rainy. Because if you live there and it's nice outside, you'd better get out and enjoy it because it could be days or weeks before it's nice again, sometimes!

Posted by: Lopov Aug 6 2020, 06:36 PM

Yes, you're right, I crossed that bridge when I was leaving Portland behind. Now I know where to look for the volcano. I'm glad that you're remembering events from your past through the game.

https://imgur.com/GeyfNQF

https://imgur.com/I6b4zNH

Ever since my childhood I've known all capitals (and flags) of every world country. Mostly thanks to my unfortunately too-early deceased uncle who taught me this stuff. When I mastered all capitals, we went on learning capitals of all US states. I remember that Nevada was one of the first states, whose capital I learned. So Carson City is more or less stuck in my memory for good. I don't remember the capitals of every US state anymore, but I'd probably get around 40 of them still correct. Anyway...

https://imgur.com/Wkv9VeC

https://imgur.com/cgKvcg8

https://imgur.com/soAxNNw

https://imgur.com/o8uoxw2

https://imgur.com/ectrZpz, hired my first driver, gave her my Volvo to drive and bought myself...

https://imgur.com/kxDksPU

I love pearl white vehicles in real life, which explains https://imgur.com/YHX1ftw

https://imgur.com/MJcf5v4

Just like it takes in real life to get used to a new vehicle, so it's in this game. You can't just hop in and expect that it'll drive in the same way. Kenworth is way faster, which means that I must start braking earlier to stop on time, it's front part is longer and wider, so I must get used to cornering. But I'll be able to haul heavier cargo with it.

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 6 2020, 08:59 PM

Nope, I have no idea what that brick building in Carson City is!

I am not sure if I remember the capitals of all the US states either anymore, and I live here! Some of them are pretty obscure, like Lincoln, Nebraska. I have no idea what the capital of Delaware is. Ok, I looked it up, Dover. Just so Delawaran's do not think I am throwing shade on them, I am sure most folks do not know that the capital of Michigan is Lansing either.

A new Lopov secret base, and a big KW rig to go with it? Wowzers!

Posted by: Lopov Aug 6 2020, 09:08 PM

I wouldn't know Delaware either. I know of Nebraska, because the capital city shares its name with the car brand. And the president was also namef after the car brand I might think of Lansing if I thought long enough. But Delaware & Dover no way. It's like I hear it for the first time.

Posted by: Acadian Aug 6 2020, 10:35 PM

What I call the 'Reno-Fallon-Tahoe triangle' of Nevada is a beautiful area. It includes Carson City and is where the old Bonanza tv show took place with the Cartwright family and their Ponderosa Ranch.

That particular style of the older Kenworths with the long bonnet and sharp angles is absolutely gorgeous. You could not have made a more beautiful choice!

Posted by: Renee Aug 7 2020, 01:14 PM

I think I've been through Carson City. Holy [censored] there's a green cross! That's a marijuana dispensary!

How many miles have you racked up so far?

You're back in Oregon / Washington. Must be nice to have a garage there, too. If you stay in this area you should see more rain for sure. Drizzly rain though, not downpours.

You gave her your Volvo cab? I have to get this game. American Truck Simulator is not Rockstar. Anyway I am glad you kept the Volvo. I dunno.... I've become attached to it and I'm not even playing.

Your pearl white Kenworth has a sleeper, can you sleep anywhere now?

EDIT: Delaware = Dover, but I know this only because it's not far from Maryland.
EDIT 2: I knew Michigan and Lansing too, but only because I had relatives who lived there.

Posted by: Lopov Aug 7 2020, 08:49 PM

@Acadian - that truck is beautiful indeed, rarely I'v seen such a good-looking truck. It really stands out among others. Can these or similar types still be seen in the USA? I chose it particularly because of its retro style.

@Renee - the only way to keep my first Volvo truck was to buy another garage. When that was done, it felt pointless leaving it there without any further use, so I hired a driver. Now my Volvo is being in use, and I also get money from contracts, which my driver completes, but of course she gets a regular pay as well. This is all done automatically in the game, you can't decide not to pay your drivers.

Although having a sleeper cab, that's purely cosmetic, you can't use it and can only rest in designated areas.

I must check miles counter the next time that I'm behind the wheel.

The green cross stands for the marijuana shop? In our parts it stands for pharmacy.

Posted by: Lopov Aug 9 2020, 08:59 AM

https://imgur.com/SHiDwlc

https://imgur.com/xgu7Ui5

https://imgur.com/ezx1Lto

https://imgur.com/X47IOHf

https://imgur.com/mKBJikc

https://imgur.com/c1NIlLs

https://imgur.com/S22P313

https://imgur.com/CXIrzvn

https://imgur.com/2qTl5b2 Between Elko and Salt Lake City.

https://imgur.com/9GpA8As

https://imgur.com/ALe4FwF

https://imgur.com/Dk86xY2

https://imgur.com/4ADytk8 has been heavily modified - additional mirrors, lights, black alloy wheels, new bumpers and protectors, etc etc.

https://imgur.com/d29bn2g

https://imgur.com/wg1fFWN

https://imgur.com/kukthnj

I placed two shields with the inscription Lopov on both sides on the front windshield, but why would I have double Lopov, when I can have...

...https://imgur.com/TV54XC7

https://imgur.com/MiNmte8 - even more lights have been placed on the roof alongside with the metal spoiler

Posted by: Acadian Aug 9 2020, 06:19 PM

That classic Kenworth and Peterbilt style seen on the White Prince is getting harder to see on the roads as aerodynamics and newer efficient trucks are gradually replacing those older beauties.

In your big flash, the truck looks almost as awesome at night as it does during the day.

Beautiful shots of Arizona and surrounding desert areas.

My, you certainly have got the White Prince all pimped out in full LopovChorrol regalia!

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 9 2020, 08:28 PM

Move over Wayne Newton, there is a new Mr. Vegas!

The Lopov-mobile is a pimped out ride!

Posted by: Lopov Sep 4 2020, 12:32 PM

Here's a fairly long LP, about 1 hour, that I made in July, uploaded in August and forgot to share it here until now, that Renee reminded me. If anyone's interested and has a lot of time, you're welcome to watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP2wx3pSk5A&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=ZigaZigec

To avoid copyright issues and troubles with viewing the video I was tuned to some popular German radio, so there shouldn't be problems with watching it.

Posted by: Renee Sep 4 2020, 01:35 PM

That triple Lopov pic at the end is funny (to me).

Okay, Lopov has his Eurotunes on. Nice job going in reverse, using only mirrors! Looks like Lopov is hauling a ... I'm not sure what that construction vehicle is called. Payloader? https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=payloader&form=HDRSC2&first=1&scenario=ImageHoverTitle&cw=1117&ch=494.

I absolutely love you for using turn signals. Even virtually!

Uh oh. Ran a red light! And now you're making a right turn but it's red. I wonder if this game allows right turns on red lights? This is legal in Maryland (unless there's a sign prohibiting this) but not in all states.

Ha, I just saw a FedEx truck, except they call it PostEd in the game.

A police SUV just passed you. That's a good sign! This is a game which rewards the player for being slower, not faster.

Wow, and actual detour. Good thing you were paying attention. This music is grooving today, by the way.

If you are driving at night and forget to turn your high beams off, will other cars/trucks flash their lights to remind you?

Hey, there's a Wait button in this game. See, that part could be your driver sleeping in the rear cabin.

Hot air balloons!

Is that Salt Lake City? I don't think I've ever been there, or through there. I have been through Utah though.

Posted by: Lopov Apr 28 2021, 11:28 AM

Greetings from Europe!

https://imgur.com/C8mH0u0

https://imgur.com/pYNg8yb

https://imgur.com/AkEGiBT

https://imgur.com/gCJ4ZUf

https://imgur.com/QoehdZz

https://imgur.com/wNSIvil

https://imgur.com/jt0h5s5

https://imgur.com/pTxGVIs

https://imgur.com/0ylWGay

https://imgur.com/fUPnMJv

https://imgur.com/ho2bBcY

https://imgur.com/KsNMCne

Posted by: Renee Apr 28 2021, 01:18 PM

Austria, right? It looks really pretty. I think Salzburg is where Mozart was born. How much do you pay at that toll?

Whoa, look at the rain falling on that windshield. It looks all blurry!

I think you already got a new cab? I notice in Fields of Wien there's a Mercedes symbol on the steering wheel. But in one of the latter pics it says MAN.

Posted by: Lopov Apr 28 2021, 06:21 PM

Yeah, Mozart was born in Salzburg, well done!

I forgot how much I paid in the game, IRL there aren't tolls on roads in Austria anymore, because each vehicle needs to have a so called vignette - you can buy the cheapest one that's legible for seven days up to the most expensive ones that's legible for one year. The same rule applies for Slovenia. There are some exceptions to this rule in Austria, meaning that there still are some tolls but those are rare.

I don't own any truck yet, ATM I'm driving for various companies, which means that I don't have any choice but to drive what I get.

Posted by: Acadian Apr 28 2021, 07:36 PM

Delightful to see more Lopov On the Road Again! Your game looks great and like it would be both interesting and fun.

Posted by: SubRosa Apr 28 2021, 09:04 PM

Lopov is back, and on the road again!

In the second pic it looks like the traffic light is driving your truck!

I love that castle in Salzburg.

Munich looks like it has one of Iron Man's arc reactors.

The Lopov shot!

Posted by: Lopov Apr 29 2021, 07:53 PM

The other day me and my colleague from Austria discussed where did Salzburg got its name. Literally translated it means Salt Castle. Some googling revealed that the name derives from the barges carrying salt on the River Salzach, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century as was customary for many communities and cities on European rivers.

The blue building in Munich is the Allianz Arena, the football stadium.