On the road, Truck simulator Options

[Lopov]

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.

Behind the wheel of Peterbilt

"Ahoy pal!" - sometimes I flash my headlights when another truck is driving in my direction, as a sort of greeting. Some drivers greet me back.

Turning left - 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.

In a traffic jam - by default the traffic is more sparse but then roads feel too empty, so I increased the density in the game's .ini settings.

Nice scenery on the left

I don't recognize the car in front of me

Now both trailers are visible

Ridin' on to Show Low

Arrival at sunset

Lopoved

[SubRosa]

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!

[Lopov]

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.

[Acadian]

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!

[Renee]

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.

This post has been edited by Renee: Aug 7 2020, 01:23 PM

[Lopov]

@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.

This post has been edited by Lopov: Aug 8 2020, 01:44 PM

[Lopov]

America's Finest

First haul with the new truck

White Prince in Flagstaff

We stopped on the side to admire the sunset

Onwards

Big flash

White steering wheel

Sleeping area

I assume that's some landmark? Between Elko and Salt Lake City.

Tunnel ahead

Ujo Bujo

Empty road, take me home...

The White Prince has been heavily modified - additional mirrors, lights, black alloy wheels, new bumpers and protectors, etc etc.

There's the red flag too!

Time to rest

Good night

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...

...this?

Left "front leg" out - even more lights have been placed on the roof alongside with the metal spoiler

This post has been edited by Lopov: Aug 9 2020, 09:01 AM

[Acadian]

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!

[SubRosa]

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

The Lopov-mobile is a pimped out ride!

[Lopov]

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.

Long LP

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.

This post has been edited by Lopov: Sep 4 2020, 12:33 PM

[Renee]

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? Yes, I am right.

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.

This post has been edited by Renee: Sep 10 2020, 05:47 PM

[Lopov]

Greetings from Europe!

Church in Wien

I'm in the left truck

Fields of Wien

Destination Graz

Toll time

Salzburg

Rainy night

Munich

Lopov

Nuremberg

Heavy rain

Still raining

[Renee]

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.

[Lopov]

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.

[Acadian]

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

[SubRosa]

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!

[Lopov]

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.

This post has been edited by Lopov: Apr 29 2021, 07:57 PM