American Truck Simulator

[hitbyambulance]

And since I'll never end up playing and finding this place on the map, someone else (probably jztemple) will have to tell us what's the easter egg inside the PACCAR.

(it's in Mount Vernon, about 2/3s of the way up I-5 from Seattle to Bellingham)

[Alefroth]

So that's what that is. I've driven past it before and wondered. It is rather secretive looking.

[hitbyambulance]

PACCAR has a pretty big presence in WA state and i've known several engineers who worked for them

[jztemple2]

[Alefroth]

Those are some nice looking improvements. I'm so busy trying to keep the truck on the road that I often miss some of the nice scenery.

[jztemple2]

1.49 Update - Used Truck Dealers

Among other changes coming for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator in the 1.49 update, there will be a fairly big feature that will bring a few tweaks that are important to the immersion of the virtual trucking experience. Today, we’ll showcase the Used Truck Dealers!



Used Trucks will be available immediately in the main menu taking you to a selection of trucks that are more budget-friendly compared to brand new vehicles. However, these used trucks come with some mileage and wear, which is indicated by their star rating and a separate window that provides a detailed breakdown of the damage to various parts.

This feature provides an excellent opportunity for players to own a truck without breaking the bank. It's particularly ideal for newcomers who want to hit the road without a hefty investment, while it also adds an extra layer of challenge for experienced players.

[Rumpy]

One thing I've been wishing over the years is a better wear and tear model, with individual components that could fail. The way it is now, wear and tear is mostly tied to the engine. I think it would be so much more immersive if you could have components fail, necessitating a trip to the mechanic. I think Alaskan Road Truckers, which is out now, does this.

[Isgrimnur]

License that Wreckfest technology.

[Blackhawk]

One thing I've been wishing over the years is a better wear and tear model, with individual components that could fail. The way it is now, wear and tear is mostly tied to the engine. I think it would be so much more immersive if you could have components fail, necessitating a trip to the mechanic. I think Alaskan Road Truckers, which is out now, does this.

I don't know if it's what's in play here, but a lot of the time, vehicle manufacturers won't license their brands to companies without a 'no damage' stipulation. Kenworth doesn't necessarily want their trucks shown as breaking down along the road, and if one company's trucks were shown as more reliable than another's...

[Rumpy]

Yeah, I get that. But we're not talking visual damage which is usually the case, but rather mechanical damage by regular wear and tear. I've always found it odd that the worst the wear and tear can get is having your engine become erratic and randomly shutting down. If they're willing to go that far as part of a simulator, then surely they could improve it to be more detailed.

[Blackhawk]

Yeah, I get that. But we're not talking visual damage which is usually the case, but rather mechanical damage by regular wear and tear. I've always found it odd that the worst the wear and tear can get is having your engine become erratic and randomly shutting down. If they're willing to go that far as part of a simulator, then surely they could improve it to be more detailed.

That's what I meant. Mack probably doesn't want to have people posting about how their Mack broke down too much, or how the Peterbilt they replaced it with was more reliable. I'd guess that they're able to create a generic 'wear and tear' maintenance mechanic, but may not be able to make it more granular than that.

[Rumpy]

Which is weird when you put it into the perspective of their new used dealers, where wear and tear is going to be marginal at best and not be the challenge they purport it to be. It doesn't necessarily have to show reliability by manufacturer either, as I don't even think the game takes reliability into consideration anyway, but rather I think it's something that's the same across the board. Rather, I think they should be able to factor in failure by mileage regardless of truck. The more mileage a vehicle has, they're more likely to run across issues, and that's just a general rule of law.

[Blackhawk]

It doesn't necessarily have to show reliability by manufacturer either, as I don't even think the game takes reliability into consideration anyway, but rather I think it's something that's the same across the board.

I agree in concept, but we're talking about presenting this to human beings who don't understand confirmation bias, and who are looking for things to vent about online. They don't have to differ in reliability, they just have to be perceived that way. And if you're a corporation that relies on your reputation, that's enough to simply add a line into the licensing contract that guarantees that your product is only shown in the best light.

[Rumpy]

Yeah, speaking of venting...

[Blackhawk]

FWIW, I don't know if that's why or not - it's just a guess based on what I've heard is in other licensing contracts when branded vehicles are involved.

[Rumpy]

Yeah, and you might be totally right on that. But it's strange to me they would put in a used dealer option when wear is negligible at best. And most likely can simply be repaired without consequence, when in reality a vehicle still has a history even after repairs.

[jztemple2]

Kansas - Release Date Reveal

There’s no place like Kansas, and the same rings true in American Truck Simulator! Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the virtual roads, because we're excited to announce that...

The Kansas DLC for American Truck Simulator will be released
on November 30th, 2023!

[hitbyambulance]

would be interested in Alaska DLC, but there's no way for them to link it to the continental 48. it's not like you'd have to even include that many roads! and could leave out the range- and island-bound communities entirely! ... ok, it wouldn't work out.

[Isgrimnur]

They included UK in Euro Truck Simulator. I'm sure they could figure something out for Alaska.

[jztemple2]

In case anyone was wondering, the next announced DLC after Kansas will be... Arkansas! Yup, surprised me too, I thought it would be going to Nebraska. So I'm guessing that after Arkansas we'll be seeing Louisiana, then across the Gulf states... maybe they will get to Florida before my fingers are too arthritic to play!

[Daehawk]

Looking forward to Tennessee

[Blackhawk]

In case anyone was wondering, the next announced DLC after Kansas will be... Arkansas! Yup, surprised me too, I thought it would be going to Nebraska. So I'm guessing that after Arkansas we'll be seeing Louisiana, then across the Gulf states... maybe they will get to Florida before my fingers are too arthritic to play!

I wonder if their plan is to move up the east coast and do the more um... 'interesting' states before filling in the center.

[Unagi]

I assumed they were going to finish Route 66 in Chicago, then head straight east for NY - but that seems to not be the case at all.

Of course, maybe they are just swooping over and down to New Orleans right now, and then maybe they will head back up to see Chicago.

[Unagi]

In case anyone was wondering, the next announced DLC after Kansas will be... Arkansas! Yup, surprised me too, I thought it would be going to Nebraska. So I'm guessing that after Arkansas we'll be seeing Louisiana, then across the Gulf states... maybe they will get to Florida before my fingers are too arthritic to play!

I wonder if their plan is to move up the east coast and do the more um... 'interesting' states before filling in the center.

I would think they may want to spread out a few of the boring states in between anything they feel is more interesting, rather than save up all the yawners for the last 10+ updates.

At some point they need to bite the ol' Indiana bullet... It is the "Crossroads of America" after all.

[Blackhawk]

I'd have expected them to release them following an interstate (I70, maybe), or else do some of the central states in combined packs.

[jztemple2]

I'd have expected them to release them following an interstate (I70, maybe), or else do some of the central states in combined packs.

The Dakotas would certainty be a good choice for a combo pack, as would Delaware/Maryland.

[Blackhawk]

Illinois needs its own (Chicago), but:

Dakotas
Indiana, Ohio, Michigan
Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Kin-fucky, Tennessee

None of those would be bigger than Texas.

[hitbyambulance]

speaking as a native Minnesotan, i resent the implication that you could just lump us in with Wisconsin and (god forbid) Iowa. Minneapolis/St. Paul is worthy of attention all on their own. ... but if they were going this route anyways, might as go full 'Upper Midwest" and throw the Dakotas in as well. i don't think it'd take more than a week or so to bake the necessary assets.

[Unagi]

The Dakota’s have some unique geographical areas they would likely spend more time on then say, the rolling hills of Wisconsin.

[jztemple2]

American Truck Simulator 1.49: Special Transport DLC Update

Today, we are excited to reveal two brand-new cargos for the Special Transport DLC. With the upcoming 1.49 update, you will be able to haul a 39-meter-long (over 129 feet) wind turbine blade and a massive articulated hauler in American Truck Simulator.

To celebrate the long-requested wind turbine blade, we have made two new routes leading from Pueblo, Colorado, where these blades are manufactured. You'll also be able to find these two new cargoes on selected Special Transport routes that are already featured in the game, leading through either some of the previously released map expansions, but also located in some of the states that came out with the initial release of ATS.

This DLC update includes:

• Wind Turbine Blade cargo
• Articulated Hauler cargo
• New route from Pueblo to Trinidad (near Pueblo)
• New route from Pueblo to Limon (near Denver)

[jztemple2]

Update 1.49 has been released, check the video for the changes or see the article.

[jztemple2]

And it's that time again, another state has been added!




And because Kansas, we also have:

[Unagi]

Can juuuuuust about see Lake Michigan on that map...


Also, did they sneak a tiny bit into Missouri there!? (Kansas City)

[jztemple2]

Can juuuuuust about see Lake Michigan in that map...

Oddly, although I saw an announcement about Arkansas being the next state, there is also in the Steam store a product page for ATS Nebraska. So maybe they are going to go off in two directions rather than doing sequential contiguous DLC.

[Isgrimnur]

Can juuuuuust about see Lake Michigan on that map...


Also, did they sneak a tiny bit into Missouri there!? (Kansas City)

[Unagi]

Well sure... there is: Kansas City
and then there is : Kansas City

(known as Ka , on the map you provided)

But really, I was going off the glowing orange roads that seemed to bleed over the state line and clearly into Missouri on the map up there.

[Unagi]

Can juuuuuust about see Lake Michigan in that map...

Oddly, although I saw an announcement about Arkansas being the next state, there is also in the Steam store a product page for ATS Nebraska. So maybe they are going to go off in two directions rather than doing sequential contiguous DLC.

Yeah, this old August article implies Nebraska next:
https://www.eurogamer.net/after-oklahom ... n-nebraska
and then in Sept, they say Arkansas after that:
https://www.eurogamer.net/american-truc ... o-arkansas

I wonder if they will knock out N/S Dakota after those two, or go to Louisiana.

[jztemple2]

For those with a few bucks sitting in their Steam account, here's a little DLC for those who might want it:

We're thrilled to present a fresh collection of truck tires and accessories, officially licensed from Michelin for American Truck Simulator. To enhance the experience, we've added a variety of "aftermarket" goodies and paint jobs, creating a blend that's sure to bring joy to every Michelin enthusiast.

Michelin, a global giant in tire manufacturing with a rich history spanning over 120 years, is renowned for innovation. The unmistakable brand identity is embodied by Bibendum, the iconic Michelin Man, one of the oldest trademarks worldwide.

[jztemple2]

There's always cool stuff to see in ATS:



The newly updated skybox means we have some very pretty clouds now:



One of the things about ATS is that there's sometimes things that are interesting off to the side that you don't see if you just keep to the cockpit view. I use the orbital chase mode at times just to scope things out:



At my destination in Kansas:

[jztemple2]

Pizza House, one of my favorites on the road.



Hey, a howitzer!



My new delivery job:



Hays, Kansas. We've actually been to Hays in real life, went to the Fort Hays State Historic Site