American Truck Simulator

[Shilka]

SCS software, developers of Euro Truck Simulator 2 have been working on this title for quite a while already, and next to some screenshots there wasn't much info available. But now, we have some moving images; 1 hour of beta gameplay.

Noticable changes are that the tractor trailer combo's can be quite a bit longer with the American trucks, and also in the video you can see that you'll have different parking options available on arrival, 1 star for easier parking, 3 stars for a more difficult parking spot. I also noticethat trucks have more gears (saw 18th gear zip by somewhere in the video). Also it seems that the level makers managed to capture a visually different atmosphere that definately differs from its European predecessor. Other then that, not much difference, but what more difference is there to expect, afterall it's still a truck smulator...
Perhaps we can see some changes when it comes to the bussiness end of the game, but thats not really visible in this video.

Anyway, be the judge yourself! For me as an Euro Truck enthousiast, buying this game will be a no brainer for me

[video=youtube;qSUKlmqBJYQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSUKlmqBJYQ#[/video]

 

[Shilka]

Couple of screenshots that stood out for me;

Much more variety in trailer length now, here's a shorty;


Appearantly you can pop the hood and open the doors, still wondering for which purpose though, made me wonder if you can actually get out of the truck?


And this pic just made me go: oooh..... Not only a lovely truck, but, driving the hills of SF, I'm already looking forward to hauling a modded 75 ton locomotive up those hills



I also noticed there's much more diversity in surroundings this time, hope the screens speak for themselves;








Don't know about you, but the more I see from this upcoming game, the more I'm starting to look forward to it. It will probably be a while though...

 

[little P]

This does look very interesting - cue the country and western radio station

 

[Shilka]

Yep, actually, I'm driving a modded in Kenworth now in ETS2, and it takes some getting used to, the turning radius is like twice those of the european trucks... It sounds like a beast though, been streaming it a few times...

 

[little P]

The more I read about this game the more I watch smokey and the bandit... over the top... basically any movie with a big ass yank tank in it lol

I am definitely going to pick this up I wonder, is there any word from the devs if they will be incorporating multiplayer... that would be amazeballs eh

 

[Shilka]

Well in the past scs declared that their engine is unsuitable for mutliplayer. We still have the multiplayer mod, but I guess it does not have AI traffic for a reason. American truck simulator, and european bus simulator (which will be like ETS2 with busses instead) will all use the same engine, so I have little hope for an official multiplayer. But who knows, one day there might be ETS 3 or 4 with multiplayer, probably by the time we're ready for 'rollator simulator'...

 

[Shilka]

After a while of nothing, finally some news again.

First of all a new teaser trailer:

[video=youtube;vMHDzCwNXE4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMHDzCwNXE4[/video]

Also, the official American Truck Simulator site has gone online here.
Next to that, you can also visit the 'coming soon' page in steam store now

Wish there was some more news, a release date would have been nice, but that's all for now. Oh and have a few screenshots;

 

[tmtm]

Forget Hollywood or Vegas, I want to make Duke drive a big truck across Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.

 

[Shilka]

I just noticed the steam page got updated with some (preliminary) system requirements;

• MINIMUM:
  
  • OS: Windows 7
  • Processor: Dual core CPU 2.4 GHz
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GeForce GTS 450-class (Intel HD 4000)
  • Hard Drive: 3 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: System requirements aren't final

• RECOMMENDED:
  
  • OS: Windows 7/8.1 64-bit
  • Processor: Quad core CPU 3.0 GHz
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GeForce GTX 760-class (2 GB)
  • Hard Drive: 3 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: System requirements aren't final

 

[Shilka]

New gamescon trailer!:

[video=youtube;ficMiV3AfuE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ficMiV3AfuE[/video]

 

[Doc]

This looks pretty cool. Granted I've somewhat gotten back into ETS2 recently. Curious though, since here in the states you don't see near the turnabouts you do in Europe, if the AI will find new/inventive ways of pulling right out in front of you...LOL

I swear it'd never fail. Every time I'd go through a turn-about, an AI car would drive smack dab into me.

 

[Shilka]

Yeah, must say it looks neat, and there seems to be a nice amountof detail too.
Will buy it for sure

 

[Historiker]

I too will buy this when it is available although I am not as attracted by driving in the US as I was in driving in Europe. Both of my parents were truck drivers and I have lived or been in most states in the US already. The gameplay is very good though so worth the effort.

The modding community for these games is amazing, I wonder how long it will take for them to make a Canada or Mexico map?

Driving in the motion pit is awesome with ETS, it feels pretty realistic to have the trailer jerk the cab around, etc.

 

[ElektroVodka]

Are you using a physics mod?
Because imho the default physics don't feel all that natural to me.
I've driven multiple trucks you find in ETS2 with the latest being a Euro 6 Man tractor.

The sway in real life feels/looks more impressive if you ask me.
If i make an emergency stop the cabin almost touches the tarmac.
If i do that in game there seems to be barely any movement.

 

[Historiker]

I am using a physics mod, can't say which one right now. My simpit is still packed up. I agree that the cabs do not get as much reaction as they should, nor do you feel the road as well as you should. I do admit that I have never driven nor rode in a cab-over like those in ETS2, my parents trucks (and the majority of trucks over here) were conventional cabs which gives a much longer wheel base and centers the weight behind the front tires rather than over them. So there is not as much tipping, etc.

 

[Shilka]

Well, news has been scarse, but I managed to scrape some recent stuff together;

First a picture that shows the difference in trucks in ATS and ETS; trailer length:



Which is pretty cool, I like the increased difficulty, especially together with the option of more difficult parking.

According to their blog, SCS is in the finishing stage of the development of American Truck Simulator, but things are taking longer then anticipated. Not that we have an ETA anyway...

SCS has also released some 360 degree panorama pics which can be found in this blogpost.

But, most interesting I found their communication about their plans with their World of Trucks project;

We are adding community features and infrastructure to support implementation of a grand trucking universe with Virtual Trucking Companies and eventually with rich multiplayer.

Their first step in doing so, is that in the next update you'll be able to get online jobs, which need to get taken care of in real time. I suppose in the future this means you'll be able to work together with several players earning money for a virtual trucking company, eventually

If this will lead to some true multiplayer in the end I don't know... but I do know this will create possibilities for ets2mp mod, as you'll be able to take the same job when this feature gets implemented, at least, most likely if the mp mod developers can adapt to this new feature expected to get launched in the next patch...

Anyway, cool developments, and it would be cool anyway if in the future you and your friends can work together on expanding a shared virtual trucking company. Looking forward to the future!

 

[Shilka]

Ambient sounds of ATS;

One of the finishing touches that we are currently working on for the initial release of American Truck Simulator is integration of enhanced prefab sounds. We want the "soundscape" of the game to feel more authentic. Different sfx can play depending on the changes of day/night cycle.

[video=youtube;DCWzhbORebg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCWzhbORebg[/video]

 

[Fromthenavy]

Can't wait!!!

 

[Jerad]

Oh Man I'd play me some ATS.

 

[AbbyTheFoxx]

We finally got the release date. Febuary 3rd, 2016. Not too much longer now, boys.