My thinking exactly. I was lucky and got the game for free, spent hundreds of hours in the game in a surprising motivational frenzy and even tho I dont really play the game anymore I grab up the DLCs regularly just to support these guys. They really deserve it IMO.
My thinking exactly. I was lucky and got the game for free, spent hundreds of hours in the game in a surprising motivational frenzy and even tho I dont really play the game anymore I grab up the DLCs regularly just to support these guys. They really deserve it IMO.
This is very much the idea with dlc's for games you like. Same with ED or any other game, if you want the dev to keep their interest in the game and keep updating bug fixing etc.. Then buy dlc's, well worth it.
On the other hand, if you no longer like a game, then o.k. let it go and forget further expence.
I play mostly sandbox type games, and every game I have (more or less) gets supported for those reasons.
Bling... Mercedes bling pack, I love it.
ETS2 is very nice..
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Bling... Mercedes bling pack, I love it.
ETS2 is very nice..
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nice!
oooh there's mods to remove the Icons for better piccies!! Also for the xxxxxxxxxx across roads, although you HAVE to pay attention to the sat nav or really know the route!
Yeah, I have them. Also you can do it in the configs I think, without mods (iirc). But they don't really bother me too much. I used the one for forbidden roads (xxxx) and kept banging into invisible walls, so I didn't bother. I tend to look at the sat nav every now and then, so its not a good idea for me..
I'm running at the mo, promods, sisl interior bits, suspension (a must, for me anyway), sound, jazzycats trailers and a couple of others, gearbox one and TT truck weight and speed (another must really).
It's just such a relaxing game. If it's late and I have the old headphones on, so as not to annoy the wife. I have been known to drop off and a few seconds later wake/jump as the loud sudden noise of a crash in my ears. That can be scary at my age.. I better be careful..
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Do you now the config commands for removing the icons? To be honest I'm amazed there isn't an option in the menu for a more realistic way of doing things, I have a mod that places cones where trailers need to be picked up and parked......so cool.
I don't have many games with full steam acheivments and ETS2 and ATS are in that group (with Subnautica and Skyrim!).
I don't have many games with full steam acheivments and ETS2 and ATS are in that group (with Subnautica and Skyrim!).
It was via the dev console (nomapicons.scs = no/yes ), but that was some time back and updates change the console quite often.
Plus, don't use the console if your not too clear about how too (I'm not good with it, it's been a long time, '2015', last time I tinkered with it). The mod is probably better, just use that.
Your right they should include an option in the menu/commands somewhere for icon removal.
The only thing I changed recently was traffic flow. That is easy in the game config, I think I have '3', can't remember now. However if you set it too high, you'll never get out of a junction..
It was via the dev console (nomapicons.scs = no/yes ), but that was some time back and updates change the console quite often.
Plus, don't use the console if your not too clear about how too (I'm not good with it, it's been a long time, '2015', last time I tinkered with it). The mod is probably better, just use that.
Your right they should include an option in the menu/commands somewhere for icon removal.
The only thing I changed recently was traffic flow. That is easy in the game config, I think I have '3', can't remember now. However if you set it too high, you'll never get out of a junction..
Yeah I have traffic set to 3 usually, motorways still a bit too sparse but a lot better, but in built up areas I often have to reset it back to 1 for the very reason you stated!
I really wish SCS would give the Ai a bit more love, especially regarding traffic levels at times of day, night time should have less traffic to make it a viable option (I usually just sleep the nights to enjoy the scenery) rush hour/school runs should have more traffic. I know they can do it because ATS as certain traffic on the roads at certain times (school buses). That would mean them cleaning up some spawning near choke point junctions though!!
I'm totally into economic/RP and sandbox simulation games (like The Sims, Trevor Chan's Capitalism II, Farming Simulator 19 SimCity etc). Been considering ETS for a while now. But I'm wondering how much of a challenge the devs opted to put into the game on the operational risk end? Like throwing random risk encounters/events on the trip like
- vehicle accidents. Where you have to encounter/navigate around NPC traffic accidents. And it's a driving minigame challenge to do the best you can to minimize traffic delays to get to your destination on time?
- vehicle O&M issues. Flat tires, overheated radiators, broken transmission etc. All of which add delays to delivery times. Can your character leave their truck and wait in say a motel or sleep in their truck until maintenance/mechanic arrives?
- NPCs interacting with you to create accidents. Like swerving off their side of the road (because they are intoxicated/distracted/had to avoid another vehicle(s) etc)
- Being pulled over by law enforcement for speeding, driving unsafely, traffic infractions like running stop signs/red lights etc
- Being jailed by law enforcement for commiting vehicular manslaughter from an accident. Or fleeing the scene of an accident you were involved in/failed to report as an observer
- dynamic traffic and NPC spawnings depending on time of day. Like rush hour commute when driving through densely populated areas like cities.
- NPC schedules/events when driving on city streets. Like ped crossings, school zones, hospital zones etc.
- Driving risk in residential and commercial city zones with street traffic peds. Like risk of hitting/killing a ped on a bike or who is crossing the street (via ped crossing or jaywalking)
- Vandalism/theft of cargo to your truck from RNG generated NPC riots in cities due to RNG protest events
- Are there economic/profit based penalties and bonuses for arriving at your destination late? Ahead of schedule?
- Inclement weather risks. Snow/blizzards, rain/flooding, extreme heat (that could overheat truck etc etc) all which could impact timely schedule delivery
And this is a wet dream that will likely get booed at by devout ETS fan boys. But it would be great if SCS would give a nod to Giant's Farming Simulator 19. Where they add delivery of agarian produce & livestock from farms in a DLC. Let you select which farm(s) and produce you want to truck. Decide on which trucking equipment is best to tranpsort your farm load. Then drive to the farm(s) and pickup the produce/livestock. Add RNG challenges along the way like a risk of live stock dying, getting sick etc. Or shifting market economy driven by a stock market. So there is significant risk to your profit margins at the delivery end. The mutton/wheat you're shipping from say England may suddenly lose its value per head livestock or bushel when you arrive in France due to environmental, political and climate factors. Or human ones (like eating beef is no longer a cultural favorite). Or seasonal/harvest driven like delivery markets in France being too overly saturated with wheat so demand for wheat too low when you arrive. etc.
I guess what I'm really asking in all this babble is: how challenging of a driving sim is ETS to play?
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There are random road events that you can crank up or disable like accidents, road block, maintenance and so on.
Damage model is very simple and there are no visual damage models but you have to watch out for brake pressure, engine temp and fuel usage. You can try to drive with broken truck to the shop or call the help but repairs are instant.
Your driver needs to sleep from time to time as well.
No NPC "live" accidents happens.
You can turn on the penalties for speeding/crossing the lights but it will just instantly cash some of your money and thats it, no jail time.
No dynamic traffic.
No zones in cities (they are sadly very small) with random stiff walking pedestrians.
No vandalism/theft of cargo, but you can damage rented truck, trailer, cargo.
Yes, you get the bonus with on time delivery and penalty for being late.
There are weather conditions and rain will affect the driving. No snow yet but there are great free expansions like Russia map with ice/snow/blizzard.
So yeah at the moment its more of a passive driving sim with added basic economy/tycoon where you will purchase better trucks/truck parts, garages and hire NPC drivers to make money for you.
Damage model is very simple and there are no visual damage models but you have to watch out for brake pressure, engine temp and fuel usage. You can try to drive with broken truck to the shop or call the help but repairs are instant.
Your driver needs to sleep from time to time as well.
No NPC "live" accidents happens.
You can turn on the penalties for speeding/crossing the lights but it will just instantly cash some of your money and thats it, no jail time.
No dynamic traffic.
No zones in cities (they are sadly very small) with random stiff walking pedestrians.
No vandalism/theft of cargo, but you can damage rented truck, trailer, cargo.
Yes, you get the bonus with on time delivery and penalty for being late.
There are weather conditions and rain will affect the driving. No snow yet but there are great free expansions like Russia map with ice/snow/blizzard.
So yeah at the moment its more of a passive driving sim with added basic economy/tycoon where you will purchase better trucks/truck parts, garages and hire NPC drivers to make money for you.
There are as said, random road events, plus npc's crashing (quite regular for me anyway), which means keeping an eye on traffic suddenly stopping.
I don't use the pedestrians, just not worth it, looks bad. My imagination can fill in the blanks.
A player can choose to have a large haulage empire or just go solo. I go solo, because it is a relaxing game, but relaxing to a point.. I did the haulage business a few years back and didn't enjoy it much. I prefer just to go it alone.
Weather is random, but no snow in the vanilla game, but there are a couple of really nice winter mods, I would recommend these for every now and then. These mods replace rain with snow, it doesn't build up though, the snow on the ground remains the same all the time. Try setting the route to small roads, for imagination sake, for example there was a diversion, this can make the game very interesting.
Further to the winter mods, one changes traction, which makes it more difficult to drive, so quite realistic. However it doesn't seem to effect the npc's, so they go dashing by while your skidding all over the place, so you have to forgive that.
To add to that: suspension, brakes, weather etc can be altered in the menu. However I would recommend a physics mod for the truck itself, plus a sound mod and also a truck speed/weight mod for npc trucks. Mods:
Advanced Physic's
Sound fixes
TT AI truck speed
Sisl interior bits
Jazzycats vehicles
Also there are weight mods which will give you set weights ie; 50, 60 80ton etc. I use a 50ton at the moment, with the truck physics mod, it works nicely.
I don't use the pedestrians, just not worth it, looks bad. My imagination can fill in the blanks.
A player can choose to have a large haulage empire or just go solo. I go solo, because it is a relaxing game, but relaxing to a point..
I did the haulage business a few years back and didn't enjoy it much. I prefer just to go it alone.Weather is random, but no snow in the vanilla game, but there are a couple of really nice winter mods, I would recommend these for every now and then. These mods replace rain with snow, it doesn't build up though, the snow on the ground remains the same all the time. Try setting the route to small roads, for imagination sake, for example there was a diversion, this can make the game very interesting.
Further to the winter mods, one changes traction, which makes it more difficult to drive, so quite realistic. However it doesn't seem to effect the npc's, so they go dashing by while your skidding all over the place, so you have to forgive that.
To add to that: suspension, brakes, weather etc can be altered in the menu. However I would recommend a physics mod for the truck itself, plus a sound mod and also a truck speed/weight mod for npc trucks. Mods:
Advanced Physic's
Sound fixes
TT AI truck speed
Sisl interior bits
Jazzycats vehicles
Also there are weight mods which will give you set weights ie; 50, 60 80ton etc. I use a 50ton at the moment, with the truck physics mod, it works nicely.
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Its doing pretty good job depicting small scale Europe and its feel from the drivers perspective. Many times when playing I thought to myself - wait a minute, this bridge/scenery looks familiar, I was driving here IRL!
Yeah, it doesn't do a bad job of Europe..
That said, ATS does small town USA better.
In ETS2 unless you pick small roads as routes the driving is mainly all motorway/A road. Small town/villages in ETS2 are fairly good, Italy is great and the new beyond the Baltic sea is good too. They do update most map's when they have a new dlc, so that is a good sign of the devs constant support, which they do well.
But it's hard to say, it's 19 or 20-1 scale iirc, so there is plenty missing..
Russian mod is good too, worth installing that.
That said, ATS does small town USA better.
In ETS2 unless you pick small roads as routes the driving is mainly all motorway/A road. Small town/villages in ETS2 are fairly good, Italy is great and the new beyond the Baltic sea is good too. They do update most map's when they have a new dlc, so that is a good sign of the devs constant support, which they do well.
But it's hard to say, it's 19 or 20-1 scale iirc, so there is plenty missing..
Russian mod is good too, worth installing that.
That's interesting that you can crank up the traffic, I didn't know you could do that.
How far do you go with it though? Can't say I'd find it much of a fun game recreating the A8 round Pforzheim on a Friday evening.
That looks like a screenshot of Rotterdam with the multiplayer mod.
I think the max is 5 or 6. But if you set much higher than 3, then towns will be very problamatic 'junctions'. But yes, you can alter 2, 2.5, 3 etc..
( I think it starts @ 0.5 easy low traffic )
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Dreams are made of this..
As an avid ED space trucker who does frequent Hutton Orbital trips, transitioning to ETS 2 is very natural follow on. LOL.
Too bad SCS didn't go the GTA V route and use Google Earth/3D map technology. Driving around real 3D Google map based streets of France, the Rhine and through Tuscany Italy. That would've been awesome.