Why American Truck Simulator Hits Different

[@TheFormalPickle]

Sorry for not uploading the last week. Myself and my team had some personal issues come up separately but we are trying to get things back on track! I hope you enjoy this video and let me know what to cover next :)

[@Theebebe4u]

Thanks for reccomending this to me

[@mukfay]

Can we use the setup to practice backing? Is the image in the mirror accurate??

[@daviddryden8088]

I have gone marginally in debt with a new higher spec PC, monitor, wheel, pedals, shifter and I'm not done yet, just to play this one simulator. Many real OTR truckers play this simulator with just as much passion as they take their real day to day job. That's what makes this game so much fun. ATS has a community like no other in the gaming world which truly sets it apart from just about every other title.

[@SandbagsYoutube]

My best friend has been a trucker for many years, idk much about it, I'm a carpenter, but he plays Snowrunner in his off time, he got it for me a few days ago and it's fun but friggin hell is it hard and frustrating to get stuck but makes me laugh thinking of him driving all day and imagining doing it on ice in Alaska lol anyways I bought steering wheel and pedals and have been loving playing and I am definitely getting ATS Edit: I bought ATS, just the $11 one they had for sale but I for sure want the whole game lol using VR and driving around is so much fun, actually being able to look around my cab and the mirrors etc. Rn I have just been doing relatively short drives but at some point i will be able to do a long haul

[@ivanwallace3296]

I did the same thing, spent like 4gs on all my peripherals.. love the game. I started on hard truck back in the day played em all since .

[@nicksmith9]

Every trucker I know is tried af from driving when they are off 😅

[@AJayZy]

Makes me wonder if DCS is like that too @@user-f44hil126ylI

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

What you just described, David, also applies to the Microsoft flight sim community! Pretty sure I've flown with more real-life pilots on there than not! Lol.

[@690_5]

American Truck Simulator is the reason I became a commercial driver. I learned how to back trailers with it, I learned the shift patterns of Eaton 18. My instructor thought I had driven farm trucks before, but no. Just ATS.

[@Akumaa2000]

@@690_5 That’s cool as hell dude…..kudos. 😎✌🏾👊🏾

[@slickdiggler1197]

I did this same thing with Flight Simulator. I had 1000 hrs is MSFS and gave real lessons a try. My flight instructor was blown away at how I basically just took over and knew everything. At 20 hrs he said I was ready for my checkride while having 40 hrs is required. Ive played ATS for years and I myself would like to get out of construction and get into trucking. Cool to hear you did this :)

[@ianmcmillan5887]

exact same here, ats got me into driving 18 wheelers for a job

[@tonymostella7457]

Same here. I pull doubles for XPO. This is a great sim for learning to back trailers.

[@agen1man]

@tonymostella7457 Currently, I enjoy taking shorter interesting routes just to be able to back b trailers more often

[@harold1098]

As a retired truck driver of 41 years local and over the road including owning my own Pete 359, I say this game is AWESOME!!!! Great video TheFormerPickle!

[@zonavelhalpma]

Ok game is cool ! But it fails the on the prime simple things , no seasons snow etc… the mechanic it’s just a green logo , no truck washes ? Just to name a few .

[@harold1098]

They are working on it! All good things come in time.@@zonavelhalpma

[@joshr8666]

@@zonavelhalpma I'm sure all of that is coming

[@zonavelhalpma]

@@joshr8666 very doubtful.

[@yourmomsleftcheek1471]

@@zonavelhalpmathat’s where mods come in bud

[@TeaDrivenDev]

Another major piece that this doesn't mention: SCS Software's approach to everything. They continue to evolve ETS 2 and ATS in parallel and not only put out several new map expansions and other paid DLC (often cosmetic, but also e.g. new types of cargo) every year, but also actually *maintain* the game and all of the existing content. They continually improve the games' engines and add new features and mechanics all the time in regular *free* updates, and have a number of teams just busy with reworking and expanding parts of existing maps (or trucks), sometimes rebuilding entire countries from scratch. They've also established good working relationships with truck manufacturers and often don't just get the licenses to put the truck models in the games, but closely work with them to be as accurate in their representations as possible. And so far new trucks have always been added as free updates, while they could easily make them a few bucks each instead (and people would still buy them). (I do not work for SCS. I'm also not a fanboy or even a simulation nerd, and I've only been playing the games for something like six weeks. It's just extremely striking to me how focused they are on just making their games the best they can be, knowing that their audience will happily pay for pretty much anything as long as prices are fair and the quality is up to the established standard, and overmonetizing everything is both unnecessary and would be counterproductive.)

[@YetAnotherGeorgeth]

To be fair it also helps that ATS and the DLCs are regularly on sale, and they’ve introduced bundles so you can have the entire west coast right from the off.

[@lakonikos8791]

And the mod community. If you want the experience of driving a Pete 359 with a Detroit 2 stroke, the mods will help you.

[@bobsmudger3979]

@@lakonikos8791 This! 💯

[@Feeleepeg]

The reason behind this is that devs are Real gamers, and it is also small company based in Czech republic, if you look on other games like Arma, Kingdom Come or Mafia 1 and 2, they are also the same...small devs focused on game experience and small details. Im so proud for these games.

[@festersmith8352]

They do run a good business, and dev a game quite well. New maps are affordable for many. I buy them at full price, to help fund this great company. I'm aware that others may not have that opportunity, but every bit helps keep this game alive. Thank you to all who play and contribute! ATS fanboy. 25 year veteran truck driver. Retired now, and miss it sometimes. ATS scratches that itch really well.. You can take the driver out of the truck, but can never take the truck out of the driver.

[@Dantek_22]

weirdly enough, i taught myself to drive in both ets2 and ats, like learning the behaviors of vehicles down the highway, putting traffic mods for more realistic traffic behavior, and how to be fuel efficient, by the first time i hit the open road, my instructor was amazed by me, like "this is your first time driving right? how are you this good? you don't need me here" and i just smirked and enjoyed every single moment of that

[@couchman-sw6jy]

Hahaha, that’s amazing man

[@a.thiago3842]

Man, that's amazing to think that a game can make you better in real life. I can't tell it to a normal people if they never played simulators. But i improved my awareness and traffic rules education after playing ETS, ATS, City car Driving. I'm a better person when riding my bycicle and i can spot more things than a normal ciclysts. That's like a ''super power'' and i love it.

[@tavo.simracing]

@@Dantek_22 I’m in trucking school right now and want to get into this game for more practice. I used to play a few years ago on mouse and keyboard but that was a mess lol nice to hear it paid off for you

[@ohnesorgen4642]

I'm hoping my 800-hour experience in both ATS and ETS2 pays off in the same way as you when I eventually get my license lol

[@autismion]

I wanna set it up with VR just so I can be more comfortable driving an RV trailer

[@b.s547]

As a truck driver ATS did help me to get my license back in 2014 , my weakness like most people was backing lol well after failing 4 times in road test somebody told me train for a while with AST , back between trailers and try to learn how to turn the wheels and understand what's going on so I got my self a cheap PC wheel with pedals and did exactly what he said for 2 months 7-8 hours every day and boom , I past my fifth attempt road test lol and been working since . I even wrote to ATS on face book and told them my story and they wrote back thanking me to share this with them so yeah I agree with you its a great game and actually can help people like me who want to become truck drivers in real world , for sure .

[@KR4Qep]

i learned to alley dock using ATS too lmao my hotel room while in cdl school was full of other students taking turns backing it actually worked. the instructors mentioned how good our class was

[@relmex432hz4]

lol i might actually buy this game now is on sale for 5 bucks

[@festersmith8352]

@@relmex432hz4 Its worth every penny if trucking is an interest to you.

[@apIthletIcc]

That's a dope story dude you should make a video about it that's basically ats lore at this point, should be remembered imo. That's just cool as hell man

[@b.s547]

Thanks man :)

[@kgunjoem]

As someone who is disabled and couldn't drive Trucks in RL. This game has been an amazing adventure for me! One day, I would love to learn how to drive a real Semi, but for now, this game helps!

[@7B7E7N7]

Same here. I have some medical issues that prevent me from driving right now so this game really gives me wings. It allows me to keep dreaming. Keep hoping it could happen one day. So until then I will be ready! Rock on brother!✊🏻

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Same here, couldn't even safely ride a frickin' bicycle in traffic. Sims like ATS / ETS2, but also MSFS / DCS / Il-2 or Derail Valley give me the opportunity to get as close as possible to doing any vehicle stuff that I'll never ever be able to experience myself IRL, simply because laws and people wouldn't allow me to. (massively impaired eyesight with glaucoma and also cataract surgeries in case you wonder, I am actually **bleeping** glad to live in today's time with all that $#!+ and not like 50+ years ago)

[@festersmith8352]

As a 25 year veteran truck driver who very much loved my job/career, I used to come home from long shifts and play ATS to relax. I am now medically retired from trucking, and miss the challenge and adventure of it. Not the being beholden to the often brutal schedule though. I play ATS to scratch that itch, and it does it very well. Takes a good controls setup to really feel it. ATS has its flaws as a simulator. But it is very well done. Just feels a little arcadey at times (physics and mechanics being the biggest). There are some simple mods that can really help across the board though. The map size gives the feel an intrastate (local/within state) driver experiences daily. I gotta tell ya, the map detail is so well done, I can actually recall seeing some the sights and places when I was a long haul driver. And I can almost navigate Washington state without looking at the in game map.

[@blindovermatter3054]

One of my good friends introduced me to ATS when I was in college and we spent many hours watching KZbin and talking about what the map would bring in the future. Eventually, I bought the game myself. Being visually impaired, I struggle to play the game immensely, needing to use mods in order to get a lot of money really quickly so that any infractions, which tended to happen often, are mitigated somewhat. When the convoy update came out, we both enjoyed playing with the CV radio dialogue feature, where I conceptualized a character known simply as the blind squirrel. The blind squirrel is an angry old man who spends his days ranting and raving while stuck in and bumping around various parking lots or off of road medians throughout the great US of a. We spent quite a while laughing and causing chaos, and even though I can’t play the game very well even now, I look fondly back at those memories and maybe someday I can make some thing more of the blind squirrel and his adventures.

[@DarkElfDiva]

Wait...there's a CB radio now?

[@andrew213rn]

Go into settings and turn off traffic offenses

[@blindovermatter3054]

@@andrew213rn took me a while to figure that one out but I did that and it definitely helped, thank you!

[@CaioSFela]

@@DarkElfDivayes

[@a.thiago3842]

You said you're visual impaired. If you don't mind telling me, what's wrong with your vision? May i give you a hint? Why you don't try to play it using a VR like a Quest 2, for example? I know that playing it using a regular screen can be very hard, because everything is so small. The right mirror is a pain when you try to understand what's going on. I got a good screen. maybe 22 inches, i guess. And it's hard to spot some details when driving. Unfortunatelly your impairment won't go away, but maybe you could see things much much better if you play on a VR, as you will literally inside the truck cabin.

[@AgentOrange96]

One of the most impressive things about ATS is not something you notice, but something you don't notice. As an American, it's usually painfully obvious when some "American" setting in a video game is created by Europeans. They often feel more like Europe with some American cliches and often you'll see cliches from all over the country jammed into one space, making it feel painfully wrong. But that's not at all the case for ATS. It feels like it was made by Americans. It feels so perfect that you don't notice anything at all. SCS truly did their homework and it shows!

[@TheFormalPickle]

I’m a HUGE fan of city planning and stuff and can agree 100% they do a fantastic job when building their roadways and surrounding areas. Usually games are just a bit off but over the years SCS has really gotten it down!

[@yungrichnbroke5199]

Any examples of these non American “American” games?

[@AgentOrange96]

@@yungrichnbroke5199 I don't remember exactly, which is why I didn't list them. But one of the bus simulators recently got a school bus DLC with an American town. It's got lots of iconic Americana but from completely different regions that are not compatible. And the way they have you operate it is more akin to a city bus, stopping at designated bus stops (but still using your stop sign and crossing guard ofc) I forget if it's Assetto Corsa or some other racing sim, but they have a "California" track. And it's the California coast, and I see the resemblance, but all the architecture is European. It's been a while, but Snow Runner's Michigan map maybe as well? I also feel like one of these may lack yellow lines and American signage but I may be wrong here.

[@miktr7664]

@@AgentOrange96 the bus simulator one's quite funny to me, since in Europe, people complain that its cities and overall atmosphere is too american. They just can't seem to get anything right then

[@lolookie1682]

I also heard complaints about the same problem with Sims 4. They implemented various different locations buyable via DLCs, but the locations still feel American even though they are supposed to be on different continents. It's kinda frustrating and sad and it sucks even more when the game is set in your country and they get it wrong, because then you feel misrepresented. You can really tell when the developers put deep effort into understanding and capturing the locations they are doing, because it's not really just about reskinning the props and changing the language.

[@crazywolfe702]

I've sunk thousands of hours, miles, and cash into this game it's honestly the only reason why I bought a gaming computer and sim rig along with a VR in the first place. I've worked on Semis most of my life and knew how to drive a 13 and 18 speed from working on them. The same week ATS came out I bought it since I played ETS2 from its debut as well. I agree, 18WOS was what started my intrest having a similar family history and its a chill relaxing game to play. Ever since the introduction of convoys (multiplayer) I've gained some of the closest friends I've ever had in gaming. I'm trying to get into streaming my play of this game here on KZbin and Twitch as I display different mods and drive. It is still in the rough early stages but I'm wanting to stream to raise awareness of Veteran suicide and the toll it takes on friends and family. I have lost many friends I served with in the Marines and almost took that option myself but with gaming I found a sence of therapy. Playing both ATS and ETS2 have been my therapy.

[@a.thiago3842]

That's awesome! When i played ETS in VR for the first time, which happened in the end of last year, man, it was magical! It something i always dreamed for years and years! Now you're using it to help other people and it's very interesting. Good luck. We definetely need more good examples on internet.

[@nickhterry]

I got really into ATS about a year ago and have put in over 400 hours. I now have my Class A CDL permit and I'll be starting truck school next month! really excited to get to drive the real deal

[@AJ-SIM-GAMING]

Ikr??, I got 1000+ hours on ATS since I bought it, but I have played it before, the mods are another good addition, the engine mods and gearbox mods are the best

[@nickhterry]

@@AJ-SIM-GAMING yessir, its so addicting.. I got the whole sim setup with a real truck shifter n everything! I use 3 screens so I got a view from driver side window to passanger side window its so sick! My fav mods are the real brands and logos/ truck physics

[@tavo.simracing]

Hey bud are you in trucking school yet? I’m two weeks in and just finished my first week driving.

[@nickhterry]

@@tavo.simracing just finished my first week up and we test at the end of next week, i’m doing good with everything but my down shifting needs some work.. Best of luck to you brother hopefully we both can be hitting the road soon

[@SIlverranger]

This game works so well because they've been making trucking games like Hard Truck since the 90's. They've since gone through several games with varying degrees of success, but each new game brought something new to the franchise. One game brought the map of the whole US, another added features like jake brakes and truck customization, weather systems, AI traffic improvements, etc. The game didn't just sprout out of the ground one day all perfect and amazing. SCS had been working those fields for nearly 30 years to get to the game we have today.

[@alain_sans_c]

I'm an avid player of ETS, and recently tried ATS to bring something new in my trucking sim gaming time. It's really a game changer, maps are beautiful and, I don't know why, I find it more of a chill experience to drive on the US highways. Put in some country music, and I'im making a new journey each time I launch the game. The two ETS/ATS are the best driving games ever made. Thanks to SCS and the community.

[@AndrewNguyenOfficial]

I absolutely love this game. I typically spend most of my time playing a rotation of fast-paced competitive games (FPS and racing), but this along with "theHunter: Call of the Wild" always stay in my rotation of games to play. This game is so relaxing with just enough stimulating parts that keep me engaged. Every time I tell my friends about this game, they're confused as to what's so enjoyable. The beautiful views? The feeling of exploring? The fun of maneuvering a large semi-truck? Or in my case, the nostalgia of driving where I grew up (Oregon). A perfect Friday after work is a cup of coffee and American Truck Simulator.

[@brantleyanderson3427]

I love this game. I go back home during corn and soybean harvest and will drive truck on the weekends because it’s the only field related work I can stand to do anymore. But that 2 months of driving real truck is about all I can handle for real life trucking haha. The only thing I would change about this game is the delivery locations for the types of cargo. For example, why am I delivering a hopper trailer of corn to Walmart haha. Other than that, I love the work SCS has done with the game. Like all the work they put into floating gears really made me happy. That’s how I was taught to drive our trucks on the farm

[@lupey995]

Been hauling in ATS long before I become a real life trucker BECAUSE of this game! Love ATS/ETS2 (SCS SOFTWARE) it’s a game like no other they are so passionate and a great community.

[@twfaucet]

do you like being a trucker irl? is it fun? or is it really hard?

[@lupey995]

@@twfaucet hello! A couple weeks ago I hung up my 4-5 year driving cap. Coming from my experience, it’s a great way to make money but also not as good as it used to be. I did Class A and Class during my time more Class B stuff though. I did flatbed, a concrete mixer, and dump trucking. My favorite was running a dump truck which was the last driving job I had. It was really fun and adventurous but, Trucking in general I’d say is a love hate relationship. You get the freedom and sometimes great pay depending on who you work for BUT have to deal with breakdowns, flat tires, bull crap equipment (sometimes), and ofc customers that could care less about you like with any job. Truck drivers also tend work really awful hours even as a local driver (I can’t speak for over the road but have heard similar). Every night I’d get texted my start time for the next day and then would work until the foreman at the job said it was quitting time wether that be early or super late (8-10, etc). Overall if I was to recommend driving in todays world, I would say stick to your personal car and truck simulators unless you find a good smaller trucking company that will value you and take care of you. The industry is full of old timers that act like children too and it annoyed the crap out of me. Hopefully this gives you some insight feel free to ask me anything else! I appreciate the reply.

[@2TemposdaSerpente]

Hey Pickle, I've met a trucking game when I was a kid. Saw my father and brother playing and hiding it from me when I was about 10 y.o. and nowadays I know that they were trying to protect me. The game was Hard Truck: Road to Victory and we had only the demo version (that era was a lot different to acquire a new game). After that day, I've never take distance from truck gaming. Years later I knew the Hard Truck 2, and a bit later, the better version: King of the Road. I've chased the Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel, I've saw 18 Wheels of Steel Across America borning, and the Pedal to the Metal too. The Convoy, Haulin', America Long Haul, Apocalypse, etc, 'til the Euro Truck Simulator 2 in 2016 to me. Now, 8 years later, I've bought ATS and met that young kid again with myself playing it. It's just amazing. I've needed this game so bad and I don't even knew it. Sorry for my bad english, and greetings from Brazil

[@benny_monstah]

Thanks to ATS, I discovered that I wanted to work as a truck driver. So two years later after I tried it here I am, watching this video before getting some sleep in the cab of a Cascadia, with a little bit of experience on the road and a lot more miles to go. Great video, cheers!

[@xX_Gravity_Xx]

I'm a trucker. I get asked regularly why I'd want to play this game when I have the real thing. This video just about sums it up.

[@dr.virus1295]

Since I started playing this, I found it really puts you into a relaxed & satisfied mood perfect for going to sleep with. Every night, I play this before bed & I haven't had a bad night since. American Truck Simulator, good for a good night's rest.

[@johnhudson7055]

I love playing the game and I’m an OTR driver so I play the game for real. I love my job and it’s also fun going somewhere for the first time in real life and it feels like I’ve already been there before because I’ve been in the game.

[@josh_lao24]

I spent 25 years in the trucking industry. Now that I can no longer drive, ATS helps to scratch that itch.

[@maxmitchell6872]

You may think this feels real; smoke some grass, and you will genuinely feel inside the game. You forget your irl self, and you become that truck driver. I did this in GTA 5, but I changed the settings to make it as immersive as possible. No hud, always in first person, if you die once you’re done with the whole session for the night. I turn off all the lights in my room, get comfy, put the headphones on, smoke, and then I’m actually inside the game. You genuinely, no joke, forget that it is a game. The adrenaline when you’re stealing a van from a gang with a package inside with product to take to your lab. Getting into shootouts with other bad guys and the cops. It literally feels like real life. The adrenaline is insane, and I haven’t felt anything-absolutely nothing like that in real life. Taking out cops and bad guys literally feels like you’re doing it in real life. It plays on your mind because you think those cops have lives and families, but you have to do what you have to do to make money. Smoking grass and playing this game immersively will change you forever.

[@klm2fm4]

It takes me a second to move my rig up to my computer (rugs and tile floor make this easier) and get everything set up, but there’s nothing like road tripping the western us and seeing all the different places I want to go. Also truck go brrrrrr is always good

[@Ward413]

These games have had such an excellent evolution. Compare the simple prefab roads/interchanges of 2012 ETS2 with the complex, accurate to real life, map expansions of today. ATS is so good now that one of the truck stops in the game I immediately recognized from real life during my time as an actual OTR truck driver. It’s a truck stop in Aurora, CO and ATS nailed it so well that it even had the paved area where the trash dumpster goes behind the building. Even the streets around it were accurately laid out matching their real life counter parts perfectly even including the fast food business across the street.

[@jamesbuchanan4414]

The dev team works pretty closely with the manufacturers, when possible. One of my favorite mid-game rigs was the Freightliner Cascadia, and the sim was so realistic, I actually crosschecked it with Freightliner's actual website, and every feature you can stick in the truck in the game is an available option in the real world. Engines, body styles, interior fittings, even the transmission options line up. It's really impressive.

[@ghosthin3012]

ATS and ETS2 are both perfect examples of the perfect balance between having very little to do such as flight sim to a lot to do with racing sim. It is a very relex experience to unwind a tough day while still have enough to do and see in game to keep you interest. These two games are whole another genre of game that I would call "relex gaming" by themselves.

[@Astrothunder_]

HOLY SHITI was not ready for you to mention th 18 Wheels series. So few people that make videos on Euro and American truck sim ever mention this series. I also grew up with that series as a little kid and got to experience my grandfathers life as a trucker so the relatable backstory was really appreciated to hear. Such a greta vid for a great game I have 500hrs and ticking on ATS

[@abcdgump616]

as a truck driver currently. you can litterally drive in your pjs as an OTR driver. alot of us do. if people really like this game, you can do this in reality and get paid (a pretty penny)

[@hunterrollins3165]

I played 18WOS when I was a sophomore in high school. Fast forward 14 years, I play ATS and I love it just as much. It’s a game I easily get lost in. Been playing it a couple years now and it’s amazing how well SCS keeps up on updates and new content.

[@Kinvarus1]

As a Brit I started my trucking "career" with 18 Wheels of Steel Haulin', moved onto ETS 2 and then ATS when it came out and while I do delve into ETS2 every now and then , ATS is my general go to truck sim out of the two of them.

[@RooiGevaar19]

so did I, and imo ATS is way better game than ETS2, especially because of the fact that this game includes a beautiful nostalgic world full of big a** trucks, and not a piece of well-known European reality I live in. Maybe if SCS made an overhaul of the UK map (which is freaking 14 years old, so high time), I would return to ETS2 for a while, but for now I'm staying in my Tucson AZ garage. :3

[@Bukkie661]

I'm partial to ETS2, mainly because of the DAF105. I drove that truck professionally on the Rotterdam-Madrid route for twenty years. It's amazing how close SCS comes when it comes to simulation-model for their trucks. I like ATS too, but for me it misses the one legendary route: San-Francisco CA - NY-NY. It will eventually be possible to drive the route, but until then ETS2 gives me what I want.

[@bazahaza]

The European trucks are way more modern and sexy.

[@ChudDGeisterThe2nd]

@@bazahaza cap

[@bazahaza]

@@ChudDGeisterThe2nd Cap? What does that mean?

[@ndcentral8194]

I think a big factor, is that they accurately model the cities and roads to the real life counterparts. I used to live in Idaho, and I was very impressed with the accurate creation of Boise and Nampa, even having the roads named properly. It was actually kinda wild

[@TheTennessyean]

My wife asked me why I wanted to drive a virtual semi, when I had never expressed an interest in driving one in real life, nor do I have one now. She had been accustomed to sim racing being my hobby, and knows I would love to drive a race car in real life, but unfortunately have never had that opportunity. I didn’t know what the answer was at first. I just…liked it. Something about driving a truck, completing jobs, keeping up with my little virtual company, it all just gave me a dopamine kick. I thought maybe that was it, my brain was fooled into believing we had completed a task, and that’s why it had grown on me. But, it suddenly dawned on me. I work from home. I’m also continuing my education as well as taking care of our daughter a majority of the time. I spend 90% of my time at my house. Between work, school, kid, house and yard work, and being a husband, I rarely get the chance to leave my house or go anywhere alone. ATS gives me that chance. If only in a virtual environment, I can be alone. If you allow yourself to be immersed to the point of momentarily forgetting this is a game, you can be hundreds or thousands of miles from home, and be alone. Just you, your thoughts, and the deep hum of a simulated diesel engine to keep you company. It allows me to feel alone, and in turn, allows me to miss my wife and daughter, even though they’re never any further than the next room away.

[@Battlefield4life48]

I played this with my buddy before I became a trucker like him and this helped me see the physics of driving and backing up semis and can honestly say it helped me a lot

[@WLT_VIDS]

I've been across the country in my dad's Western Star 49x and I can confirm that ATS is the most realistic trucking game ever.

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Just being curious, is the engine almost completely inaudible in the real thing as well? I actually kept avoiding quick jobs with WS trucks just because of this - no sense of RPM at all for shifting (I prefer manual in the sim), even with the engine sounds firewalled.

[@AJ-SIM-GAMING]

@@CakePrincessCelestia just roll down your windows, and also watch your rpm like you should do normally, also, you may know that an 18 speed got 1L and 2L real short (arround 100-150 rpm drop), but the other ones got 200 rpm, but if you drive it like a 13 speed, the shift from 4L to 5L drops arround 400 rpms, after that, 5H drops 200, 6L drops 250, 6H drops 300, and after that, the rest of the gears drops arround 300 rpm, I use a lot the 18 speed, but almost always use the 13 speed pattern, only on real heavy loads (like 30 ton or more) I use LL, LH, 1L...on uphills, and in plane roads I use it like 1L, 2L, 3L, 3H, 4L, 4H, etc, Another optional is using an app on your phone for monitoring your RPMs outside the game, I use Sim Dashboard, really helpful to monitoring your truck data

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

@@AJ-SIM-GAMING Thanks, I typically roll the windows down like 2/3 and gotten used to the shiftings in most cases. Some of the engines seem to be less noisy (also noticed that in the Freightliner Cascadia and some of the Volvo VNLs BTW), but using engine sound mods basically fixes that anyway.

[@KR4Qep]

when i went to cdl school.. it's a lot of standing around. 8 hours at the school with maybe 20 minutes behind the wheel and the rest of the day at the hotel backing makes every student nervous. so i got american truck simulator and WHILE in cdl school i used ATS to learn backing it worked. one of maybe 2 out of 60 that passed the alley dock back on the first attempt that was around 7 years ago i've taken a break and haven't worked in a year. redownloaded ATS because i'm really into sim racers and have a sim rig, so i'm experience american truck simulator with a wheel now and lmfao its pretty accurate. the only thing the game doesn't really portray is OTR. the game feels like you're doing day cab work. like, this game doesn't give you anxiety because the receiver is taking way too long to unload you and youre sitting there knowing you won't find parking for the night so you get let loose at 8pm cursing them out, hit the truck stop by 9pm and it's so packed you can barely get through the parking lot. so then take the chance of being that asshole and hope the fuel lanes aren't crowded so you can park to take a quick shower and grab some food before you go hunting for parking. you grab a shower and notice out a 2 hour wait... but you're parked at the fuel isle. later you look for an onramp with a shoulder big enough to park on. lol that's trucking in the 2020s and it's probably a good thing that the game doesn't get into it

[@shaggyanng8768]

I do wish we could park at on ramps or off ones tho. Some sleeping areas are far away

[@Doug6410]

I love ats, I can’t wait for Pennsylvania to be added.

[@ToxicMinecraftV2]

i know I want my home state so bad hopefully its coming with in the next few years

[@slawekbober2422]

Im not even from the states but Id love having South Carolina added to the game would make me so happy lmfao. Gotta wait for SCS to add all the wait to the east coast though

[@RooiGevaar19]

I can't wait for Québec, but I guess I won't see it in the next 15 years, if anytime at all.

[@jankington216]

​@@RooiGevaar19I'd like to see the offramp near niagra falls that takes you to the border crossing where you have to explain to an agent that you made a wrong turn

[@ohnesorgen4642]

@@RooiGevaar19 should check out the bonjour quebec mod (plus its sister mod discover ontario) in the meantime then, it's admittedly not quite up to par in accuracy as the main game or mods like ProMods Canada (which is just in BC) or Reforma, but it's still pretty neat

[@officialbazzargaming]

Just wish they had more older rigs. I know the modding scene is there, but i'd kill for some old split window rigs and cabovers.

[@leadhammer]

I enjoyed play ATS and was excited to get back to it when I got a oc again. While my friends I play with probably wont ever play ATS, IL still enjoy playing it. Either single player or the truckermp server.

[@dbclass4075]

If you plan to have ETS2 and TruckerMP, avoid the Duisburg-Calias route!

[@Mario_With_a_D]

Hi, I used to own eurotruck simulator 2 since his release in 2012 and American truck simulator too since 2016 During all these years I've seen the two games grow along with their fan base.... I own all dlc maps in both games and I explore every inch of the various dlcs that come out as. Soon as they come out in both ets and ats. The difference between gta v and ets/ats is that the map, game physics, game hardware, game graphics, the whole game basically, they get updated everytime a new dlc comes out, and this will keep the 2 games alive FOREVER hopefully.... And the best part is that if one of the two games gets and update, the other one get it too at the same time because they are part of the same family! Updates don't include only new maps but sometimes even old part of the game, Austria is been rebuilt from ground up, now they are making Switzerland and also California in ats, you got that right, we will soon receive a free update for Ats where we are gonna see a brand new California with modern graphics updated to today next Gen standards... I mean this is mind blowing is a new type of game development is never done before but they already did it with Austria in ets and it just works! Scs software is one of the only game software houses that truly loves and listen to their clients! And I'm saying this as a fan of the saga nobody paid me to say these things and I'm sure that anyone who plays the two games knows what I'm talking about is truth.. Also i play truckers mp in eurotruck that allows you to play with players from all around the world in the same map, often we get 3000.. Up to 4000 players IN THE SAME MAP of course the map is a whole continent but if you go on the route from Calais (France) to Duisburg (Germany) you'll see hundreds players on the same route everyday nonstop cause is like the main meeting point, theres plenty of video of KZbin if you wanna look into it just type Calais Duisburg truckers mp. These games are the goat, they relax me in a way that no other game is been capable of in past.. And the thrill of exploring new places in the game leaves me speechless every time... It's just magical.

[@FacuGonz3]

I think having both is the best thing.

[@Haltzo]

I can't wait for the day an ideal world starts and a new game comes out named: "World Truck Simulator". Where ATS and ETS2 is combined and both game's truck brands are available aswell as the full European and American map, that would be awesome.

[@RooiGevaar19]

I think SCS needs to make ETS3 (or remake ETS2) with a bigger map, as their current 1:15 map is too small to cram all landmarks and cities, and it's kinda eerie that a 200 km drive from Wien to Graz in Austria is literally a two-minute-long trip. Maybe they could make e.g. Japan Truck Simulator with a 1:10 map and new game engine for testing.

[@VTrucker777]

With one restriction i guess American truck cant get to Europe The road is just too small seriously Buy Europe truck to Drive there

[@Buoyant_Bear]

I'm a lifelong simmer since the 90s, and this one is a special delight. I bought the 'complete' game today and I have to say, with maxed out settings, it perfectly captures what driving here in TX is like, even the state trooper cars are accurate. All of the cities look accurate/great, including landmarks like the USS Lexington, there's so much customization, so many different routes/jobs to choose from, and this is one of those games that's perfect for de-stressing after a long work day.

[@bemusedkidney8619]

I love the long haul jobs, seeing the sunset, stopping to sleep an then continuing in the morning, something just so satisfying about it.

[@frogfortress]

SCS is one of the best devs in gaming right now.

[@frogfortress]

I stand by what I say. They are one of the most ethical devs when it comes to DLC and constantly revise past areas to bring it up to standard. Are the graphics aging? Yeah. But with as much detail and care spent squeezing the most they can out of that poor 10 year old engine it makes up for it. They are mastering their tools monthly. Ill throw $20 at that every once in awhile. Ive spent over $100 on this and ETS2 since owning them. Worth it.

[@frogfortress]

They need an art director or something though, lets quit with the corny liveries and make some better shit.

[@ZilahMan]

Love your ATS videos. You're the reason I got into the game and loved it in the first place. Keep at it, and good fortune to you

[@Unusual_ryan]

I drive semi for my job. But have the full rig and often play ATS because it’s somewhat calming. And because I can’t afford a stretched 379 with a c15..

[@Grumpy_Englishman]

To be fair the new updates and new dlcs are so well done it's a gift that keeps on giving . We just need seasons now

[@FacuGonz3]

That would be amazing, but something we need as fast as they can is dirt on trucks.

[@kylejmxb]

I start the mandatory entry level course to get your CDL in Alberta, called MELT tomorrow morning. Have over 500k miles in ATS and am so excited. I drive box trucks now, with air brakes and pull a 40ft gooseneck pretty regularly. It doesn’t scratch the itch… very much looking forward to my trucking journey

[@johnbower7452]

I love this and ETS2 because they give me a chance to do what I will never do IRL, drive a large articulated truck around the EU and US. I spent a hundred quid just to get a real shifter knob with the range and split buttons, and love it when I use them, currently both my trucks are Auto. But I'm planning on getting manuals. and its' relaxing.

[@ReklessStandard]

The fact that this game can be enjoyed by everybody who has a sim rig or dont have a sim right. Just being able to go coast to coast is everything. A dream that comes true. A lot of the roads and towns and cities are pretty accurate but not as the same as real life, but damn did they do good. Im from nevada and just being able to stroll through my home town is something else. And with the coast to coast mod being available to everybody is awesome. Tho ive only ever played ATS as far as 40hrs but with in those 40 hours i was only ever able to discover like 4 towns/ cities in two states. So for those who dont quite have an idea of how big this game actually is. 100hrs of this game would probably grant you 5 cities and towns together across maybe 3 states out how ever many thorough out the 50 states. This game is massive. And thats why its loved by so many people because no matter how long you've played, there will always still be places you've never been state and nation wide. Going from the thick wooded mountains in the northwest to the western deserts, climbing through the smokey mountain to the plain fields of the midwest and the populated city central of the east coast. And you can just do it all in your house. But not better then the real thing.

[@FacuGonz3]

I just play it with keyboard and I love it

[@scottboyer8450]

Does the game also simulate parked Truckers blocking the fuel island while they get themselves a soady-water and a cheese-burger?

[@Dubstone]

Sadly not

[@rondini2]

Unlike the real world, the game is relatively asshole free. At least if you’re not doing multiplayer

[@Bukkie661]

@@rondini2 ATS multiplayer is, and has always been, dead. You can drive for hours and not meet anyone else. ETS2 multiplayer is just scuffed. It's a bit better on the simulation-server, but not by much. It gets worse when a ETS-tuber comes on-line. People start behaving like total numbnuts in the hope that their favorite ETS-tuber features them. It's insanity.

[@rondini2]

@@Bukkie661 And that’s why I play solo! When I was driving my truck for reals 20 years ago, I kept the CB off, unless there was heavy traffic or very bad weather! One less distraction

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

@@rondini2 So you haven't gotten t-boned yet when driving off of a fuel station by someone that was just refueling just to your right or someone coming from a "right lane ends" completely unaware of what a zipper merge is... or someone almost coming to a complete halt on the freeway before taking the exit (needless to say they reduce the speed in no time, so you almost have no chance of not crashing into them even with full jake + retarder and slamming the brake pedal through the metal - and I keep plenty of distance to anything in front of me, so that I keep seeing them filling the gap after overtaking me, so I slow down to get more clear space in front again)... those things keep happening to me in both ATS and ETS2 for some reason. There clearly are complete and utter idiots amongst the AI drivers...

[@v-alfred]

At first I was disappointed I thought Im getting the wrong game, for now atleast ATS feels good, from desert to greeneries changes makes it less boring compared to all green in ETS2

[@novoice9286]

im a new OTR trucker (3months now) and this game has made me a better trucker. i never went to CDL/Trucker school. i just got in and learned as i went. with this game, i understood how to back alot more with this game and im learning more about the industry. i even got my dream truck in the game now after ‘grinding’. a beautiful all black Peterbilt 389 chromed out. (i prefer a 589 cause tech but a 389 is just classic). its just such a good game. think of it like minecraft. very simple game but also fun and relaxing

[@MrSamadolfo]

😃 I'm a trucker, i have both of those games on my Gaming PC, its cool but I can't see me playing it for hours on end like u see from so many other players 😊 i'm surprised none of the carriers have picked it up and installed them in their cafeterias 🤔

[@caughtyoulackin7494]

Does it have lot lizards?

[@GmrTwilightWISE]

Sadly not yet 😂

[@Acula33RC]

Friends of the roads Bubbs.

[@penathor5950]

Check mods lol

[@AmtrakFlareon]

I’m praying that I don’t die before Ohio comes out.

[@TheBaddieMonkeyss]

It is already out if you use the coast ot coast mod

[@GTtwothousand]

​​@@TheBaddieMonkeyss its not rlly good if u want to see the landmarks of the cities (like dallas omaha san fran boise denver all have tons of real life skyscrapers hotels and even nhl arenas)

[@ultragamer4990]

liked ur vid im a retired truck driver and when i fund this sim in 2016 it came out on my birthday and i have love this sim ses then i want to thank u for all ur hard work keep it up dude

[@anonrelentless1311]

Hey, that’s awesome! Keep on trucking!

[@Blakarot11]

Bro, I remember trying to play 18 wheels of steel on our old desktop at like 10 frames 😂. Those were the days

[@tutacat]

Tell me this wasn't cowritten by ChatGPT

[@rainbowdashieness]

ATS Allows me to let the intrusive thoughts I have while driving in. Prius cuts me off? Meet the ditch. Tesla going to slow? Let me help you find the go pedal.

[@My_Name_Jeff69]

I’m a truck driver and love ATS! It allows me to fulfill my owner operator dream as I drive a company truck❤

[@koppy82]

I cant wait til they get the east coast done, gonna be so sick going from NYC to LA in a 100hr trip

[@FirebirdPhoenix87]

Just started playing ATS earlier this month and already addicted to playing!

[@Spaceboy2theMoon]

How is this not an official ad? This is way too well made to not be an official ad. Great work.

[@fhfive1132]

As someone currently taking a break sitting in my sim set up for ATS, it’s a wonderful game that the developers did an amazing job at creating. As someone with 39,420 hours 4.5 years of gameplay all together, it’s a fun game and it has came a LONG way from when it started, ets is also great just not my cup of tea as I prefer left hand drive lol. To any newcomers, I hope you enjoy the game and have fun. It isn’t always serious driving and following laws of the road but also remember it is a simulation game so enjoy that aspect of it as well.

[@DubbyMoodz]

That 18 WoS:Haulin hit right in them nostalgia feels, I LOVED that game when I was young even tough all I had was shit PC and an old keyboard/mouse. After recently coming from ETS to ATS, it really does hit different, those big open roads and those trucks with "personality" are just fantastic and very soothing to drive on. Not to mention the amount of Mods available, just recently found out about a mod that changes to local radio stations whenever you enter a new state, very immersive and very interesting addition.

[@dallascbyz]

just to be clear to yall, this game does not require a wheel, shifter and pedals, keyboard works like a charm

[@jononx100]

I’ve this game since it first launched but not played for years. So I fired this up last night on Steam using a laptop running Linux. After updating I was so surprised and impressed on how far ATS has come. Plus setting up a controller was so super easy, no more 3rd party app to get a controller to work. ❤❤

[@Dumbell-mx1fy]

Brings me memory playing 18 wheels series with Convoy being the major upgrade to playing ets, ets2 to ats. Even to ats we get to mod not only the sg but even to increase the torque, flying through the desert highway at 180 is just ablast on those early lonely highways of the ats lol. Now i dont even have good enough computer to play ats, dam miss these games! The mod community are just on another level makes the games worth 5000x more❤

[@johnstrauch1828]

I use to play it. But not able to play it anymore. Because I no longer have a computer

[@HiddenHunterSeven]

Most of my ATS hours were all in single player. A few in convoy mode with buddies which was pretty fun. ETS2 on the other hand I always played in multiplayer in EU and that was fun. People yelling to each other or driving amuck like crazy, while it was annoying was also fun in the end. I remember being in the middle of nowhere very far in east europe which was a very empty part of the map playerwise. I came to a roundabout which could perfectly server as a ramp.. and it did. I was driving towards it and saw another player coming from the opposite side. I slowed down in time, he did not and took that damn roundabout as a ramp, flew high in the air and in VC yelled " BBBLLLYYYAAAAAAATTTT " as he flew through the air, over me and somehow landed on his wheels and kept going. Grand.

[@MrMrduke1975]

I drove tractor trailer for 20 years with 2 being OTR. Had a such a fun time. I used to love playing ATS. I’ll have to jump back in. All they need is to show the day to day struggle of fighting for parking spots at truck stop lol

[@Mac-i3m]

BeamNG recently updated the trucks. If ATS could pull off the same feeling and physics that beamngs semi trucks have, it would make it absolutely perfect.

[@bhzaddybhzolby1705]

I've been driving a truck for 3 years and it all started from 18 Wheels of Steel Haulin. I play ATS when I get home and I even hook my racing wheel up to it. SCS software sure knows how to make a game.

[@thevoeltzwagon5166]

This game and Eurotruck Simulator are both just nice chill games for me to play. I can tune the world out for a few hours and drive around and relaxing.

[@lasamoostang]

I've been playing this game for many years and have tons of hours into it. Still have only explored about 20 percent of the map! And with them adding more and more states that number stays small. But I just upgraded my GPU to a RTX 4070 Ti Super so I can play in VR and wow!!! Total gamechanger!! I get so immersed that I totally forget that I'm actually in my house! I have a sim racing rig that I mainly bought for iRacing but it's just as great foe ATS and now I don't think I'll ever be able to play the game on the monitor ever again!

[@midisong]

Bro I’m sure you don’t know it but I eight minutes and 8:33 it sounded like you were rapping - Man those bars swung

[@Journeyman107]

Someone needed to do a vid on this surprisingly venerable series, good job

[@samuelkilik8233]

weird thing is that this game is what me and the boys were playing the whole corona time,,,,day and night all the time it is,,,,,

[@ez865]

I use ATS to help me practice maneuvers and backing as I have a CDL

[@SoundFixesPack]

6:29 Thank you for the shoutout to the modding scene for the game! :)

[@nomadoff-road3766]

Ats taught me how to drive! its really fun and within owning it for a week made me buy a race wheel and 18 speed shifter, and it is so freaking fun, i would recomend it to anyone, btw im 13

[@ERum9700]

My dad's a trucker he's 78 been doing it almost 60yrs by now and we live in Johnstown Pennsylvania aka Floodcity 2hrs east of Pittsburgh Steel city

[@ironkrieg3368]

Great overview of a fantastic experience. More than a 'game' for sure. What I find most impressive is that the developers and company return to older states and upgrade the maps and visuals. It really improves the whole experience. I think if a person is any kind of 'road warrior' here in the U.S., especially the Western U.S., this software should be #1 on their list to acquire. And since the base game is frequently on sale for $5, no reason not to jump in! Keep on 'truckin. :)

[@wheatlyguy127]

I play and use ATS because I always wanted to live in American, High schools, 7/11, Walmart etc. But unfortually I'm stuck in the British Isles so I just try to fool myself by driving though the nighty pine forests with neighbour hoods filled with mourning doves. I love you guys

[@theamericangamer2696]

I've driven up and down the east coast, I've got a cdl but I don't drive anymore. Work for the RR and make the 80k lbs look like a hot wheel car. But driving a truck is a feeling experience, and still being able to drive with ATS is wonderful

[@wceyuki]

My personal favorite mod in ATS is Promods Canada. Just seeing the beauty of north of the border is one thing in it's own, but having the challenge of super steep highways like The Coquihalla (BC Highway 5) with a super heavy load is just something else entirely! I very much recommend trying it out.

[@fareveningxtgnt]

as someone who makes vids and plays american truck sim on the occasion and has a uncle thats a trucker i can say that the only problem with ats is there is no michigan (am michigander also)

[@Niodium]

Great video. I bought ETS and ATS together as a package recently. They are ridiculously enjoyable and addictive. I love the chilled vibe they have compared to the manic track racing driving games. One thing of note, Moza have just released a 400mm diameter wheel specifically for truck games. It looks great. In addition they are also releasing a set of lever switches to compliment it.

[@bluelinecrusader8964]

SCS's first entry in the series was "Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel" way back in 2002. I've been playing since the beginning, always considered it a good way to relax.

[@comfysauce6707]

Heyyy you featured me driving with SCS at 9:40!

[@ashthewolfdog1380]

I actually have my own iconic rig in ats. It's a 2019 Kenworth W900. Sadly I can't show pictures on KZbin because they don't allow it, however if you ask me, I can send you my Discord DMs, and actually show you pictures of it. I love the thing, and is hoping one day to make it real in real life.

[@garrythomas492]

Can I make a Peterbilt 389 triaxle?

[@ashthewolfdog1380]

@@garrythomas492 I don't know, try to find mods for it? heck in real life with some welding and logic in manufacturing, some tools and a proper inclosed space away from the elements and spare cash to buy parts, I bet you I would be able to do a real life tri-axle Peterbilt from a common day cab

[@SlammedZero]

Loved seeing some shots of Boise on there. Honestly, they looked quite accurate for being a simulation game. That's impressive. Seems like a fun game to explore.

[@adambuesser6264]

I use to play 18 WOS series when I was in middle school. But now with ATS I can recreate my travels across the country. It will be a while until I reach the Atlantic Ocean but can't wait to discover the hidden roads across the US. Also Driving a truck is not the same as driving a car. You have a trailer behind you, gears to change, guages to check, laws to follow, and so on. The W, H, L also the GVWR rating when pulling into a weigh station. Be careful when going over bumps, check tires and ride height to see if the truck has enough clearance to ride over rough terrain. Always remember to slow down before the turns because of what you are hauling. Damages + fuel is expensive so manage your truck before your next load.

[@AUniqueBot]

I've had a really memorable road trip when I was in the US recently from Woodland WA to Dallas TX Are the roads as close to real life? I honestly want to relive those 3 days of driving

[@JDumbz]

I've bought a OLED 4k TV and playing this at 120Hz at 300% scaling with eye tracking and a full wheel setup just for this game. I also have VR that I do sometimes play this game time to time on, though, I much prefer eye tracking personally for longer sessions. I got myself a speaker system too with a subwoofer, unintentionally it vibrates my whole room playing once that engine get's going. This being a negative? Hell no. It's much more immersive. This and along Euro Truck Simulator 2 are the one games I have that are close reaching the 1k hour mark. This is only impressive because my attention span is quite poor when it comes to games, lol. I've also grew up with SCS games since my youth, safe to say I played all of them.

[@bartp2702]

I'd like to see them add few things ive seen on that alaska trucker game. 1. Step out and hook up lines and raise the jacks. 2 at gas station step out and pump fuel. 3 stop at restaurants or grocery and buy food and supplies. 4 maintenance. Just few things to start with

[@georgehubbs1747]

'But wait, there's more!', was Ron Popeil, not Billy Mays, but both were iconic salespeople. Good video!

[@Dragon_Gaming2020]

I just got this game, can’t drive for shit lol I’m using keyboard and mouse though a friend suggested an Xbox controller should make it easier and more fun. Honestly this game is just very relaxing to me.