American Truck Simulator: A Guide for Beginners
If you have ever dreamed of driving a big rig across the vast landscapes of the United States, then American Truck Simulator is the game for you. In this realistic and immersive simulation game, you can experience the thrill of being a truck driver, delivering various cargoes across sunny California, sandy Nevada, and the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. You can also explore other states as they are added to the game through updates and DLCs.
In this guide, we will give you an overview of what American Truck Simulator is, how to get started with it, how to grow your trucking empire, and how to enhance your gaming experience. Whether you are a novice or a veteran, we hope you will find something useful and interesting in this article.
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What is American Truck Simulator?
A brief introduction to the game and its features
American Truck Simulator is a simulation game developed by SCS Software, the same studio behind the popular Euro Truck Simulator 2. The game was released in 2016 and has since received many updates and expansions, adding new content and features to the game.
In American Truck Simulator, you can drive highly detailed truck models officially licensed from iconic truck manufacturers, such as Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, Freightliner, Western Star, and more. You can customize your truck with various cabins, chassis, paintjobs, tuning accessories, or more powerful engines. Your truck is your new home on the road, so make it yours.
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You can also haul different types of cargoes across the states, ranging from food and beverages, to machinery and equipment, to hazardous materials and oversized loads. Each cargo has its own weight, size, and difficulty level, affecting your driving performance and income. You will have to plan your route carefully, taking into account the traffic rules, speed limits, tolls, fuel consumption, rest stops, and weather conditions.
As you drive across the states, you will encounter breathtaking landscapes and widely recognized landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and more. You will also see diverse cities and towns, each with its own unique atmosphere and architecture. You can visit famous truck stops, gas stations, motels, casinos, farms, factories, ports, and other places of interest along the way.
The benefits of playing American Truck Simulator
Playing American Truck Simulator is not only fun and entertaining but also educational and beneficial. Here are some of the benefits of playing this game:
You can learn about the geography, history, culture, and economy of the United States by visiting different states and locations.
You can improve your driving skills and knowledge by following realistic traffic rules and situations.
You can develop your business acumen and management skills by running your own trucking company.
You can relax and unwind by enjoying the scenic views and soothing sounds of nature.
You can express your creativity and personality by customizing your truck and choosing your own style of driving.
You can connect with other players and fans by joining online communities and events.
How to get started with American Truck Simulator?
Choosing your truck and customization options
The first thing you need to do when you start playing American Truck Simulator is to create your profile. You can choose your name, avatar, preferred truck design, company logo, company name, preferred currency unit (USD or EUR), preferred length unit ( mi or ft), and preferred weight unit (kg or lb). You can also choose your starting city from one of the available states. You can change these settings later in the game options menu.
After creating your profile, you will have to choose your first truck. You can either buy your own truck with a loan from the bank, or you can work as a driver for hire for other companies. Buying your own truck gives you more freedom and flexibility, but also more responsibility and risk. Working as a driver for hire gives you less stress and more stability, but also less income and customization options.
If you decide to buy your own truck, you can visit one of the truck dealers in the game. There are different brands and models of trucks to choose from, each with its own price, performance, and features. You can also customize your truck with various parts and accessories, such as cabins, chassis, engines, transmissions, paintjobs, wheels, lights, horns, exhausts, and more. You can preview your truck before buying it and see how it looks and sounds.
If you decide to work as a driver for hire, you can use the quick job menu to find a suitable job for you. You will be given a truck and a trailer with a cargo to deliver to a specific destination. You will not have to pay for the fuel, tolls, or repairs of the truck, but you will also not be able to modify it or keep it after the job is done.
Picking your first job and destination
Once you have your truck ready, you can start looking for jobs to earn money and experience points. You can use the job market menu to find different types of jobs available in the game. There are three main types of jobs:
Freight market: These are jobs that require you to use your own truck and trailer. You can choose from various cargoes and destinations, depending on your skills and preferences. You will have to pay for the fuel, tolls, and repairs of your truck and trailer, but you will also earn more money and experience points.
External contracts: These are jobs that are synchronized with the World of Trucks online service. You can use your own truck or a rented one, but you will have to use a specific trailer with a cargo assigned by the service. You will have to follow the real-time rules and deadlines of the service, but you will also be able to participate in online events and competitions.
Quick jobs: These are jobs that require you to work as a driver for hire for other companies. You will be given a truck and a trailer with a cargo to deliver to a specific destination. You will not have to pay for the fuel, tolls, or repairs of the truck and trailer, but you will also earn less money and experience points.
When choosing a job, you should consider several factors, such as the cargo weight, size, and value, the distance and duration of the trip, the difficulty and risk of the route, the weather and traffic conditions, and the reputation and payment of the company. You should also check the map and plan your route accordingly, taking into account the fuel stations, rest areas, weigh stations, toll booths, speed limits, road signs, and landmarks along the way.
Driving tips and tricks
Driving a truck in American Truck Simulator is not as easy as it may seem. You will have to deal with realistic physics, dynamic weather, changing traffic, and various challenges on the road. Here are some tips and tricks to help you drive safely and efficiently:
Use the right controller: You can play American Truck Simulator with a keyboard, a mouse, a gamepad, or a steering wheel. Each controller has its own advantages and disadvantages, but we recommend using a steering wheel for the best immersion and realism. You can also use pedals, shifters, buttons, levers, or other devices to enhance your control over your truck.
Adjust your camera: You can switch between different camera views in the game by pressing the number keys or using the mouse wheel. You can also adjust the position and angle of your camera by holding the right mouse button and moving the mouse. You should use the camera that suits your preference and situation best. For example, you can use the interior camera for more realism and detail, or the exterior camera for more visibility and awareness.
Use your mirrors and indicators: You can use the F2 key to toggle the mirrors on or off, and the F3 key to adjust their size and position. You can also use the F4 key to toggle the indicators on or off, and the A and D keys to turn them left or right. You should use your mirrors and indicators to check your surroundings and signal your intentions to other drivers, especially when changing lanes, turning, merging, or parking.
Use your lights and horn: You can use the L key to toggle the lights on or off, and the K key to switch between low beam and high beam. You can also use the H key to honk your horn, and the J key to flash your headlights. You should use your lights and horn to improve your visibility and communication on the road, especially at night, in bad weather, or in busy traffic.
Use your cruise control and retarder: You can use the C key to activate or deactivate the cruise control, and the + and - keys to adjust the speed. You can also use the B key to activate or deactivate the retarder, and the . and , keys to adjust the level. You should use your cruise control and retarder to maintain a steady speed and reduce fuel consumption and brake wear, especially on long stretches of highway or downhill roads.
Use your GPS and dashboard: You can use the F5 key to toggle the GPS on or off, and the F6 key to access the dashboard. You can also use the F1 key to pause the game and access the route advisor. You should use your GPS and dashboard to monitor your progress and status, such as your destination, distance, time, speed, fuel, damage, fatigue, cargo, income, and experience.
Follow the traffic rules and etiquette: You should obey the traffic rules and etiquette in American Truck Simulator, such as stopping at red lights and stop signs, yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles, keeping a safe distance and speed, using the right lane and exit, paying attention to road signs and signals, respecting weight limits and restrictions, avoiding accidents and violations, etc. You should also be courteous and friendly to other drivers on the road, such as letting them pass or merge, waving or honking back, etc.
How to grow your trucking empire in American Truck Simulator?
Earning money and experience points
As you complete jobs in American Truck Simulator, you will earn money and experience points. Money is used to buy new trucks, upgrade your garage, hire drivers, pay loans, fines, repairs, etc. Experience points are used to level up your profile and unlock new skills.
You can increase your income and experience by choosing more profitable and challenging jobs, delivering cargoes on time and without damage, driving longer distances and exploring new roads, following traffic rules and avoiding violations, etc. You can also get bonuses for parking your trailer manually or using a specific trailer type.
You can spend your experience points on various skills that will improve your performance and efficiency as a truck driver. There are six types of skills in American Truck Simulator:
Long distance: This skill increases the maximum distance of jobs available to you.
High value cargo: This skill increases the reward for delivering high value cargoes.
Fragile cargo: This skill increases the reward for delivering fragile cargoes.
Just-in-time delivery: This skill increases the reward for delivering cargoes with tight deadlines.
Fuel economy: This skill reduces the fuel consumption of your truck.
Hazardous cargo: This skill unlocks jobs with hazardous cargoes that require special permits.
Buying new trucks and hiring drivers
As you earn more money and experience in American Truck Simulator, you can afford to buy new trucks and hire drivers to work for you. You can visit the truck dealers or the online truck market to buy new trucks, or you can upgrade your existing ones with new parts and accessories. You can also customize your trucks with different paintjobs, decals, flags, and other items.
You can hire drivers from the driver manager menu, where you can see their skills, ratings, and salaries. You can assign them to any of your trucks and garages, and they will start working for you automatically. You can also train them to improve their skills and efficiency. You will have to pay them a fixed amount of money every day, plus a percentage of their income.
Having more trucks and drivers will increase your income and reputation as a trucking company, but it will also increase your expenses and responsibilities. You will have to manage your fleet and staff, monitor their progress and status, deal with their problems and issues, etc. You can use the company manager menu to access various information and options related to your company, such as your bank account, loans, statistics, rankings, etc.
Expanding your garage and exploring new states
As you grow your trucking empire in American Truck Simulator, you will need more space and facilities to accommodate your trucks and drivers. You can expand your garage by buying new slots or upgrading your existing ones. You can also buy new garages in different cities and states, giving you more access and opportunities to new jobs and markets.
You can also explore new states and regions in American Truck Simulator by buying DLCs or using mods. DLCs are official expansions that add new content and features to the game, such as new states, cities, roads, landmarks, cargoes, events, etc. Mods are unofficial modifications that are created by the community, which can change or enhance various aspects of the game, such as graphics, sounds, physics, gameplay, etc.
Exploring new states and regions will give you more variety and challenge in American Truck Simulator, as well as more fun and satisfaction. You will be able to see and experience different landscapes, climates, cultures, and histories of the United States. You will also be able to discover new places of interest, such as national parks, monuments, museums, bridges, dams, etc.
How to enhance your American Truck Simulator experience?
Using mods and DLCs
As we mentioned before, mods and DLCs are ways to add more content and features to American Truck Simulator. They can make the game more realistic, more diverse, more challenging, or more fun, depending on your preference and taste. You can find and download mods and DLCs from various sources, such as the Steam Workshop, the official SCS Software website, or other websites and forums dedicated to American Truck Simulator.
However, you should be careful when using mods and DLCs, as they may not be compatible with each other or with the latest version of the game. They may also cause bugs, errors, crashes, or performance issues. You should always backup your save files before installing or updating any mods or DLCs, and you should always read the instructions and reviews of the mod or DLC before using it.
Joining online communities and events
Another way to enhance your American Truck Simulator experience is to join online communities and events. You can interact with other players and fans of the game, share your screenshots and videos, ask for help or advice, give feedback or suggestions, etc. You can also participate in online events and competitions, such as convoy trips, races, challenges, etc.
There are many online communities and events related to American Truck Simulator, such as the official SCS Software forums, the World of Trucks website, the TruckersMP multiplayer mod, the Virtual Trucking Companies (VTCs), the Reddit subreddits, the Discord servers, the YouTube channels, the Twitch streams, etc. You can find and join the ones that suit your interest and style best.
Following the latest news and updates
The last way to enhance your American Truck Simulator experience is to follow the latest news and updates about the game. You can stay informed about the development progress, the upcoming features, the new content, the bug fixes, the patch notes, etc. You can also give your feedback and suggestions to the developers and influence the future direction of the game.
You can follow the latest news and updates about American Truck Simulator from various sources, such as the official SCS Software blog, the official SCS Software social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), the official American Truck Simulator website, the Steam news page, etc. You can also subscribe to newsletters or notifications to get the latest information delivered to your email or phone.
Conclusion
American Truck Simulator is a simulation game that lets you experience the thrill of being a truck driver in the United States. You can drive realistic truck models across diverse states and regions, haul various cargoes across different routes and destinations, run your own trucking company, and customize your truck with various options. You can also use mods and DLCs to add more content and features to the game, join online communities and events to interact with other players and fans, and follow the latest news and updates to stay informed about the development progress and the upcoming features. American Truck Simulator is a game that offers you endless possibilities and opportunities to enjoy and learn from. We hope this guide has helped you understand the basics of American Truck Simulator and how to get the most out of it. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy trucking! FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about American Truck Simulator:
Question
Answer
What are the system requirements for American Truck Simulator?
The minimum system requirements for American Truck Simulator are: - OS: Windows 7 64-bit - Processor: Dual core CPU 2.4 GHz - Memory: 4 GB RAM - Graphics: GeForce GTS 450-class (Intel HD 4000) - Storage: 5 GB available space The recommended system requirements for American Truck Simulator are: - OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit - Processor: Quad core CPU 3.0 GHz - Memory: 6 GB RAM - Graphics: GeForce GTX 760-class (2 GB) - Storage: 5 GB available space
How can I get more states and regions in American Truck Simulator?
You can get more states and regions in American Truck Simulator by buying DLCs or using mods. DLCs are official expansions that add new content and features to the game, such as new states, cities, roads, landmarks, cargoes, events, etc. Mods are unofficial modifications that are created by the community, which can change or enhance various aspects of the game, such as graphics, sounds, physics, gameplay, etc.
How can I play American Truck Simulator online with other players?
You can play American Truck Simulator online with other players by using the TruckersMP multiplayer mod. This mod allows you to join servers with thousands of other players and drive together on the same map. You can also chat with other players, join or create convoys, participate in events and competitions, etc.
How can I take screenshots and videos in American Truck Simulator?
You can take screenshots and videos in American Truck Simulator by using the photo mode or the video capture tools. You can access the photo mode by pressing the F10 key, which will pause the game and allow you to adjust the camera position, angle, zoom, focus, filters, etc. You can then save your screenshot by pressing the F12 key or share it online by pressing the F11 key. You can access the video capture tools by pressing the F9 key, which will start or stop recording your gameplay. You can then edit your video with any software you like or upload it online.
How can I contact the developers of American Truck Simulator?
You can contact the developers of American Truck Simulator by visiting their official website or their social media accounts. You can also send them an email at info@scssoft.com or a letter at SCS Software s.r.o., Jihlavská 1558/21a, Prague 4 - Michle, 140 00 Czech Republic.
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