How do updates and purchases work?

[xxxx]

I am about to buy ATS, but have a concern. When I search for it, it gives me some options. It says, "American Truck Simulator." Then there are various other options such as the Northwest Bundle. So when I buy the game alone, what maps do I get. Secondly, if I buy the bundle, but since it doesn't contain all the current states, and then I buy a DLC, does my game update itself and add the states are added or does it add another game then I have two separate games or what? Please clarify this to me.

[Emmerich]

You have to add the bought DLC but the game is quite clear in this :-) All runs smooth so far :-) Checks the shop to see details :-)

[Hallux]

First - you're in the ETS2 forum.

For ATS - when you buy the game you get CA, NV and AZ (should be explained in the store listing). All the DLC are added to the primary game, when you buy new DLC you get a pop-up when starting the game for the first time asking you to link the DLC to your account (for WoT I believe).

[mojo_musica]

You buy the game, it has a few states included, then, when you buy DLC, they are added to the original map and joined seamlessly, but only if the states are contiguous in real life. If you buy a state which does not join your existing state, you can still drive in it but not TO it, you can only do jobs within that state. You will get a garage to start you off.
Buy a bundle with extra states and the same is true, any further states are installed and will join the existing states to make one big map.
The DLC is often on sale at very reduced prices and it is a good idea to put all the DLC on your wish list, and you will get an email from Steam when it comes up in the sales. There are other add-ons, like forestry machinery, everything is worth getting if you find you like driving trucks.
I would highly recommend getting ALL the map DLC, the newer ones are especially good.
Trucks and improvements to the game are free, keep your game up to date with patches and new versions through Steam.
You really need a decent gaming PC to get the best out of the graphics, it will run on low-end PC's and laptops, but it will not be at its best and it is constantly improving and becoming more demanding on hardware, the next iteration due is ver. 1.40 which improves the visuals, but will again raise the hardware requirements.

If you have the demo, it is not totally representative of how the game looks in its current version, and if you buy the full game, you must start a new profile in it, after deleting the demo and any profile you used.

[xxxx]

Does the game update itself or do I have to do it manually?

[Wille Wilse]

It updates itself normally - if it doesnt just untick the box at the DLC and then tick in it again to force it to install.