Longterm Playability: How do you keep it interesting?

[HKMN]

Hey All,

I did a search for a thread that may talk about this, but couldn't find anything that seemed relevant.

One of the challenges I'm facing with ATS is that I seem to get bored pretty quickly, as I've many garages that are raking in cash. Beyond driving, there really doesn't seem to be much to do.

How do you all keep it interesting, or what have you done to get more enjoyment out of the game after playing it for awhile?

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by HKMN:

Hey All,
One of the challenges I'm facing with ATS is that I seem to get bored pretty quickly, as I've many garages that are raking in cash. Beyond driving, there really doesn't seem to be much to do.

Beyond driving, there really is no game. I think you either like that, and it is a game for you, or you don't.

[HKMN]

Oh for sure, more that I know there are quite a few mods and things out there. Was curious what individuals did to change it up a little, or what they tried and ultimately decided was not worth it.

[Asigion]

I have many great games I play including ATS but I never play any game to the stage of becoming bored. I play games based on what mood I am in and what game I feel like playing so whenever I play any game I am enthusiastic to play it. Boredom is a sign that you are playing the game too much or you are not in the right frame of mind to be playing the game. Look around there are some fantastic games around now and are great fun to play and if you are not having fun in the game you are playing then you should not be playing it.

If you need suggestions on some great games just ask and players can recommend some for you.

[mojo_musica]

I have over 700 hours on ATS and over 1,200 hours on ETS2 and boredom is not something I have experienced.
I have all the DLC for both, bought all the garages, all the trucks and trailers, got the max number of drivers and all the money I could never spend. It is all about the driving, exploring, enjoying the scenery, listening to music and generally chilling out. There are always new loads to take to new places on new routes, that never gets boring.
ATS isn't about thrills or beating anyone, or even having an end to the game, it is endless. Everyone can play it the way they want to, solo or multi-player (soon), modded or un-modded, it is a different experience for everyone who plays it.

[HKMN]

I've plenty of games, just most are multiplayer and everyone I know has kids and so their time is spent with family. I've gotten sick of the toxicity that plagues multiplayer games, especially from the children who play, and so without people I trust to not be that way I've started to avoid them. Instead I play single player games that aren't going to make me want to snap a controller in half.

I've had ATS for years and I generally don't mind the gameplay, and so I was looking for first-hand input on successes in spicing it up. If I wanted recommendations on other games I'd have asked for it.

[apophis37]

the only way t ospice a game like this up is your imagination. For instance, add a no dmg mod and just try to ''kill' all the cars u see of a particular brand and model that u dont like.. i do that to pass the time sometimes. Or just think of some random backstorys for everyone u hire etc etc etc..
Also, if u disable fines and speed restrictions, it becomes quite fun to navigate turns without losing it ;) more fun in ETS tho as roads are more challenging there.

[Asigion]

I only ever play single player games. The only time I was tempted to play a multiplayer game was RDR2 Online but it just confirmed to me why I had never played multiplayer games and now I never will again. I was not trying to offend, I was just offering suggestions.

However, the only things you can really do to make ATS more interesting would be to try the new Convoy multiplayer if you have some friends on the forum if you have no RL friends to play with or adding map mods, truck mod etc.

[MetalMind85]

Just play it when you are in mood for it. Don't touch it for a month, play other type of games. You'll probably find it interesting after a long break.

[jorgrmcr]

I play it for a couple of weeks then I tplay other games and return, I recently downloaded the chat radio staions from all GTA games and added to my user radio, now I'm driving listening to WCTR from San Andreas, or Chakra attack from V; it made it more fun to play.

[Smokerbait]

Originally posted by HKMN:

How do you all keep it interesting, or what have you done to get more enjoyment out of the game after playing it for awhile?

This is one of those games where you can create your own challenges and goals and story to keep it interesting. I recently just started a new profile where I'm playing as a solo trucker. Just me. No other drivers, no other garages, no huge company raking in the cash. I'm also playing it as someone specializing in heavy cargo hauls, so I'm equipped with a lowboy trailer, and that's it. That's the only cargo I can take.

It's satisfying having to build yourself up again, unlock bigger and better things.

[Reese]

I'm going to ignore the replies above just so they don't influence my response.

For me, ATS is a dream come true. A modern reimagining of the 18WoS games I played as a kid, specifically Haulin' and ET1/2. It's hard to get bored. I've well over 1,000 hours in ETS2(majority in TruckersMP), and 500+ in ATS(few in TMP). I've been bored countless times, but that's when I was playing all day, every day. In the last 2 years, I've swapped more games into my daily activities. Instead of just playing a single game the whole time, I keep switching between a bunch depending on my mood or how the sessions are going. Session has been poor? Go on to play an FPS or something.

As of the last 3 weeks, these games are: ATS, Combat Arms(haven't actively played since 2016, but been playing on/off since 2009), RuneScape, ETS2, and BeamNG. I'll try to start the day with ATS or Combat Arms. If my luck is poor in Combat Arms, off to ATS. If I just can't seem to find a good Convoy lobby in ATS, I'll go over to Combat Arms. If neither is doing it, off to RuneScape. I think the key to not being bored is to not kill yourself playing for long periods of time. Actively takes breaks. :>

[Sandhill]

And always a new challenge by creating a new profile and playing it with a difficult economy, whether by mod of adjustment of income_factor, once the snowball of success starts rolling, just move on to another profile.

[Shart]

I enjoy driving and the relaxing road trip really keep me playing. I also used to be a truck driver, so I enjoy driving trucks as well. The biggest thing is don't cheat. Giving yourself unlimited money takes away all progression and things to work for. Lots of different views to see, trucks to drive and loads to haul will keep it balanced.

[Pharaoh]

There is the coast to coast mod that expands the game to the entire US

Also if you want some really fun driving simulators Check out automobilista 2 and Project cars 2
or GTR2 all of which are on steam the last one though is not as recent as the first two options

[J4MESOX4D]

This is my most played game on Steam and what has kept me going is the expansions, achievements and visiting everywhere on the map. I do get a bit burnt out now and then but usually new DLC or a different truck peaks my interest again for another good amount of hours.

It's one of these games where you'll either be dedicated to it for years and really enjoy the concept or you'll play it for a while and then have no desire to continue. If you don't enjoy what you're playing then don't force it and just play something else.