Future of ATS

[Emme]

I was wondering if there's any roadmap for ATS regarding upcoming or at least planned gameplay features. So basically I want to know what's coming up 2023 and beyond?

Anyone got any source of definitive information or dev statements about the future of ATS?

Best regards.

[NateD90]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2209650/American_Truck_Simulator__Oklahoma/

[Emme]

Thanks for the quick reply @NateD90, but I am asking more about gameplay features or changes to the game's engine like DX12 support and such things. I can't really find any source of information about the upcoming features the Devs plan to add.

[Unster]

I'm wondering that too and I don't mean what states are coming up. They seem to be done in columns from south to north (AZ-MT, TX-ND and so on) going east. But I'd love to see further physics improvements like the driveshaft torque that was added recently, bumpy roads especially.

[Emme]

Originally posted by Unster:

I'm wondering that too and I don't mean what states are coming up. They seem to be done in columns from south to north (AZ-MT, TX-ND and so on) going east. But I'd love to see further physics improvements like the driveshaft torque that was added recently, bumpy roads especially.

Exactly what this is all about. I was hoping for new gameplay mechanics and features like a better contract system where you and your company actually does have to fulfill contract goals. So in general I wish for more progression mechanics. I've had this suggested in the SCS forums some weeks ago, but there's not much besides just a few positive community sided comments to it.

Are these devs ever talking about planned gameplay features?

[Willow Rivers]

This is a truck driving game. The business side is lackign ans has not changed at all. It is the same in ETS2. They concentrate on the driving aspect and new land mass to drive on.

[Emme]

Originally posted by Willow Rivers:

This is a truck driving game. The business side is lackign ans has not changed at all. It is the same in ETS2. They concentrate on the driving aspect and new land mass to drive on.

Exactly the number one reason why the game has a desperate need for a better business / economy and industrial progression system nowadays. Wouldn't that be even more beneficial for the overal gameplay experience than just the next landscape dlc?

[Unster]

Originally posted by Emme:

Originally posted by Willow Rivers:

This is a truck driving game. The business side is lackign ans has not changed at all. It is the same in ETS2. They concentrate on the driving aspect and new land mass to drive on.

Exactly the number one reason why the game has a desperate need for a better business / economy and industrial progression system nowadays. Wouldn't that be even more beneficial for the overal gameplay experience than just the next landscape dlc?

I don't think this game was ever meant to be a realistic trucking business simulator. The economy is heavily simplified and quite generous, and exists just to give the player a sense of progression. I don't really mind. I would however appreciate more focus on realistic physics. They're OK, but could be a lot better. BeamNG comes to mind as an excellent example, and I'm not talking about crashing but just the feel and movement of the truck.

As to your original question, no, I don't think there's a roadmap other than upcoming DLC's.

[Willow Rivers]

Originally posted by Emme:

Originally posted by Willow Rivers:

This is a truck driving game. The business side is lackign ans has not changed at all. It is the same in ETS2. They concentrate on the driving aspect and new land mass to drive on.

Exactly the number one reason why the game has a desperate need for a better business / economy and industrial progression system nowadays. Wouldn't that be even more beneficial for the overal gameplay experience than just the next landscape dlc?

Nope this game was never meant to be a trucking business simulator, it is a truck driving simulator. SCS is more interested in the driving and the scenics of the states/countries then spending resources on business simulation.

[Emme]

Originally posted by Unster:

Originally posted by Emme:

Exactly the number one reason why the game has a desperate need for a better business / economy and industrial progression system nowadays. Wouldn't that be even more beneficial for the overal gameplay experience than just the next landscape dlc?

I don't think this game was ever meant to be a realistic trucking business simulator. The economy is heavily simplified and quite generous, and exists just to give the player a sense of progression. I don't really mind. I would however appreciate more focus on realistic physics. They're OK, but could be a lot better. BeamNG comes to mind as an excellent example, and I'm not talking about crashing but just the feel and movement of the truck.

Well, you know it doesn't need to be super fancy. I think it would be a great addition having to supply the industry and companies for their production chains by having just a contracts to fulfill. I'm pretty sure this would be absolutely doable if the devs wanted to make the addition and could make the progression much more interesting.

I also agree that there's always room for improvements on the physics based gameplay mechanics, although I don't know the engine's limits.

But I also think this would be a whole different topic to discuss here.

[Emme]

Originally posted by Willow Rivers:

Originally posted by Emme:

Exactly the number one reason why the game has a desperate need for a better business / economy and industrial progression system nowadays. Wouldn't that be even more beneficial for the overal gameplay experience than just the next landscape dlc?

Nope this game was never meant to be a trucking business simulator, it is a truck driving simulator. SCS is more interested in the driving and the scenics of the states/countries then spending resources on business simulation.

You know this is all about communication between devs and the community. I'd call this subject to change. We're talking about a software here which is highly modifiable in the end.

But like I said in my previous post, it's a bit off topic. I was just curious in general if the devs communicate upcoming gameplay changes, 'cause I couldn't find anything on the forums other than just speculations from the community.

[MagnusA]

The only "roadmap" I am aware of is their blog where they tease us players with upcoming eatues. Mainly short-term development, nothing long-term.

They also discuss with the community at their forums (not here at Steam).

I. am sure they have a roadmap internally at SCS, but that one is not public.

[TwinShadow]

To be honest, I'm kinda glad they don't do any sort of roadmaps since that allows SCS some freedom to test things in the engine internally to see if they can get it working up to snuff, along with other things. I don't like the idea of roadmaps because it gives a false sense of ideas that the devs for any studio would have to try and meet and well, that usually never ends well.

There's only been two things teased by SCS with no other further mentioning again: rigid chassis for ETS2, as well as a sort of Bus expansion. I'm pretty sure both of those have been shelved for one reason or anything, and while it's not really talked about much now, but those two things are why SCS is pretty cautious about announcing anything anymore unless they are 100% certain it's coming to the games.

As for ATS itself, well, not a lot to add other than more states or something. And newer trucks. Really could use new Pete's, Ken's, and Volvo's IMO.

[Sandhill]

Given the fact that this has been discussed literally thousands of times, there is certainly nothing new to be said. Search?

[Unster]

Originally posted by TwinShadow:

To be honest, I'm kinda glad they don't do any sort of roadmaps since that allows SCS some freedom to test things in the engine internally to see if they can get it working up to snuff, along with other things. I don't like the idea of roadmaps because it gives a false sense of ideas that the devs for any studio would have to try and meet and well, that usually never ends well.

There's only been two things teased by SCS with no other further mentioning again: rigid chassis for ETS2, as well as a sort of Bus expansion. I'm pretty sure both of those have been shelved for one reason or anything, and while it's not really talked about much now, but those two things are why SCS is pretty cautious about announcing anything anymore unless they are 100% certain it's coming to the games.

As for ATS itself, well, not a lot to add other than more states or something. And newer trucks. Really could use new Pete's, Ken's, and Volvo's IMO.

Yeah, roadmaps are a tricky thing and they can lead to disappointment and even anger in the community, so I don't blame SCS for not publicizing whatever internal roadmap they have.

As to trucks, I think the game has enough new trucks. I'd love to see older models like what Snowrunner has or some modders make.

[ttower]

SCS Does not release a long term roadmap, which lets them do what they see fit. The only thing we know is coming is an upgrade to DX12, which has been in the works for a while now.