Can American Truck Simulator be (mostly) played using a mouse?

[classic35mm]

Hi,

I'm physically disabled, and while I can use a mouse perfectly, I have very limited use of a keyboard. So, I'm wondering, does American Truck Simulator require heavy use of the keyboard? From looking at the preview videos here on Steam, I cannot tell if this game is operated mostly by the mouse or mostly by the keyboard. My guess is that, unfortunately for me, the truck must be controlled with a keyboard or joystick, both of which I'm unable to use. But I just thought I would check.

If American Truck Simulator is mostly keyboard-control, then can you think of similar simulator-type games that may be controlled solely or mostly by the mouse?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Andrew

[LLern]

Gonna go check now and see if i can setup like this:
mouse left and right steer left and right
left click throttle
right click brake (there are 3 brakes in game, trailer, main cab and jake brake, maybe all three on 1? will try

And mouse wheel click or scroll to put in R or D

BRB

[Dumbfounded Polymath]

You can steer with the mouse and accelerate/brake with Mouse wheel up/down, any other buttons if you mouse had any.

However there are always going to be keys you need to press on the keyboard but as I said above a lot of the core driving can be done with Al mouse

[MarS]

This game needs some Keyboard inputs. Like holding down the "w" key for accelarating or the "s" key for braking. U can configure the game so that steering with the mouse work, but then u didnt have a freelook in the cockpit. thats not so a problem because u can activate "virtual sidemirrors" so u dont need the freelook to see whats is on the right side of ur trailer.

The game also supports controller (most likely xbox controller). Maybe that could work better for u.

edit: oh i see the post above me is right. u dont realy need a keyboard.

[classic35mm]

Thanks so much for your time -- I really appreciate it! About how many "other" (non-core driving) keys are in the game that I would have to use to be able to at least minimally play the game? MusicMan, yes, please let me know if it works. I really appreciate you testing this out for me.

[BobKlobb]

If you have an MMO mouse you'll be fine. Just for ♥♥♥♥♥ and giggles I tried playing without mouse steering using only the side buttons on my Naga. Wasn't pretty, but it can be done.

As far as other keys, you got headlights, blinkers (if you care), wipers, cruise control. Things like that.

[LLern]

I was able to get the throttle on left click and brake regular on right...
mouse wheel up to shift up, and mouse wheel down to shift down.
Shift only meaning from Reverse to Drive.
And of course steer by moving mouse left/right
Simple automatic in options.
Mouse + keyboard setting in options.

you would have to use keyboard to hit enter, or change view and such.

[Chris]

I been using mouse but A wheel is in near future Have to order one online since 10 plus game stores and walmart . Dont have brains to stock the things in stores. Cant even find a joystick local for the flight simmers..

[Ornery]

Originally posted by MusicMan:

I was able to get the throttle on left click and brake regular on right...
mouse wheel up to shift up, and mouse wheel down to shift down.
Shift only meaning from Reverse to Drive.

Simple automatic in options.

you would have to use keyboard to hit enter, or change view and such.

Awesome! Sure hope you can play it, Andrew.

[Rookie-31st]

There is no way to play with just a mouse unless you have special mouse, either gaming one with tons of buttons or designed for disabled people. You need keyboard at least to turn on the blinkers, headlights, wipers, attach/detach trailer, and enter various menu. Also, you need to look around. So, there will be keyboard inputs any way

[Ornery]

Originally posted by Sand Master:

I been using mouse but A wheel is in near future Have to order one online since 10 plus game stores and walmart . Dont have brains to stock the things in stores. Cant even find a joystick local for the flight simmers..

Same around here.

[Ackinator]

Remember you can also buy a gaming steering wheel or a controller, in my opinion you get better handling and response than with the keyboard. So if you can't use the keyboard I recommend you get a wheel or a controller, ATS has fully supports wheels and controllers.

[classic35mm]

Thanks. I don't have an MMO mouse, and because of my disability I don't think I could do the "extra" buttons on it. I have a "regular" PC mouse with left click, right click, wheel up, wheel down, and wheel click. It sounds like I could at least steer, accelerate, and brake with a "regular" mouse.

I can maybe reach about 3-5 keys on a keyboard in addition to the mouse IF the controls can be customized. Do you think a regular mouse plus 3-5 keyboard keys would allow me to play this game?

I don't care so much about extras and "bells and whistles" -- I'm looking just to be able to play the game at some minimal level.

Thanks for your help.

[classic35mm]

Unfortunately, I've tried, and I'm unable to operate a steering wheel, joystick, or game pad because of my disability. So I have to use a "regular" mouse plus I can reach maybe 3-5 keyboard keys.

[classic35mm]

MusicMan, thanks so much for checking for me. So it sounds like I would be able to drive the truck with the mouse, and would need keyboard controls to press Enter and change camera views, etc. Are the keys used for changing camera views, etc. customizable? For example, I may be able to reach Page Up and Page Down, but not the numbers or the letter Q, for example.

[Rookie-31st]

Most if not all keys are customizable. You can set everything within a cluster of buttons, like number pad on a keyboard, probably the easiest to reach and has ENTER key as well