Euro Truck Simulator 2 catch-all

I was supposed to deliver cheese to an oil refinery for some reason and I had an engine malfunction right outside the entrance. It told me to get service but my engine didn't work so I couldn't move. Dumb game.

Gravey wrote:
Vega wrote:
Keithustus wrote:

- the ability to park a trailer is not. I did it from the 2-view and mouse looking for the longest time, and I was painfully inept at it for a long time, but now I can back them up most of the time from the driver view. Real-world skill attained! Huzzah!

Holy hell is backing up really hard to do. Everytime I think I got it my cab goes one way, the trailer goes the other. Definitely an art to doing it.

All that time I spend watching Canada's Worst Driver is paying off—I parked that sucker pretty straight on the second go, just using the "look out the window" view and mirrors.

Next up: J-turns.

Okay, just did another run and used the "look out the window" method and nailed it with only 2 pull forwards. I was trying to use the 2-view before and between things being backwards and overcompensating on the turns it actually made it more difficult.

So, what's a good starting nest egg before buying your own rig and running your own business? I have around 10,000 in funny money, but was thinking of running a few more mercenary runs to maybe double that. I haven't checked the truck shop yet to see how much things cost. I guess that should actually be my first stop.

Oh ya.. mods! And more mods!

I'm playing the same character I used in the demo, and apparently at some point I said "f*ck it" and took out a 400,000 euro loan to upgrade my garage, buy 2 trucks, and hire 2 drivers. I'm currently sitting on 30,000 euro in the bank, but had dipped into the red several times getting there. As long as I keep taking jobs, and not too much damage, I'm able to keep my head above water.

Something to think about, your drivers skill up with time. The sooner you hire drivers, the sooner you'll have drivers who can produce some sort of income. I'm concentrating on long range skill first with them, then it will be hazardous cargo.

So, I was a bit concerned about my 8,000 euro a day loan payments but as of yet I'm able to keep ahead and am even gaining some profit.

Also, road signs. I learned my European road signs from Arma II before moving there. My favorite? The white circle with black slash, meaning no speed limit(Autobahn) or that country's expressway speed limit. As far as kph to mph conversions, 100 km/h = 60 mph approximately.

I watched the Nerd cubed video and bought the game right after. Actually, I bought it with about 30 minutes left in the video.

I wish I would've checked back here first and seen the GMG deal first, but oh well.

Reminds me of some redneck trucking game that came out on the original Xbox, but more grown up. I like hauling stuff for profit

Vega wrote:

Okay, just did another run and used the "look out the window" method and nailed it with only 2 pull forwards. I was trying to use the 2-view before and between things being backwards and overcompensating on the turns it actually made it more difficult.

Feel like a boss? I did.

Druidpeak wrote:

As far as kph to mph conversions, 100 km/h = 60 mph approximately.

Yeah, for quick kph to mph, divide by 2 and add a tenth-ish.

For mph to kph, multiply by 1.5 and add a tenth-ish.

I vow to never try to deliver sand or gravel ever again. After two trips to locations far away I find that I just don't have the nerve yet to tackle a cargo that can easily make your truck go from being in the middle to the road to suddenly swerving across three lanes, smashing into a barrier and most likely hitting a car or two on the way.

My favorites moment has to be coming over a hill on a run from Cardiff to Southhampton. Just breached the top and one look down had me crying out in fear, felt like it was a straight drop down hill with a curve at the bottom. To put it simply my breaks were feeling a little hot when I got around that turn.

A second favorite might be the time I flipped a truck when exiting the motorway. Just a case of thinking everything was fine as I came around a turn until suddenly my truck was on two and then no wheels.

Druidpeak wrote:

Money/business stuff

So I'm going to need just a bit more cash than I thought.

Gravey wrote:

Feel like a boss? I did. :)

Hell yeah. Hard not to driving around 15 tons of manliness (okay, it was car parts).

I even flipped my truck like a boss last night looking out the window at a wind farm. I glanced back at the road and realized I was about to skim a guardrail so I jerked the wheel to the right, saw that I drastically overcompensated, and as soon as I jerked it back to the left I realized I just failed at physics 101. The whole thing tipped over, slid across the road on it's side, and then up a grassy hill...which was just steep enough to tip me back upright. I only lost about half my speed and was back on the road like nothing ever happened with only 2% damage.

Then I got a ticket for not having my lights on in the rain. So, I knew there were speed cameras, but I was surprised by the headlights thing. What else is frowned upon? Will I get dinged if I don't back up with my hazards on and honking the horn twice? Turning without using the turn signals? Just wondering how deep that part of the simulation goes.

I'm also seriously thinking of getting a wheel now. I have a ForceRS from way way back in the day that I used for Midtown Madness, but it plugs into the old style joystick ports and I doubt a USB adapter will do me much good. If I'm going to drink and drive in my basement, I figure I may as well do it properly.

Vega wrote:

So, what's a good starting nest egg before buying your own rig and running your own business? I have around 10,000 in funny money, but was thinking of running a few more mercenary runs to maybe double that. I haven't checked the truck shop yet to see how much things cost. I guess that should actually be my first stop.

The biggest money sinks in the game that I have come across are trucks, garages and upgrades, and truck repair. So long as you can cover the cost of trucks and garages for new drivers, and so long as you can drive yourself without losing more than a couple of percent infrequently, money will NOT be a problem. Making just a few runs per game day will easily provide enough money to pay off loans. The only real risk is if you haven't learned to drive nicely and are still taking lots of vehicle damage, in which case you'll spend as much or more on repairs as you are making from the hauls. Otherwise, money will flow into your accounts generously.

As to when to invest, I would say as soon as you feel comfortable. I waited until I had banked 50k before buying my first truck. It was great for me because I got lots of practice in lots of different trucks. But once I took out the small loan and bought the truck, the money was just too easy...Making 10k-15k per day alone, with a loan payment of 1,500, nothing to it. So I've recently taken out a 400k loan and garaged and trucked up a couple of other drivers, and upgraded to a level-10-unlocked truck. So far, so good.

I'm level 7 now. As soon as I pay off my first loan, I'll be taking out another to expand the garage and hire some drivers.

Keithustus wrote:

- the only part of upgrading trucks that really matters, as far as I know, is the engine, because more hp and torque means decent acceleratioon when pulling 25 tons.

- there doesn't seem to be any difference between the different truck manufacturers other than cosmetics. If that's true, pick a brand based on your favorite dashboard and stick with it.

Oh, but you have GOT to upgrade your horn. I haven't tried it yet, but I really want to get a bar full of tone & boom horns just to see what it sounds like. The default horns are pathetic.

In addition to cosmetics, different manufacturers offer different HP engines.

I wish I could find somewhere the difference between a normal and an "R" type transmission. I got the more expensive one (because more expensive is better, right?), but I wonder what the real difference is. Googling the "ZF AS Tronic R" transmission didn't help. I could only find info on the non-R transmission.

Vega wrote:

Then I got a ticket for not having my lights on in the rain. So, I knew there were speed cameras, but I was surprised by the headlights thing. What else is frowned upon? Will I get dinged if I don't back up with my hazards on and honking the horn twice? Turning without using the turn signals? Just wondering how deep that part of the simulation goes.

I've noticed that if you use your signals, other traffic will often yield to you. That's especially nice on those T-intersections that have no stop signs or lights. Cars will ram you if you change lanes without indicating.

Man, you guys are going to make me buy this and then finally cave on adding this button box to my sim rig.

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/H2tVB8d.jpg)

BadKen wrote:

I wish I could find somewhere the difference between a normal and an "R" type transmission. I got the more expensive one (because more expensive is better, right?), but I wonder what the real difference is. Googling the "ZF AS Tronic R" transmission didn't help. I could only find info on the non-R transmission.

The "R" type transmissions have a {ableist slur}er which I assume is either another term for "engine break" or it's something similar. I don't know the complete in's and out's but it's something to do with helping you to slow down without using your brakes. I saw something in the key mappings about increasing/decreasing the {ableist slur}er. If it is an engine break, this is the super loud BwataBwataBwataBwata you sometimes hear from 18 wheelers on the highway when they're trying to slow down on a steep hill or sudden traffic.

-edit-
I got curious so I went ahead and looked it up. A {ableist slur}er and an engine break are not the same, but they serve the same purpose.

The transmission {ableist slur}er is an add on or integral part of a transmission. It operates by routing the transmission fluid through the device producing a drag on the output shaft. It generates a lot of heat which needs to be dissapated via the transmission cooling loop. THe cooling loop is cooled by a special section in the radiator, a heat exchanger, or other method of cooling. You need to constantly monitor the trans temperature and engine coolant temperatire to prevent overheating.

The engine Jake brake is a system that alters the exhaust valve timing which results in compression of the air in the cylinder providing a braking effect. The degrees of resistance are accomplished by engaging pairs of cylinders (2,4 or 6). It does not generate any significant heat and therefor can be used for longer periods of time wihtout adverse effects.

I love how in this game driving in the rain without lights costs a $350 fine, but smashing a car and running it off the road costs you only $200.

If nothing else, this is a good simulator for pedantic laws of the road.

When did this game come out? How come there are hundreds of mods for it already?

Vega wrote:

I'm also seriously thinking of getting a wheel now. I have a ForceRS from way way back in the day that I used for Midtown Madness, but it plugs into the old style joystick ports and I doubt a USB adapter will do me much good. If I'm going to drink and drive in my basement, I figure I may as well do it properly.

Sigh.. I did it. I kept going back and forth with either the Logitech Driving Force GT or the Thrustmaster RGT Force. They're priced similar and have similar features, except for 2 things. The Logitech has a full 900 degree rotation (which from what I read is really nice for a truck sim) while the Thrustmaster is only 270 degrees. And the Thrustmaster system has an actual clutch pedal, the Logitech does not.

I ended up going with the Logitech for the 900 degree turning. The clutch pedal would be nice (the next version up does have it, but I couldn't justify the higher price) but I figured the steering was more important.

Should be arriving by friday so this weekend will be some exciting drunken trucking!

MoonDragon wrote:

When did this game come out? How come there are hundreds of mods for it already?

October 19, 2012. So 4 months ago.

At one of those mod sites linked to earlier in the thread, I noticed a mod that removed speeding fines, so surely there is also a mod that removes all traffic violations.

Last night, I played the demo for a couple hours and did a few jobs. It was somewhat interesting, mainly parking at a dock, but not enough for me to spend $24 on the GMG deal. I might buy it when it inevitably shows up at under $10 on a Steam sale.

Vega wrote:

Sigh.. I did it. I kept going back and forth with either the Logitech Driving Force GT or the Thrustmaster RGT Force. They're priced similar and have similar features, except for 2 things. The Logitech has a full 900 degree rotation (which from what I read is really nice for a truck sim) while the Thrustmaster is only 270 degrees. And the Thrustmaster system has an actual clutch pedal, the Logitech does not.

I ended up going with the Logitech for the 900 degree turning. The clutch pedal would be nice (the next version up does have it, but I couldn't justify the higher price) but I figured the steering was more important.

Should be arriving by friday so this weekend will be some exciting drunken trucking!

D'oh! I wish I had seen your previous post. I have a Fanatec CSR wheel and Clubsport pedals that I'm considering selling. The DFGT is the goto budget recommendation in the sim community though.

MeatMan wrote:

I might buy it when it inevitably shows up at under $10 on a Steam sale.

I am glad to have paid full price for a simulator of something we don't normally see. Let everything else sit on my Steam wishlist waiting for huge discounts.

plavonica wrote:

Hows about that random wheel + pedals combo from the thrift store for $5? Think that might work out ok?

Ah, I see you found my old pair.

I'm going to end up buying this. My girlfriend will be given further evidence to doubt my sanity.

LiquidMantis wrote:

D'oh! I wish I had seen your previous post. I have a Fanatec CSR wheel and Clubsport pedals that I'm considering selling. The DFGT is the goto budget recommendation in the sim community though.

Ah, no worries. I'm sure those are worth way more than the ~$100 I was willing to spend and should probably go to someone more serious about the genre.

In other news, regarding the "R" type transmissions and the " {ableist slur}er" versus "engine breaking" thing earlier. While looking at the key mappings tonight I just realized that all the trucks in the game have engine breaking (they call it "motor breaking") and it's mapped to the "B" key. Later when you get the fancy transmissions with a {ableist slur}er then you can use that instead if you prefer.

Here's some good stuff:

First, the chassis is an important upgrade. More wheels = more grip = less sliding = fewer accidents. You will have a smaller fuel tank, though.

Also:

Country
Price per liter on a gas station

Austria
---EUR 1.41
Belgium
---EUR 1.50
Czech Republic
---EUR 1.41
France
---EUR 1.44
Germany
---EUR 1.46
Great Britain
---EUR 1.59
Italy
---EUR 1.48
Luxembourg
---EUR 1.18
Netherlands
---EUR 1.42
Poland
---EUR 1.19
Slovakia
---no gas stations
Switzerland
---EUR 1.53
Any gas station attached to a Big Garage (final third tier).
---That country's price minus about EUR 0.20 per liter.

So choosing to refill in Poland instead of Germany would save you EUR 216 for an 800-liter truck or 378 for a 1,400-liter truck. Moot per each fill, but strategically placing garages in the right countries might make for real savings with several drivers over several weeks.

Well, I gave it a shakedown. Turns out it doesn't support three screens properly after all and the performance was surprisingly poor. But the big thing for me is that 30 minutes of driving that truck took me at least that long to undo in iRacing. I jumped in my MX5 to do some laps a Summit Point and was awful at first. So, no ETS2 for me I think.

I've been pimping my ride, and here's what it looks like currently:

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/RJKanS7l.jpg)

The high beams are truly blinding.

Sadly, all those horns don't alter the sound of the truck's horn. It still sounds like a nun farting in a lift.

I use the Volvo truck and the horn sounds fine. Adding Thunder, Tone, and Screamer, no matter how many, doesn't seem to affect it, either inside the cab nor from the exterior views.

I'm sad to admit that I've put 40 hours into the game and only today thought to use quick travel between garages to make hauling cargo quicker. I had previously only used quick travel for non-job convenience.

Keithustus wrote:

I'm sad to admit that I've put 40 hours into the game and only today thought to use quick travel between garages to make hauling cargo quicker. I had previously only used quick travel for non-job convenience.

Explain, please.

Say you own a garage in Berlin and are currently in Paris. If you take a job in Paris that requires you to haul something to anywhere near Berlin, or especially anywhere East of Berlin, instead of driving the entire distance, pick up the trailer in Paris, then go to Garage Manager and select the Berlin garage. At the bottom right there's a button for "instant" travel. Using that uses up the in-game time needed to perform that drive but occurs instantaneously to you, like in any other game.

Let me go actually try it....brb.

...crap, I have a load that is nowhere near either of my garages. Gimme a bit.

edit: Damn it, nevermind. "You cannot quick travel while on a job!"

Keithustus wrote:

Say you own a garage in Berlin and are currently in Paris. If you take a job in Paris that requires you to haul something to anywhere near Berlin, or especially anywhere East of Berlin, instead of driving the entire distance, pick up the trailer in Paris, then go to Garage Manager and select the Berlin garage. At the bottom right there's a button for "instant" travel. Using that uses up the in-game time needed to perform that drive but occurs instantaneously to you, like in any other game.

Let me go actually try it....brb.

...crap, I have a load that is nowhere near either of my garages. Gimme a bit.

edit: Damn it, nevermind. "You cannot quick travel while on a job!"

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the game?

I've spent 8 hours in that game... For some reason I can't help but compare it to the 18 Wheels of Steel series because those games too had the long distance driving and everything but the only difference between the two games is Euro Truck Simulator 2 is fun while 18 Wheels of Steel can get quite boring.

Gravey wrote:

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the game?

No, it would encourage strategically locating your garages.

Keithustus wrote:
Gravey wrote:

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the game?

No, it would encourage strategically locating your garages.

Well, you still should strategically locate your garages, if only to make it easy for your drivers to get good jobs. Some cities, like port cities, have a much better variety of cargo. If/when I start over, I'm starting in Amsterdam or Dover.

So I downloaded the demo and started the tutorial. Then this happened...

OK... Where did you come from?

IMAGE(http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/920130273919645716/115B9B0C733CE5B510241B3973ECA9C67F479AC1/)