July 20, 2016 / admin / 0 Comments
I’m slowly starting to explore more and more of the new Arizona expansion map for American Truck Simulator. While Arizona has been available for several weeks, between my work schedule and a much needed long vacation, and even spending a little more time in Euro Truck Simulator 2, Farming Simulator 15 and Flight Sim….I’ve only recently discovered something that I really enjoyed.
This past Sunday, I delivered a load of Yoghurt from Bushnell Farms in Holbrook to Tidbit in Kayenta. The drop point is shown below in the captured screenshot.
SCS Software, Please, Please, Please….more like this! This delivery point was a slight challenge (not super hard, but also not super easy). But the important element I’m wanting to make here is this delivery point really pushes the Realism through Simulation element that I strive for. I’d really love to see more delivery points just like this as SCS Software expands ATS into future states.
Finally, I realize my blogging efforts have slowed to a mere trickle in recent weeks. Again, this is mostly due to my work schedule and a recent European family vacation. As I get caught up at work, as I get over both a cold and jetlag…and as I spend more time with all my favorite simulation games….THERE WILL BE more blog postings. So please stay tuned…
Until next time…
Happy Trucking!
Jerry
June 7, 2016 / admin / 0 Comments
The very highly anticipated map update to include the US State of Arizona was officially made available yesterday (Monday, 6 June) for American Truck Simulator. In addition to this new US State, several features and enhancements were also included for both ATS and ETS2.
I’ve had a really busy last couple of weeks and my blogging efforts have suffered. I did not participate in the Arizona beta as I was busy and two, well…I just typically steer clear of beta projects. It simply reminds me too much of my real world job. Anyway, I did manage to take a short drive from Las Vegas, NV to Page, AZ. I would have spent more time exploring Arizona, but I spent about an hour tinkering with my Logitech G27 as it seemed to have forgotten it was a steering wheel controller.
Thankfully the issue with the G27 WAS NOT due to the Arizona update but was an issue caused by a recent Microsoft Windows 10 update. Many other users who have the G27 and run Windows 10 are reporting the same issue. I think this update must have dropped about a week or so ago as I began noticing some really odd behavior from my G27 at that time. Simply, normally when I boot up my sim PC my Logitech G27 will make a few movements as the software identifies the device and calibrates it. But about a week ago, the G27 wheel would turn and pause, turn and pause…over and over and over. It seemed possessed. But I was spending time flying and just eventually unplugged the G27 until last night.
The fix for me was simply to uninstall the Logitech Profiler software (for the G27 it is version 5.10) and re-install. This corrected the issue and I was 100% back in business. However, as I’ve been reading on the Steam forums this morning, other users haven’t been so lucky.
If a simple uninstall and reinstall of the Logitech Profiler software does not fully resolve your issue, then you may consider following the steps below. These were posted on the Steam ATS Discussion Group page. Please note that I’ve not tested the below steps, so your mileage may vary.
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**** ALL CREDIT TO USER AGENTZ86 ON LOGITECH FORUMS FOR THE FIX *****
Re: G25/G27 is detected as Driving Force – FIXED – SOLVED [ Edited ]
Here is my fix: – Works on Windows 10 too
Turn off / exit the GS 5.xx software
•Go to – Control Panel / Hardware Sound / Device Manager
•At the bottom of the device list you will probably see a item shown as (Universal Serial Bus Device) This will show you USB devices
•One of them will be the G27 (it might be in another location on that list but usually in (Universal Serial Bus Device)
•Right click on the G27
•Select (update driver software)
•Select (Browse my computer for driver software)
•Select (Let me pick from the list of device drivers on my computer)
•There will be a list of a few things perhaps G27 or even some assistant thing showing up in there (just fyi)
•The one you want is (USB device). This will remove that assistant thing that is creating this paradox.
** NOTE: If there is no choice for a USB device then (uncheck the option for *show compatible devices)
This will show a huge list of manufacturers etc.
From here scroll to the top of the list and select (Standard system devices)
Then on the right you scroll down to select (USB input device)
This will cause the Driving Force which gets selected by the assistant device to be removed and all association with it.
Now the G27 will show up under the (Human Interface Devices) Instead and will work perfectly without forgetting who it is.
Turn on your GS 5.xxx profiler and BOOM all should be well no rebooting and no reloading anything at all.
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Well that is all I have time for at this time. Of course, multiplayer will not currently work with the ATS update. TruckersMP are working hard to update their multiplayer servers and software to accommodate all these changes (including Arizona). No timeframe has been given on when the update will be made available. I think the last major update (custom wheels) took TruckersMP about a week. So just be patient….enjoy Arizona in offline mode and multiplayer will be ready when it is ready!
In closing, I’m sure the Steam Discussion groups will soon begin to fill up with questions regarding what the next state will be. While I have no official knowledge, I think we can be assured the next state to be released for ATS will be one of the following: Oregon, Utah or New Mexico.
Until next time…
Happy Trucking!!!
J
April 21, 2016 / admin / 0 Comments
Arizona DLC – Worth the Wait. I know many will disagree with me. But based on the images below, the much anticipated Arizona DLC from SCS Software for the awesome American Truck Simulator will be well worth the wait. I have been fortunate in my lifetime to visit the Grand Canyon several times. My first visit was back in the 80’s. As a teenager I realized the Grand Canyon was more than “just a big ditch”. I was inspired by the beauty and from these images, SCS Software have done an outstanding job capturing the “Grand” in Grand Canyon. I’m also pleased to see they have added points of delivery here as I believe it will provide more realism for the game. Anyone can deliver frozen foods to a Walbert in Los Angeles, Las Vegas or even Phoenix (when AZ is released). But moving heavy machinery, goods and other items of interest to this wonderful and very beautiful place will be most incredible.
Seeing what SCS Software has done with the Grand Canyon, truly gives me hope for what I believe they can (and will do) for the state I call home…Colorado. Of course, who knows when Colorado will be released. Perhaps sometime soon after Utah as they continue their move eastward.
Enjoy the images.
These images are the property of SCS Software and posted here as a newsworthy source. If you are interested in purchasing American Truck Simulator, please visit the American Truck Simulator Steam page.
Until next time…
Dreaming of Arizona!
J
April 9, 2016 / admin / 0 Comments
Until next time….I’ll just keep waiting for AZ. We know it will be worth the wait.
Happy Trucking!!!
J
March 2, 2016 / admin / 0 Comments
Earlier this week SCS Software shared these four images from the much anticipated Arizona DLC package from their Twitter account. I don’t know about you, but these images are truly amazing and only making me want Arizona NOW! I really only see two problems.
First, this Arizona DLC is not yet available.
Second, looking at the second image (Grand Canyon Caverns Inn) they have included another impossible intersection (similar to the one in Tonopah, NV). SCS really needs to make this a stop light controlled intersection. Either that, or another modder will need to fix it similar to how they fixed the intersection in Tonopah.
These images are the property of SCS Software and posted here as a newsworthy source. If you are interested in purchasing American Truck Simulator, please visit the American Truck Simulator Steam page.
I really can’t wait for AZ to be released.
Until next time…
Dreaming of Arizona!
J
P.S. I really hope they have modeled Winslow, Arizona on their map. I’m looking forward to hearing “Take It Easy” while driving through Winslow, Arizona