Right about now, your probably looking at the title of this post and thinking “Euro Truck Simulator? Is this some kind of a joke?’”. Well it isn’t a joke, though it would be funny if it was. Actually, Euro Truck Simulator is the latest game from renowned developer, er…let me check the web page…SCS Software who’s previous work includes such hits as 18 Wheels of Steel Haulin’, 18 Wheels of Steel Convoy, 18 Wheels of Steel: Pedal to the Metal, Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel and Rocky Mountain Trophy Hunter 3.
Still not interested? You might be, after checking out this kick ass video, after the jump.
Well have a look at this…
Um, yeah, not really all that kick ass…
SCS’s website proudly proclaims that they are developers of ‘truck games, hunting games and ocean diving simulations’, which at least shows that they’re diversifying. This diversity is mirrored in the feature list for Euro Truck Simulator, which boasts impressive elements such as ‘on screen maps’, ‘using your mirrors’ and ’stopping for fuel,’ the last of which I’m personally very excited for.
Despite SCS's claims that they couldn't get licensed trucks into the game, that looks suspiciously like a Mercedes logo to me.
SCS’s website says that you can ‘pan around the cabin, just as if they were actually sitting at the wheel’, but my question is ‘why would you want to?’ If you’re a truck driver then fine, it’s your job and you get paid to do it, but why would you enjoy a simulation of it? It’s like playing Peeling Gum of Your Shoe 2008. In other words: it’s boring.
My point is, what do people enjoy about these games? Heck, Train simulators are crazy popular in Japan. Some people must buy these games, because after a bit of investigation there are a lot of them, Bus Simulator 2008 anyone? Games are meant to be an escape from reality, not an extension of it. Why would anyone put themselves through so much pain?
Does anyone here play Bus or Truck simulators, and if so…why?
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12 responses so far ↓
1 SWSilentkiller // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I have never met anyone who play simulators like these, and to be honest this looks pretty much like the exact opposite of GTA, instead of killing everybody with your car you are obeying the rules of the road.
2 Kiltman67 // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Never even knew there were truck simulators. Have played a train simulator though, enjoyable in an ironic way.
3 Yamster // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Bus simulators are pretty big in Japan..the Densha de Go! (Let’s Go By Train!) series is huge and has a bus spinoff. True story.
4 Neil // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I remember playing a London to Brighton steam train simulator on my old Sinclair Spectrum that I got free off the front of a magazine. It was the 1980’s and I must have been about 8 years old. For good reason, that was my last experiment with the genre.
5 [conspirAcy] // Jul 30, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I think I might be playing this one just for the hell of a boring driving game, looks interesting to just drive around Europe, but meh… I’m a sad git…
6 Black Lace // Jul 30, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Reminds me very much of an old DOS game they made us play when I was in elementary school. I believe it was called Cross Country Canada. The point of it was to teach problem solving and geography while distracting simple-minded children with the novelty of driving around a big rig. Maybe this will be the next simulator game to become part of elementary school curriculums.
My heart weeps for children everywhere.
7 Dableo // Jul 30, 2008 at 6:51 pm
The only reason I’d play it is so I could make the biggest crash ever. Man I loved doing that in Burnout. But obey the rules of the road? Look in my mirrors? Enjoy scenery? No thanks. Hell, I bet if you break any laws, you’d automatically pull over so a cop could give you a ticket without the option just to drive away. Fun!
LOL, the captcha says “prefer aids.”
8 DrDtroit // Jul 31, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Aw sweet, Desert Bus 2!
9 [conspirAcy] // Jul 31, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Just thinking, god, they better have it able to put the radio on, can you imagine trying to play this with only the silence of the road?!
10 Tin // Aug 22, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Just a note… The actual game doesn’t have the real company logos from the screenshots. I presume the screenshots are from earlier development versions.
As for the game… It’s as buggy as I’d expect from a small self-funded outfit. Steering for example sucks because it has a lag while turning the wheel with both keyboard AND real steering wheel controllers.
11 Darren // Sep 12, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I must Admit, I do have BVE Train Simulator, MS Train Sim, and a SCS Bus sim.
Yep, Ok I have to say that most of these sims would and probably are a little boring to the average “Gamer”, But some people like myself quite like simulators that are based on the real world. I’m probably not going to be able to drive a Freight train, or a Bus, hell I’ll just do it in my Living room?
Euro Truck sim is the closest to reality that I’ll ever get to drive a 44t Truck! I’ll have to agree with Tin, that the steering on Euro Truck sim does actually suck and spoil the whole experience.
12 ADNAN // Oct 4, 2008 at 10:58 pm
These games are not meant to be played for fun!
these games are made to give its players the knowledge of rules and regulations on road.i have seen some people who dont even understand the signboards on the road!!!!
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