L01 Games Analysis | Euro Truck Simulator 2

In this analysis of the game Euro truck simulator 2, i will be commenting on different aspects of the game as well as make comments on the overall game experience.

The style of this game is a Truck Driving simulation and the genre of this game is simulation. It shows the stylistic conventions of a simulation game by giving the ability to drive a truck realistically throughout different regions. It sits high up in the genre and most people who enjoy simulation games will either know about or will have purchased this product.  

The story throughout the game is that you are a truck driver establishing a small business for cargo transportation across European countries. The story informs the gameplay by giving the user something to work towards (either a new level, truck or garage). Although the story never really includes the character you pick (as it is you) you are affected by having greater abilities as you progress through the game. The story connects with the target audience by providing realistic driving mechanics and open world gameplay to consumers of the game.

The game was produced by SCS Software in October 2012. Real world truck noises and designs were taken to enhance the gameplay’s realism whilst major motorways across the entire map appear to scale with the majority of junctions and road maps being present. Physics and mechanics are handled just like the real thing, enhancing the gameplay to the user as it is a simulation game. Other physics such as weather (rain in particular) accumulate like real weather. Rain prevents the user to see out of the windscreen if the windscreen wipers are inactive etc.

The characters are relevant to the target audience as they fall under the stereotypical ‘trucking’ identity. These characters appeal to the target audience as they follow the games identity to simulate with realism the life of a truck driver. As mentioned previously, characterisation matches the conventions of a trucking game due to the user defined characters all following the truck driver stereotype. In terms of strength, characters are faced with real day to day activities such as sleep and rest. The character never really has to demonstrate strength as they are always in a truck.

Euro truck simulator poses challenges using time as the challenging aspect. Deliveries require to be completed within a set time period to earn the full money which can be quite challenging later on in the game. The level and type of challenges engage the player by making them think real time about the real world road laws but also consideration of getting the deliveries on time.

The huge open world game structure is key to the game’s success as well as the games huge customizability options. The gameplay links with the narrative by showing your business growing through every delivery completed, hence furthering the narrative.

The gameplay constantly keeps evolving by providing the player with new gameplay challenges every few minutes.

The target audience for ETS 2 is teenager to adult. It is a wide range as it can be easy to control the truck but at the same time be quite difficult if all gears etc are turned on making it extremely realistic.

It appeals to it’s target audience by being extremely realistic which means all real world physics and thoughts apply.

      The game compares to others in with the same audience by being more realistic than many other games and providing one of the best trucking experiences possible due to the time the development team took to create it

The game is available for PC only.

The game is suited for this platform by offering the ability to use USB devices like a steering wheel or gear paddles etc, offering a true, realistic experience.