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GDC Logistics - Realistic Economy Mod (ATS): Hardcore Edition

The Definitive Trucking Challenge

This mod is for dedicated truckers who crave a truly immersive and challenging career. It completely overhauls the in-game economy and extends your career progression, transforming American Truck Simulator into a demanding and highly rewarding experience. Forget easy money and instant success! In this mod, saving up for your own truck and building a business from the ground up will require dedication, strategic planning, and a genuine passion for the open road.

Which Version is Right for You?

Our mods share the same realistic, market-driven economy. The primary difference is the time it takes to advance your career. Choose the version that best fits your playstyle and time commitment.

Classic Edition :

Best for: Casual players or those with limited playtime.
The Experience: A standard, satisfying career progression. You'll be challenged, but you can realistically reach high levels, unlock advanced skills, and build a large company without an enormous time investment.

Hardcore Edition: (This Mod)

Best for: Dedicated players who want a longer, more rewarding journey.
The Experience: Extends the career progression significantly. Reaching the highest levels and unlocking the best loans and skills will take considerable time and strategic planning, making each milestone feel like a major accomplishment.

Extreme Edition :

Best for: The most patient simulation veterans who want a true long-haul career experience.
The Experience: This is the ultimate marathon. Your skill progression is drastically slowed to simulate a 25-year career. You will spend a very long time as a company driver, and unlocking skills to access high-value cargo or larger loans will take a significant amount of in-game time and real-world dedication.

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Key Features of the Hardcore Edition:

A Challenging Career Arc:

Mandatory Company Driver Phase: Start as a company driver. Grinding quick jobs is essential to build your skills and earn the initial income needed to go independent.

Gradual Skill Progression: Your career unfolds at a realistic pace. Earning skill points takes time, requiring you to plan your unlocks strategically to access long-haul routes and more valuable cargo.

Restrictive Credit & Loans: Early game credit is tight, making your first truck purchase a significant challenge. Loan amounts are balanced to ensure that becoming an owner-operator is a major and rewarding milestone.

A Shared Realistic Economy:

Market-Driven Economy: The Hardcore Edition uses the exact same challenging and realistic economy as our other mods, providing an authentic experience.

Dynamic Cargo Rates (DCR): Our cornerstone feature transforms the static freight market into a vibrant, responsive economic simulation. Cargo rates fluctuate dynamically based on real-world factors, rewarding strategic decision-making.

Realistic Wear, Damage & Costs: Experience realistic wear and tear on your equipment. Accidents have serious financial consequences, and AI driver costs are balanced to reflect true operating expenses.

For a comprehensive understanding of DCR, including monthly market trends and analysis, download The GDC Logistics Dynamic Freight Market Briefing[drive.google.com].

Additional Features:

Realistic Fuel Prices: Fuel costs fluctuate monthly, mirroring real-world trends. Fuel Price Sheet [drive.google.com]

Dynamic Day-of-Year & Weather: Experience realistic seasonal changes influencing weather, lighting, and cargo availability.

Unlocked Equipment: All in-game equipment is accessible from the start. Your financial standing is the only barrier.

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Important Notes:

Start a New Profile: For the best experience, create a new profile. Do not use this mod on pre-existing "Classic Edition", "Extreme Edition", or default economy profiles.

Plan Ahead: Strategize your finances carefully. Have sufficient capital for a down payment, initial repairs on a used truck, or unexpected expenses.

Grind & Persevere: Be prepared for a challenging and time-consuming journey! Success in this mod requires dedication, patience, and a true love for the trucking life.

Expansion Pack:
Unlock even more features with the "GDC Logistics - Realistic Economy Mod: Expansion Pack" available on Patreon[www.patreon.com]!

Getting Started Guide:
Need help installing the mod? Check out our comprehensive Getting Started Guide[drive.google.com].

Support and Bug Reporting:
To ensure efficient support, we have disabled comments on the Steam Workshop. If you encounter any issues or have suggestions, please join our Discord community.

Join us on Discord[discord.gg] to stay up to date and help us improve the mod. Your support through our Patreon[www.patreon.com] would also be greatly appreciated!