Hello everyone. I'm an game designer, and I was thinking of making a truck driving themed video game. I came here in hopes of asking the men and woman who do this for a living a few questions about the industry and lifestyle of over the road trucking. At this point, I don't know if I am going to make a simulator (18 Wheels of Steel) or more of an action/racing (Big Mutha Trucker) simulator. I was just wanted to ask you a few questions.

1, Owner/Operators, How do you all find clients/work? Is everything done by word of mouth? Do you all have some kind of broker or agent?

2, Any good games requires antagonists, and I am trying to figure out who or what i should put in the game. Do you all have to deal with criminals? corrupt cops? Who would you all consider to be the adversaries of the average American trucker.

3, I know you all probably don't want to play a video game based on what you all do for a living, but are there any other aspects of your job that you all think i should include in a potential game?

Start with a wannabe trying to make it through school then getting a job . Or have a trainee in company sponsored training try to avoid violations that will get him terminated before he completes his year obligation and have him end up paying thousands of dollars for the school . Have truckers just try to get a fair percentage and 100% Fuel Surcharge from the brokers .
But to answer your questions about O/O's , many are leased to carriers and pull the carrier's trailers . Some O/O's have their own authority but they can't survive working off load boards and brokers . They usually contract with at least 1 business near their home . Working with brokers can have its benefits . Some brokers will not post the best loads on load boards . They will call O/O's that have given them good service in the past .

i'm thinkin a "renegade" trucker game kinda like GTA!!

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.

yes a grand theft auto style trucking game would be cool. Lot lizards an crack heads poppin up trying to proposition and rob you. Smashing fourwheelers, rammin the scale houses, high speed pursuit through chicago. lol

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Keep them wheels a spinnin, and the beavers grinnin, IM GONE!!! East bound and down..............

Trucking isnt just a job.... Its also a lifestyle....

[quote=autobahnsoftware;820379]Hello everyone. I'm an game designer, and I was thinking of making a truck driving themed video game. I came here in hopes of asking the men and woman who do this for a living a few questions about the industry and lifestyle of over the road trucking. At this point, I don't know if I am going to make a simulator (18 Wheels of Steel) or more of an action/racing (Big Mutha Trucker) simulator. I was just wanted to ask you a few questions.

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1, Owner/Operators, How do you all find clients/work? Is everything done by word of mouth? Do you all have some kind of broker or agent?

I can't figure out how you are going to make dispatch over Qualcomm seem interesting in a video game environment.

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2, Any good games requires antagonists, and I am trying to figure out who or what i should put in the game. Do you all have to deal with criminals? corrupt cops? Who would you all consider to be the adversaries of the average American trucker.

Antagonists/Adversaries: state troopers, DOT, soccer moms in SUV's who are talking on the phone while looking in the rearview mirror to yell at kids, teenagers who text while driving, 4 wheelers who miss their exit, stop in their lane, and back up rather than going to the next exit to turn around. Weigh stations are always fun.

Try to work in the search for healthy food at truck stops. Drivers should get bonus points for eating a salad or having a meal that isn't fast food or deep fried.

How about putting chains on tires during a sudden blizzard without freezing to death or getting run over by someone who doesn't see you due to the weather conditions.

Company drivers often don't know how long they will be on the road when they leave home. Maybe work something in where they get extra points for being home for anniversary or kids birthdays.

Of course the ultimate goal is to run the most amount of miles in the least amount of time, w/o getting a ticket or causing an accident.

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I personally believe there shouldn't be any "big motha trucker" scenario in that commercial drivers already have a bad enough rap without some Nintendo game impugning the industry. Most are hard working, honest persons and don't need further insults.

From a retired federal DOT official

AGREED!

THEY need to stick to PacMan.

PacMan ??? You still playing Atari ? How do you do at Frogger ?

Nah...PacMan is in 3D now...on different systems. Iam only 90 years old so, I have NO idea what atari is...... lol

I saw your IDK shirt . I wonder if you have any idea what anything is !
You do a pretty good job here though as long as we keep you supplied with chocolate .