In Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2), 1 hour of in-game time corresponds to exactly 3 minutes of real-world time.
Understanding Time Compression in ETS2
Euro Truck Simulator 2 employs a significant time compression mechanism. This design choice is crucial for enabling players to experience the vast distances and diverse landscapes of Europe within a practical real-world timeframe. Without this acceleration, completing typical trucking jobs would demand an unrealistic investment of actual hours, days, or even weeks. This system allows for the swift progression of in-game elements such as day-night cycles, driver fatigue, and delivery deadlines.
The Time Scale
The standard time compression ratio in ETS2 for general gameplay is often cited as 1:20 (1 real minute equals 20 in-game minutes) or 1:30 in cities. To illustrate this more clearly, here's a breakdown of common in-game durations and their real-world equivalents:
| In-Game Time | Real Time |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 1 minute, 30 seconds |
| 1 hour | 3 minutes |
| 12 hours | 36 minutes |
| 1 day | 1 hour, 12 minutes |
As evident from the table, an entire in-game day passes in just over an hour of real play, making long hauls manageable and dynamic.
Practical Implications for Gameplay
The accelerated in-game time has several key effects on the player's experience:
- Journey Lengths: A journey that might be a 10-hour in-game drive across several regions can be completed in approximately 30 real-world minutes, maintaining engaging gameplay without excessive duration.
- Day-Night Cycle: Players will observe the sun rising and setting relatively quickly, often experiencing multiple day-night transitions within a single extended play session. This impacts visibility and the strategic use of vehicle lights.
- Driver Fatigue: The in-game fatigue system is directly influenced by this accelerated clock. Your driver will become tired much faster in-game, requiring regular stops at designated rest areas or truck stops to avoid penalties and maintain driving efficiency.
- Delivery Deadlines: All jobs come with deadlines based on in-game time. These deadlines translate to much shorter real-world periods, adding a strategic element to route planning and time management.
- Resource Management: Fuel consumption and the wear and tear on your truck are also scaled with the in-game time, meaning players need to manage these resources and plan for refueling and servicing more frequently than if the game operated in real-time.
For further details on how time is handled within the game, you can refer to resources like the Truck Simulator Wiki.
