[REWORK] 2020 Map dlc's - Idaho & Colorado
Posted: 06 Nov 2020 12:11
Well since no one has started up a reworks thread for Idaho, I figure it will happen eventually. It might be better if we separated them by year with each new set of dlc's that come. That way its easier to track. So for the 2020 maps, we have Idaho that was released already back in July and Colorado soon to be released this November at some point.
So to start, we have Idaho since this map is released already. A few things to point out. Idaho's shape in general creates a challenging road layout as is. But imho, I think SCS could have provided a little more with Idaho without compromising other states. Not getting US-93 to US-12 is understandable, however 2 of the 3 dead endends below could have been eliminated if they were included day one with Idaho. If the below reworks can come before Montana, that would create a few more route options and relief some of the frustrations drivers have. The scenery is beautiful and worth the dead end travels, but once you have done them 20-30 times, it becomes frustrating without the aid of Montana. So until Montana comes, we can get a boost to Idaho. No ID-21. Its restricted according to Rand McNally. So SCS did right not including it. No US-12 to US-93. That will have to wait until Montana.
Red = add these new roads
Yellow = scenic town (if space allows)
Magenta = new depot
[ external image ]
Northern Idaho. I'm not sure why the connection to Washington was made. Coleville and Spokane could have tied to Sandpoint. I have not analyzed the game map to see what landscape model may complicate things but anything from Omak and Coleville that may need to go to Sandpoint or even Kalispell, MT once it comes, it would be nice to have a continuous US-2 if we wanted to travel my scenic route. Not everyone wants to take the fastest route which is the Interstate. The fastest route just may not be the preferred route by many.
edit: Nov 15, 2020. I finally got around to looking at the game map. Tying Spokane to Sandpoint might be fairly difficult to connect. Colville is a little more on the feasible size but it too is tight. We might just be sol. But I'm sure Kalispell would connection to Sandpoint. There is more space there.
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Something that really bothered me on Idaho was White Bird Hill. It has a summit, yet it doesn't feel like it. Two misses. 1) elevation and 2) the real life road is 3 lanes, not two. Up step grades here in the US, there are typically 2 lanes up the grade. Slow traffic to the right. Outside of that, the road is beautifully done.
Northeastern Idaho. Idaho decent forestry industry. Imho, its not so pronounced in the dlc. There is space that SCS could have used to create more forest depots to substitute for the states lack of roads. The game doesn't have to be 100% as to where to pull lumber from but a little more helps. The forest in the Nez Perce and an abundance of space. In fact its about the size of New Jersey. In turn, this gives us more US-12 that would have to come once Montana comes anyways. If we dead end to forest roads, its not so critical. Once US-12 connects to US-93 it gets even easier but extending this road now and showing some artist creativity for forest roads can provide more joy for Idaho than what we currently have.
Cyan = the state of New Jersey. It pretty much covers an entire forest region of the state
[ external image ]
Extend US-12 to allow for a larger roll for Idaho to play in the Lumber industry.
[ external image ]
Create unique forest paths to multi small logging camps to make one larger complex. 2-3 of these along US-12 utilizes unused space.
[ external image ]
[ external image ]
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Southern Idaho. ID-28 could provide relief to Salmon asap. It wouldn't be much of a dead end anymore with more road development provide in the area. It also provides a better loop for Idaho Falls. The area will also benefit from Montana but that is quite a distance away in the future.
[ external image ]
Southeastern Idaho. US-89 could be something that continues with Wyoming but imho, it could have come with Idaho as well. The portion of US-89 doesn't connect into Wyoming to affect much. It very similar to US-95 that came with Oregon that went thru Idaho. Not only does US-89 and US-26 provide a scenic drive but it sets up the roads for Wyoming. With more of US-89 and US-20 from above, this added a portion of road that gives more options. It also makes a loop for Logan. These roads will come into play even more with Wyoming if these routes come.
[ external image ]
So to start, we have Idaho since this map is released already. A few things to point out. Idaho's shape in general creates a challenging road layout as is. But imho, I think SCS could have provided a little more with Idaho without compromising other states. Not getting US-93 to US-12 is understandable, however 2 of the 3 dead endends below could have been eliminated if they were included day one with Idaho. If the below reworks can come before Montana, that would create a few more route options and relief some of the frustrations drivers have. The scenery is beautiful and worth the dead end travels, but once you have done them 20-30 times, it becomes frustrating without the aid of Montana. So until Montana comes, we can get a boost to Idaho. No ID-21. Its restricted according to Rand McNally. So SCS did right not including it. No US-12 to US-93. That will have to wait until Montana.
Red = add these new roads
Yellow = scenic town (if space allows)
Magenta = new depot
[ external image ]
Northern Idaho. I'm not sure why the connection to Washington was made. Coleville and Spokane could have tied to Sandpoint. I have not analyzed the game map to see what landscape model may complicate things but anything from Omak and Coleville that may need to go to Sandpoint or even Kalispell, MT once it comes, it would be nice to have a continuous US-2 if we wanted to travel my scenic route. Not everyone wants to take the fastest route which is the Interstate. The fastest route just may not be the preferred route by many.
edit: Nov 15, 2020. I finally got around to looking at the game map. Tying Spokane to Sandpoint might be fairly difficult to connect. Colville is a little more on the feasible size but it too is tight. We might just be sol. But I'm sure Kalispell would connection to Sandpoint. There is more space there.
[ external image ]
Something that really bothered me on Idaho was White Bird Hill. It has a summit, yet it doesn't feel like it. Two misses. 1) elevation and 2) the real life road is 3 lanes, not two. Up step grades here in the US, there are typically 2 lanes up the grade. Slow traffic to the right. Outside of that, the road is beautifully done.
Northeastern Idaho. Idaho decent forestry industry. Imho, its not so pronounced in the dlc. There is space that SCS could have used to create more forest depots to substitute for the states lack of roads. The game doesn't have to be 100% as to where to pull lumber from but a little more helps. The forest in the Nez Perce and an abundance of space. In fact its about the size of New Jersey. In turn, this gives us more US-12 that would have to come once Montana comes anyways. If we dead end to forest roads, its not so critical. Once US-12 connects to US-93 it gets even easier but extending this road now and showing some artist creativity for forest roads can provide more joy for Idaho than what we currently have.
Cyan = the state of New Jersey. It pretty much covers an entire forest region of the state
[ external image ]
Extend US-12 to allow for a larger roll for Idaho to play in the Lumber industry.
[ external image ]
Create unique forest paths to multi small logging camps to make one larger complex. 2-3 of these along US-12 utilizes unused space.
[ external image ]
[ external image ]
[ external image ]
Southern Idaho. ID-28 could provide relief to Salmon asap. It wouldn't be much of a dead end anymore with more road development provide in the area. It also provides a better loop for Idaho Falls. The area will also benefit from Montana but that is quite a distance away in the future.
[ external image ]
Southeastern Idaho. US-89 could be something that continues with Wyoming but imho, it could have come with Idaho as well. The portion of US-89 doesn't connect into Wyoming to affect much. It very similar to US-95 that came with Oregon that went thru Idaho. Not only does US-89 and US-26 provide a scenic drive but it sets up the roads for Wyoming. With more of US-89 and US-20 from above, this added a portion of road that gives more options. It also makes a loop for Logan. These roads will come into play even more with Wyoming if these routes come.
[ external image ]