Real World Billboards

This mod replaces the in-game billboards with real billboards used throughout the United States. I update periodically, keeping billboards feeling fresh and so you see new ones each time you play.
If you were a fan of the Real Advertisements mod that is now closed, this mod is for you.

As Realistic As Possible
Most of the artwork in this pack comes from real outdoor advertisements and public service announcements that have appeared across the country in recent years.
The textures are formatted to look realistic, without warped graphics or unrealistically generic graphics. Everything included is based on a real-world advertising campaign, even if I’ve had to recreate the graphics. (This means sticking to individual brand guidelines and adherence to proper typography, color, legal regulations, and logo use.)
Whenever possible, the billboards are placed in regions where those companies or messages would realistically appear. To accomplish this, I tracked where each billboard asset appears in the game world and matched those locations with advertisers that operate in those areas. The goal is not strict accuracy, but a roadside environment that feels believable as you drive across different parts of the country.
The result reflects the real character of outdoor advertising. Some billboards are polished national campaigns while others are smaller regional advertisements. Some make you laugh, some make you think. Public service announcements are also included, along with several additional state Department of Transportation LED advisory messages that appear on highway safety boards. Overtly political messaging has intentionally been avoided. A handful of subtle jokes are hidden throughout the pack, although they are designed to blend naturally into the advertisement.

Periodic Updates
The billboard collection is updated periodically so the roadside landscape continues to evolve. New advertisements are added over time and older artwork is occasionally replaced as campaigns age.
Updates are guided by a simple scoring system that tracks how often each billboard appears in certain states and how old the artwork has become. This helps prioritize the billboards that players see most frequently so commonly traveled routes stay fresh.

Future Plans
Some billboards are managed by SCS and feature actual ad campaigns and DLC state promotions. The texture files are not easily editable but I am exploring options.
There are a set of ultrawide billboards (called “bulletins” in outdoor media) from the Nevada (Las Vegas) map expansion that are used around the entirety of the map. Editing this billboard file requires changing the model file. While I am pretty comfortable in Blender, I have had absolutely no luck using the SCS Blender Tools to export an updated model to change this billboard, so it remains unchanged for the time being. If you can help me, please reach out! (I’ve had no luck following out-of-date tutorials and non-english tutorials on youtube.) I would love to use this billboard file to create dramatic nation-wide campaigns that use 3D elements or elements that go off the edge of the bulletin area. I have big plans, but can’t get it to work! I will continue to try.

Compatibility
Because the mod currently replaces only texture files, it should be compatible with most other mods. If another mod also changes billboard textures, this mod should be placed higher in the load order so its artwork is used. For example, I use “Real World Signs & Logos” and “Real companies, gas stations & billboards”; “Real World Billboards” (this mod) needs to go above both in order for its assets to display in game.
Suggestions for billboards from your region are always welcome.

Credits:
ExtraNoise

35.53 MB