Take a trip with us to Springfield, Missouri! In today's blog, we want to show you a glimpse of another city that will be included in this upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator, so let's take a closer look.
Springfield, located in the southwestern region of the Show-Me State, is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Plateau - this hilly area has an abundance of caves and water bodies. Because of that, the city is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, offering some picturesque views.
This city is also known as the birthplace of Route 66 as this iconic road was named right there in Springfield. Other than that, there are several other important major roads and highways including the I-44 going through the city making it a significant transport hub.
Truckers will find plenty of gas stations and rest areas to accommodate them on their long journeys along with a big logistics company that has its headquarters in Springfield. And there will be no shortage of job opportunities either! Among the diverse establishments in the area, you'll find an aviation service, a food processing plant, a quarry, a battery factory, a facility for car parts, truck and trailer services, and car dealership depots. Additionally, there's a unique underground warehouse we showed you in a previous blog about Missouri.
As in all our cities, visitors to Springfield will encounter some iconic city landmarks such as a couple of beautiful churches, a Route 66 reference, and the stunning underground warehouse.
In June 2024, we announced that we had begun production on Iowa for American Truck Simulator! Today we're happy to introduce the Team working on this upcoming DLC!
We figured it would be best to let them introduce themselves in their own words, with a little message about themselves and what they are currently working on in the team. We hope you enjoy these words for you, our #BestCommunityEver!
Saimon
"My love for games like Sonic and Heroes sparked a passion that eventually led me here, to this amazing company. One of the highlights of my career was starting as a lead on the Texas DLC. My other passion lies in art and landscaping, which naturally reflects in the DLCs I’ve been involved with. I also deeply enjoy working with people, and I must say, as a team, we’ve made an incredible journey since the release of Nebraska. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited for what we’ll achieve next!"
Vacky
"I have been working at SCS for four and a half years now, and since my humble beginnings with the Texas DLC, I have always enjoyed being challenged with different tasks. The biggest challenge for me has been creating large cities, but I also appreciate designing a nice scenic road or a custom depot. At the moment, I am enjoying my time working on Cedar Rapids."
Tony
"My initial journey at SCS led me to the arid plains of Texas, where I began paving the first miles of Highway 90. This also involved creating a significant number of rock formations, which naturally steered me toward specializing in crafting geological features. With every new project, I strive to push my boundaries and introduce exciting elements that delight curious players and offer them something fresh—whether it’s the view from Scotts Bluff National Monument or a drive through the forgotten mines of the old Oregon Trail. My greatest challenge so far has been creating the Making of Texas book. It allowed me to leverage my experience with graphic design while also teaching me many new skills along the way."
Draky
"Hi, my nickname is Draky. I’m a map designer at SCS Software, where I’ve been working for three years. My main focus is landscapes, especially vegetation and materials, which I really enjoy. My first big project was Nebraska, where I contributed from start to finish. Currently, I’m working on the state of Iowa, developing and refining landscape details while striving to capture the right atmosphere. The city I was responsible for is the beautiful, modern Davenport. I even had the chance to visit this city in person during a company trip, and I immediately fell in love with it. I hope you’ll enjoy it. For the Flowers!"
Evgeny
"A few years ago, I joined Simon's great team, which had just finished working on one of the coolest Texas DLCs, and I had the opportunity to work on Texas 2.0. I still remember the excitement I felt when I learned that I would be working on the city of Texarkana and a small settlement.
Since then, I have worked with this team on the Nebraska DLC, where I delved deeper into the art of map design. With every new city or landscape, I gain valuable experience and learn something new about map-making. I build a personal connection to each of these places by studying their history and culture through articles and local news.
The toughest yet most creative part of my work is capturing the experience of a specific place within the very limited space available on the map. It’s exciting! Cities are my jam, but these days I also enjoy working on custom depots, large industrial sites, and managing generic assets for the entire DLC."
Morrys
"My journey at SCS Software began not too long ago when I joined midway through the Iowa project. I don’t have a specific specialization yet, and I’m enjoying the opportunity to work on a bit of everything. Working on the Iowa DLC has been an amazing experience, thanks to its diverse landscapes, fascinating cities, and unique locations. I have a strong eye for detail and always strive to deliver an authentic and immersive experience for players as they explore each area. I hope you’ll enjoy every mile of this DLC!"
Fregar
"I’ve been working at SCS as a map designer for over four years now. I started with Texas DLC, including creating new content in Texas 2.0, then moved to Nebraska, and now I’m continuing with Iowa. My main focus here is on Iowa City, one scenic town, and the surrounding roads. I’m the kind of person who’s a bit of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design. Outside of work, I enjoy Warhammer, drawing, and, of course, video games. Oh, and at home, I have two parrots to keep me company!"
Maky
"I’ve been working at SCS as a map designer for over two years now, and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Being part of a relaxed team of like-minded people is just as important to me as the creative work that truly fulfils me. Although I initially thought I’d feel more confident working on landscapes, I’ve gradually discovered that I enjoy cities, scenic towns, and especially truck stops even more. Since Nebraska, I’ve been responsible for truck stops in this team. I love tackling their technical design, and I find them fascinating as a concept—serving as meeting points for truckers."
Karel (Citymanlive)
"It’s been 4 years now since I started working at SCS as a map designer, and because I love city-building strategies, I think I’m in the right place! I began working on the legendary rework of California, then jumped to the massive Texas DLC, Kansas, lent a hand in Nebraska, and now a beautiful Iowa awaits me. I’m excited, and when you drive through Waterloo, let me know how you like it!"
Eren
"My career at SCS Software began in 2023 with the state of Nebraska. When I was assigned to Iowa, I was tasked with creating its largest city, Des Moines – something I didn’t expect at all. Looking back, I see it as a necessary trial by fire that gave me an incredible amount of experience. Although Iowa might seem unassuming at first glance, it actually offers a lot of interesting locations, which will be reflected in our DLC. I believe you’ll enjoy exploring this state as much as we enjoyed putting it together!"
Theo
"I’ve been working at SCS for a little over a year now, but Iowa is the first DLC I've been part of from the very beginning of the creation process—and it’s been a great journey! My main responsibility is Sioux City, which poses an interesting challenge since it’s my first large city. What I like most, however, is creating the long, scenic roads that connect the cities. It’s my goal to accurately recreate the fields, rivers, and expansive landscapes of Iowa, all while capturing the region’s authenticity for players."
Eevee
"I’m new at SCS and just starting to work on my first project as a junior map designer. It’s definitely a big challenge for me, but it motivates me even more to grow and create maps with creativity and vision. Luckily, everyone here is friendly and willing to help. Even in these few months at SCS, I’ve learned so much, and I look forward to growing further and turning my ideas into something truly exceptional."
We hope you enjoyed meeting the team members behind the Iowa DLC, who are working hard to deliver a great map expansion. We can't wait to share more of their ongoing work with you in the future. If you are excited about this upcoming DLC, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'.
A few months back, we unveiled Louisiana as another upcoming state that we are working on for American Truck Simulator. Before we start to show you glimpses of this map expansion, we would like you to meet the team that is currently working hard to prepare it for you!
We hope you will appreciate their messages for our #BestCommunityEver and you'll get in the mood for some more upcoming Louisiana topics. Now let's meet them!
David
Louisiana is the 5th project I've been managing as a DLC leader and we're all enjoying working on this DLC because Louisiana is very diverse. You can look forward to architecturally interesting cities, unique vegetation, more custom depots and several new industries that are typical for this area. Although it's a small state, the DLC has the potential to be a lot of fun and I promise we'll try to squeeze the most out of it.
Zuzana
I have been working for SCS as a map designer for 5 years now. My specialization is in road layouts - complex junctions, truck stops, rest areas and this sort of stuff. I've been excited to work on Louisiana since the time we visited with some colleagues of mine last year (check the vlog ;) ). Anyway, hope you'll love it and enjoy the state in our game!
Joanna
Louisiana is my 5th DLC project, following Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The state caught my attention with its unique landscape, architecture and road layout. It presents interesting challenges, which is exactly what excites us :) In addition to designing the map, I’m also in charge of the vegetation, which is very special to Louisiana. I really enjoy working on it, and I hope our community will appreciate it too.
Tomáš
I've been with SCS for around six years now. In that time I worked on many map DLCs including Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and most recently Arkansas. In the past, I was more focused on the natural aspects of the DLCs, which is still my passion and from time to time I like to return to such tasks. But now I am looking more into industrial depot areas and custom depots, which I also enjoy very much since it is the core of our gameplay and I like to design interesting places for players to deliver. Louisiana is very unique and interesting in both aspects - nature and the industry, so I am very excited to work on it and I hope players will enjoy it as well.
Lukáš
I started working in SCS Software three years ago on the Montana DLC. Since then I have worked on Oklahoma and Arkansas and done some work on Texas and the California reskin. I loved working on the natural scenery of Arkansas and can't wait to continue the work on the rich and diverse environments of Louisiana. Without giving away too much, my responsibility is a part of south Louisiana with a rich French heritage. And I hope I can manage to fit in as much of its charm despite the scale we are working with to bring the true soul of Louisiana to our players.
Kateřina
I joined the Louisiana team in October this year as a map designer. This is the first DLC I will be a part of and I am super excited about it! I am currently working on a very beautiful area located in northwest Louisiana and I'm truly hoping I will be able to capture its beauty well in our game. Each place is a challenge for me and I am ready to face them all and do my best!
Eliška
The Louisiana DLC is my first project as a map designer in SCS. My main responsibilities include smaller towns and connecting roads. I really enjoy this work, as it allows me to learn a lot of new things and contribute to creating an engaging game world. I can’t wait for players to experience this project and discover the charm of Louisiana!
Terka
I have been in SCS for over a year and my first project was the Arkansas DLC where I worked on Siloam Springs and a couple roads, which I really enjoyed, especially when they had some rock formations. Now I am working on Louisiana DLC and have been assigned one of the cities and the roads that go with it, which will be a much bigger challenge. This state also has some of the most beautiful natural features, and I hope that I can reflect that in the map, even in our game scale.
Vladimír
I joined SCS 8 years ago as a Map Designer, during that time I was involved in the production of Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas DLCs and now I've been working on Louisiana. I specialize mainly in the creation of smaller cities, landscapes and brownfields.
Tereza
I am new to the team and I am really looking forward to the very first DLC I will be participating making. Louisiana has beautiful natural features and many interesting places. The whole process will be a challenge for me, but also a great opportunity to learn new skills. So far I have been enjoying building roads that connect major cities. Louisiana has beautiful nature and wetlands, which are my favourite.
Vendula
Louisiana DLC is the very first project I am working on. I find Louisiana beautiful because of its nature and the wetlands are my favourite. I am currently working on a single road as my first ever task in production and so far it has been going great, the nature there is stunning and I am looking forward to where my journey continues. I also enjoy the technical aspects of map design and in the future, I would like to focus on those parts as well.
If you are excited about Louisiana, make sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist. Don't forget to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok a follow as you'll receive updates about our games straight to your feed! We look forward to sharing more with you down the road.
Another piece of the puzzle from the upcoming Missouri map expansion for American Truck Simulator is here, our #BestCommunityEver! Today, we are eager to show you the unique underground warehouses you will find and deliver cargo to in the Show Me State. Let's take a look!
You will come across four underground warehouses while trucking in this map expansion, all inspired by their real-world counterparts. The biggest one is located in Kansas City, and it is in fact the largest underground business complex in the world!
Mining of limestone began here in the 1940s using the room and pillar method. This process left behind a network of tunnels separated by massive limestone pillars. Over time, these spaces evolved into a series of rooms, domes, halls, corridors, and columns. Today, the site serves as an ideal storage facility, used by hundreds of companies to store a wide variety of products, thanks to its stable year-round temperature and humidity.
Another facility is located in Springfield, also within a former limestone mine. Although it is roughly half the size of the one in Kansas City, it still spans an impressive 3.2 million square feet (nearly 300,000 square meters). The facility is highly active, accommodating over 600 trucks daily and even features a train connection.
Similar in size is another underground warehouse located in the southwest of Missouri near the city of Joplin. It is mainly used for food storage so even though the storage space is fairly cold, it is being further chilled with refrigeration units on the surface.
If you head south of St. Louis, you will come across the smallest one of them. But don't be mistaken, this warehouse is still pretty big as it is located in an old limestone mine again and you will be able to deliver plenty of different cargo in and out of there.
We hope you are looking forward to exploring these unique warehouses in the Missouri DLC. If you do, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! And don't forget to follow us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. Until then, keep on truckin'!
The holiday season is upon us! For many, this is a time to reflect on the past year and cherish moments with loved ones. Wherever you are and however you celebrate, we hope you’ll find the time to enjoy the holiday spirit this season brings. Like many of you, a majority of our team here at SCS Software will be taking a holiday away from the office to enjoy traditional festivities with friends and family. During this time, you can expect a bit of a quieter period from us across our official channels, but it won't be long before we're back on the road again in the New Year!
2024 has undoubtedly been a year of growth, change, and progress. With the release of Nebraska and Arkansas for American Truck Simulator and Greece for Euro Truck Simulator 2, many new miles have been added to the in-game world! From exciting firsts, such as the introduction of the first electric truck in ETS2, the Renault E-Tech T to the launch of the Driving Academy, we’re proud to have delivered new content and features to our #BestCommunityEver.
We also can’t overlook the major milestones we’ve achieved this year, including moving into new offices and expanding our team of over 360! None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our incredible team and partners and, of course, the unwavering support of you our community.
Looking to get some extra miles in over the festive period? Take part in our Return To Winterland World of Trucks event for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator! Experience the magical Winterland as you help deliver supplies and gift packs across the globe, which contribute to your personal and community goal to unlock tiers of in-game rewards! This year's event features a few special updates to make it even more magical than before. Read more on how you can take part here.
We also recently hosted our traditional Special Christmas Live Steam, which reflects on the past year and where we shared some teasers, glimpses of upcoming projects, and what is in store for the future of ETS2 and ATS. With Special guests including our CEO Pavel Šebor, don't miss out on what we shared! You can re-watch the entire stream at our official YouTube channel here!
We'd like to thank you all again for your support, and we can't wait to spend many more miles on the road with you in 2025. From all of us here at SCS Software, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Return to Winterland Event 2024
By now you've heard the story old About a place where you were told That only few have ever been, And yet this place you now have seen.
So in your heart, you know it’s true That there’s a special place for you, That’s filled with Christmas fun and cheer, A kind of magic everywhere.
There’s joy and laughter to be had, And no one there is ever sad, Especially with the time at hand! Let’s all Return to Winterland!
So once you’re ready for the ride And offering your help with pride, A snowy portal will appear. Just look around, you’ll find it near.
Then drive to it, and don’t delay Now park inside, then on your way! Once you arrive, explore, have fun. It’s Winterland for everyone.
And last not least, just one more thing, As well as all the Gifts you bring There is an unexpected task That means a lot to those who ask.
In Winterland, before you leave, Your help is needed to retrieve Some Gift Packs, that were sadly lost, In last weeks snow storm, in the frost.
We ask your help to search and find And load these Gift Packs, if you’re kind, Then take them also with your haul So no one misses out at all!
Then once you’re back, with gift packs done, You’ll help to spread more snowy fun! But not just fun, a legend grand, Of magic Christmas Winterland!
So, haul for one and one for haul And Very Merry Christmas All!
Once again the festive season is upon us, so we are delighted to invite you back to our wonderful Winterland this Christmas. This time we've added a few special updates to make it even more magical than before, we hope you like what you find! So, to our #BestCommunityEver, we give you our Return to Winterland event for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator!
Get ready for an unforgettable Christmas adventure! Join us as we journey back to Christmas Winterland, where you'll deliver supplies and gift packs across the globe. We’re challenging the community to collect 200 Snowflakes for cities everywhere for each of the 5 tiers—1,000 Snowflakes in total. Each tier unlocks a special cabin item reward, with designs inspired by the five festive depots of Winterland!
This year, the weather in Winterland has changed a bit. You'll experience brighter, sunnier days than before, offering beautiful views with a fresher, crisper feeling. But don’t be fooled—there’s also a good chance you may encounter rougher weather, with snowfall in the forecast. You never quite know what you'll get!
You’ll be able to track the community progress on World of Trucks or directly in the game using the updated External Contracts interface.
We've designed a new #ReturnToWinterland Desktop Background Theme, and you may notice an elusive blue gift box that pops up every now and then, providing a small clue about something extra that's in store for you. Since the weather in Winterland is a bit different this year, you might be asked to help rescue some gift packs that were lost in a past snowstorm. We trust that you'll rise to the challenge and answer the call for help! Who knows where it may take you in this magical land, perhaps to a place you've never visited before. When the time comes to help, you'll know—just follow the instructions from Winterland and be on your way!
We invite you to join us for a special Christmas stream which is happening today, on the 16th of December, on our Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. We will show and tell you everything about this wonderful event!
Return to Winterland Event Rules:
Using External Contracts with a World of Trucks-connected profile in Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator or both, the community is to deliver supplies and gift packs to and from Christmas Winterland using as many cities as possible. There are 5 different depots in Winterland for all deliveries, to and from, they are:
Christmas Market...a town square market
Marigold's...a chocolate factory
Northstar...a post office
Rudolph's Crafts...an art workshop
Snowy Peaks...a mountain resort market
Your personal goal is to complete 15 deliveries for them including at least 1 delivery to or from each depot, using Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator or both games combined.
Snowflakes are gained for those cities that have delivered to or received from Winterland. For a city to receive 1 Snowflake, the community needs to complete 1000 deliveries between it and Winterland. Each city can receive up to 5 Snowflakes!
The community goal is to reach at least 1000 Snowflakes for cities across all trucking territories. A unique community reward will be unlocked for each tier of 200 Snowflakes accomplished, with 5 tiers in total.
Rewards
Personal: Your contribution of 15 or more deliveries to or from the 5 Christmas Winterland depots will gain you:
A special World of Trucks Achievement.
A collection of 6 festive arrays of decorative exterior cab lighting, designed as truck accessory items for each game. This collection is compatible with the top-tier trucks of all truck brands.
A bonus reward, for those that don't already have it, of last year's beautiful Winterland truck paint job
Community: There will be 5 tiers to unlock. Each tier will bring a special cabin item reward for both games, based on the 5 unique depots within Christmas Winterland, so let's haul!
Christmas Winterland Directions
Access to Winterland is available using a portal, which materialises after you've accepted any event cargo. Find it on the map and navigate to it. Look for the sparkles!
When leaving Winterland through a portal, you can either deliver a cargo to its destination or travel to a random city for a new job to Winterland.
Note: In order to qualify for any community reward, you must complete at least your personal goal in Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator or both. Each reward will be a Steam inventory item for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. Once completed, claim your reward in the Events page on your World of Trucks profile.
The event will be concluded on Sunday, the 12th of January at 23:59 UTC.
We can’t wait to hear about your return journey back to Christmas Winterland and we’d be thrilled to see more photos of you as you reach your goals and enjoy the rewards of this wonderful season of giving. Share your screenshots and videos with us using the hashtag #ReturnToWinterland on our Facebook ATS / ETS2, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram profiles and we will share our favourite ones.
We also plan on hosting a special live stream in which we will explore more about how this year's Christmas event has been designed and created for all of us in a detailed, nice, and relaxed talk with our colleagues from the World of Trucks team while also playing and contributing towards the community goal. Join us this afternoon from 18:00 CET on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook, and Return to Winterland with us!
Under the Hood - Sculpting
An important aspect of creating realistic virtual representations of cities and towns in Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator is not only the road networks and buildings, but also the recreation of important and unique landmarks in those areas. One such common landmark is statues, which are created from scratch by our talented digital sculptors, whom we've had the pleasure to talk to and share more about their work with you today!
We spoke with Martina D and Věra Š, both of whom work in our Asset department and they create many of the statues along with a variety of other custom assets. We will let them introduce themselves!
"My name is Martina D. I joined SCS Software about six years ago as a Map Designer. After three years, I transitioned to the Asset department, where I continue to work today!"
"Hello, My name is Věra Š. but I´m also known as Bee! I work as a 3D Graphic Assets Designer and my specialty is statues. I´ve been working at SCS Software for over 2 years."
A real-life reference of The Homesteaders statue located in Enid, Oklahoma
We're interested to know, how did you get into sculpting? Was it something you learned at school, or did you teach yourself at home? "I always had a strong artistic background," Martina tells us. "Since elementary school, I have been attending art classes twice a week. When I was 14, I discovered the world of digital painting, which made me even more obsessed with creating art. When I started working at SCS, I became interested in the process of creating assets, so I began experimenting with 3D programs. Sculpting quickly caught my eye. It’s like painting, but with a third dimension, and it somehow felt so much more satisfying than painting. I completely fell in love with the process."
Věra also shares her answer "As a lover of figures such as Warhammer, or video games, and classical historical statues, I was mesmerized by such art forms and wanted to create something on my own, so I downloaded Blender and started my journey. Thanks to YouTube I learnt the basics of 3D sculpting and couldn't stop creating."
A 3D Digital Sculpture of The Homesteaders statue
When creating digital sculptures for ETS2 or ATS, what kinds of tools and software do you use? "For sculpting, we use the ZBrush software from Maxon." Martina shares "It is the leading and the most efficient sculpting software on the market. As for hardware, I use my big non-screen Huion graphic tablet and a short keyboard that will fit next to my tablet and allow me to use shortcuts comfortably".
The process of creating and integrating a digital sculpture or asset into a game is far from quick or simple. It requires multiple steps and the use of specialized software. Věra explains, “First of all, I start with a block-out. In this step, the main goal is to create a simple shape that resembles the general form of the sculpture. After that, we can start sculpting, which is my favourite part since we’re playing with all the details. At this stage, we use ZBrush, which is excellent for sculpting organic forms.”
Martina agrees on the importance of starting with the basics, saying, “Everything starts with good proportions. I use the most basic shapes with the lowest polygon count possible. Each time I feel satisfied with the proportions, I increase the polygon count. It’s always good to work with lower polygon counts initially because I can use the polygon flow to my advantage. Once my sculpture feels finished after a few rounds of detailing, I use a decimation tool to drastically reduce unnecessary polygons while keeping all the details. This version isn’t usable for further sculpting, but it’s perfectly optimized for import into other software.”
The next step is creating a low-poly version of the model, a process called retopology. Věra explains, “If I’m satisfied with the high-resolution sculpture, I move to Maya, where I create a more optimised version of the sculpture. This step is crucial because we have to lower the resolution, or it won’t run in the game.”
Once the lower-poly model is ready, UV mapping comes next. “UV mapping,” Martina explains, “is the process of transferring a 3D model into a 2D space. It tells us which part of the model will be covered with texture and where.” Věra adds a colourful analogy: “I would describe UV mapping as peeling an orange. If we want to draw on a 3D object, we need to flatten it first. So, like peeling an orange, we peel the model and draw on the 2D rind.”
The final steps involve texturing and assembling the model. “I use Adobe Substance Painter,” says Martina. “First, I import the low-poly model and use the ‘baking’ tool to imprint all the details from the high-poly model onto a normal map texture. Then, I can easily apply any material to the model. I’ve created some of my own metal materials, which I modify as needed.” Věra shares a similar approach: “The fun part is adding colours and details in Substance Painter. Sometimes, we need to make adjustments in Photoshop before going back to Maya to assemble everything, create LODs, and add the finishing touches.”
"However, in some unique cases, to save time on more difficult or interesting sculptures, I like to re-use older statues or just parts of them and re-sculpt them to look brand new."
So how long does a sculpture typically take from start to finish? "It depends on the complexity of the sculpture," Martina explains. "Some statues take a few days, while others can take weeks. Realistic statues always require a bit more time and care."
What are some of the more challenging aspects of creating sculptures? "Optimization is always very critical for us," says Martina. "Sometimes, it can limit us or require us to come up with alternate solutions. It can be challenging, but it also makes my job more interesting."
We then went on to ask about their favourite sculpture they had created. "One of my proudest works is the Enid Heritage Center statue." Věra shares "It warmed my heart to see it praised in a Reddit post. Another favourite of mine is the Santa Cruz Clock Tower statue. This wasn’t an ordinary sculpture, it serves as a reminder of the loss and grief that war leaves behind, not just for a specific war. At one point during its creation, the statue depicted more intense pain, but it was eventually changed to avoid being too disturbing."
A real-life reference of the Buffalo Soldier Memorial statue located in Junction City, Kansas
Martina tells us of their favourite sculpture too "There was one really strange statue of a metal lady made out of metal scraps. It was quite challenging to make it look good and optimised at the same time. I usually sculpt statues of riders on the horse. Sculpting animals is my favourite. I worked lately on cows and dogs too." Between the both of them, Martina and Věra have created more than 50 statues for current and upcoming map expansions.
And for those who share similar interests in digital sculpting, do you have any words? Věra shares "There is no such thing as talent, you are going to get better only if you practice, and that applies to any art." Martina also adds "Fight for your dreams. Working in the game industry is more achievable than it seems".
We hope you enjoyed this insight into the world of digital sculpting and what goes into the work you see behind those landmark statues found across Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. We'd like to thank both Věra and Martina for taking the time to talk with us and share their work, knowledge and experience with you in this Under the Hood blog! If you have some suggestions for future topics, be sure to let us know in the comments below. Until next time, keep on truckin'!
Missouri - Cape Girardeau
Welcome to Cape Girardeau, Missouri! This city full of history is located on the western bank of the Mississippi River, right on the border with Illinois. So let's take a look at how our map designers recreated it for American Truck Simulator.
Cape Girardeau traces its origins back to the 18th century, starting as a modest trading post. It was officially established as a city in 1793. Today, with a population of approximately 40,000, it stands as the largest city between St. Louis and Memphis, serving as a regional hub for education, commerce, and healthcare.
This city is home to numerous beautiful historic buildings which our teams meticulously recreated for our game. These include landmarks like the Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church, the River Campus, Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, Fort D, and the Missouri Wall of Fame, as well as other buildings such as the local synagogue, courthouse, or dry dock. We believe our asset and map designers did a great job putting it all together and you will feel like you are really there!
As always, truckers delivering in and out of the city will find plenty of job opportunities in the many depots that this city offers. You can come across a factory for building materials, a yacht builder, a truck and trailer service, a supermarket, a feed mill, a riverport, or even an ongoing construction site of a parking lot that will need your services.
We hope you are excited to visit this town once we release the Missouri DLC. If you want to show us that you are also looking forward to trucking in this map expansion, don't forget to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news.
We are excited to reveal that the 1.53 Update for American Truck Simulator is now released and available on Steam for you to enjoy! This free update contains some new content that you can read about below.
We want to express our gratitude to everyone who took part in the Open Beta, shared their feedback, and reported bugs. Your contributions were invaluable in helping us fine-tune this update, implement improvements, and address issues that might have slipped through earlier. Thanks to your efforts, we hope you can now fully enjoy the results of your hard work!
California Rework - Phase 4
Phase 4 of the California Rework project focused on the southern region of California and includes 10 cities, 3 of which are entirely new to the world of American Truck Simulator. Drivers working in this region can make deliveries to and from the cities of Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Mojave, Barstow, Indio, Blythe, Los Angeles, San Diego, and El Centro. Similar to previous phases, much of the original base map was removed and reworked entirely from the ground up including the cities' surrounding areas.
Our team also focused on reworking key routes, including major coastal highways such as the US-101, CA-1, and I-5. In addition, several other important routes have been revamped, such as the CA-58, CA-14, and CA-99, along with interstates I-10, I-15, I-40, and I-8, which serve as vital connections to neighboring U.S. states. You can read about this phase of the rework project in more detail in a dedicated blog post.
Dynamic Cargo (Un)loading Update
Since the 1.50 update, we have implemented and then further expanded the dynamic cargo loading and unloading feature. So far, truckers have been able to experience this feature when hauling a grain hopper, a chip van, or a bolster logger. When using the logger, truckers were able to transport logs and enjoy the animated loading and unloading only in Arkansas. With the 1.53 update, this feature is available throughout the whole USA!
Driving Academy Fifth Generation Cascadia
In the 1.53 update, The Fifth Generation Cascadia from Freightliner was implemented into Driving Academy, our brand new game module introduced in 1.52. This state-of-the-art truck is the newest addition to the ATS truck roster, and now you can try it out in various challenging scenarios in Driving Academy!
Options QoL improvement
We're happy to introduce a feature that we believe many players will find helpful, especially those who often adjust their settings to fine-tune what is best to their liking and setup. When changing an option with a default value, players now have a visual indication of when a setting has been moved or changed from its default state.
Settings that have been adjusted from their default value now appear with a small visual indicator alongside that setting. We hope this helps users find which settings have been altered from default.
Smooth and Auto Camera Centring
Another new feature that we are happy to include with this update is Smooth and Auto Camera Centering! Players can enable this new option to return their camera to the central position automatically after moving it. When activated by the player or by moving forward, the smooth centering feature becomes noticeable as it gently transitions the camera to the central position.
This addition comes with a range of personal preference options, including three options for speed, which controls how fast or slow the camera returns to the center; as well as the option to set how many seconds of delay there should be before re-centering occurs.
For players who use a third-party head-tracking solution or prefer to adjust the position of the camera manually, there is the option to disable this feature altogether.
Special Transport Update
We have also updated the Special Transport DLC. As part of the California Rework project, we have added a new route for truckers to haul oversized cargo - between the rebuilt cities of Los Angeles and San Diego via the I-5.
But that's not all. In response to community feedback, we've decided to raise the maximum speed limit for special transport deliveries. Escort vehicles and transport trucks themselves can now travel at speeds of up to 55 mph, an increase from the previous limit of 40 mph.
Sliding Tandems Update
We have also introduced a new sliding tandems feature. Previously, players could only set trailer axles in a fixed forward or rear position. Now, select trailers come with updated chassis, allowing players to slide the axles freely to optimize the weight distribution for their load.
But be cautious! To make this feature as realistic as possible, if the trailer's rear axle's distance exceeds 40 feet from the kingpin, you risk receiving a fine at Californian weigh stations and, in some cases, directly from the police.
Changelog
Map
California Rework - Phase 4 release
Gameplay
Dynamic cargo loading & unloading of logs available throughout the USA
New Special Transport route from Los Angeles to San Diego
Raised speed limit for Special Transport jobs from 40 mph to 55 mph
Vehicles
The new Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia® added to Driving Academy
Fully functional sliding tandems and fines system
UI
Visualization of changed options in the settings
Smooth and Auto camera centering
We hope you are excited about the new content! Remember to follow us on our social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) so you won't miss out on any news from the world of American Truck Simulator, and share screenshots and videos with us featuring new content. Drive safe!
A map expansion without roads? Now that would be a logistical nightmare for our drivers! Luckily, that's not the case here. In this blog, we bring a preview of the road network that awaits you in our upcoming Missouri map expansion for American Truck Simulator.
Our teams have meticulously recreated some of the big junctions and intersections inspired by real locations in the Show Me State. Here you can see some of them.
One notable spot is a major road junction just outside St. Joseph, where US-36 and I-229 converge. This area also includes the Pony Express Bridge, which spans the Missouri River and connects Missouri to Kansas.
On the opposite side of the state near Jefferson City, you will find a detailed recreation of the intersection where US-54 and US-50 meet. Nearby, the beautiful Jefferson City Bridge offers a scenic route northeast of the city.
In the eastern part of Columbia, there's another complex interchange involving the US-63 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
At the heart of Kansas City, you will find two major junctions that are closely connected. They are linked by Interstate 70, which runs through both. These critical intersections serve as connections between I-70 with Interstate 35, and US-71.
We hope you are excited to get in your truck and take it for a ride on some of these roads! If you want to show us that you are also looking forward to trucking in this map expansion, don't forget to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news.
