American Truck Simulator 1.49: Special Transport DLC Update
Today, we are excited to reveal two brand-new cargos for the Special Transport DLC. With the upcoming 1.49 update, you will be able to haul a 39-meter-long (over 129 feet) wind turbine blade and a massive articulated hauler in American Truck Simulator.
To celebrate the long-requested wind turbine blade, we have made two new routes leading from Pueblo, Colorado, where these blades are manufactured. You'll also be able to find these two new cargoes on selected Special Transport routes that are already featured in the game, leading through either some of the previously released map expansions, but also located in some of the states that came out with the initial release of ATS.
This DLC update includes:
Wind turbine cargo
Articulated hauler cargo
New route from Pueblo to Trinidad (near Pueblo)
New route from Pueblo to Limon (near Denver)
Taking the wheel of a truck carrying massive cargo is no easy task. Maneuvering a truck with oversized cargo requires a skillful dance, a fine-tuned balance between power and precision. Only the most skilled truckers can tackle these distinctive missions. Do you think you've got what it takes?
We hope you are excited about this update that was requested for some time by our #BestCommunityEver. Keep in mind to check out our social media profiles (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and give them a follow to stay in touch with the latest news!
There’s no place like Kansas, and the same rings true in American Truck Simulator! Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the virtual roads, because we're excited to announce that...
The Kansas DLC for American Truck Simulator will be released on November 30th, 2023!
We're just as excited as you are, and to keep your anticipation high, we've released the official trailer for the Kansas DLC on our official YouTube channel. This trailer will give you a sneak peek of the wonderful landscapes, historical cities & towns, unique landmarks, and local industries that await you in this map expansion. Take a watch of it below!
We cannot wait for your to make your first journey through the Sunflower State. Our team has been working hard to ensure everything is running smoothly upon its release. Our goal is to give you an amazing virtual trucking experience, and we're committed to making that happen!
From cities large and small to the diverse agricultural industries found across the region, Kansas has something new to explore around each corner. Be sure to keep an eye out for any viewpoints and landmarks along the way!
Excited to explore this new U.S. state? Then be sure to add Kansas to your Steam Wishlist to be notified as soon as it releases on November 30th!
We'd like to thank you, our #BestCommunityEver for your continuous support during the development period of the Kansas DLC. We look forward to seeing you real soon in Kansas!
Today marks the beginning of Czech & Slovak Games Week, an annual event that celebrates games created by studios based in the countries of Czechia and Slovakia. Our studio has been around for over 25 years, witnessing the major growth of the local games industry. During our humble beginnings, there were less than than a hundred individuals creating games on a professional basis in our countries. These days, well over 2,000 people in the region are making a living creating games, and making quite an impact on the global gaming scene. What a ride it has been!
We may not be the oldest studio, but we are proud to be a part of this growth from the early years, and we are honoured to partner up with so many fantastic and creative studios during this week-long celebration.
Many of the games participating will be celebrating by offering cool discounts on Steam and any platforms where players can find them. Unfortunately, we used up our available discount slot recently on the launch of the West Balkans DLC, and we will only be able to do a promotional sale around the time of the Kansas DLC launch (wink wink). Still, we wanted to support the CZ & SK Games week in some way on Steam and give the people exploring the vast offering of locally produced games a bargain to try our titles as well; Or to catch up, in case they already own one of our flagship truck simulators, but were looking for an excuse to try the other one. We have found a working solution on Steam - a dedicated bundle may do just the trick! We are aware that most of our readers probably know our games in and out, but it may still be a good way of growing our fanbase.
One part of Czech & Slovak Games Week that always stands out is the unique and beautiful artwork that accompanies it. Anna Voříšková, one of our talented 2D artists, continues to be the main driving force behind the creation of these wonderful designs. We spoke with her to learn more about the process on creating artwork for such an event.
"This is the fourth year I've volunteered to create artwork for the event, and I feel like with each year I continue to challenge myself more and more in terms of the art's vision and composition." Annie explains "It's always my job to design everything, from start to finish, which is a very challenging job and a huge responsibility, but to see it done, see the event up and running, is such a rewarding feeling. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished together with my teammates at GDACZ."
"The theme I've chosen for this year's event is "togetherness". Czechia and Slovakia have a very warm relationship and I wanted to represent it in the artwork. The two characters - a Czech girl and a Slovak boy - play through a platformer together to reach a common goal, while munching on some popular local snacks. The platformer itself also pictures various landmarks from both Czechia and Slovakia. I really wanted the artwork to have an educational impact as well - it tells you a little about the culture of both countries."
"The cover art took around 30 hours to design, sketch, outline, colour, and polish. The details and clean, intricate lines are mostly to blame. I did most of the work on my iPad, which I like to take to cafés for a little change of scenery. And no, I really don't wanna think about the cost of all the large Starbucks coffees I had to consume to get it done!"
We are proud of the work Anna undertakes in her own time for this special event! The Czech & Slovak Games Week takes place between November 13th and November 20th and features a number of discounts for locally created games across a multitude of platforms, along with digital events and online streams. We urge you to check it out for yourself! You can find the Czech & Slovak Games Week Steam page right here.
Kansas - Gameplay Video
From fields of wheat to rock bands, Kansas has something for everyone! Today, we're excited to share with you the very first gameplay preview from our upcoming Kansas DLC for American Truck Simulator. Join us as we drive from from Kansas City to Hutchinson.
Please keep in mind that what you see here is still a work in progress and does not represent the final product
With industries and scenic roads to explore, Kansas has plenty of roads yet to be discovered. If you like what you see, add it to your Steam Wishlist! We thank you for your continued support and look forward to reading your comments. Be sure to check back here soon for more updates, news, and previews.
We've been tackling the demanding Arkansas DLC for some time now. Despite the necessary hard work and commitment, we haven't had a chance to give a shout-out to the often-overlooked heroes within our dedicated team.
We hope you will enjoy this presentation of the SCS map designers who are currently working on the Arkansas DLC and their short messages to the #BestCommunityEver.
David
I have been working at SCS for seven years now, and during that time, I have progressed from testing to map design to a leadership position as the Map DLC Lead for American Truck Simulator. In this role, my responsibility is to lead the project from start to finish, which primarily involves managing the rest of my team, closely cooperating with other departments, and staying in touch with marketing. Among my previously released projects are Wyoming, Montana, and Oklahoma.
Our goal for Arkansas is to portray it exactly as it is—full of smaller picturesque towns, beautiful nature, and interesting businesses. We're striving to create another enjoyable DLC that people will want to add to their collection of ATS.
Joanna
It's been almost 3.5 years since I've joined the SCS team. My first big task was to create the Yellowstone Park in the Wyoming DLC. It was quite a challenge but also an exciting mission for a newbie. While working on this task, I realized that creating landscapes and nature is the most enjoyable part of my job. In Arkansas, I work on the small, spa town of Hot Springs and its beautiful surroundings. I hope you will like it!
Vojta
I joined SCS in 2019 and started working on Colorado DLC where I learned all the basics of the editor. Since then I've been working on many projects like the rework of California, Wyoming, a little bit of Texas, Montana, Oklahoma and now Arkansas where I'm responsible for Little Rock and most of the I-40 that goes across the state. What I've enjoyed the most is the variety of tasks that I get from rural roads, and truck stops to large cities.
Vopi
It's already been five years since I joined SCS back in 2018. Nowadays I work as a Senior Map Designer and during my time here I was able to get my hands on DLCs like Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Oklahoma, where I usually focused on some mountainous areas and roads and on nature in general. I am excited about Arkansas because I like the lush and foresty feel it has. Of course, it is not the PNW, but in some ways, it reminds me of working on Washington. Among other things, I am responsible for the North-West Arkansas region around Fayetteville and I hope we can deliver some of its unique features so players can enjoy them.
Jakub
It's been a long day at work or school. You are tired; you have had enough. All you want to do for the rest of your day is chill. And so you go trucking. As a fellow gamer, I get it. That's why I am always trying to follow this rule: no matter how pretty and accurate your game is, if it's not fun to play, people will not play it. It will soon be 3 years since I started working at SCS as a map designer on DLC Montana, then worked on Oklahoma, and now I'm doing my best to make sure you have fun trucking in Arkansas. My favorite parts of the map to design are small settlements because they have that American country vibe that I like.
Vladimír
This is my seventh year working at SCS as a Map designer. I started with a road connecting California and Nevada through the Death Valley. Then I worked on smaller towns and neighbourhoods, mostly on the coast of California and Oregon (Redwood-Sequoia), Utah (Vernal), Idaho (Salmon), Wyoming (Jackson), Montana (Wolfpoint-Sidney-Glendive), Oklahoma (Idabel-Broken Bow-Hugo) and now I'm working on a road from De Queen to Texarkana in Arkansas. I enjoy working with the details of industrial areas and smaller towns the most.
Adam
I joined SCS at the beginning of 2022 as a junior map designer without any previous game development-related professional work experience. I joined in the later production stage of Montana, where I made some interstates and settlements. Then I worked on some parts of cities in Texas and after that on Oklahoma right in the beginning so I had the opportunity to have creative freedom. These days I work on Arkansas which is by far my favorite project. Parts of the map I work on inspire me and I feel blessed to work specifically on this DLC.
Jáno
It's been nearly three years since I started working as a map designer at SCS. In the beginning, I worked on Sacramento city for the California Rework project. Later, I joined Davido's team and started to design small abandoned settlements, wide-open plains, and stunning landscapes, which I really enjoyed working on. You can find some of them in the Texas, Montana, or Oklahoma DLCs. Currently, I am focusing on the eastern region of Arkansas, and I really hope the new DLC will be fun and exciting to play.
Zuzu
It has been almost 4 years since I joined SCS as a junior map designer. I started with small roads in Idaho and soon discovered that my interest lies in the more technical aspects of mapping. Now, as part of the Arkansas team, I am responsible for road layouts, such as complex junctions and truck stops. In Arkansas, what I am aiming for is creating viewpoints in beautiful sceneries, crafted by my colleagues.
Lukáš
I have been working at SCS Software for almost three years now, and every one of them has been entirely stellar. Since then, I have worked on Montana, Oklahoma, and now, of course, the Arkansas DLC, but also a few bits of the California rework and Texas. Regarding Arkansas, I am working on a few settlements and an unnamed city that might or might not contain some gold. But what I really love about Arkansas is the countryside. My absolute favorite places are the swamps, bogs, and overgrown little forest rivers. I always try to capture their true soul. I only wish Arkansas was a bit bigger, so we might be able to weave a few more such places in.
We hope you've appreciated this brief departure from our typical map-focused blog content. The team is putting in their utmost effort to deliver an exceptional experience, and we're eagerly anticipating revealing more of their ongoing projects in the future. Meanwhile, stay tuned to the blog or follow us on social media platforms (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok) for any upcoming updates.
Kansas - Topeka & Wichita & Kansas City
Get ready for an exciting drive in the upcoming Kansas DLC for American Truck Simulator, featuring three standout cities at the core of the Sunflower State. We are happy to bring you some more information about Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City which are some of the most important settlements in Kansas.
Wichita
Wichita takes the spotlight, a lively city where your trucking adventure comes to life. Explore the action at Aerosystem, a key player in airplane manufacturing. Enjoy the beautiful view of downtown Wichita, catching sight of landmarks like the Intrust Bank Arena, The Epic Center, or 250 Douglas Place. Deliver cargo to two busy industrial zones, the Eisenhower airport, a personal jet service, and roll along the unique channel cutting through the highway. Wichita's mix of industry and city vibes promises a memorable journey.
Kansas City
Get ready for a unique trucking adventure in Kansas City, which is split between Kansas and Missouri. Truckers will cruise through the Kansas side, catching a glimpse of Missouri's downtown. The economic spotlight shines on the new Caliber Motors car factory, alongside a bustling scene with a custom grain elevator, trailer service, and a general warehouse. Reflecting its historical railroad significance, Kansas City features rail-related depots, including the rail supply depot and railroad construction depot. Beyond the city limits, the Railroad Intermodal awaits. During your journey, catch a glimpse of the iconic Strawberry Hill!
Topeka
Topeka, the capital of the state is a must-visit destination for truckers seeking a taste of city life. As players cruise through downtown, they'll be greeted by the iconic Capitol building, a beloved symbol of Topeka. The city offers more than just a scenic drive - truckers can invest in a garage, explore the bustling food manufacturing plant, or take a detour to the truck stop at Lower Silver Lake Rd exit. A new custom depot awaits adventurous players next to the truck stop, featuring a colossal grain elevator that adds to the city's industrial charm. For those willing to explore further, the 42nd St Burlingame Rd exit on US-75 leads to an expansive industrial area, with plenty of depots waiting to be discovered.
We hope you are excited to check out these three major cities that the Kansas DLC has to offer. If you are, you can add the Kansas DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Also, don't forget to keep an eye out for our microsite, which contains a lot of interesting and exclusive content. Keep in mind to check out our social media profiles (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and give them a follow to stay in touch with the latest news!
In the vast world of American Truck Simulator, a new collaboration is underway with logistics giant ArcBest/ABF. ATS is upping the game by featuring the ArcBest/ABF trailer livery as a mod on the Steam workshop created by our vehicle department in close cooperation with the ArcBest/ABF team.
As you navigate the virtual highways, you will now be able to showcase the same distinctive livery used by ArcBest/ABF in the real world. This immersive experience not only adds a touch of realism but also pays homage to a logistics giant known for its comprehensive solutions in freight and transportation.
Collaborations like this can have a real positive impact on the trucking industry. In the past, the companies involved have reported positive responses, with one of our latest partners accepting around 40 job applications thanks to the ATS in-game dynamic billboards campaign. The connection between players and potential jobs in the automotive industry is real, and the #BestCommunityEver is playing a role in highlighting the cool side of a career in trucking and logistics.
We hope you will enjoy this new addition to American Truck Simulator. Also, don't forget to check out our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and give them a follow to stay in touch with the latest news!
California Rework - US-50 Connecting Sacramento & Carson City
Today, we're excited to announce that the US-50 connecting Sacramento & Carson City will be included in Phase 3 of our California Rework! This major east-west highway will be one of the new routes that you will be able to travel on. Let's take a closer look at the work that has been undertaken, shall we?
Many of you might be familiar with this historical and major highway. Stretching coast to coast and cutting across the midsection of America's Lower 48, the US-50 has rightly earned its legendary status. Naturally, our team couldn't go without adding this famous highway into this phase of the rework.
Since a majority of our rework consists of deleting old areas and rebuilding road networks, cities and more from scratch, we've been able to create and include extra details and routes we were not previously able to due to limitations. As with all our rework phases so far, we've also brought up the quality of the areas to match those of newly released DLC addons.
The US-50 in California will run through a variety of different locations such as the Placerville and Tahoe Valley settlements. Drivers can also expect these parts of the Highway to be very scenic too, with sections running through mountains and hills.
Along this route, truckers will also be subject to checks from one of the state's Agriculture Checkpoints. These special stations are the first line of defence in pest exclusion efforts. All drivers hauling goods into the state will have to undergo special checks from the control station where vehicles are inspected for commodities that may be infested with invasive species, and for the correct documentation for their cargo.
Phase 3 of the California Rework is an ongoing project that will come as a free update to all owners of American Truck Simulator. We look forward to sharing more news on our work in the future as we continue to progress with this significant overhaul of California. Looking forward to driving on the US-50? Let us know in the comments below! Until then, keep on truckin'.
Kansas - Research Trip
Today, we are happy to share with you another report from one of our Research Trips! This blog focuses on the journey Kansas Map Lead, Patrik Sadlon, Map Designers Pavel J, Ilona C, Elena H and 2D Artist Annie V, took to the U.S earlier this year. The purpose of their travel was to gather references and information for the upcoming Kansas DLC, as well as to inspire them in preparation for future projects.
However, please keep in mind that the information and media presented here do not confirm what our upcoming DLC will include.
Travelling 10,500kms in 17 days, the team visited 20 different states across the US. Each member of the team had their own goal set for the trip. "The goal of map designers was to experience driving on US roads, which are (of course) completely different compared to our roads in Europe" Patrik tells us. "Annie's goal was to see and grab the feel of typical American info-graphics, billboards, brand logos etc.". As you can imagine, these trips proved to be a valuable experience for our teams in bringing a realistic look and feel to our ATS projects.
"For me, the best part about visiting America was getting to drive there." Elena explains to us, "Seeing what our players would see from the point of view of a driver really changed my perspective on what to add to our map and what not to. I noticed things while driving the same route we have in the game that I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. The feel of the road is also very different from our roads in Europe. Everything is smoother and larger."
"Another thing I really liked was the small towns we saw across the states. Each had its own atmosphere, and some of them were truly magical to visit. It was great to see the nature, the roads and their curves, the vastness of the states, and the cities. It's a very different vibe compared to Europe, and I think seeing all this with our own eyes can help us create a better game for our players."
The team spent quite a few days in Kansas, exploring various cities along Interstate 70, such as Colby, Hays, Topeka and of course, Kansas City. They also visited the likes of Wichita, Hutchinson and Emporia to ensure we captured the "genius loci" of the area.
"The great thing about our trip to Kansas was that as map designers, we were able to be in the places that we would be creating in our game." Pavel J tells us "I am responsible for Topeka, the capital of Kansas in our upcoming DLC. What was great about the trip was that I got to see Topeka with my own eyes and then I got to build it virtually! It gave me a whole different approach and made me realize what was really important and what the players would like. However, I'm sorry that we have limits and I couldn't make the city as big as the community would have liked. The thing I enjoyed most about the state was Kansas City, which I had the privilege of visiting. Now I just hope to visit the US again. Even though Kansas may be boring to some, it still has its charm".
"It was great to have the opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity that can be found in this part of the United States." Ilona shares "Known as the 'Sunflower State', Kansas surprised me with its varied landscapes, winding roads and the many farms that dominate the area. Although we saw only a few sunflower fields, it was clear that this flower plays a significant role in the landscape. The western side of the state is dominated by wide fields of corn and wheat, creating a fascinating view of the endless plains that Kansas has to offer."
"We also passed many family farms as well as large commercial farms where corn, maize and other crops are grown. These farms are an important element of the local economy and culture, and their presence gives Kansas its unique character."
With so much to see in a short amount of time, the team made sure to take plenty of reference shots and videos for the team back at the offices. "We took a lot of video and sound equipment with us" Patrik tells us. "We used a 360 degree camera, mounted on the roof of the car, which allowed us to record our own "streetview" that our colleagues can watch in VR. This allows them see the "size" of the area by just letting them sit with us in the office, watching the material that we recorded".
However, Kansas wasn't the only destination for the team! "We had opportunity to see many states in just 15 days, so we have now great comparison of each one, knowing what's typical for which location." Patrik explains "With focus on Kansas and .. one state that will be announced soon (stay tuned!) - we discovered that the mood of great plains is interesting in its own way. We took many notes along the way and now we are ready to implement them into the game. Noises of crickets that we heard and recorded in Kansas are ready to be released with the DLC. Some other bits needs to wait a little bit more to be implemented - but we are working hard to bring the feel to as close as possible to what we experienced in US."
This huge journey took this particular team from Denver, Colorado and onwards through the states of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas where they spent a few days exploring the agricultural character of the state. From Kansas they headed to Chicago, but with "little" side jobs in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missisippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
Phew, what a trip! We look forward to sharing how these research trips translate to our virtual recreation of the states in the future. Until then, we hope you enjoyed this little behind the scenes report of our trip out to the states! Be sure to add Kansas to your Steam wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin'
As we bid farewell to the month of October, it's time to conclude the #Pinktober2023 campaign for this year. Let's take a look at its impact and success.
Over the entire month, we were dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. Whether through our live streams on Twitch or the reminders on our social media, we aimed to keep our community informed. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year's campaign, whether by tuning in to our broadcasts or sharing kind messages on social media using the special paint jobs from the DLCs. These seemingly small steps play a crucial role in the ongoing battle against this dangerous disease.
Thanks to the incredible support from the #BestCommunityEver, the total amount raised from the sales of the Pink Ribbon paint job packs is a staggering 55,000 USD! This sum is truly remarkable, and we extend our gratitude to each and every one of you. We believe that contributing the entire amount to the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer will make a significant difference to those in need.
However, let's not forget that supporting such causes can be a year-round commitment. While donations are crucial, there are various ways to join the fight. Spreading awareness and reminding your loved ones about the importance of regular health checks matter the most. Our health should always be a top priority, and these are messages we should all keep in mind.
A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering effort and support!
