In a recent blog post, we released a gameplay video from our up and coming Colorado DLC for American Truck Simulator, which showcased a beautiful drive from Denver to Grand Junction. But, did you notice something about the truck we were driving?
Dedicated fans who have played our truck simulator titles as far back as the early 2000s may have recognized that the Kenworth W900 was sporting a familiar paint job from one of our earlier titles, Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel.
Believe it or not, it has been 18 years since we released Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel (August 2002), but that is not all. Denver, Colorado was also the starting location for all new truckers beginning their trucking life in Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel. It's amazing to see how far we've come and we are excited to once again re-visit Denver in our current American Truck Simulator title.
To celebrate this occasion, we wanted to reward our community with the Hard Truck Tribute Paint Job. This iconic flames design was available for the Kenworth W900 in Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel and was a popular design among many drivers.
Every owner of the American Truck Simulator base game will be eligible to receive this paint job as a free gift, which will be available to use on all current truck models. To receive this special paint job, all you need to do is complete the following requirements:
You will have until the 7th of February 2021, 23:59 UTC to claim this Hard Truck Tribute Paint Job. After that time, you will be no longer able to obtain this paint job.
So thank you, our #BestCommunityEver, for all of your incredible support! Whether you have been with us since our humble beginnings or just joined the trucking family recently, it means a lot to us and our team to have you a part of this journey. We look forward to many more years of life on the road with you, we still have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline for our trucking titles!
Colorado Release Date Annoucement
With the final touches being made to the Colorado DLC, we are excited to announce a release date for this colorful addition to American Truck Simulator.
Colorado will be released on the 12th of November 2020!
And if that announcement date hasn't got you excited enough, then we are sure that this video trailer showcasing Colorado will!
[previewyoutube="SiTFH7WXapU;full"] That is not all however, prior to Colorado's release, we will be hosting a very special release live-stream on the 12th of November, starting at around 15:00 CET. This stream will feature a variety of special guests involved in the creation of this DLC along with the possibility of a few extra surprises too. You can watch along live on the day at our official Twitch channel or on our Steam store page, don't miss out!
We also plan to bring a special World of Trucks in-game event with the release of this map expansion. Keep an eye out here on our blog for more information on how you can take part and how you can earn in-game rewards, next week.
The release of Colorado isn't the only BIG news, however! We are happy to share that owners of the Special Transport DLC will have 3 new routes to take on in our upcoming map expansion. These new routes are:
<*> Denver Airport to Grand Junction <*> Sterling to Colorado Springs <*> Denver Train Depot to Gold Mine near Colorado Springs
Each journey will come with its own challenges. So make sure to adhere to the GPS advisor and speed limit which have been set out for you before your departure, as there is no room for mistakes!
If your excitement for Colorado is BIGGER than these loads, make sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist. And while you are at it, take a screenshot and it send it to us on Facebook,Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ReadyForColorado. If you do, you could WIN a copy of Colorado that unlocks early access 3 hours before launch!
We thank you for your continued support and we can't wait for you to drive the roads of Colorado for yourself.
With lots of testing, feedback, fixing, and fine-tuning, we are excited to announce the arrival of update the 1.39 for American Truck Simulator!
We'd like to thank all those who took part in the 1.39 open beta and made bug reports and provided general feedback on this new version. We hope you can now begin to fully enjoy the various new features which are included within this update. So, what can you expect to find in the 1.39 update ATS?
Lets us give you a quick recap of the most significant changes.
[previewyoutube="QGNhMXpyl6A;full"]
LAUNCHPAD UPDATE
One of the first things you may notice when you launch American Truck Simulator with the 1.39 is a redesign of the current launchpad. The main reason why we are introducing this change is to pave the way for future additions; which will introduce new features to our games, that will be accessed through the launchpad.
Until then, however, you can see that the design has changed quite significantly, especially as user profiles are now accessed via a drop-down option from the top of the launchpad. You will also find that the DLC Browser, Mod Manager, and Profile Manager have been placed together for easier access, along with a new addition to the launchpad, Game Options.
This allows you to change your game settings without even having to load the game. So if you're just looking to tweak your game before streaming on Twitch or adjusting a few options before heading into your truck, it can all be done from the launchpad screen.
LOWBOY TRAILERS
As we previously announced in a recent blog, new Lowboy Trailers will be arriving to American Truck Simulator. These trailers have been reworked from the ground up, offering drivers the option to purchase them and use them in an array of different jobs including Special Transport, Forest Machinery, and the Heavy Cargo DLC's.
Owners of these trailers will benefit from a wide array of options to customize them in the upgrade shop, such as color, trailer accessories, beacons, chassis options, lengths, articulated axles, and more!
You will also be able to spot them being hauled around by other truckers on the road, so make sure to give them plenty of space if you pass by one.
VIEWPOINTS
The release of Idaho for American Truck Simulator saw the introduction of a brand new feature that has not been placed in any other previous map release. Viewpoints allow drivers to activate a special in-game "cutscene" with a short showcase of a near location or place of interest such as an industry.
After Idaho's release, it was evident from the community's response that this was a popular feature and one that many of you would like to see expanded upon. While we continue to improve this new addition, we are excited to announce that viewpoints will be arriving in Washington and Utah. Each state will receive 10 new cut-scenes to discover, which can be found nearby famous landmarks, national parks, and industries.
That is not all, however, as viewpoints will now feature a few new functionalities for drivers. You will now have the new options to either skip the viewpoint or replay it if you wish to watch it again. Viewpoints will now also show as undiscovered grey '?' icons on your map until you have visited them for the first time. Also, there are more improvements for this cool new feature still in development, as we've gathered them through the amazing and most valuable feedback from our #BestCommunityEver!
GENERAL BUG FIXES/SOUND CHANGES
1.39 also features various bug fixes, improvements, and an update to sounds. This includes, but is not limited to, improved interior cab sound mixing, Western Star 49X truck bug fixes, and improvements, and other changes in preparation for new and upcoming content.
One of the changes you can find is the addition of the Turbo sound slider in the game's Options screen. When we introduced a separate channel for turbo sound some years back, it was hailed as a crucial enhancement to the simulation. We did our best to tune it properly based on actual in-cabin recordings. Indeed, many players commented very positively on it. However, over the years we have also been receiving feedback that the whistling sound may be too difficult to bear for some players. The new slider continues the trend of giving you more control over your simulation experience. We hope you enjoy this new addition plus a few other sound tweaks which come with it.
While a majority of the changes in 1.39 are not seen visually in this version, we look forward to bringing you more content and changes in the near future.
CHANGELOG
MAP
New Viewpoints in Washington and Utah DLCs
UI
Launchpad Re-design
VEHICLES
Lowboy trailers (ownable, including articulated ones)
Sound updates and improvements (turbo slider, sound positioning, cabin spatial mixing, sound distribution to accessories)
Trailer browser & lister shows all valid cargo variants
Experimental transmission input shaft emulation and clutch brake support (g_clutch_brake)
SCS E-Shop: The Last Goodbye
As we approach the end of the year, we wish to remind you that our Official SCS Software E-Shop will be closing on November 30th at 23:59 UTC, as previously announced. From that time onwards, there, unfortunately, will be no official way to purchase our Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator, and SCS Software merchandise.
However, for the last month of the E-Shop's operations, we are hosting a variety of special offers across our whole range of merchandise. So whether you are looking for that perfect Christmas gift for your co-driver or just wanting to own your own piece of trucking swag, you won't want to miss out on this sale!
Since our original blog announcement, we have received thousands of orders from across the world, with more popular items selling out quickly. Today we have replenished some of these sold-out items as we found more stock in some of our storage areas; however, this stock is in limited supply, so be sure to check whether an item on your Wishlist is now back in stock.
We have also introduced a new special offer! If you spend €20 or more (including shipping), you will receive a free secret gift. What is this special gift? It could be anything! Hoodies, lanyards, shirts, an ETS2 mug... you will only find out what it is when it arrives at your door.
However, that is not all! To spice up the last month of our E-Shop, we've had members of the SCS Software team sign dozens of items such as the Enchanted Edition of American Truck Simulator, Mugs and Posters. So, there is a chance you could receive some of these limited signed items as part of your regular order or for the secret gift!
As winter approaches, we encourage you to consider ordering one of our extremely comfy and warm ETS2 or ATS hoodies, especially as they are on-sale at their lowest price ever starting from only €19.90! Also if you decide to buy 2 hoodies, you will receive a free copy of the Enchanted Edition of American Truck Simulator, what a bargain!
We'd also like to remind customers that due to the current on-going situation around the world and here in the Czech Republic, postal services and shipping companies are working under a limited capacity. For this reason, we are unfortunately unable to give you an ETA on your order. Please know that our e-shop team is working hard to fulfill and ship all orders as quickly as possible.
So that is all folks, once they are gone they are gone! So be sure to order quickly to secure the items you want. We thank you all for the continued support and patience during this time, and we hope you will enjoy any items or special gifts you may receive.
Colorado Springs + Gameplay Video #2
Located at the foot of Pikes Peak, you'll find the city of Colorado Springs, the state's 2nd most populous city behind Denver. So what makes this part of the state so attractive to residents and tourists alike? Let's find out!
Colorado Springs is known for its many one-of-a-kind attractions, the most iconic being the city's Garden of the Gods Park, a National Natural Landmark. Featuring 300 million years worth of geological history and incredible towering red sandstone rock formations, it is no wonder it is ranked top of the list of best parks to visit in the US. In Colorado DLC you will have to find a hidden road that will take you there. We don't want to spoil your exploration with detailed screenshots of this place as we'd rather leave it for you to enjoy it with your own eyes first. Plus, the city itself has a lot of beauty to show too!
The city is also home to the United States Air Force Academy, which enrols thousands of cadets each year. You may able to spot some aviation history around the city, including the famous Airplane Restaurant where you can wine and dine inside a fully-intact USAF Aircraft tanker!
But not every visitor to Colorado Springs is arriving for leisure, as drivers in our upcoming Colorado DLC for American Truck Simulator will find out. The city features many different industries large and small which support the local economy. From construction to food, truckers will find no shortage of jobs delivering to this scenic area.
But don't take our word for it, see it for yourself! As a bonus for today's blog, we are excited to share with you some exclusive gameplay footage from another part of Colorado with a special surprise for our long-time fans along the way. Take a ride with us from Denver to Grand Junction on our official YouTube channel below. Did you spot the surprise we have for you?
Today is a very special day not only for the Czech Republic, our home country, but also for our friends in Slovakia. On this very day 102 years ago (October 28th 1918), Czechoslovakia declared independence. Many things have changed since that time - most importantly, in 1993, former Czechoslovakia split into 2 separate countries: The Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. But the year 1918 still remains the most significant milestone in the recent history of both countries to this date.
To commemorate this special day, Tomáš "Timmy" Duda, a producer here at SCS Software, came up with an idea that would bring together game developers from across Czechia and Slovakia - to feature their games in a special Steam event. It all started recently when Timmy noticed and was inspired by a similarly-styled Swiss Developer Sale on Steam. Says Timmy, "I liked the idea of a national sale showcase a lot, it felt like something which would make an impact for the Czech and Slovak game industry... I wanted to highlight not only the best-known games, but also indie games because they need the most support; indies always have to try hard to be visible and have their games discovered."
As a representative of SCS Software, Timmy went ahead to share the idea with the Czech Game Developers Association. "I suggested doing this sale together, as it's something I love doing, and several other developers we probed got back to us supporting the notion". It gained so much positive attention that Pavel Barák, The Chairman of the Czech GDA, went on to contact the Slovak Game Developers Association to ask if they would like to join in for such an occasion. In the next 3 days, the GDA received an overwhelming response from 50 different developers registering their interest in this idea.
Still, this was only a start, we had to get Steam/Valve aboard with the idea. It took a while, but we have been fortunate to do so thanks to the united voice of the biggest Czech game developer studios. Many weeks have passed as we were trying to arrange the sale. Finally, with the confirmation in-hand and a looming deadline, this final element was required - artwork for the Steam sale page.
Enter Anna Voříšková, a talented artist here at SCS Software. "I fell in love with the idea right away," she said. "I thought it was amazing and I had to be a part of this project!" Immediately, Anna started sketching up ideas for the artwork that would eventually be featured in front of the massive Steam userbase. She goes on to explain her ideas behind the final featured design... "I knew I wanted to make something cute, playful, and eye-catching, but at the same time, I wanted it to have a homely, familiar feeling to it. I figured placing different video game characters and objects on a gamer's desk and have them interact with each other would be the right idea! And since I like to use unnatural colours in my work, I decided to go for a palette full of bright pinks and purples, inspired by the LED lights that often frame gaming setups".
The final artwork features vibrant colours, objects, and characters from a whole host of games from both countries, as featured in the Steam sale event. "It's been a huge honour for me to have had the opportunity to represent both the Czech & Slovak game industries in my artwork." Anna says "I'm really proud of what we've managed to create together, considering how tiny our team was, and how little time we had. I had a lot of fun creating graphics for the event, it's been a truly unique experience and I really hope I get to be a part of something similar again in the future!"
Thanks to the hard work of Timmy and Anna, today you can find over 160 games on sale from 72 developers. We encourage you to explore and check out the wide array of games available, created by studios large and small, as well as individual developers. We are proud to see that our small region in Central Europe has produced so many fantastic games played by people all over the planet.
The sale only runs until November 2nd, so make sure to check out all the amazing games and the original featured artwork on Steam's Czech & Slovak Games Week page HERE.
As a historical footnote, you may find this recent article at Ars Technica of interest. It's a well-researched piece exploring the ancient history of Communist-era illicit text-based games produced by kids in Czechoslovakia as a way to protest against the oppression of the regime - pioneers and to a large extent forgotten heroes at the dawn of what is now the Czech and Slovak games industry.
Colorado: Nature
Colorado has one of the most unique and varied natural landscapes found in North America. From emerald-green national forests to the incredible red rock formations jutting up from the earth at Garden of the Gods, you’ll find it nearly impossible to resist taking the time out of delivering loads to explore the natural beauty this state has to offer.
[table][tr][td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table][table][tr] [td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table] In our upcoming Colorado DLC for American Truck Simulator, you’ll find many places to enjoy the state's vast natural beauty including national parks, national monuments, state parks, and many other natural attractions.
[table][tr][td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table][table][tr] [td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table] One such place is Ouray, which has rightfully earned the nickname the Switzerland of America thanks to its natural alpine environment. Located within the San Juan mountain range, we are sure truckers won't want to miss out on having a lunchbreak at the look-out point, which gives passing travelers a beautiful view of this Victorian-era mining town.
[table][tr][td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table] No matter where you are headed, Colorado offers natural beauty and stunning rock formations at every turn, so make sure you have your camera on hand for that picture-perfect shot with your truck.
[table][tr][td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table][table][tr] [td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table][table][tr] [td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table][table][tr] [td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table][table][tr] [td][/td] [td][/td][/tr][/table] If you like what you see, then be sure to add Colorado to your Steam Wishlist. It really helps support our upcoming expansions and notifies you of any releases or future sales. We thank you for your on-going support and we look forward to sharing even more info soon!
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