American Truck Simulator News & Announcements
A few weeks ago, we announced another state that is currently in development for American Truck Simulator - Illinois. Now, before we have enough material to share glimpses of this upcoming map expansion, we would like you to meet the team working on it!


They all have a short message for our #BestCommunityEver and cannot wait to start bringing you updates from the Prairie State.

Dubak


"I've been with the company for over seven years and in that time I've worked on some amazing DLCs like Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Kansas and, now as a Team Leader, on Missouri, which I took over from Patrik. After the sensational Missouri, we're diving into Illinois with the team, which everyone is really looking forward to. Players can look forward to beautiful landscapes, stunning cities, precise depots, and most importantly Chicago! I hope all our players will be impressed and relocate their HQ to Chicago!"

El


"I've been working for SCS as a map designer for almost 5 and a half years. In that time I have worked on DLCs like Idaho, a bit of Wyoming, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and now Illinois. Outside of creating the map, one of my main responsibilities is selecting generic models that would be the best for our DLC, which are later created by our amazing 3D graphics team. I really enjoy seeing the different types of architecture and other unique things. In Illinois, I'm working on one of the bigger cities, which really caught my eye during our business trip to the USA. The city is fascinating, both for its visuals and industry, and I can't wait for you to see it."

Ilona


"I have been working at SCS for about six and a half years, during which I have contributed to several map DLCs, including Utah, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. In Missouri, I was involved not only in map creation but also in designing viewpoints and cutscenes, and I hope players will enjoy them! Currently, I am working on a city in Illinois, which I had the opportunity to visit during a business trip to the USA. This experience provided me with great inspiration for its development. This will be my last project for now, as I will soon be going on maternity leave. I will be eagerly awaiting the release of the DLC and cheering for my team from afar through the screen!"

Jakub


"I've been in SCS for almost 2,5 years now, and Illinois is the third project I've been a part of. While I fondly look back on Missouri, it's time to move on and get Illinois right. With each project, I learn more and more and I hope that my progress will be seen through the screen by our players. All the work done under the hood looks very promising and I can't wait to see the DLC in its finished state."

Jan


"I began working in SCS a little under a year ago and since then I have done some work on the Missouri DLC, where I was tasked with creating a part of US-136 and some additional work on Springfield in later development stages. I enjoy pretty much everything about this job, but I like the technical aspect of it the most. That includes cities, settlements, industrial zones or truckstops. Illinois is the first big project that I have been part of from the start. My main task will be creating the southernmost part of Illinois. It's a more forested and hillier part of the state with many water bodies as well and I am really looking forward to creating these parts. I hope you'll be excited to haul in this DLC, just as much as I am to be part of it!"

Jirka


"I have been working as a map designer for a year and a half and Illinois is the second project that I'm contributing to. My first project was the Missouri DLC, where I enjoyed building cities the most. Every project is a new challenge for me, and I always look forward to the new skills I will gain while working on it. At first glance, Illinois may seem like a state full of fields, but if you take a closer look, you'll find that it also has plenty of beautiful places, which I look forward to our players discovering. I'm currently working on a charming city in the east of the state and I'll continue with a new road up north."

Lukáš


"I have been working at SCS for over five years and have gradually worked on several projects, gaining valuable experience along the way. Besides the usual map work, I also design custom depots, which I really enjoy. I love bringing players challenges and unique locations. After working in Missouri, I have moved further east, where a great challenge awaits me, and I am really looking forward to it—just as much as the moment when we can all explore this part of the map."

Majk


"Illinois is my first project as a map designer at SCS, and I’ve been working on it for four months now. My main focus is one of the cities in Illinois. It’s a challenging task, but since I enjoy the technical aspects of the work, it has been a rewarding experience. I really hope that I will capture the distinctive character of my town for our players and create a city that feels both authentic and enjoyable to explore in the game."

Martin


"I have started working on the California Rework project and then continued with Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Now, my fifth project is Illinois. In our team, I am responsible for the map as well as all vegetation related to the new states such as trees, shrubs, flowers, weeds, grasses and so on. In Illinois, I have been working on a city, and in this location, I will also be in charge of 3 settlements and the surrounding adjacent road network and maybe also a hidden road. Who will find it?"

Ranx


"Following Missouri, Illinois is the second state I will be working on. In the last project, I created mostly natural scenery, country roads and a few highways. This time, I am looking forward to the more urban challenge of building one of the cities and its surroundings, as well as the depiction of the northern part of the state amidst beautiful green uplands. Hopefully, our team can deliver another great DLC so that every player can experience a piece of Illinois."

Macík

"Yo! My name is Martin, but I usually go by my nickname, MTX or Macík. I joined SCS and their shenanigans about six months ago, and I’m currently developing my first expansion for all of you to enjoy: the state of Illinois. Right now, I'm mostly working on rural sections located in the western part of the state. To say that I was terrified of creating landscapes instead of focusing on urban areas would be an understatement, but I’ve managed to get the hang of it by now. It’s definitely an experience that will come in handy in the near future. Our team is looking forward to giving you the best possible way to experience this beautiful state – it really has a ton to offer!

Michael

"Hi, my name is Michael and this is my first project at SCS. I am working on the highways in southwestern Illinois. I am really enjoying working on this project and I hope you enjoy it too. You can look forward to landscapes full of forests, fields and rivers. Each route I create is designed with realism and a smooth gameplay experience in mind, so you’ll feel like you’re actually driving through the American countryside. Get ready to explore places you’ve probably never seen before – all from the comfort of your own cabin! I look forward to you trying my work and embarking on a journey that will keep you entertained. Buckle up, we’re off!"

Pavel

"I am Paul aka PJ and I have worked on projects like California, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Illinois is the fifth project I am working on. My speciality is truckstops, rest stops and truck scales. I am more of a technical type of person, but I like to play around with landscaping as well. In Illinois, I have work coming up in east St. Louis, on some settlements, and with lots of truckstops, and some depots."

Quinten

"I have been around since Colorado working as a map designer on everything from roads and their environments to small and medium-sized towns and settlements. For Illinois, I will be focused mostly on roads and environments, lots of farm fields with a small forest section here and there. Each DLC brings a new challenge, be it a new type of city or landscape that I never made before. I am looking forward to bringing Illinois to life in a way that our players will find interesting."

We hope you enjoyed meeting the team behind the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. If you did, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist! Don't forget to stay connected with us for all the updates by following our Twitter, Facebook, InstagramBluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Until next time, drive safe.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3486960/American_Truck_Simulator__Illinois/
It's time to hit the road and explore what can be found in Iowa's road network! In this blog, we're excited to share with you some of the interstates, junctions, bridges, and more we've been recreating virtually for our upcoming Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's get truckin'!


First stop, near Iowa City, drivers will encounter the recently constructed interstate 80 interchange, a significant infrastructure project completed in 2024. This modern junction features innovative design elements, including distinctive bridges and pillars, that enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal. It features colourful vegetation, improved traffic flow for exit 242, and a uniquely designed matching road and pedestrian bridge.




Given that many Iowan cities are situated near rivers, bridges play a pivotal role in the state's road network. Our team has recreated many of the unique bridges large and small found across Iowa, quite a few of which are illuminated in various colours at night. One such bridge is the Women of Achievement Bridge in Des Moines. This elegantly designed pedestrian bridge spans the Des Moines River, honouring notable women from Iowa's history.


Drivers will also be able to cross the Centennial Bridge in Davenport, which spans the Mississippi River and is renowned for its distinctive arches and nighttime lighting. One unique and famous bridge we could not miss is the wooden Madison Bridge, which was famously featured in The Bridges of Madison County, a well-known American romantic drama movie.



We already covered some of the truck stops in Iowa where you can refuel and rest, which you can read about here. However, one rest stop that drivers are big fans of is located on I-80 westbound near Adair! Best known for its towering wind turbine blade sculpture, standing approximately 148 feet tall, it serves as a tribute to Iowa's leadership in wind energy production. Be sure to check it out on your travels!



The state of Iowa continues to grow, so as you drive across the state, you'll be sure to find plenty of construction along the way too! Be sure to check out your Job Market for any contracts that will help deliver needed equipment or machinery to these construction sites.


We hope you enjoyed hittin' the road with us and checking out some of the landmarks, interstates, junctions, rest stops, and more you'll come across in Iowa. But there's still more to come, so be sure to keep an eye on our blog for future updates! Until then, if you like what you see, add the Iowa DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025440/American_Truck_Simulator__Iowa/
We are excited to share with our community that the 1.54 update for American Truck Simulator is now officially released! This update features implementations, fixes, quality of life improvements and more. Let's dive in and take a look at what's in store.


Before that, we have to give a huge shoutout to everyone who participated in the Open Beta phase, shared feedback, and reported bugs. Your invaluable contributions have allowed us to fine-tune content and eliminate bugs that slipped through the cracks initially. We hope that you will enjoy the new features, changes, and more that come with this update.

Cargo System Redefined

Until now, what seemed like the game combining a trailer with cargo, such as a piece of machinery, was actually a manually created model, with each trailer-cargo pair stored separately on disk. This approach required an enormous number of unique models, making it harder to add new content efficiently and taking up disk space.


In the redefined cargo system, the code automatically merges cargo and trailers based on simplified rules. This means that each cargo will define its own model, loading methodology, and lashing method. This will make the work of our vehicle team much easier as it no longer requires our 3D artists to manually create pre-baked trailer-cargo pairs.




While there may be issues in the first iteration, it's a worthwhile goal to refine the system, as it not only improves efficiency but also saves disk space and memory by eliminating the need to store countless pre-made combinations. This project may also lead to other possibilities for both of our games, especially with dynamic cargo (un)loading and more. You can read about how this project was executed in our recent Under the Hood blog.

Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign

The Truck Adjustment Menu has been completely redesigned to provide a more user-friendly experience. Previously, each option for adjusting your driver's FOV, seat, mirrors etc had separate menus with different layouts. Now, they share a cohesive interface, making adjustments much more intuitive and easier. The new design also takes on a similar design from our previous UI overhaul and is optimized for both mouse and controller, ensuring accessibility for all users.


For keyboard and mouse users, adjustments are now more streamlined with the use of the WASD keys for navigation, along with buttons for finer tuning. Meanwhile, controller users will find the new system much smoother, with the left stick controlling adjustments, the right stick handling camera movement for mirror positioning, and the D-pad or shoulder buttons navigating the menu.

The addition of shoulder button support makes menu navigation more fluid for controller players. This update makes adjusting mirrors and seats much easier, particularly for those using controllers, ensuring a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience. Accessing the Truck Adjustment Menu remains the same. You can use the F4 by default, a custom assigned key of your choice, or through the adviser services menu.


We hope you enjoy this redesign, and that you find it easy to use and navigate through whilst you are out hauling on the road!

PhysX System Implementation

In 1.54, we are adopting the NVIDIA PhysX physics engine as an alternative to the current Bullet physics engine for low-level simulation of physics in the game world that players interact with. This shift allows players to experience more precise collision detection results and more robust behaviour during scenarios involving collisions between vehicles and obstacles or other vehicles. PhysX also offers our teams better debugging tools, which indirectly benefits players by helping resolve bugs more efficiently.

One of the most noticeable improvements brought by PhysX can already be experienced in our recently introduced Driving Academy game mode. For example, collisions with cones and obstacles are now more accurate and objects no longer appear to "levitate" slightly above the ground after interaction, a flaw that occurred with Bullet. While players may not see drastic changes, certain interactions should exhibit slightly improved behaviour.

During the Open Beta, many players expressed concerns about hardware limitations due to recent news that 32-bit version of PhysX would no longer be supported by certain GPUs. However, the PhysX implementation we use runs entirely on the CPU, meaning players can enjoy PhysX without worrying about graphics card compatibility.

With the release of version 1.54, PhysX is now the default physics engine for all gameplay. Players who prefer the previous Bullet physics engine can switch back by using the "-bullet" command line argument in their Steam launch options.

Driving Academy Rewards

Everyone who has already completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use inside the game on the same profile they completed the academy with - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. So make sure to complete your scenarios and grab your rewards, there will be more to come!





Changelog

Gameplay

  • Cargo System Redefined
  • Driving Academy Rewards
Visual

  • Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
  • First Launch Screen Flow Refresh

Vehicles

  • Lode King & Prestige Trailers Pack bug fixes
Other
  • PhysX Implementation

https://store.steampowered.com/app/270880/American_Truck_Simulator/

More news from Missouri has just arrived! In today's blog, we would like to show you the new routes for Special Transport in the Show Me State along with one brand-new oversized cargo. Do you have what it takes to take on this challenge?


Only the most skilled drivers will dare to handle these massive hauls. With Special Transport coming to Missouri, our map designers prepared three routes specifically chosen to suit the huge cargo you will be able to haul there. But don't be fooled, it won't be an easy drive!




Think you have what it takes? Let's check out the cities where you'll be delivering these oversized loads to. The owners of the Special Transport DLC will be able to take on these jobs along the following routes:

  • Kansas City to Rolla
  • Cape Girardeau to Springfield
  • St. Louis to Kirksville



But that's not all! We are also updating this DLC by giving you a new free cargo to deliver - a huge underground electric loader. This machinery is used in the underground mining industry where it can operate fast in tough conditions. You will not only be able to transport it in Missouri but also in the ATS base map and some other map expansions.



Make sure to enjoy this upcoming map expansion to the fullest and explore new challenges with the Special Transport DLC which you can get on Steam!

If you are excited about Missouri, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist. For more ATS news, make sure to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, InstagramBluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. We'll see you on the road!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2730870/American_Truck_Simulator__Missouri/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/962750/American_Truck_Simulator__Special_Transport/
Are you ready to explore the Show Me State? Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the road, because we're excited to announce that the...

Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator will be released on April 3rd, 2025!


We're just as excited as you are, and to keep the anticipation going, we've released the official video trailer for the Missouri DLC on our YouTube channel! Created by our talented Video Team, this trailer will give you a preview of the beautiful landscapes, natural gems, cities, historic landmarks, industries and more that await you in this map expansion. Have a watch of it below!


We cannot wait for you to haul your first load into Missouri. Our teams are working in top gear to ensure everything is running smoothly for its release. From bug smashing to putting in additional polish on the map, we're on the final stretch!









Whether you choose to deliver to iconic cities like St. Louis or take the back roads to explore the state's stunning natural landmarks, including the Mississippi River and the Ozark Mountains, Missouri has something for everyone. From custom farm and quarry depots to underground warehouses, truckers will find a variety of unique industries to deliver to and from. Be sure to keep an eye out for roads that may not appear on your map or shortcuts around industries.








Excited to get trucking? There's not long to wait! In the meantime, be sure to add the Missouri DLC to your Steam Wishlist! It really helps support our work and notifies you of its release. We thank you for all your support! We look forward to seeing you on the road in Missouri on April 3rd, until then, keep on Truckin'.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2730870/American_Truck_Simulator__Missouri/
We're not quite ready to show you what we've been working on for American Truck Simulator, but maybe you can listen to it instead...

Welcome back to another episode of the SCS On The Road series. This time, we take you to the state of Washington in the US and show you how our sound engineers capture ambient and truck sounds for American Truck Simulator.


Today's episode is hosted by Nemiro, who, alongside our talented sound engineers, will take you on a journey through the art of sound recording. We'll explore the capture of ambient sounds in Washington's beautiful nature and the process of recording truck sounds at the PACCAR Technical Center. Our sound engineer, Ondřej, will tell you all about it and show you how multiple microphones are strategically placed on different parts of a truck to capture its unique sound in various situations on the road. So, without further ado, let's watch it!


And that's it for today, we hope you enjoyed it. Remember to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, InstagramBluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Keep on trucking!
On your travels in American Truck Simulator, you’ll encounter bustling metropolises as well as smaller, more remote residential towns. Today, we’re showcasing some of these smaller settlements that you’ll be able to drive through and even stop at in our upcoming Iowa DLC.


More than 15 settlements have been created for the Iowa DLC, and in this blog, we will present the first half of them. Each settlement features its own landmarks, unique charm, and opportunities for drivers to refuel or take a much-needed break. Our talented map, art, and asset teams have carefully recreated each location to capture the essence of its real-life counterpart.

First stop, Algona. Founded in 1854 by two brothers, Ambrose and Asa Call, Algona (native for “Algonquin waters”) is a welcoming town, known for its historical railroad significance. Whether you're visiting, or just passing through, you're on the right track, which is the town's unofficial slogan.


In the west of Iowa, you’ll find Auburn, a quiet and small settlement that embodies the peaceful countryside of the State. Nestled in Sac County, Auburn provides a scenic drive with classic Midwestern landscapes. It’s an ideal place to pull over, refuel, and take in the rural beauty.


In the northeast, you’ll come across Dyersville, known as the "Farm Toy Capital of the World" and the filming location of the famous movie Field of Dreams. Originally settled by ten Bavarian farming families in 1845, this town is a must-see for movie buffs and history enthusiasts alike.



This settlement is a little different to the others, in the fact that it's not located in Iowa! Laurel is a small settlement located in Nebraska, and despite its size, is a thriving and progressive farming community. With its quiet streets and welcoming atmosphere, it’s small town atmosphere is a welcome sight and stop for travellers passing through towards Iowa! We included this settlement because of its location along the US-20 towards Iowa.


Not far from the Mississippi River is Postville, a unique town with a diverse cultural heritage. Often referred to as Iowa’s “Hometown to the World,” Postville has been shaped by its diverse community, and features the St Paul Lutheran Church which was built in 1891, and stands as the tallest building in the town.



Up next, Traer, a vibrant, small-town community that was established in 1873, following the construction of Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway through the territory. In this town, you'll come across not one, but two churches which have been built next to each other! Both have their own unique look, but are built with beautiful red brick.


In the Northwest, you’ll find the settlement of Sheldon, a town established in 1873 during the construction of the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad. It’s home to one of Iowa’s historic railroad hubs, giving it a classic small-town railroad charm.


Lastly, close to the Mississippi River, you'll reach Wapello. Named after a Meskwaki chief, this town embraces its rich Native American history while offering picturesque views of the river.


These settlements come in all shapes and sizes, from larger populations to none! Each offer their own story as you travel the open road. We encourage you to slow down or maybe even take a rest stop and check out the scenery and details of each of them.

Whether you're rolling through a historic small town, fueling up at a local truck stop, or admiring the everyday life of Iowa’s communities, the road ahead is full of discovery. We look forward to showcasing more of these settlements in Part 2 of this blog, which we will be delivering soon.

Can't wait to explore Iowa? Be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! You can also stay up to date with the latest development news on X/Twitter, BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or by subscribing to our newsletter! Until next time, keep on truckin'.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025440/American_Truck_Simulator__Iowa/
Two blogs in one, double the fun! Today, we have some more news from the upcoming Missouri map expansion for American Truck Simulator. The first part is about new industries, and the second part is about new cargo, so let's get into it!


There will be three new industries waiting for truckers in the Show Me State. You will find the first one just outside of St. Joseph, in the northwestern part of the state - the Superstructure Factory. This industry supplies bodywork for pickup trucks. You will deliver the necessary parts for production and then distribute the finished vehicles all over the map.






Your favourite Farmers Barn brand will also have branches in Missouri along with its new type of production plant - the Feedmill. This massive plant is used to produce animal food. Deliver the necessary raw materials and distribute the finished product across the U.S. High silos, conveyors, road scales, a large packing house and a finished goods warehouse - everything a proper Feedmill should have.




Anyone driving through southeast St. Louis on I-55 will notice that there is a historic beverage factory nearby. You will recognize it by its distinctive 19th and early 20th-century buildings which may look like historic castles, but they are still in production today. And its products need to be shipped out into the world. Guess who's job is that going to be?






New Cargoes to Haul
Our vehicle team has prepared new cargo for you to haul when Missouri is released, adding more variety to the haulable loads in our games. It's not just the regular cargo getting new additions - our Heavy Cargo Pack DLC will also feature massive new loads. Let's take a look!


Among the new regular loads you'll be able to haul are Scaffolding, Cattle Barriers, Moving Pods, a Forklift, and Body Crane Trucks.





Now, let's move on to the huge and heavy cargoes! Our Heavy Cargo Pack DLC is getting an upgrade with three new cargoes - a Mobile Screener, a Mobile Crusher, and a Mobile Stacker.




Enjoy this upcoming map expansion to the fullest and amplify your trucking experience with new loads from the Heavy Cargo Pack DLC which you can get on Steam.

If you are looking forward to trucking in the Show Me State, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Don't forget to follow us on our X/TwitterFacebookInstagramBluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2730870/American_Truck_Simulator__Missouri/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/620610/American_Truck_Simulator__Heavy_Cargo_Pack/
We are excited to announce that after our collaboration last year, we are once again teaming up with our good friends at Western Star to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to two lucky members of the American Truck Simulator community. This includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Oregon, USA, to take part in the Star Nation Experience 2025. Ready to learn more? Let’s take a closer look at what the Star Nation Experience is all about!


Last year, our lucky 2024 Star Nation winners gathered in Bend, Oregon, for a unique four-day event unlike any other in the trucking industry. This unique experience included a behind-the-scenes tour of Daimler Truck North America's facilities, the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Western Star X-Series line up at Daimler Truck's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, and even a chance to meet Starsquatch!






They also got to experience the natural beauty of Oregon and take part in exciting outdoor activities, including fly-fishing, off-roading in ATVs, and more. Though they arrived as strangers, their shared love for trucking quickly turned them into friends and even led one of our winners to pursue a trucking career. You can watch a recap of the 2024 Star Nation experience at our YouTube channel below with Nemiro and Mark who also were in attendance!


So what can you expect for Star Nation 2025? Two lucky winners will be treated to an all-expenses-paid, four-day adventure, hosted in Bend, Oregon between the 6th-9th of June 2025 by the Western Star team. If you win, you’ll be treated to top dining options and adventures, including activities like whitewater rafting, the X-Series Ride & Drive Challenge at the Madras Proving Grounds, a Star Nation photo shoot in the mountains and so much more!


You will also have the chance to help shape future Western Star innovation by sharing your insights with Western Star engineers, marketers, researchers, and product development leadership. It's the ultimate prize for any American Truck Enthusiast!


In addition to the fantastic activities awaiting participants at the event, we're happy to reveal that Oscar and Nemiro from our team will also be attending. They'll not only meet with the participants and winners but will also be on hand to capture all the moments and memories throughout the Star Nation Experience 2025!




So how can you enter? Before entering, we strongly advise you to review Western Star's Terms and Conditions, read the FAQ, and thoroughly examine the application form as there are specific limitations for applicants. For instance, this opportunity is exclusively available to individuals from the USA or Canada who are 21 years of age or older. Also, while not required for entry, a Commercial Driver's License will be required to participate in all Grand Prize trip activities. Western Star Trucks will then select two winners from applicants who meet all requirements. We wish everyone the best of luck!

Ready to apply? First you'll need to sign up to the Western Star newsletter before continuing the Entry form, which you can all find on the Star Nation page here.

We look forward to spending a fun-filled few days at Star Nation 2025, and we will be sure to keep you along for the ride with social media updates, videos and more from our journey. Be sure to keep a close eye on Western Star's Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter for the latest Star Nation news, and our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and BlueSky too. Until then, keep on truckin'!
We're back with another SCS On The Road episode, and this time, we've got something a bit different for you! Join Mark, our Vehicle Production Coordinator at SCS Software, as he returns to his trucking roots in Canada and takes you behind the wheel to experience what it takes to be a real trucker hauling across Canada and the USA!


Starting off in Whitby, Ontario, Mark will take you along for the ride on a one-week journey to Fort Worth, Texas. You'll experience the highs and lows of trucking and discover what makes it such a unique yet challenging job. So, it's time to hit the road, grab a drink and some snacks as you take the passenger seat on this long haul! We're sure you'll be comfortable in the beautiful Peterbilt 389 truck, which was kindfully provided by Mark's father, and which has been a reliable workhorse in his company for many years.


A huge thank you, of course, goes out to Mark, who put a lot of work into recording this journey, and to everyone who made this trip possible for him to share with you, our #BestCommunityEver. We hope you learn something new about the trucking world, and who knows, it might even inspire a few of you to pursue a CDL! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a comment, like, and subscribe, Mark would love to hear your thoughts! Until next time, keep on truckin’!
Today, we have an update regarding Driving Academy. Our teams are currently working on a new set of scenarios for Driving Academy for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator which are really going to test your trucker skills when it arrives in the future!


We released Driving Academy as a free update in October last year where we introduced sets of scenarios in 5 chapters from truck driving basics to more advanced challenges. We were inspired by many of our players who have used our games to get a sense of handling a truck and trailer, and learning how to maneuver and reverse. Now, after a few months, we wanted to take it a step further with a set of much more challenging scenarios which will be a part of the upcoming module called Truck Driving Proficiency and will test even the most skilled drivers to the limit. Please keep in mind that everything you see in this blog can change as the Truck Driving Proficiency for Driving Academy is still a work in progress.



For this new module and set of scenarios, we will also introduce a new reward system. The most important thing is still to precisely complete a scenario by driving along the designated path and avoiding any collision. For proficiency level, there may be additional conditions you will have to meet to successfully pass the scenario.



New in this upcoming module, players will be able to achieve up to 3 collectable stars, which can be earned by meeting additional conditions such as only using the interior camera, limiting gear shifts between drive and reverse, or completing the scenario in the set time.



Our goal is to test the players' skills and let them prove themselves as top-tier drivers, solving each scenario on their own without step-by-step guidance. That's why in this module you won't find any pre-recorded video tutorials, and you will have to use all the knowledge we taught you in our first module of Driving Academy.


But there is more. As we already mentioned in the 1.54 Open Beta blog, Driving Academy will also get new content in the upcoming 1.54 update. Everyone who has completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use in the base game - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. And that's not all - more rewards will be available for completing the upcoming Truck Driving Proficiency!

Make sure to follow us on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, FacebookBluesky, and YouTube). We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Until next time, drive safe!
As you journey through our upcoming Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator, you'll encounter a variety of truck stops designed to support truckers and travelers making their way through the Deep South. Let’s check out what they have to offer!


Whether you're filling up the tank, making some adjustments to your rig, or simply taking a well-deserved break, these truck stops provide all the essentials for life on the road. Keeping both yourself and your truck happy and healthy is crucial whilst on the road.




Truck stops come in all shapes and sizes! From large complexes offering generous parking and multiple fuel pumps to small town roadside stops, drivers will never be too far away from an area they can pull into for a gas'n'go or a well deserved rest stop.




They also make a great place to meet fellow truckers on the road, especially if you're playing in convoy mode! Be sure to take advantage of all the dedicated spots to make some great photos for your album.




We look forward to meeting you at a Louisiana truck stop in the future. Until then, stay tuned by following us on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, BlueSky) for the latest updates on the development of this DLC and more. Until next time, drive safe and keep on truckin’!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3012580/American_Truck_Simulator__Louisiana/
The first video preview of the upcoming Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator is here! In today's blog, we bring you the first gameplay video from this map expansion, so don't wait up, and let's watch it.


In this video, we take you on a beautiful ride from the city of Kirksville located in the northern part of Missouri along Route 63 through the Show Me State capital Jefferson City, and then further south to our destination in the underground warehouse in Springfield.


We can't wait to explore Missouri once it is released for ATS! Want to show us that you are also looking forward to trucking in this map expansion? Then add it to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Safe travels!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2730870/American_Truck_Simulator__Missouri/
We're back in the USA for our newest SCS On The Road episode! Join us in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the Mack Experience Centre as we are given a detailed walk-around of the limited Mack Anthem® Black Edition, which is also available to drive in American Truck Simulator (read more here).


During our visit, Nemiro had the pleasure of meeting with Justin Yost, a Sales Engineer at Mack Trucks, who gave us an in-depth tour of the Mack Anthem® Black Edition, both inside and out. This episode is packed with valuable insights into its design, driver features, technology, and of course what makes this truck a fantastic choice for drivers.


We'd like to thank our partners at Mack Trucks for allowing us to film and share this episode with you, and for the team's kind hospitality when we visited them in Allentown. We really learnt a lot about this awesome truck, and we are sure you will too.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love to hear your comments. Be sure to let us know something new you learned about the Mack Anthem® Black Edition, along with a like and a subscribe, it really helps support our channel and videos. We will see you soon for the next episode, until then, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1236650/American_Truck_Simulator__Mack_Anthem/
On the 26th of February, this year's Valentine's Event "Cupid's Express" came to a close. So let's officially wrap it up together, look back at what it was about and what rewards our truckers earned!


First, a huge thank you to everyone who took part! We are so happy seeing you on the road hauling, especially when you share those moments with us on social media through photos, videos and other content. A special thanks also goes to the team behind it all!

As always, we set two challenges - one for individual players and one for the entire trucking community. The personal goal that every player had to accomplish to get the rewards was to complete 14 deliveries of Valentine's Presents. Our whole #BestCommunityEver then had to collectively finish 600,000 deliveries to accomplish the community goal.

So how did you do? Over 62,000 truckers completed all 14 deliveries for this event. Congratulations! And you have crushed the community milestone in just one week, that is incredible! In total, players completed 1,234,037 deliveries, double of what was the set goal. While hauling Valentine's Presents, you have travelled a distance of over 496,000,000 kilometres in both games!


And now let's take a look at the rewards. Those who completed their deliveries were awarded a unique World of Trucks Achievement as well as a Neon Heart dashboard item for both ETS2 and ATS. Because the collective target was reached as well, they will also get the Cupid's Dice hanging item!



We hope you are as excited as we are for the next event to come, but we won't tell you now what it is! Make sure to stay connected with us for all the updates by following our Twitter, Facebook. InstagramBluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Until next time, we will see you on the road.
Pull on in and take a rest stop with us as we share more about some of the truck stops you'll encounter on your journeys through the upcoming Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator!


We're happy to share that the Iowa DLC will feature over 20 truck stops! Ranging from smaller roadside stations to huge gas stops that are the size of a small town, our team has taken great care in recreating the atmosphere and layout of these truck stops.







Drivers will also have the opportunity to visit the largest truck stop we've ever built in American Truck Simulator. Boasting a large number of parking spots and gas pumps for trucks, this location is huge and features a variety of amenities for visitors. We highly recommend you make the time to check out this epic stop whilst travelling through Iowa.





As with previous DLC releases, many of the truck stops are inspired by real-world counterparts, featuring recognizable landmarks and layouts. We are sure some of you who are familiar with the roads of Iowa will be able to point out some of these locations.







Overall, Iowa truck stops offer drivers and passengers excellent service and amenities, and we look forward to having you relax, refuel, and rest at them. We hope you enjoyed this preview of Iowa's truck stops. If you're excited to hit the road, be sure to add the Iowa DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025440/American_Truck_Simulator__Iowa/
Today, we are excited to reveal that the 1.54 Open Beta branch for American Truck Simulator is now available to try and test out. If you plan on participating in this Open Beta, we ask that you please help us by reporting any bugs you may encounter in the appropriate section(s) of our official forums.



Your feedback and reports are truly valuable to our team and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. Now, without further ado, let's take a look at what the 1.54 Open Beta has in store.

Cargo System Redefined
Until now, what seemed like the game combining a trailer with cargo, such as a piece of machinery, was actually a manually created model, with each trailer-cargo pair stored separately on disk. This approach required an enormous number of unique models, making it harder to add new content efficiently and taking up disk space.


In the redefined cargo system, the code automatically merges cargo and trailers based on simplified rules. This means that each cargo will define its own model, loading methodology, and lashing method. This will make the work of our vehicle team much easier as it no longer requires our 3D artists to manually create pre-baked trailer-cargo pairs.




While there may be issues in the first iteration, it's a worthwhile goal to refine the system, as it not only improves efficiency but also saves disk space and memory by eliminating the need to store countless pre-made combinations. This project may also lead to other possibilities for both of our games, especially with dynamic cargo (un)loading and more. You can read about how this project was executed in our recent Under the Hood blog.

Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
The Truck Adjustment Menu has been completely redesigned to provide a more user-friendly experience. Previously, each option for adjusting your driver's FOV, seat, mirrors etc had separate menus with different layouts. Now, they share a cohesive interface, making adjustments much more intuitive and easier. The new design also takes on a similar design from our previous UI overhaul and is optimized for both mouse and controller, ensuring accessibility for all users.


For keyboard and mouse users, adjustments are now more streamlined with the use of the WASD keys for navigation, along with sliders and buttons for finer tuning. Meanwhile, controller users will find the new system much smoother, with the left stick controlling adjustments, the right stick handling camera movement for mirror positioning, and the D-pad or shoulder buttons navigating the menu.

The addition of shoulder button support makes menu navigation more fluid for controller players. This update makes adjusting mirrors and seats much easier, particularly for those using controllers, ensuring a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience. Accessing the Truck Adjustment Menu remains the same. You can use the F4 by default, a custom assigned key of your choice, or through the adviser services menu.


We hope you enjoy this redesign, and that you find it easy to use and navigate through. If you have any feedback, we'd love to hear from you. You can share your comments and ideas through our official forum.

PhysX System Implementation
As part of the 1.54 Open Beta, we are adopting the NVIDIA PhysX physics engine as an alternative to our current Bullet physics engine for low-level simulation of physics in the game world that players interact with. This shift allows players to experience more precise collision detection results and more robust behaviour during scenarios involving collisions between vehicles and obstacles or other vehicles. PhysX also offers our teams better debugging tools, which indirectly benefits players by helping resolve bugs more efficiently.

One of the most noticeable improvements brought by PhysX can already be experienced in our recently introduced Driving Academy game mode. For example, collisions with cones and obstacles are now more accurate and objects no longer appear to "levitate" slightly above the ground after interaction, a flaw that occurred with Bullet. While players may not see drastic changes, certain interactions should exhibit slightly improved behaviour.

With the release of version 1.54, PhysX is now the default physics engine for all gameplay. Players who prefer the previous Bullet physics engine can switch back by using the "-bullet" command line argument in their Steam launch options.

Driving Academy Rewards
Everyone who has already completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use in the base game - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. So make sure to complete your scenarios and grab your rewards, there will be more to come!




Changelog
Gameplay

  • Cargo System Redefined
  • Driving Academy Rewards
Visual

  • Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
  • First Launch Screen Flow Refresh
Vehicles

  • Lode King & Prestige Trailers Pack bug fixes
Other

  • PhysX Implementation

So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It's only an open beta, not a stable public version - so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to get there faster, we'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in the dedicated section.

Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.

If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.54. No password is required. Sometimes you have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/270880/American_Truck_Simulator/
Welcome to St. Louis! When you are cruising through Missouri, make sure to stop by its second-largest city with plenty of beautiful landmarks, industries and more. Let's take a closer look.


St. Louis, also known as the Mound City, is nestled on the west bank of the Mississippi River which marks the state's border with Illinois. It is a major transportation and distribution centre, and the Mississippi River plays a big part in that as the city is the country's second-largest inland port. St. Louis is also one of the largest rail hubs in the US, with an international airport and a broad network of interstate highways.




Truckers passing through are in for a treat as Mound City is full of amazing historic buildings and other landmarks that our map teams meticulously recreated for this upcoming map expansion. The most famous and recognizable of them all is probably the iconic Gateway Arch which commemorates the city's role in the westward expansion of the USA.




But there are more landmarks inspired by their real-world counterparts such as the Old Courthouse or the St. Louis Hotel, the Basilica of Saint Louis, multiple lawyer centres and a luxury apartment building. Can you recognise these locations?



There are also some beautiful bridges in the city like the Jefferson Barracks Bridge, Blanchette Bridge, and the St. Louis Memorial Bridge. More iconic buildings can be seen in the distance as part of the city's skyline, among them are a stadium, courthouse, and many others.




Truckers can look forward to a wide range of various depots waiting for cargo in the city, two of which are really unique. If you head south of St. Louis, you will come across an underground warehouse located in an old limestone mine where you will be able to deliver plenty of different types of cargo.





Our map designers have also recreated a local well-known beer brewery with great attention to detail along with its 1:1 landmarks which are the gem of the whole area. Apart from that, you will find other industries such as the rail supply depot, a chemical plant, a big car factory, and others.




Can't wait to explore St. Louis in ATS? Then add the Missouri DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, InstagramBluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Drive safe!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2730870/American_Truck_Simulator__Missouri/
Another SCS On The Road episode is here! Today, Nemiro, Mark, and Oscar are taking you along on their visit to Hammett Excavation in Dodd City, Texas, where they got an exclusive look at some incredible trucks from their collection.


Our visit to Hammett Excavation - an amazing company specializing in excavation machinery and transportation in Texas - was primarily to gather reference materials from their extensive truck collection as they generously helped us get some of the missing references needed for our vehicle department projects, mostly on the Peterbilt 389.

While we were there, we got so captivated by their stories that we decided to record a short SCS On The Road episode showcasing their work. Their passion for trucks has led them to design and build some truly unique, custom-made, and legendary vehicles, many of which have earned them top awards at some of the most prestigious truck shows. We would like to give a huge thanks to Kaleb Hammett and Brandon Mendenhall from Hammett Excavation who both helped us greatly in creating this episode. Now, without further ado, let's watch it!


We hope you have enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more updates by following us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/270880/American_Truck_Simulator/