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American Truck Simulator News

Project Route 66 Rework - Meet the Team

[p]A few weeks ago, we introduced the Route 66 Rework, which will focus on key stretches in Northern Arizona and parts of New Mexico, particularly along I-40. Before we can show you glimpses of the team's work, we would like you to meet our colleagues working on this project![/p][p][/p][p]After completing the California Rework Project, Janek and his team turned their attention to Route 66 and its surroundings. With the upcoming Illinois DLC already in development, this legendary American highway will at last be completed, but since parts of it no longer meet today's map design standards, the Route 66 Rework Project has begun. The rework team consists of 16 members, including a few external collaborators - and today, you'll get to meet some of them.[/p][p]Janek - Project Lead[/p][p][/p][p]"I've been with SCS for almost seven years, working on several projects as a map designer and leading the third and fourth phases of the California rework. My main role is to support the team, coordinate with other departments, and oversee rework projects to make sure they come out as they should. Reworking is so fulfilling that it has become my full focus lately - and even in my personal life, I've started renovating my apartment. At the moment, that's pretty much what my life revolves around. Can you guess which rework will be finished first? Or maybe which rework project will come next?"[/p][p]Ella[/p][p][/p][p]"Working as a game developer has been a dream job for me. Designing maps for American Truck Simulator utilizes my passion for learning about American urbanism, infrastructure, geography, and culture, but also functions as my artistic outlet. I'm able to find much joy in what I do even today, nearly 6 years after joining the company. Since I've gained plenty of experience working on large cities over the years, my task here is rebuilding New Mexico's largest city: Albuquerque. As the naming of the project suggests, our goal is to also put emphasis on the historic parts of the Route 66. Therefore, I'm intending to prominently feature it in my work on Albuquerque as well. For example, players will be able to drive through the city's rich downtown, which was previously not possible. I hope that players will have a great time exploring the redesigned city along with all the other parts of and around the legendary Route 66."[/p][p]Johny[/p][p][/p][p]Hi, I'm Johny! I've been at SCS for about 5 years now. I actually joined during Covid, which was a pretty crazy time for everyone. After finishing my degree in Civil Engineering at CTU, I wanted a job where I could put what I learned to use - and that path led me to map design here at SCS. It's definitely not as technical as real civil engineering, but honestly, it's a lot less stressful and way more fun. Right now, I'm working on the Grand Canyon, and my goal is to create something our players will really enjoy. I've had the chance to see the Grand Canyon in person, and I’ll do my best to bring that experience into the game as faithfully as I can.[/p][p]Terez[/p][p][/p][p]"Hi, my name is Terez, and I joined SCS in 2022 as a map designer. In my free time, I enjoy playing World of Warcraft, painting, and working out. I am also a big fan of the manga Berserk. I am currently working on two cities - Kingman and Flagstaff - and part of the Route 66, with a small settlement called Seligman. I really enjoy doing depot areas, truck stops, and city downtowns. I hope that players will find the Route 66 Rework exciting as much as I do.  See ya in the next upcoming projects."[/p][p]Filip[/p][p][/p][p]"After gaining experience during the 4th phase of the California rework, I was given the opportunity to create a fresh new look for Page and US-191. Both locations come with their own challenges, but that’s exactly what makes this project so exciting. I hope you'll enjoy many memorable journeys here and experience the authentic Arizona atmosphere we strive to deliver."[/p][p]Roman[/p][p][/p][p]"September of this year marks my third year at SCS. In that time, I gained new friends and a lot of new experiences. The greatest thing about SCS is the people I get to work with every day. Not only do we teach each other new things, but we also gain mutual understanding. As for what I am currently working on: a rework project has its unique set of challenges. Sometimes, you need to completely remove the old map and start working from the ground up while keeping the gameplay and functions the same; other times, the layout might stay the same, but all the other things change. But there are also opportunities to expand the map and add new interesting areas, and that includes some of the work I did, so I am excited to see what players will think of those. So far, working for SCS has been quite a journey, and I am looking forward to what the future holds."[/p][p]Margo[/p][p][/p][p]"My responsibilities on this project were bringing to life Camp Verde and the surrounding area of I-17 and US 260. Semi-arid Arizona plains might seem repetitive after a while, so making them fun to explore can be a tricky task. I think I handled them well, adding a variety of biomes and sculpting techniques for the players to enjoy the mountainous views in the distance. Camp Verde was a smaller but no less complex project of mine. My intention was to create a cozy place worth a visit when you're around. Don't let it wait too long on your journeys, it's worth your while."[/p][p]Tomáš[/p][p][/p][p]"In Arizona, I'm working on the roads away from the big cities, which is my preferred kind of task. I like open landscapes, forests, hills, mountains, and rocks. Even though an ATS rework wasn't always in the spotlight, it offered a big part of these interesting biomes, which was nice to work on. I really appreciate reworks, because from what I have experienced, not many DLC-based titles rework their base game locations up to current standard." [/p][p]Mykyta[/p][p][/p][p]"Hi! I'm Mykyta, the vegetation specialist on the Route 66 Rework project. Right now, I’m focused on bringing the landscapes around Tucumcari to life. My work is all about shaping environments that reflect the atmosphere of this legendary road - dusty, sun-soaked, and framed by canyons. From weathered motels to wide desert plains, I want the scenery I create to feel alive and carry the spirit of Route 66."[/p][p]Rob[/p][p][/p][p]"I loved playing PC games even as a little boy, when I played Prehistorik on a DOS computer. This passion never left me and eventually led me to SCS Software. After my hectic corporate career, I am extremely happy to be part of a wonderful team of gamers and to be able to participate in the creative process of map creation. Together with Barb, Kuba, and Miya, we are the newest additions to the map designers' team. My first job is to rework the states that the iconic Route 66 passes through. Long open roads, endless plains, neon motels, old gas stations, and a road trip across America. Route 66 – here we go!"[/p][p]Barbara[/p][p][/p][p]"Hi, my name is Barbara. I joined SCS just a few months ago as a map designer, and I really enjoy this work. I've always played games and always will, so I'm really glad I can now also take part in creating them. I'm currently working on the rework of Arizona and Nevada. I enjoy shaping the atmosphere of the dry, sun-scorched desert that you experience while driving through it, and one day I'd love to visit these places in real life."[/p][p]Jakub[/p][p][/p][p]"I am new to SCS, but as a long-time fan and ATS player, I am familiar with the game and am happy to finally be able to participate in map creation. I wanted to go to America mainly because of the beautiful and diverse nature and the wonderful cities. Unlike the monotonous green-gray Europe, I enjoy how the different scenery in America creates unique color palettes that are always a joy to discover and then incorporate into the game. Hopefully, the result of my work will be true and beautiful landscapes." [/p][p]And that's it for today! We hope you've enjoyed meeting the map designers working on this rework project. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates from ATS by following us on X/TwitterInstagramFacebookBluesky, and TikTok, or by subscribing to our newsletter! Until then, we wish you safe travels![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

Louisiana: Port Fourchon

[p]Today, we're excited to share with you about one of the largest industrial areas you'll encounter in our upcoming Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a ride to Port Fourchon!
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Situated at the end of Louisiana Highway 1, this massive industrial hub is at the heart of the region’s offshore oil and gas industry, with thousands of trucks passing through every day to keep operations moving. Our map team wanted to capture that same sense of scale and importance in-game, giving players a true taste of what it’s like to deliver to a key industrial hub supporting a wide range of sectors across the USA.

[/p][p]In Port Fourchon, you’ll find a wide variety of industries to deliver to and from, including a custom-built river port, a chemical plant, oil storage facilities, and the very first custom shipyard depot to appear in American Truck Simulator.



As you can imagine, with the amount of drivers passing through, this area also offers amenities and services for truckers, including a truck stop and truck service stop, in-case you need to stop off a little break, or need to upgrade your rig for the job at hand! 


Life along the Gulf Coast is not without its hardships, and our designers have paid close attention to the details that reflect the realities of the region. Houses and buildings raised on stilts, storm-damaged structures, and weathered, rusty machinery tell the story of an area shaped by frequent hurricanes and powerful storms. It’s a place defined by tough work and tough people.


We can't wait for you to experience Port Fourchon in our upcoming Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator. If you like what you've seen today, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! We appreciate all of your support, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Pelican State in the future. Until then, keep on truckin'! 

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SCS On The Road: The Mack Experience Center

[p]Welcome back to another episode of SCS On The Road! This time, Nemiro, Mark, and Oscar take you along on their visit to the Mack Experience Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[/p][p][/p][p]First and foremost, we'd like to thank Mack Trucks for inviting us to their legendary Experience Center, and also to Zach Fenstermacher and Doug Maney, who showed us around.[/p][p]In this episode, we explore their showroom, browse the merch store, and visit the museum to dive into Mack's rich history - and see not just trucks, but also buses, fire trucks, and even Megatron from the Transformers movie. To top it off, we had the incredible opportunity to get behind the wheel and drive some of their trucks on the impressive test track. Now, without further ado, let's watch the video![/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]And that's it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, and again, huge thanks to Mack Trucks, who made it all happen, so make sure to return the favor by following them on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.[/p][p]Remember to follow us as well on X/TwitterFacebookInstagramBluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any new SCS On The Road episodes. 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![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

South Dakota: Truck Stops

[p]Today, we’re taking another look at the upcoming American Truck Simulator map expansions, this time focusing on South Dakota. Just like in Illinois, our map team has been hard at work recreating some of the truck stops across the state that serve as essential points for rest, refueling, and taking in the local surroundings. Let’s see where the road might take you. [/p][p][/p][p]While exploring South Dakota, you’ll discover a variety of truck stops scattered across the state. Drivers can look forward to taking a break and refueling in towns and cities like Buffalo, Spearfish, Martin, and Murdo, each offering its own unique atmosphere. [/p][p][/p][p]Rapid City, the second most populous city in the state, features a truck stop situated close to the highway and with a view over a massive industrial complex.[/p][p][/p][p]The next truck stop by the town of Wall stands out with its name inspired by the “natural wall” of rock formations near Badlands National Park. Here, drivers will be greeted by the town’s signature high dinosaur statue, keeping watch over US-14 and offering a truly unique landmark.[/p][p][/p][p]Sioux Falls, the most populous city in South Dakota, features a truck stop located along I-90, as well as a nearby truck dealership and a driver staffing agency. Within the city, make sure you visit the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial, which honors the state’s military history and serves as a place of remembrance.[/p][p][/p][p]In Huron, the truck stop sits not far from Ravine Park Lake. Drivers stopping here will also notice farming machinery nearby, highlighting the strong agricultural traditions of the area.[/p][p][/p][p]Watertown features a city truck stop located not far from its signature Art Center building, a cultural landmark that adds to the local identity.[/p][p][/p][p]And finally, there is Bison, a town platted in 1907 and named after the American bison that once roamed the land in great numbers. Here, we have to highlight a small regional airport nearby that gives this stop a distinct atmosphere.[/p][p][/p][p]We hope you enjoyed this look at truck stops across South Dakota. As always, keep in mind this expansion is still in development, so details may change before release. If you’re eager to explore these locations yourself, don’t forget to add the South Dakota DLC to your Steam wishlist. And be sure to follow us on X/TwitterFacebookInstagramBluesky, and YouTube, or subscribe to our newsletter for more previews. We’ll see you on the road![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

Louisiana: Road Network

[p]More news from the Pelican State! In today's blog, we would like to show you some of the road networks currently in the works for the upcoming Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a look![/p][p][/p][p]First, let's start with two toll gates you will regularly pass through. The first one is located in the very south of the state on LA-1 on the way to Port Fourchon. You will come across the other toll gate on the northern bank of Lake Pontchartrain, right at the entrance to the stunning bridge, which is actually the longest continuous bridge over water in the world, spanning almost 24 miles across the lake to New Orleans.[/p][p][/p][p]As you cruise along I-10, cutting across Louisiana from east to west, you'll pass through the breathtaking Atchafalaya Basin, the nation's largest river swamp. Here, the highway rises above the water, offering sweeping views of classic bayou scenery.[/p][p][/p][p]Two other major road hubs in Louisiana are I-20, which runs east to west across the northern part of the state through cities like Monroe, and I-49, which stretches north to south all the way to Lafayette. The two highways intersect in Shreveport, making it a key crossroads for travelers.[/p][p][/p][p]Beyond the interstates, you'll navigate your truck through a mix of complex intersections, particularly in major cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, as well as a handful of roundabouts.[/p][p][/p][p]And that's it for today! Remember to add the Louisiana DLC to your Steam Wishlist and don't forget to give our X/TwitterInstagramFacebookBluesky, and TikTok a follow as you'll receive updates about our games straight to your feed! Or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed. Smooth rides ahead! [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]