American Truck Simulator News

We have another preview of the Missouri map expansion for our #BestCommunityEver! This time, we would like to show you some of the new models our asset makers are working on which you will find scattered across the map in this upcoming DLC. You will also read about how they prepare the models from scratch for their final design.


Keep in mind that these models showcased here are not the only new assets we have been working on, and that this DLC is still a work in progress. Among many other models, we are proud to show you these beauties inspired by the real-world locations in various parts of Missouri such as the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, the Joplin church, the statue in Kirksville, St. Joseph's water building or the pedestrian bridge in Rolla. But that's not all, in total, we have put together over 350 new models just for this map expansion!


Are you interested to know how these models are put together? Our talented asset makers work on them in Autodesk Maya from the first draft to the final design. As you can see in the first image below, first they put together a basic model with no details and textures, serving as a placeholder for more adjustments.


Once they have that done, they proceed to modify the geometry and add details. In this step, it is important to have an overview of the model structure, which allows them to modify the shape and detailed elements. In the image below, you can see the model in Shade mode without textures, with the wireframe view added. This shows how the model is structured and how the different parts of the model relate to each other.


The last step is to apply the textures and make final adjustments. Now, you can see the final look of the model, ready to be used in a variety of applications. On the very first picture of this blog, you can also see this model's final look in the game.


We hope you are looking forward to trucking in the Missouri DLC. If you do, make sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! And don't forget to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. Until next time, happy travels!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2730870/American_Truck_Simulator__Missouri/

Earlier this year, we announced that we have teamed up with Western Star Trucks for the Star Nation Experience 2024 in this blog. Along with us, Western Star Trucks, and members of the Star Nation community, two lucky American Truck Simulator players had the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Bend, Oregon, and take part in this unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Unfortunately, the original date for the Star Nation Experience 2024 had to be cancelled due to the wildfires spreading in the area. As a result, Western Star, in cooperation with local authorities, firefighters, and sheriffs, made the decision to postpone the event to ensure everyone's safety. The new date has now been announced: the event will take place from September 27 to September 30! And today, we are excited to introduce the two participants from our ATS community, so let's meet them.


But first, we shall remind you of what this amazing event is all about. In the heart of Oregon's untamed wilderness, Western Star Trucks hosted the first Star Nation Experience last year for eight lucky winners of their raffle, marking the first of its kind in the trucking industry.

It is a wild, adrenaline-fueled experience filled with trucking, fly fishing, ATV fun, and more adventures celebrating everything that makes Western Star and the Star Nation community special. The highlight of the event is undoubtedly the behind-the-scenes tour of Daimler's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, where they took on the ultimate driver challenge last year, pushing Western Star X-Series trucks to their limits. And this year will be no different.


As we already mentioned above, for the Star Nation Experience 2024, Western Star has invited us to participate but also dedicated two slots of the team of eight lucky winners to members of our American Truck Simulator community. Our friends at Western Star received plenty of applications and a few weeks ago, they selected the winners. We are very excited to meet with all of them, especially with the two from our community - Connor and Brendan.

[h3]Brendan[/h3]


Brendan's passion for trucking traces all the way back to his childhood. "I’ve been obsessed ever since I was a kid. I would always play with toy trucks and pull wagons around in my yard," he says. This early fascination grew into a full-blown obsession with trucks, leading him to discover the world of ATS and a career as a driver.

Since 2019, Brendan has been an avid player, drawn to the game's meticulous detail and immersive environments, which realistically replicated real trucking experiences. In ATS, Brendan's vehicle of choice is the Western Star 4900EX, inspired by his fond memories of riding in his father's truck as a child. Captivated by its iconic design and reliability, Brendan enthusiastically recreated his favorite truck in-game, using mods to enhance his virtual trucking adventures.

Outside of ATS, Brendan's dedication to trucking extends into his professional life, where he spends most of his time on the road, logging miles as a professional truck driver.

[h3]Connor[/h3]


Connor’s passion for ATS began with the original Euro Truck Simulator when he was just 12 years old. "There was something about the open road and the sounds of the truck engine that always pulled me into playing more," Connor recalled.

In the virtual realm of ATS, Connor drives his favorite truck, the Western Star 57X, relishing its smooth rides and long-haul comfort. The truck's iconic logo holds a special place in Conor’s heart; it resonates with him - something he identifies with. Beyond gaming, Connor values ATS for its ability to offer a temporary escape from the humdrum of everyday life as well as the opportunity for him to immerse himself in the role of an owner-operator, participating in virtual convoys and engaging with a community of fellow trucking enthusiasts.

We would like to thank Western Star Truck for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this adventure along with the members of our American Truck Simulator community. Keep a close eye on Western Star's Facebook and Instagram, and our X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook so you don't miss out on any news from the Star Nation Experience 2024 which Nemiro and Mark will also attend. Get ready to embark on this unforgettable adventure with us!

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

We are excited to share with you that a new game module for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator will be introduced with the 1.52 update - Driving Academy. This free update will include sets of scenarios which we hope will teach our players a thing or two about driving and maneuvering a truck in a fun and captivating way.


We are venturing into new territory, inspired by years of feedback from players who have told us that our games have helped them grasp the basics of truck driving. Many have used it to get a sense of handling a truck and trailer, learning how to maneuver and reverse. With this in mind, we thought we'd take it a step further by introducing a series of challenges specifically designed to improve and expand these skills.


Driving Academy will help players learn to drive a truck, from basic driving to navigating intricate courses and complex parking maneuvers with a detailed explanation via driving instructions including diagrams, pointers, and directions. This new game module will provide you with various scenarios of increasing difficulty inspired by instructions given to real-life students. We also wanted to enable drivers to analyze their drive so we have also implemented a new replay feature into this game module as well.


As we mentioned above, we are testing the waters with Driving Academy, but if we get positive feedback from our community, we would love to continue creating additional scenarios and special challenges in the future that real-life truck drivers may encounter on the road. Our dream is for this game module to offer a deeper understanding of both truck driving and the underlying systems, as well as when to use them. But that is still a long way to go.


We also plan to explore this new game module in our live streams, create a special explanatory video, and the topic may also be explored in an Under the Hood blog post, explaining our thought process and production challenges. So you will want to be on the lookout on our channels so you do not miss out on this exclusive content that will also take you behind the scenes - follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.


We hope you will appreciate this new feature, enjoy it when it is released and maybe even learn something new about trucking. Until then, happy travels!

Today is the day, engines at the ready! The Arkansas DLC for American Truck Simulator releases today and we can't wait for you to get haulin'. Are you ready to explore the Natural State and all that it has to offer? Let's get cruising!

[h3]The Arkansas DLC has been released and is now available on Steam![/h3]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
We cannot wait for you to embark on your first journey into Arkansas. Our team has been working hard to ensure everything is running smoothly for its release. From bug smashing to putting in additional polish on the map, we're ready for you to explore and deliver across the State!

• Take your time and enjoy every moment as you discover:
  
• 10 explorable cities including Little Rock, Fortsmith, Fayetteville and Pine Bluff.
  
• See several landmarks unique to Arkansas such as the historical centre of Hot Springs with its Bathhouse Row and National Park, iconic art murals, the majestic Arlington Hotel, courthouses, churches and more.
  
• Enjoy trucking through 10 scenic towns (settlements)
  
• Discover a variety of different viewpoints across Arkansas
  
• See the famous Arkansas and Mississippi rivers which run through the State.
  
• Drive across the impressively large Emmitt Sanders Lock and Dam, which has been in operation since December 1968!
  
• Deliver to unique industries such as the Nuclear One power plant, and custom built River Port & Timber Harvest depots.
  
• Experience the new dynamic loading and unloading of logs onto your trailer.
  
• Discover the hidden treasures of Arkansas's countryside, forest, swampland, viewpoints, road network and more.
  

From cities large and small, Arkansas has something new to explore around every corner. From art murals, to swampland and the custom-made farms, grain elevators, river ports and timber harvest depots, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy.


[h3]Forest Machinery DLC Update[/h3]
We are also happy to share that the Forest Machinery DLC will be receiving a free update with the release of Arkansas. With its many forestry and logging related industries, these companies often require lots of heavy duty equipment and vehicles, one of which we are excited to bring as a new cargo in this DLC!


Introducing the Forestry Skidder, a specialized machine used in logging operations to transport felled trees from the cutting site to a central location for processing or loading. It typically drags logs across the forest floor, either using a cable system or a grapple claw to secure the logs. Skidders are essential for efficiently moving timber, especially in rough or uneven terrain, and help streamline the process of harvesting trees in large-scale logging operations.


That's not all however, as owners of this DLC will also be able to enjoy some cabin accessories from our in-game brand 'OWL' for their truck cab! Including protective Ear Muffs, a mug and a road-sign themed hanging cabin item! We hope DLC owners enjoy hauling this heavy duty machine across Arkansas and beyond with this free update.

[h3]Arkan-saw Bundle[/h3]

If both the Arkansas DLC and the new Forest Machinery content takes your interest, consider purchasing our newest Arkan-saw bundle (get it?) which includes both the Arkansas DLC and the Forest Machinery DLC at a discounted price! It is the perfect bundle for truckers looking to get the fullest experience out of the Natural State.

This bundle operates on a "Complete the set" basis, ensuring you only pay for the DLCs that are not already in your library. Happy travels!

[h3]Release Live Stream![/h3]


Can't wait to get trucking? Join Mark & Petr for the Arkansas DLC Release Live Stream! Also featured are special guests involved in the development of this new expansion. Don't miss out, tune in at our official Twitch or YouTube channels today from 4:00 PM CEST onwards.

[h3]Cruising Arkansas Event[/h3]


Excited to get driving? Don't forget, you can also join in on the #CruisingArkansas World of Trucks event, where you can earn unique in-game Arkansas themed rewards! We are asking you, our #BestCommunityEver to help contribute and complete the community goal of driving 125,000,000 miles (201,168,000 km) while delivering cargo to or from any city in Arkansas.


Players who achieve their personal goal of delivering to or from 10 Arkansas cities will receive a lovely White-tailed Watch ATS truck paint job. If the community goal is reached, all players who have completed their personal goal will also receive a hanging Diamond Apple Blossom pendant for their cabin!


But that's not all! We also have another unique gift for you. If you take any External Contract or External Market job TO or FROM the city of Pine Bluff, you'll earn this adorable fluffy White-tailed Deer fawn plush for their truck cabin. We think it makes for the perfect mascot whilst trucking through the Natural state!

If you'd like to learn more about this event, check out the dedicated blog here.


We hope you enjoy cruising and discovering Arkansas! We cannot thank you enough for all your support leading upto to the release of this DLC. Our team would love to hear what you think of Arkansas, if you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review on Steam! Until next time, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2585150/American_Truck_Simulator__Arkansas/

Please join us on Monday, the 16th of September, as we celebrate the release of our new Arkansas DLC, by taking part in our World of Trucks event – Cruising Arkansas! Enjoy the scenic beauty, wildlife, and incredible history of the Natural State while contributing to its impressive economy of agriculture, forestry and transport logistics.


We challenge our #BestCommunityEver to achieve the community goal of driving 125,000,000 miles (201,168,000 km) while delivering cargo to or from any city in Arkansas.

While you are #CruisingArkansas enjoying the beautiful locations it has to offer, you’ll also have the chance to discover some hidden gems found only on unmarked roads that are not visible on the map. There are also stunning water bodies to visit such as Lake Chicot, Lake Dardanelle, and Norfork Lake, not to mention the Arkansas, Mississippi, and White Rivers. The Natural State is also the home of the white-tailed deer, and northern mockingbird, and boasts the beautiful apple blossom as its state flower since in 1901 it was one of the largest apple producers in the United States.

As you participate in the Natural state’s economy, you’ll be able to help out in some of its main industries such as forestry, agriculture and logistics, with a new river port and airport hub to visit and a new sawmill, paper and steel mills deliver to.

And, during your travels, you can look forward to many spectacular views and highlights such as:

• Pine Bluff Lock & Dam 4, impressive Arkansas River lock and dam engineering
  
• Hot Springs, a beautiful resort city, famous for its naturally heated springs and bath houses
  
• Arkansas Nuclear One, a nuclear power plant located on Lake Dardanelle
  
• Fort Smith, a historic city established as a western frontier military post in 1817
  

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
As with past cruising events, you can use your own trailer and experience all these in the external market!

Arkansas DLC has 10 terrific new cities to explore, and we're offering a special reward for completing your personal goal, which will require you to deliver a job to or from all of them. All jobs for the event need to be 100 miles each (161 km) or more.

Come along with us and haul through incredible landscapes of mountains, forests, hot springs and lakes. Let's cruise Arkansas and enjoy the ride, it will be an awesome one!


[h3]Rules[/h3]

Using External Contracts or External Market, with a World of Trucks-connected profile in American Truck Simulator, the community goal is to drive 125,000,000 miles (201,168,000 km) while delivering cargo to or from any city in Arkansas.

When a player completes a delivery to or from 10 different Arkansas cities, they will achieve their personal goal. Note that the in-game city of Texarkana spans both the Arkansas and Texas DLCs. Only jobs to or from the Arkansas portion of the city, shown as 'Texarkana (AR)' on the External Contracts job screen, count towards this event.

All jobs for the event need to be at least 100 miles each (161 km), or more.

You can check if your recent deliveries met these conditions using your Log Book in your World of Trucks profile.

[h3]Rewards[/h3]

• Personal: Players that deliver cargo to or from 10 Arkansas cities will gain a personal World of Trucks Achievement and a White-tailed Watch ATS truck paint job Steam inventory item.
  

• Community: When the community goal of driving 125,000,000 miles (201,168,000 km) during deliveries to or from any city in Arkansas is met, and if the player has also achieved their personal goal, then they will receive a hanging Diamond Apple Blossom pendant Steam inventory item.
  

The event will be concluded on Sunday, 17th of November at 23:59 UTC.

We look forward to hearing from you about where you went and what you discovered, we're positive you'll love cruising the beautiful Natural state! So, please share your screenshots and videos with us using the hashtag #CruisingArkansas on our Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram profiles and we will share our favourite ones (we may even feature some of them in a future blog post!).

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2585150/American_Truck_Simulator__Arkansas/