American Truck Simulator News

[p]If you've been wondering where our rework efforts will head next after the successful overhaul of California in American Truck Simulator, we're happy to reveal that now. Our next step is the Route 66 Rework, where we'll revitalize selected parts of this iconic highway![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Over the past couple of years, our team has completely reworked California, one of the original states from the ATS base game. This massive project involved wiping it clean and rebuilding everything from the ground up to reflect the real-world Golden State more accurately, and to showcase just how far our game has come since its release. That rework was completed at the end of last year, and now our talented map designers have shifted their focus to the next exciting project.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]With the upcoming release of the Illinois DLC, the historic Route 66 will finally be completed. However, not all of it currently lives up to the standards of our current map design. That's why we've kicked off the Route 66 Rework Project, focusing on key segments in Northern Arizona and parts of New Mexico, especially along I-40.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We aren't reworking entire states just yet, but instead concentrating on towns, roads, and areas along Route 66 that need the most attention - everything will be rebuilt from the ground up to be brand-new for a more immersive experience for you![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]While this phase focuses on areas tied to Route 66, our teams have multiple rework projects across the map up their sleeves. So don't worry, there's more on the horizon! [/p][p]Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey along America's most historic highway by following us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok, or by subscribing to our newsletter! We look forward to sharing more with you in the future.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]Welcome to the third-largest city in the Hawkeye State! In today's blog, we bring our #BestCommunityEver another preview from the upcoming Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a tour of Davenport![/p][p][/p][p]This city is part of the Quad Cities, a complex of cities at the Iowa-Illinois border which actually includes five metropolitan hubs, Rock Island, Davenport, Moline, East Moline, Illinois, and Bettendorf, Iowa. This area is the only place where the Mighty Mississippi runs east to west. With the release of the Hawkeye State, you will be able to visit the Iowa part of the Quad Cities, but you can also look forward to trucking to the rest of this complex when Illinois DLC releases.[/p][p][/p][p]Davenport is nestled along the northern bank of the Mississippi River. This city is full of history and beautiful architectural gems, which our teams have recreated for this map expansion, so you will feel like you are really there![/p][p][/p][p]When you are driving through, keep your eyes peeled for landmarks like the Dillon Fountain, the Figge Art Museum, the Skybridge, the Arsenal Bridge, the Mississippi River Bridge, the City Hall of Bettendorf, and the Waterfront Convention Center, but also several stunning sculptures.[/p][p][/p][p]If you are looking for a job around the city, make sure to visit the local Aluminum Factory, a brand-new prefab depot created by our asset designers with fresh assets around it, nicely complementing the area. Other than that, you can also get yourself busy at the custom River Port and Quarry depots. With multiple companies to choose from, you can haul a wide variety of cargoes.[/p][p][/p][p]Excited to explore this urban hub? Then don't forget to support us by adding the Iowa map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Until then, make sure to stay up to date on any other news by following us on our social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) or signing up for our newsletter. We wish you safe travels![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]Today, we are happy to share that the 1.55 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.
[/p][p]
Your feedback and reports are truly valuable to our team, and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. Please keep in mind that this is the first open beta iteration, and it is still a work-in-progress build that will receive updates throughout the open beta period.  

Now, without further ado, let's take a look at what the 1.55 Open Beta has in store.[/p][p]
Driving Academy - Truck Driving Proficiency[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]This new Driving Academy module, called Truck Driving Proficiency, will introduce a set of much more challenging scenarios, which will test even the most skilled drivers to the limit. 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 collisions. For proficiency level, there may be additional conditions you will have to meet to successfully pass the scenario.[/p][p][/p][p]Players will be able to achieve up to 3 collectable stars in this module, 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. You'll earn a reward for completing all the scenarios, and you can unlock additional rewards by collecting all 3 stars in each one.
[/p][p][/p][p]To really test your skills, 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. Let us know how you get on!
[/p][p]Asynchronous Loading

We have been hard at work implementing a major overhaul in the way our game loads and processes data, a new system we call Asynchronous Loading. This system is designed to improve the loading process by ensuring that the game and loading screens remain uninterrupted while assets are loaded in the background. The primary benefit here is the mitigation of stuttering, resulting in a smoother experience overall.

We'd like to thank everyone who contributed their feedback to the Experimental Beta in Euro Truck Simulator 2, which was centred around this new update. Your feedback was incredibly valuable to our team, and now we are happy to be able to continue to bring this new feature forward into the Open Beta. You can help us fine-tune this feature by reporting any unusual loading behaviour in the dedicated 1.55 forum section.
[/p][p]Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia Update
[/p][p]
A range of new accessories and improvements have been made to the Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia. From a paintable airdam and sunvisor to chrome mirror and filter options, you’ll have more ways than ever to personalize your truck’s look. Inside the cabin, you can now choose from updated tan, grey, or the newly added black interiors, along with either a classic or modern dashboard layout, bringing the total to six interior variants per sleeper!
[/p][p]Exterior updates include refinements to the 72" sleeper side walls, improved blind spot sensors compatible with both traditional and digital mirrors, and revised camera arms with more accurate turn indicator behavior. We've also smashed some bugs along with this update too!

You can check out the full list of changes and additions at this blogpost.[/p][p][/p][p]Kenworth T680 Update
[/p][p]The Kenworth T680 is getting an update! First released in December 2023 to celebrate Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, the truck was developed on an accelerated schedule with help from Kenworth’s team. Now, we’re expanding its customization options to give players even more control over how their truck looks and performs.
[/p][p]Players will be able to choose between three cab variants as we are adding the 52" Mid-Roof and the 76" High-Roof, offering more flexibility and personality on the road. The chassis lineup will expand by seven configurations, including 6x4 options for all cabs in both short and long hood versions, as well as 4x2 setups specifically for day cabs.

A total of 20 interior variants will be added: eight for the 76" High-Roof cab and eight for the 52" Mid-Roof, each in both single and double bunk layouts, plus four tailored for the day cab. Every interior will come in Diamond VIT and Vantage trims, with stylish Tan and Grey color options.

Under the hood, drivers will have even more options, as we are adding seven powerful engine variants from the Cummins X12 and X15 series, and also five new transmission options to match their driving style. To top it off, all paint jobs, including those from DLCs, are now fully compatible with the T680. Whether you're going for style, performance, or both, the updated T680 offers everything you need to create your perfect rig.
[/p][p]Check out the full dedicated blog to read about all the changes and updates coming with this update here![/p][p][/p][p]Farm Machinery DLC Update[/p][p]We’re excited to introduce a new free cargo addition to the Farm Machinery DLC, the Windrower! This essential piece of agricultural equipment is used to gather and align crops into neat rows for drying and harvesting, and now it’s your job to haul it where it’s needed most.
[/p][p]The Windrower will be available on the job market in two color variants: a classic green and a yellow version branded with OWL, one of our in-game farming equipment manufacturers. Designed for lowboy trailers, it’s a wide and impressive load that brings more variety to your agricultural deliveries.

You can find the full details about this update at here.

FlowBelow Painted Parts

We're introducing a visual enhancement for select trucks featuring FlowBelow aerodynamic parts in American Truck Simulator. These drive wheel closeouts, designed to improve fuel efficiency and airflow, now come with the option to be paintable. 

This means players can now customize these components to match their truck’s color scheme, creating a more polished and unified appearance. Whether you're aiming for a clean fleet aesthetic or giving your rig a show truck vibe, we’re confident this small update will help you tailor your truck even more to your personal style.

Don’t forget to share your fresh paint jobs with us on our social media channels!

Custom City Intros for New Mexico DLC[/p][p][/p][p]With this update, New Mexico has received several new Custom City Intros! These special cutscenes play when a player selects a starting city while creating a new profile.
[/p][p]You’ll now find these intros available for the following cities in New Mexico:[/p]

• [p]    Farmington[/p]
• [p]    Las Cruces[/p]
• [p]    Roswell[/p]
• [p]    Santa Fe
  [/p]

[p]We hope that new players, or those starting afresh, will enjoy these additions, which showcase the area where your journey begins!  

Mail UX Redesign

The mail screen has been redesigned to enhance UI, UX, and controller navigation. It features two main sections: a mail list on the left and the mail content on the right, which is now larger for improved readability and easier to scroll through. Mails populate from the top, and when the list exceeds the screen, pagination is used. Users can navigate through emails using the arrow keys or the controller's D-pad, with emails opening instantly on selection. Mail content may include clickable or keybind-accessible embedded links.
[/p][p][/p][p]Options QoL Improvements

In this update, we’ve added a small but useful quality-of-life improvement to the graphics settings menu. You’ll now see example screenshots next to various settings, giving you a better idea of how each option affects the game’s visuals.
[/p][p]Whether you're tweaking things for smoother performance or aiming for the best possible look, these previews should make it easier to find the right balance for your setup.

Map Improvements - "My Location" Hotkey

We are adding a "My Location" hotkey as part of our map improvements. When pressed, it instantly centers the game map on the player's current location. We hope you find this small addition useful on the road!
[/p][p]
Change of Steam Achievements 

Our team is working around the clock on engine updates, many of which are not visible during regular gameplay. Some of these are visible instantly, such as new light systems, but we also need to work on changes that are not normally visible when you play.

Updating the achievement system gives us foundations that will allow us to make different and new types of achievements, as well as manage existing ones that often rely on different DLCs and regions. As a part of that, we have a new system coming out in 1.55, which we would like to test in open beta. 

To ensure that the new code is well tested before release, some small changes were made to existing achievements and their goals to let us see if the changes we make are working smoothly for all of our users.

Changelog

Gameplay[/p]

• [p]Driving Academy - Truck Driving Proficiency[/p]
• [p]Map Improvements - "My Location" Hotkey[/p]

[p]Map[/p]

• [p]Map Improvements - "My Location" Hotkey[/p]

[p]Vehicles [/p]

• [p] Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia Update[/p]
• [p] Kenworth T680 Update[/p]
• [p] FlowBelow Painted Parts[/p]
• [p] Farm Machinery DLC Update[/p]

[p] Visual[/p]

• [p]Custom city intros for New Mexico[/p]
• [p]Mail UX redesign[/p]
• [p]Options QoL Improvements - Graphics settings visualisation[/p]

[p] Other[/p]

• [p]Steam achievements update with text and icon improvements[/p]
• [p]Save manager improvements[/p]
• [p]Asynchronous loading[/p]

[p]
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'd 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 this Open Beta, you can find this version in the Experimental Beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator  → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.[/p]

[p]In December 2023, we released the Kenworth T680 Anniversary Edition. Now, with the upcoming 1.55 update for American Truck Simulator, we will introduce more customization options for this beautiful truck, including new cabins, chassis, interior designs, and more![/p][p][/p][p]The initial release of this truck was done on a super-accelerated schedule as we wanted to bring it to our #BestCommunityEver for Kenworth's 100 years celebration, and we made it happen on time thanks to smooth cooperation with experts from Kenworth. Now you will be able to truly customize this beauty of a truck thanks to the additional work of our vehicle team![/p][p][/p][p]Players will be able to choose between three cab variants as we are adding the 52" Mid-Roof and the 76" High-Roof, offering more flexibility and personality on the road. The chassis lineup will expand by seven configurations, including 6x4 options for all cabs in both short and long hood versions, as well as 4x2 setups specifically for day cabs.[/p][p][/p][p]A total of 20 interior variants will be added: eight for the 76" High-Roof cab and eight for the 52" Mid-Roof, each in both single and double bunk layouts, plus four tailored for the day cab. Every interior will come in Diamond VIT and Vantage trims, with stylish Tan and Grey color options.[/p][p][/p][p]Under the hood, drivers will have even more options, as we are adding seven powerful engine variants from the Cummins X12 and X15 series, and also five new transmission choices to match their driving style.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]A massive range of new accessories will come too, giving you the freedom to personalize nearly every aspect of your rig. This includes bumpers in both chrome and painted finishes. Cab extenders will be available for all cabin types, and classic exhausts are being added for the Day Cab and 52" cab. You'll also find chrome detailing for the front grill and side filters, plus two hood versions, short and long, designed to accommodate larger engines.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]New physical mirror models will come in both chrome and painted variants, and white fenders will give a fresh look to your setup. For even more customization, you'll be able to add or remove aero kits, chassis skid plates, and deck plates in a variety of styles. Vent-style side windows, removable rear extenders, and three new steering wheel variants will add even more flexibility. And yes, removable sun visors will now be available across all cabs.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]And to tie it all together, all paint jobs, including those from DLCs, will now be fully compatible with this truck, giving you even more options to create your perfect ride.[/p][p]Get ready for the ride of your life with the updated Kenworth T680 when the 1.55 update releases! Don't forget to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok a follow as you'll receive updates about our games straight to your feed, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed. Safe travels![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]Just ninety minutes outside of Chicago lies the city of Rockford. And today, we would like to tell you more about this beautiful city that our teams are currently working on for the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator![/p][p][/p][p]Rockford is often referred to as the City of Gardens, thanks to its 4,000 hectares of parks and public gardens featuring a variety of themes, including Japanese and historic styles. This city is a fantastic destination for tourists, not only because of its beautiful natural surroundings, but also due to its wide range of outdoor activities, vibrant cultural events, diverse food options, and lively markets.[/p][p][/p][p]The city is also full of stunning architectural gems, where historic and modern buildings blend beautifully. Our asset and map teams have put together a lot of work to recreate some of the most significant buildings to make this city stand out and make you feel you are really there.[/p][p][/p][p]These include a well-known local hotel, a historic theater, several distinctive churches, a college, the Justice Center, Rockford's East Center, both the old and new City Halls, a school, and even a number of public sculptures.[/p][p][/p][p]If you're in town looking for cargo to haul, you'll find four depots within the city limits: the road garage, two distinct warehouses, and a chemical oil facility. Just outside Rockford, four more companies are ready to load your trailer, including a wind power plant, an electric substation, a farm, and a quarry. With such a variety of options, there's always plenty of work to choose from![/p][p][/p][p]If you enjoyed this early preview of the Illinois DLC for ATS, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist! Just don't forget that this DLC is still a work in progress, so anything you see here may be adjusted. [/p][p]Don't forget to stay tuned for more American Truck Simulator updates by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, or by signing up for our newsletter. We will see you on the road![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]