American Truck Simulator News

On your travels throughout Nebraska, you're going to see some pretty beautiful landscapes. Our team has worked hard to re-create some of the most popular spots for you to check out in our upcoming Nebraska DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a closer look at some of them, shall we?


Often with some of the more popular viewpoints, you'll find a dedicated turnout to pull in and park. In these areas, you'll often find information boards, which offer a brief history about the area, as well as some public amenities.


One of the more unusual, but popular roadside attractions in Nebraska is Carhenge, a replica of England's Stonehenge but with... you guessed it, cars! Constructed in 1987 by Jim Reinders, with the help of his family members, he built the 38-car homage as a memorial to his late father, who grew up on the farmland where Carhenge now stands, just north of the city of Alliance.


Another famous stop for travellers in the State is the Scotts Bluff National Monument, which offers travellers a breath-taking roadside vista, with its dramatic rock formations and sweeping plains. Consisting of layers of sandstone, volcanic ash, and siltstone, it towers 800 feet above the river. Back in the 1800's, it also served as an important landmark monument for Pioneer travellers, and those who walked the Oregon and Mormon trails.


If you love learning history, Nebraska has a unique location along the I-80 which no driver can miss! Offering visitors a unique historical exhibit that brings American history to life, the Archway is a landmark and museum which stands as a monument to the adventurers who followed the Great Platte River Road and helped to build America. Our map team could not miss out on including this iconic structure on the road network.


One location you will surely not miss is the McConaughy Lake, Nebraska's largest reservoir. At full capacity, the lake is 22 miles long and four miles wide! Here you'll also find the Kingsley Hydroplant, which was built to meet Nebraska's growing demand in electricity. During the year, many visitors come to enjoy its waters, especially during the summer seasons.


Of course, you'll find plenty of rest areas, scenic overlooks and lookout towers along your travels too. Be sure to look out for them, you may just find a viewpoint or two! We hope you look forward to enjoying the beautiful scenery that our map team has re-created in detail in our upcoming Nebraska DLC. If you are, be sure to add Nebraska to Steam Wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin'.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2543810/American_Truck_Simulator__Nebraska/

We're back in the USA for our newest SCS On The Road episode! This time, we're in Cleveland, North Carolina to check out the Western Star 57X at the Daimler Truck North America Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant!



During our visit, we met up with Anthony Pires, who took us on a detailed walk-around of the 57X, which you can also find in American Truck Simulator! This truck brings the best of both worlds of Western Star, with it's X-Series DNA crossed with Daimler's platform tested over millions of miles, bringing you the most advanced on-highway Western Star, ever!

We hope you enjoy this fun, but educational video with Anthony, who at the time of recording was Western Star's Brand Manager; he has since moved on to a new role. We'd like to express our gratitude for all his hard work and we wish him all the very best in his new position.

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We hope you've enjoyed our latest SCS On The Road episode! Let us know which part you enjoyed the most in the comments below. Stay tuned for the next episode! Until then, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Last year, a few members of our American Truck Simulator map team traveled to the USA to explore the state of Missouri and its surroundings. Along the way, they were gathering references and insights for our upcoming Missouri DLC. In this blog post, we'll offer you a peek into the team's exciting adventures.


The team consisting of Patrik, Pavel, Ilona, El, and Annie visited not only Missouri but also the neighboring states. "Every time we go to a state we will work on, it gives us a new perspective on what is typical for that area, what the atmosphere and the character of the state is," Patrik tells us.

What is the purpose of visiting the state in person when you can just find reference pictures or use street view? "One gets a quicker and more accurate view of what might be considered generic, so by visiting a state we shorten the research time and refine the results so that we can order from our asseters what best describes the area. Missouri is considerably hillier compared to Kansas, the landscape is more rolling and the whole state looks greener," says Patrik.


Captivated by the city's rich history and vibrant culture, Pavel found himself drawn to St. Louis' unique charm. "I liked St. Louis the best. I was intrigued by the Gateway Arch, right in the heart of downtown. I had the privilege of looking up at the very top of the Gateway Arch, and the city's view from 200 meters up was phenomenal. I will be creating this city for our players and the fact that I was there makes my job a lot easier, as it made me realize what the real landmark of the city is and what definitely needs to be in our game," Pavel shares with us.

"Since I've seen American cities live, I've decided to build more of them in our game. Building cities in our engine is a challenge I like to take on. Besides the cities, I loved the local nature as well. America is absolutely amazing and hides a lot of beauty," says Pavel.


St. Louis was probably the favorite city of the whole team, as it captivated Patrik as well. "My favorite city in Missouri is St. Louis, a city with an amazing atmosphere and a unique skyline due to the arch," he says.

"I also liked Cape Girardeau where we mapped the bridge with a drone. We like to take a drone with us on trips to get to places inaccessible to humans with a camera and see things from angles not visible from the road, which helps us model them better in the 3D world. Most often these are bridges, dams, and road construction on hillsides. In Colorado, our team used the drone to map out the terrain outside the road and were able to better model the Million Dollar Highway, which is a success according to the reactions of the players, so we want to do the same thing here", says Patrik.


The team has to get ready ahead of the trip to take as many insights as they can from their journey. "We already knew which towns and roads we would be doing before our trip, and this allowed us to better prepare for it. I focused on Jefferson City, the Ozark lakes area, a beautiful road from Springfield to Branson, and a little bit of Branson as well. Branson fascinated me with its atypical architecture and the beautiful surrounding nature. Ozark Lakes appealed to me with their natural beauty and the vast array of boats. In Jefferson City, I had a funny incident at a car wash, where the change machine took $20 and wouldn't give it back," Ilona tells us.


El shares the highlights of the journey, from the bustling streets of Kansas City to the scenic beauty of St. Louis and Joplin. "My favorite places we explored were Kansas City with its underground warehouses, St. Louis and its brewery, Branson, and Joplin. Joplin, the city I will be recreating in our game, was particularly exciting to see in person. I was especially impressed by the landmarks and wall paintings at the Route 66 mural park. Another aspect of Joplin that I am eager to recreate is the large truck stop along I-44, where we took a brief break," says El.


The team also recorded some videos on their trip to the USA which we compiled into one short clip for you to enjoy!

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We hope you've found this journal of our trip to Missouri interesting. Don't forget to follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so you won't miss out on news about the Missouri DLC and our other projects.

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

We have another update regarding the third phase of the California Rework project for you, our #BestCommunityEver! This time, we will give you a glimpse of the reworked cities of Oakland and San Jose in the Bay Area.


San Jose presented us with a delightful challenge with its diverse districts and lively neighborhoods. We did not have this city in ATS until now, but could not leave it out. Driving through the city, you can see the bustling airports and thriving commercial zones, the busy industrial sectors, and cozy residential areas; the city pulses with the heartbeat of American life.


At the heart of our rendition lie the dynamic intersections of US-101 and I-880, where the city's spirit truly shines. We couldn't resist including two standout airports, each with its own unique flair, including an aviation museum that adds a touch of history. Another prominent site in San Jose is the large Voltison car factory placed on the edge of the city.


The Oakland port is what this city is important for in the real world and will be the main attraction for truckers in our game. There are several depots and a lot of new assets, as well as amazing views of the San Francisco skyline on one side and Oakland's downtown on the other.


The downtown, full of tall skyscrapers, is connected to the port by a winding series of underpasses under the railroad and the highway. This connection and multi-level traffic arrangement offers unique views and adds to the character of the area.


Truckers will be able to drive through Oakland on Interstate I-880, which goes near the downtown and separates it from the harbor. This interstate then heads north to a huge freeway interchange - the so-called McArthur Maze. From there it's just a short drive to the tollgate and the Bay Bridge, which connects Oakland to Treasure Island and, of course, San Francisco.


We hope you are excited about the release of the third phase of the California Rework project and to visit the reimagined cities of Oakland and San Jose. Stay tuned for more updates, as we continue to cultivate a virtual California that mirrors the real thing on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok.

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

Ready for another preview of the Arkansas DLC? This time, we bring you a closer look at the truck stops you will discover in this upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator. Explore the heart and soul of truck stop culture in this vibrant state!


Picture yourself rolling into a bustling truck stop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, as you share stories with fellow drivers and soak in the sights and sounds of the Arkansas landscape. From small roadside establishments to larger, modern facilities offering all the essentials for a smooth journey, Arkansas' truck stops are as diverse and inviting as the state itself.


Experience the convenience of over twenty truck stops ready to cater to both you and your rig as you traverse through Arkansas. Among these, two bigger trucker hubs can be found in Bald Knob and West Memphis, offering a variety of amenities including refueling stations, top-notch truck services, and even a car wash.


These essential stops are thoughtfully scattered across the state, nestled in charming cities like Prescott, Harrison, Springdale, and Pine Bluff. Whether you're cruising through lively urban centers or traversing serene highways, rest assured, convenient services are strategically placed near or at these truck stops to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey for every trucker.


Are you excited to travel on the roads of Arkansas in American Truck Simulator? Add the DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our social media channels (X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to not miss any news about this DLC or other projects we are working on. Until next time, we'll see you on the road!

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