American Truck Simulator News

Get ready for an exciting drive in the upcoming Kansas DLC for American Truck Simulator, featuring three standout cities at the core of the Sunflower State. We are happy to bring you some more information about Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City which are some of the most important settlements in Kansas.


[h3]Wichita[/h3]
Wichita takes the spotlight, a lively city where your trucking adventure comes to life. Explore the action at Aerosystem, a key player in airplane manufacturing. Enjoy the beautiful view of downtown Wichita, catching sight of landmarks like the Intrust Bank Arena, The Epic Center, or 250 Douglas Place. Deliver cargo to two busy industrial zones, the Eisenhower airport, a personal jet service, and roll along the unique channel cutting through the highway. Wichita's mix of industry and city vibes promises a memorable journey.


[h3]Kansas City[/h3]
Get ready for a unique trucking adventure in Kansas City, which is split between Kansas and Missouri. Truckers will cruise through the Kansas side, catching a glimpse of Missouri's downtown. The economic spotlight shines on the new Caliber Motors car factory, alongside a bustling scene with a custom grain elevator, trailer service, and a general warehouse. Reflecting its historical railroad significance, Kansas City features rail-related depots, including the rail supply depot and railroad construction depot. Beyond the city limits, the Railroad Intermodal awaits. During your journey, catch a glimpse of the iconic Strawberry Hill!


[h3]Topeka[/h3]
Topeka, the capital of the state is a must-visit destination for truckers seeking a taste of city life. As players cruise through downtown, they'll be greeted by the iconic Capitol building, a beloved symbol of Topeka. The city offers more than just a scenic drive - truckers can invest in a garage, explore the bustling food manufacturing plant, or take a detour to the truck stop at Lower Silver Lake Rd exit. A new custom depot awaits adventurous players next to the truck stop, featuring a colossal grain elevator that adds to the city's industrial charm. For those willing to explore further, the 42nd St Burlingame Rd exit on US-75 leads to an expansive industrial area, with plenty of depots waiting to be discovered.


We hope you are excited to check out these three major cities that the Kansas DLC has to offer. If you are, you can add the Kansas DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Also, don't forget to keep an eye out for our microsite, which contains a lot of interesting and exclusive content. Keep in mind to check out our social media profiles (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and give them a follow to stay in touch with the latest news!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2298430/American_Truck_Simulator__Kansas/

In the vast world of American Truck Simulator, a new collaboration is underway with logistics giant ArcBest/ABF. ATS is upping the game by featuring the ArcBest/ABF trailer livery as a mod on the Steam workshop created by our vehicle department in close cooperation with the ArcBest/ABF team.


As you navigate the virtual highways, you will now be able to showcase the same distinctive livery used by ArcBest/ABF in the real world. This immersive experience not only adds a touch of realism but also pays homage to a logistics giant known for its comprehensive solutions in freight and transportation.

Collaborations like this can have a real positive impact on the trucking industry. In the past, the companies involved have reported positive responses, with one of our latest partners accepting around 40 job applications thanks to the ATS in-game dynamic billboards campaign. The connection between players and potential jobs in the automotive industry is real, and the #BestCommunityEver is playing a role in highlighting the cool side of a career in trucking and logistics.


We hope you will enjoy this new addition to American Truck Simulator. Also, don't forget to check out our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and give them a follow to stay in touch with the latest news!

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

Today, we're excited to announce that the US-50 connecting Sacramento & Carson City will be included in Phase 3 of our California Rework! This major east-west highway will be one of the new routes that you will be able to travel on. Let's take a closer look at the work that has been undertaken, shall we?


Many of you might be familiar with this historical and major highway. Stretching coast to coast and cutting across the midsection of America's Lower 48, the US-50 has rightly earned its legendary status. Naturally, our team couldn't go without adding this famous highway into this phase of the rework.


Since a majority of our rework consists of deleting old areas and rebuilding road networks, cities and more from scratch, we've been able to create and include extra details and routes we were not previously able to due to limitations. As with all our rework phases so far, we've also brought up the quality of the areas to match those of newly released DLC addons.


The US-50 in California will run through a variety of different locations such as the Placerville and Tahoe Valley settlements. Drivers can also expect these parts of the Highway to be very scenic too, with sections running through mountains and hills.


Along this route, truckers will also be subject to checks from one of the state's Agriculture Checkpoints. These special stations are the first line of defence in pest exclusion efforts. All drivers hauling goods into the state will have to undergo special checks from the control station where vehicles are inspected for commodities that may be infested with invasive species, and for the correct documentation for their cargo.


Phase 3 of the California Rework is an ongoing project that will come as a free update to all owners of American Truck Simulator. We look forward to sharing more news on our work in the future as we continue to progress with this significant overhaul of California. Looking forward to driving on the US-50? Let us know in the comments below! Until then, keep on truckin'.

Today, we are happy to share with you another report from one of our Research Trips! This blog focuses on the journey Kansas Map Lead, Patrik Sadlon, Map Designers Pavel J, Ilona C, Elena H and 2D Artist Annie V, took to the U.S earlier this year. The purpose of their travel was to gather references and information for the upcoming Kansas DLC, as well as to inspire them in preparation for future projects.

However, please keep in mind that the information and media presented here do not confirm what our upcoming DLC will include.


Travelling 10,500kms in 17 days, the team visited 20 different states across the US. Each member of the team had their own goal set for the trip. "The goal of map designers was to experience driving on US roads, which are (of course) completely different compared to our roads in Europe" Patrik tells us. "Annie's goal was to see and grab the feel of typical American info-graphics, billboards, brand logos etc.". As you can imagine, these trips proved to be a valuable experience for our teams in bringing a realistic look and feel to our ATS projects.


"For me, the best part about visiting America was getting to drive there." Elena explains to us, "Seeing what our players would see from the point of view of a driver really changed my perspective on what to add to our map and what not to. I noticed things while driving the same route we have in the game that I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. The feel of the road is also very different from our roads in Europe. Everything is smoother and larger."

"Another thing I really liked was the small towns we saw across the states. Each had its own atmosphere, and some of them were truly magical to visit. It was great to see the nature, the roads and their curves, the vastness of the states, and the cities. It's a very different vibe compared to Europe, and I think seeing all this with our own eyes can help us create a better game for our players."


The team spent quite a few days in Kansas, exploring various cities along Interstate 70, such as Colby, Hays, Topeka and of course, Kansas City. They also visited the likes of Wichita, Hutchinson and Emporia to ensure we captured the "genius loci" of the area.

"The great thing about our trip to Kansas was that as map designers, we were able to be in the places that we would be creating in our game." Pavel J tells us "I am responsible for Topeka, the capital of Kansas in our upcoming DLC. What was great about the trip was that I got to see Topeka with my own eyes and then I got to build it virtually! It gave me a whole different approach and made me realize what was really important and what the players would like. However, I'm sorry that we have limits and I couldn't make the city as big as the community would have liked. The thing I enjoyed most about the state was Kansas City, which I had the privilege of visiting. Now I just hope to visit the US again. Even though Kansas may be boring to some, it still has its charm".


"It was great to have the opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity that can be found in this part of the United States." Ilona shares "Known as the 'Sunflower State', Kansas surprised me with its varied landscapes, winding roads and the many farms that dominate the area. Although we saw only a few sunflower fields, it was clear that this flower plays a significant role in the landscape. The western side of the state is dominated by wide fields of corn and wheat, creating a fascinating view of the endless plains that Kansas has to offer."

"We also passed many family farms as well as large commercial farms where corn, maize and other crops are grown. These farms are an important element of the local economy and culture, and their presence gives Kansas its unique character."


With so much to see in a short amount of time, the team made sure to take plenty of reference shots and videos for the team back at the offices. "We took a lot of video and sound equipment with us" Patrik tells us. "We used a 360 degree camera, mounted on the roof of the car, which allowed us to record our own "streetview" that our colleagues can watch in VR. This allows them see the "size" of the area by just letting them sit with us in the office, watching the material that we recorded".

However, Kansas wasn't the only destination for the team! "We had opportunity to see many states in just 15 days, so we have now great comparison of each one, knowing what's typical for which location." Patrik explains "With focus on Kansas and .. one state that will be announced soon (stay tuned!) - we discovered that the mood of great plains is interesting in its own way. We took many notes along the way and now we are ready to implement them into the game. Noises of crickets that we heard and recorded in Kansas are ready to be released with the DLC. Some other bits needs to wait a little bit more to be implemented - but we are working hard to bring the feel to as close as possible to what we experienced in US."


This huge journey took this particular team from Denver, Colorado and onwards through the states of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas where they spent a few days exploring the agricultural character of the state. From Kansas they headed to Chicago, but with "little" side jobs in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missisippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Phew, what a trip! We look forward to sharing how these research trips translate to our virtual recreation of the states in the future. Until then, we hope you enjoyed this little behind the scenes report of our trip out to the states! Be sure to add Kansas to your Steam wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin'

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2298430/American_Truck_Simulator__Kansas/

As we bid farewell to the month of October, it's time to conclude the #Pinktober2023 campaign for this year. Let's take a look at its impact and success.


Over the entire month, we were dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. Whether through our live streams on Twitch or the reminders on our social media, we aimed to keep our community informed. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year's campaign, whether by tuning in to our broadcasts or sharing kind messages on social media using the special paint jobs from the DLCs. These seemingly small steps play a crucial role in the ongoing battle against this dangerous disease.

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Thanks to the incredible support from the #BestCommunityEver, the total amount raised from the sales of the Pink Ribbon paint job packs is a staggering 55,000 USD! This sum is truly remarkable, and we extend our gratitude to each and every one of you. We believe that contributing the entire amount to the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer will make a significant difference to those in need.


However, let's not forget that supporting such causes can be a year-round commitment. While donations are crucial, there are various ways to join the fight. Spreading awareness and reminding your loved ones about the importance of regular health checks matter the most. Our health should always be a top priority, and these are messages we should all keep in mind.

A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering effort and support!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1162160/American_Truck_Simulator__Pink_Ribbon_Charity_Pack/