American Truck Simulator News

Today, we are happy to share with you that the 1.49 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.



Your feedback and reports are extremely valuable to our team and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. So, without further ado, let's take a look at what the 1.49 Open Beta has in store.

[h3]HDR Skyboxes, Moon and New Weather Effects[/h3]
First and foremost, after many requests, we've added the Moon (back) to our night sky! It's a subtle but remarkable touch that adds an extra layer of realism and wonder to your virtual trucking adventures. Curiously, it's worth mentioning that what might appear as a simple addition – the Moon – has posed some significant challenges for some time. Integrating the Moon into the night sky has required casting, rendering, and calculating lunar light, managing reflections in water bodies, dealing with wet roads, and addressing mirror effects, among other things.


In addition to that, we've also reimagined the night sky, introducing dynamic stars that gently twinkle, enhancing the overall authenticity of the night-time experience.



We are also happy to share that skyboxes will now be High Dynamic Range (HDR), which means that there will be richer, more vibrant colors in the skies and our weather visual effects have also received an upgrade. Thunderstorms now include visible lightning, offering a more immersive experience. And make sure to keep an eye on the night sky in certain regions, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you will notice.



To sum it all up, we’ve also prepared a special video for you showcasing all of these changes. It’s definitely worth checking it out along with the dedicated blog post we published previously!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]PACCAR Technical Centre [/h3]
Hidden within the vast landscape of Washington, a realistic recreation of the PACCAR Technical Center awaits your discovery.


Drivers will now have the opportunity to experience the PACCAR Technical Center firsthand. This realistic 1:1 recreation will offer a glimpse into the world of truck development. For years, the PACCAR Technical Center has been the epicenter of innovation and development for renowned truck manufacturers, Kenworth and Peterbilt.


This facility has been instrumental in testing trucks, powertrains, technologies, and more, and it's where the giants of the trucking industry push the boundaries of what's possible, creating the next generation of iconic trucks.

Even though the area won't be readily visible on the in-game map and UI, it will be waiting for curious players to discover with plenty of interesting bits to explore. We’ve also added an extra layer of excitement, a small Easter egg will be parked within the PACCAR Technical Center itself. We challenge you to keep your eyes peeled and see if you can spot this surprise.

We hope you enjoy checking out this new and unique addition in American Truck Simulator!

[h3]Used Truck Dealers[/h3]
We're also happy to introduce another highly requested feature. Used Trucks will be now available immediately in the main menu taking you to a selection of trucks that are more budget-friendly compared to brand new vehicles. However, these used trucks come with some mileage and wear, which is indicated by their star rating and a separate window that provides a detailed breakdown of the damage to various parts.


One of the most significant changes coming along with this feature is the enhanced damage and repair system. In the past, our approach was very simplistic - individual parts would accumulate damage, represented as a percentage, and you could repair them, resetting the percentage to zero. However, with the 1.49 update, parts will accumulate three types of damage

• Damage: This type of damage can be fixed by standard repairs, just as before.
  
• Parts Wear: When components accumulate significant wear and tear, you'll want to replace them.
  
• Permanent Wear: The permanent wear represents systemic aging and wear across the whole vehicle. It can only be nullified by Total Restoration of the entire vehicle. This is a more expensive procedure, but it's the only way to bring your truck and trailer back to pristine condition.

With the improved damage system comes enhanced control over vehicle maintenance. You can now make informed choices about which parts to repair or replace based on your judgment. Alternatively, you have the option to seek professional advice for the best repair strategy for your truck or trailer.

We'd love to hear your feedback about this new addition on our official forums. Happy (used) trucking!

[h3]Keybind Modifiers [/h3]
Another highly requested feature coming with 1.49 is the introduction of Keybind Modifiers! When previously creating a new bind in the menu, you could only assign a single key for an action. With the 1.49 update, you will now have the option to use a combination of the key and modifiers to bind an action. For example, you can now assign Shift + L to turn your lights if you so wish!


This opens up a whole new world of key bind combinations for you to use, allowing for more binding options, but that's not all! You will also now have the options to bind short press and long press key. Holding the key down will be recognised as a long press, and pressing a button as normal will be seen as a short press.


Keyboards isn't the only peripheral taking advantage of this change. Controllers will also be able use this new feature! We look forward to hearing your feedback on this new change!

[h3]Changelog [/h3]

Map

• PACCAR Technical Centre added to Washington State
  

Visual

• HDR Skyboxes, Moon and New Weather Effects
  

Other

• Used Truck Dealers
  
• Keybind Modifiers
  

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'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in this section.

Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.

If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.49. No password is required. Sometimes you have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

Among other changes coming for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator in the 1.49 update, there will be a fairly big feature that will bring a few tweaks that are important to the immersion of the virtual trucking experience. Today, we’ll showcase the Used Truck Dealers!


Used Trucks will be available immediately in the main menu taking you to a selection of trucks that are more budget-friendly compared to brand new vehicles. However, these used trucks come with some mileage and wear, which is indicated by their star rating and a separate window that provides a detailed breakdown of the damage to various parts.

This feature provides an excellent opportunity for players to own a truck without breaking the bank. It's particularly ideal for newcomers who want to hit the road without a hefty investment, while it also adds an extra layer of challenge for experienced players.


One of the most significant changes coming along with this feature is the enhanced damage and repair system. In the past, individual parts would accumulate damage, represented as a percentage, and you could repair them. However, with the 1.49 update, parts will be categorized into three types of damage:

Damage: This type of damage can be fixed by standard repairs, just as before.
Parts Wear: For components showing wear and tear, you'll need to replace them.
Permanent Wear: Parts with permanent wear can only be restored by Total Restoration of the entire vehicle. This is a more expensive procedure, but it's the only way to bring your truck and trailer back to pristine condition.

With the improved damage system comes enhanced control over vehicle maintenance. You can now make informed choices about which parts to repair or replace based on your judgment. Alternatively, you have the option to seek professional advice for the best repair strategy for your truck or trailer.

We can’t wait for you to get your hands on this new feature and provide us with your feedback. For more information regarding when this update will be available make sure to give our social media a follow (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and stay in touch with all the latest news.

In the 1.49 update for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, we're excited to introduce a range of enhancements that will further improve your virtual trucking experience. Let’s take a look at the visual additions that await you on your journeys.


First and foremost, after many requests, we've added the Moon to our night sky! It's a subtle but remarkable touch that adds an extra layer of realism and wonder to your virtual trucking adventures. Curiously, it's worth mentioning that what might appear as a simple addition – the Moon – has posed some significant challenges for some time. Integrating the Moon into the night sky has required casting, rendering, and calculating lunar light, managing reflections in water bodies, dealing with wet roads, and addressing mirror effects, among other things. However, we're delighted that we've finally been able to incorporate something as fundamental as the Moon into our in-game night sky.


In addition to that, we've also reimagined the night sky, introducing dynamic stars that gently twinkle, enhancing the overall authenticity of the night-time experience.


Finally, the skyboxes will now be High Dynamic Range (HDR), which means there will be richer, more vibrant colours in the skies and our weather visual effects have also received an upgrade. Thunderstorms now include visible lightning, offering a more immersive experience. And make sure to keep an eye on the night sky in certain regions, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you will notice.


To sum it all up, we’ve also prepared a special video for you showcasing all of these changes. It’s definitely worth checking out!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
With these additions, the 1.49 update aims to enhance the realism and beauty of your trucking world, promising a more enchanting and immersive journey. We have more changes to present to you in the near future, so make sure to give us a follow on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to always be notified of any news.

The agriculture industry in the US state of Kansas is a big deal! All year round, farmers grow a multitude of different crops such as wheat, corn and soybeans, as well as raising livestock. In today's blog, we will explore how this important industry is represented in our upcoming Kansas DLC for American Truck Simulator.


The Midwest is known for its bountiful and diverse agricultural production. Its fertile lands and waters provide ideal conditions for growing a range of different crops. Today, Kansas is the nation's leading wheat producer. There are several types of wheat which are grown, but the state is best known for its Hard Red Winter Wheat. Thanks to its high protein and gluten, it is ideal for use in the food industry, especially for bakeries. Did you have bread for breakfast today? There's a chance it was baked from Kansas Wheat! No wonder some often refer to Kansas as the "Breadbasket of the world".


Of course, we couldn't go without recreating an accurate representation of this major industry in our upcoming DLC. In Kansas, drivers will be able to deliver to new farm depots which have been created using references of real farms found across the state. However that's not all!


Grain Elevators are another important element in the economy chain. With its unmistakable appearance and high height, it is one of the truly distinctive icons of the Kansas landscape. Our map teams have paid particular attention to the locations of these silos and placed them in positions where they can be found in real life.


But what happens to all these crops once they are processed? They are taken to one of many processing plants of course! You have the opportunity to deliver to and from food production plants, which includes a new and accurate representation of the unloading areas.


From new names to familiar depots, there will be plenty of choices for drivers when it comes to delivering to and from agriculturlal industries. You'll still be able to find your favourite existing in-game brands and deliver much more than just grains. From farming equipment to livestock, you'll certainly have your work cut out for you!


With many farming states in the pipeline, we aim to continue improving the experience of agriculture deliveries and already have a few ideas on the table! We look forward to sharing more news in the future. If you like what you've seen, then be sure to add Kansas for American Truck Simulator to your Steam Wishlist. Until them, keep on truckin'!

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

With the Kansas DLC coming to American Truck Simulator, we have another exciting piece of the puzzle to reveal for you. Let's take a look at the Rest Stops you will find scattered across the Sunflower state! So have a little break, grab a coffee and a snack, and imagine you are there.


Driving through Kansas, truckers discover a different kind of rest stop – a break that goes beyond the usual. When the truck rolls into the stop, it's like entering a painting. Golden wheat fields stretch out as far as the eye can see, waving gently in the breeze. The sky overhead is vast, changing colors as the day goes on. The truck stop is a tiny piece in this big landscape, a pause where nature's grand show takes center stage.


As the driver prepares to hit the road once more, they carry a piece of Kansas with them. The rest stop becomes more than just a pause in the journey; it's a reminder that the road, with all its challenges and triumphs, is a shared experience that binds travellers together.


As an added treat, we offer a sneak peek at interesting roads and intersections, specifically the unique roundabout in Hays or the diverging diamond in Junction City. Also, keep an eye out for improved navigation signs you can come across on your travels through Kansas.


We hope you are excited to check out every single rest stop 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. And finally, 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/