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American Truck Simulator 1.39 Update Experimental Open Beta

With all of the excitement surrounding the recent releases and updates coming to American Truck Simulator, we are happy that the work on the planned 1.39 update has reached an important milestone! We are ready to preview it with the player community in the form of an Experimental Beta.



It will still take at least several weeks before the full 1.39 release, so please keep in mind that this is the first open beta iteration and it is very much still a work in progress build which will receive updates throughout the open beta period. That's also the reason, why we have decided to call this an experimental beta, to emphasize that the initial release is rather raw and only recommended for consideration for seasoned testers.

At this time, the 1.39 Open Beta will only be available for Window users. Linux and Mac OS users will receive the option to opt-in to the beta at a later date.

If you want to take it for a spin, you can help contribute by reporting any bugs you may encounter at the appropriate section of our official forums. Your feedback and reports are extremely valuable for our team and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out.

So, what can you expect to find in the 1.39 Open Beta for ATS? Let's take a closer look!

LAUNCHPAD UPDATE

One of the first things you may notice when you launch American Truck Simulator with the 1.39 Open Beta is a redesign of the current launchpad. The main reason why we are introducing this change is to pave the way for future additions; which will introduce new features to our games, that will be accessed through the launchpad.



Until then however, you can see that the design has changed quite significantly, especially as user profiles are now accessed via drop down option from the top of the launchpad. You will also find that the DLC manager, Mod Manager, and Profile Manager have been placed together for easier access, along with a new addition to the launchpad, Game Options. 

This allows you to change your game settings without even having to load the game. So if you're just looking to tweak your game before streaming on Twitch or adjusting a few options before heading into your truck, it can all be done from the launchpad screen. 

This is just the first iteration of the Launchpad design which is subject to changes and tuning throughout the Open Beta period. If you have any feedback to give about this design, please let us know at our official forum thread.

LOWBOY TRAILERS

As we previously announced in a recent blog, new Lowboy Trailers will be arriving to American Truck Simulator. These trailers have been reworked from the ground up, offering drivers the option to purchase them and use them in an array of different jobs including Special Transport, Forest Machinery, and the Heavy Cargo DLC's.



Owners of these trailers will benefit from a wide array of options to customize them in the upgrade shop, such as color, trailer accessories, beacons, chassis options, lengths, articulated axles, and more!



You will also be able to spot them being hauled around by other truckers on the road, so make sure to give them plenty of space if you pass by one.



VIEWPOINTS

The release of Idaho for American Truck Simulator saw the introduction of a brand new feature that has not been placed in any other previous map release. Viewpoints allow drivers to activate a special in-game "cutscene" with a short showcase of a near location or place of interest such as an industry.  



After Idaho's release, it was evident from the community's response that this was a popular feature and one that many of you would like to see expanded upon. While we continue to improve this new addition, we are excited to announce that viewpoints will be arriving in Washington and Utah. Each state will receive 10 new cut-scenes to discover, which can be found nearby famous landmarks, national parks, and industries. 



That is not all, however, as viewpoints will now feature a few new functionalities for drivers. You will now have the new options to either skip the viewpoint or replay it if you wish to watch it again. Viewpoints will now also show as undiscovered grey '?' icons on your map until you have visited them for the first time. Also, there are more improvements for this cool new feature still in development, as we've gathered them through the amazing and most valuable feedback from our #BestCommunityEver!



This is just the first iteration of the viewpoints, which are subject to changes and tuning throughout the Open Beta period. If you encounter any bugs or have any feedback about this feature, please let us know at our official forum thread.

GENERAL BUG FIXES/SOUND CHANGES

1.39 also features various bug fixes, improvements, and an update to sounds. This includes, but is not limited to, improved interior cab sound mixing, Western Star 49X bug fixes, and improvements, and other changes in preparation for new and upcoming content.

While a majority of the changes in 1.39 are not seen visually in this version, we look forward to bringing you more content and changes in the near future. 

CHANGELOG

MAP
  • New Viewpoints in Washington and Utah DLCs
UI
  • Launchpad Re-design
VEHICLES
  • Lowboy trailers (ownable, including articulated ones)
FEATURES
  • Viewpoint improvements (replayability, skip, map status, fade-out)
  • Sound updates and improvements (turbo slider, sound positioning, cabin spatial mixing, sound distribution to accessories)
  • Trailer browser & lister shows all valid cargo variants
  • Experimental transmission input shaft emulation and clutch brake support (g_clutch_brake)


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, kinks, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to move 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 → experimental_public_beta → 1.39. No password required.

The Western Star® 49X is now available!

The NEXT Western Star® is finally here! As was revealed a few weeks ago, we have worked very closely with Western Star® and Daimler Trucks North America to bring to American Truck Simulator this exclusive new truck. The brand-new (and we do mean brand-new) Western Star® 49X is now available for purchase from your local in-game dealership with a variety of customization options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Co_m8XoCGY

The most tested, durable, and toughest Western Star® truck to-date, the 49X is built to thrive in rugged environments and to take on anything.

The Western Star® 49X in our game is initially launching with a select choice of configurations, including 2 Set-Forward chassis variants, 12 engine* and 7 transmissions options (including the Detroit™ DD13/15/16 and DT12 transmissions), in day cab form with a sizable variety of customization options. Larger sleeper variants will be added in time.



Helping to bring the newest Western Star® to the virtual roads of American Truck Simulator are 3 senior designers; each one of them dedicated to recreating a different part of the vehicle. A designer for the interior model, one for the exterior, and another for the variety of paint jobs that can be applied. Be sure to check out the unique Wings of Awesomeness paint job for this truck, which is offered as a factory option.



We would like to once again express our utmost gratitude towards Western Star® and Daimler Trucks NA for this unprecedented opportunity to synchronize the truck's launch. We are extremely proud to have earned their trust and to be a part of this enormous milestone. Their generosity and close collaboration have been absolutely vital to this awesome and exclusive project. We hope that having firmly-established ourselves in the trucking industry, this project serves as a sign of things to come.



As a special bonus to celebrate the truck's launch, you can also look forward to delivering new 49X trucks to dealerships across the map from the Western Star® Manufacturing Plant in Portland, Oregon (Oregon DLC required).



The Western Star® 49X arrives as a free DLC add-on for every owner of American Truck Simulator. Find this latest update on your Steam Client (which may require a restart for some users) to receive this new addition to your library.



Be sure to share your first journey with Western Star® (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), Daimler Trucks NA (Twitter) and us (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) using the hashtag #WesternStar49X.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1415691/American_Truck_Simulator__Western_Star_49X/

Western Star® is a trademark of Daimler Trucks North America LLC and is used under license to SCS Software s.r.o.

*Detailed engine sounds will be added at a later date, when circumstances allow for the necessary travel.

Get an early look at the Million Dollar Highway in American Truck Simulator - Colorado

SCS Software will be launching the American Truck Simulator - Colorado DLC at some point and while work goes on they've released a new teaser. Plus, a big new truck is coming too.

Read the full article here: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2020/09/get-an-early-look-at-the-million-dollar-highway-in-american-truck-simulator-colorado

Colorado: Million Dollar Highway

Colorado offers a long list of amazing landmarks for visitors and residents alike to admire and visit, but one specific area of this colorful state attracts drivers from across the world.



Located in the southwest, the U.S. Highway 550 stretches between New Mexico and Colorado serving as a vital link between the two states. However, there is one portion of this route that is more famous than any other, the “Million Dollar Highway”… with a name like that it’s got to be impressive, right?



Offering views of mountains, valleys and gorges, the Million Dollar Highway is a road like no other. Stretching for around 25 miles (40 km) it has been said that it's one of the nation’s most spectacular drives (and for good reason too). The highway delivers jaw-dropping vistas and stunning backdrops on its winding and often dangerous road.



So why is this stretch of road named the Million Dollar Highway? There are several stories including that it cost a million dollars a mile to build it and that its fill dirt contains a million dollars in gold ore; either way, we are sure that this will become a popular route for truckers in our upcoming Colorado DLC for American Truck Simulator.



Excited to see more? Check out this work in progress gameplay footage from the Million Dollar Highway in American Truck Simulator! And don't forget to check our social media profiles too (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), as you might spot a piece of different content there!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnLGe-d3ILY

If you like what you see, then be sure to add Colorado to your Steam Wishlist. It really helps support our upcoming expansions and notifies you of any releases or future sales.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1209471/American_Truck_Simulator__Colorado/

American Truck Simulator: Wheel Tuning Pack DLC Update

Traditionally, a trucker in American Truck Simulator will spend their time driving mostly on tarmacked highways and roads on long haul journeys, however with the introduction of new industries in different states, it is no longer uncommon to find a job contract that delivers to an area off-road.



With the continual development of our trucking titles, comes new industries and jobs, some of which require the drivers to move heavy and often large loads around off-road areas such as active mines on gravel roads and logging areas which are often hilly and muddy. Our next update to the ATS Wheel Tuning Pack DLC aims to help drivers who take these kind of jobs mores often.  


Today, we are happy to announce that new heavy-duty wheels will be arriving in the Wheel Tuning Pack DLC for American Truck Simulator. The new tyre has a deeper tread, plus a larger and wider size made from thicker rubber, which is the perfect combination for off-road truckers, but that isn't all.   



We are also updating all of our existing 14 rim designs so that they can fit our new wider heavy-duty wheels as well as rear super-single wheels. This mean you can continue to use your favorite rim designs for any job on or off-road.


We hope you will enjoy this update to the Wheel Tuning Pack for ATS. We know how important it is for drivers to look after their truck with the right equipment and parts, so we are excited to see how the community will utilize these new additions.