American Truck Simulator News

Welcome to Marion! In today's blog, we take you on a brief tour of this picturesque city located in the south of Illinois, our upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a look!


The original town included just a public square and one row of blocks around it, accounting for forty-one lots. Now, Marion is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in southern Illinois, with more than 17,000 citizens. Visitors can also find some beautiful nature spots in the surrounding area, such as Crab Orchard Lake with its national wildlife refuge full of diverse flora and fauna.


As always, our Assets and Map teams have recreated various landmarks. Before your arrival into the city, you will be greeted by the "Welcome to Marion" sign adorned with an effigy of the city's clock tower from its town square.


Once you enter, you will be able to spot many local buildings meticulously recreated to represent their real-world counterparts, such as the Marion bank, hotel, water tower, or the laborers' training centre. If you are familiar with the area, we are sure you will also recognize some parts of the faithfully recreated road network in and around the town.


If you are looking for a job, you will find plenty there in the local establishments such as the warehouse, RV dealer, country store, truck and trailer service, farm, timber harvest site, and marina depots to keep you and your truck busy!


We hope you like this early preview of the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. If you do, 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.

We hope you like this early preview of the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. If you do, 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.

Remember to stay tuned for more American Truck Simulator updates by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We would also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter. Until next time, keep on truckin'.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3486960/American_Truck_Simulator__Illinois/

We’re excited to bring you another edition of our Community Stories series, where we highlight passionate members of our community and their unique journeys. Today, we’re featuring The Sim Simma, a talented content creator, live streamer and simulation enthusiast with a passion for immersive experiences and creative projects!


Born and raised in Romania, The Sim Simma’s early life was shaped by creativity and imagination. Despite growing up with limited access to entertainment and material possessions, his inventive spirit flourished. Painting and drawing became his window to the world, a way to transport himself to amazing places, imagining and creating what reality could not offer.


"My childhood wasn’t very different from that of any other child. I always did my best to have fun, to play, to invent, and to build things! Since we didn’t have a TV while I was growing up, I spent a lot of time painting and drawing. It was my way of imagining and transporting myself to different places. I loved cars and trucks as a kid, and sometimes just drawing them made me feel like I actually owned one."

Later in life, he moved to the United States, where his perspective expanded as he discovered video games. “Every time I played a video game, I felt like I was being transported somewhere else. It wasn’t necessarily the gameplay or objectives that captivated me, it was the feeling of being in a completely different place,” he shares. "I was never drawn to action or first-person shooter games. Instead, I was fascinated by simulations, anything that let me do things I couldn’t do in real life, like driving fast or flying a plane. For me, those were incredible opportunities to explore and imagine."


Art remained a central theme in The Sim Simma’s life, eventually leading him to a career in automotive design and a decade spent teaching industrial design. "This lifelong passion led me to pursue a career in automotive design. I also spent 10 years teaching industrial design at a university, where I helped students learn how to draw and bring cars and products to life from their imagination. For me, art was more than just expression, it was a tool for communicating ideas clearly and effectively."


"Like any hobby that truly draws you in, my focus has been on enhancing the realism of the simulation experience. Whether through software or hardware, everything I do is aimed at adding more real-life immersion to the simulation. It’s true that this kind of game can be equally enjoyed by a beginner with a basic setup or a dedicated enthusiast who has invested thousands of dollars. But if it’s something you're truly passionate about, it feels only natural to pursue the best and most immersive version of the experience."


From this passion, he also started DSS Sim Racing Innovations, a venture born from his desire to enhance his own immersion. “I build gear for my sim rig that enhances my experience. If I enjoy it, I build more of them to list on my website so others can enjoy it too. The fact that it grew into a successful business was never the goal, just a rewarding outcome of doing what I love.”


DSS Sim Racing Innovations creates custom displays and dashboards designed for simmers who demand the best. One of the projects The Sim Simma is most proud of is his Triple Screen Dash, a key piece in many sim rigs within the community. "While I’m not the inventor of the round digital display, I was the first to market with a solution that brought true immersion to a wider audience. Knowing that something I created brings joy and realism to so many users is incredibly rewarding."


"One of my popular products is the Shift Plate, which serves a dual purpose: it blocks off unused shift gates and clearly marks gear positions. This helps new drivers learn how to split gears more accurately. I offer Shift Plates tailored to replicate the most common trucking transmission patterns, making them ideal for serious sim truckers. Another successful product is the HornPad, a simple yet immersive add-on that mounts to any standard 70mm wheel rim. Many sim racers upgrade to real-world truck steering wheels for authenticity, but these often lack a proper center cap. The HornPad completes the look with a modern truck-style 'faux airbag' design, complete with stitching for realism."


For new users checking out The Sim Simma's content or live streams, one standout feature is his incredibly detailed simulation rig. "It all begins with a powerhouse PC, featuring an RTX 4090 GPU and the latest Intel CPU, built to experience every game exactly as intended. I switch between a MOZA and Fanatec direct drive system depending on the mood, full-on racing or a laid-back trucking session. The experience is elevated by a motion simulator from E-Motion Labs and a range of modern accessories to maximize immersion. When off-the-shelf solutions fall short, I create my own, from custom triple-screen gauge clusters to detailed shifter plates that match the exact pattern of the vehicle I’m driving. If it enhances realism, I build it."


The inspiration to create such an elaborate simulation rig came from the game itself, Simma tells us. "Modern sims offer incredible immersion, but no matter how realistic, they remain trapped behind the screen. That’s where the journey begins. By creating custom accessories, I bring that virtual world into my physical space, blurring the lines between digital and reality."


"Through my streams, I've met so many like-minded people, many of whom have become friends. When they return to the streams or videos, it reinforces that we’re all having fun together. The best part is when they end up joining us in convoys regularly. That’s where the real fun happens, and that’s where lasting memories are truly made."


One of the most memorable moments was when his dog, Uno, who usually appears in pre-recorded segments, unexpectedly joined an SCS Software live stream. It was a delightful surprise, reminding him that the community’s support and shared enjoyment make the experience special.

“I always remind my viewers that it’s not about likes or subscriptions, it’s about having fun together. That’s what makes it worth doing.” Through his streams, The Sim Simma has met amazing people, many of whom have become friends, joining convoys and sharing unforgettable experiences. He has also been inspired by others.


"There are a few familiar faces we all follow or aspire to match in terms of simulation quality, but Armstrong Gaming has been a staple in my YouTube journey for years. I suspect he may have influenced just how deep I’ve dived into this hobby. Another creator I truly appreciate is Silent Scotty, known for his amazing attitude and chill vibe. Watching guys like this feels like hanging out with friends, and that’s what makes the experience so special."


Looking ahead, The Sim Simma’s goal is simple, to keep enjoying the hobby, share his passion with others, and inspire fellow sim enthusiasts to dive deeper into the immersive world of simulation. He leaves us with these words of wisdom: "You hear this all the time, so it must be true: FOCUS ON HAVING FUN, JUST BE YOURSELF!"

We’re grateful to The Sim Simma for sharing his story with us and being an inspiration in our #BestCommunityEver. Be sure to check out his content on YouTube, and stay tuned for more Community Stories coming soon! Until next time, keep on truckin'.

As we continue to work on the upcoming Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator, we’re excited to share more about a new and important industry that will be featured in this upcoming map expansion. Let's take a closer look, shall we?


Did you know that Iowa is the largest producer of ethanol in the United States, making around 4.5 billion gallons each year? That’s nearly a quarter of all the ethanol produced in the country! So, what is ethanol used for? A lot more than you might realize, including solvents, perfumes, toiletries, disinfectants, preservatives, and polishes. It’s also used in the manufacturing of plastics, rubber, and pharmaceuticals, and it is increasingly being used as a biofuel.


Ethanol is made from corn, and this industry uses about 40% of Iowa’s corn supply. That’s why trucking is so important here! Drivers bring corn to the plants and then deliver the finished product to many other industries across the states. Also with recent rule changes allowing ethanol-blended fuel to be sold all year in several states, the demand for ethanol, and truck transport keeps growing.

On your travels across Iowa, you’ll be able to deliver to three new large ethanol plants located near the cities of Burlington, Fort Dodge, and Mason City. Each one has been faithfully recreated with buildings, silos and equipment modelled after their real life counterparts. Each has its own layout and style, with tall tanks, pipes, and loading zones.


At the ethanol plant located in Mason City, you’ll find the world’s largest free-span grain bin, it’s huge! Measuring in at over 155 feet tall and 165 feet wide, it can hold a whopping 2 million bushels of corn. It’s so big that you could fit a whole Boeing 767 airplane inside! And recently, they built another one right next to it!

The creation of this new industry was no small feat, either! In fact, 12 new chemical-related assets, such as large tanks, silos, and more, were created just for these locations. That’s the largest number of unique assets made for a depot in this DLC!


This depot will also feature our dynamic unloading feature of bulk corn inside the large unloading shed. Speaking of cargo, the main category delivered here is ADR cargo, followed by large structural parts for the plant, and of course, bulk corn.


Additionally, we’ve taken our depot scenes technology to the next level with these ethanol plants. All the assets at the depot are inserted separately, allowing them to adjust their level of detail (LOD) independently. This greatly helps with optimization and performance and helps our map designers use these assets around the depot to create a more immersive and seamless connection between the plant and its surroundings.


We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this new industry coming to the Iowa DLC! If you’re excited to hit the road in the Hawkeye State, be sure to add Iowa for American Truck Simulator to your Steam Wishlist. Your support truly means a lot to us. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025440/American_Truck_Simulator__Iowa/

Today, we have a special blog for you! We interviewed Lukáš, our DLC Asset Producer, who is currently working on the Louisiana map expansion for this American Truck Simulator state. Let's jump straight in!


"Louisiana is one of the most interesting projects I've been a part of. Its architecture stands out for its rich blend of cultural influences, vibrant history, and distinctive styles. From the elegant French Quarter in New Orleans to the charming Creole cottages and plantation homes along the Mississippi River, the state showcases a fascinating mix of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean elements. One of the most notable architectural features of Louisiana is its impressive bridges. Louisiana is also home to several unique technical landmarks related to water management, including the flood barriers around New Orleans," Lukáš told us about the Pelican State.


Truckers driving through Louisiana will find that the classical and modern architecture in this southern state blend perfectly together, creating its unique atmosphere. "New Orleans and Baton Rouge have also embraced modern architectural styles, including striking skyscrapers and contemporary buildings that define their urban landscapes. Louisiana, therefore, is not just home to historical architectural gems but also a space for innovative modern constructions that address the challenges posed by its natural environment. And this is exactly the feel we would like to bring to our players. Finding the right balance between an optimized asset and a visually appealing one is never easy, and it has been especially challenging in the case of large bridges within cities featuring prominent skylines and complex surroundings," he says.


Lukáš has been working in SCS Software for six years now, and he explains why he likes it here: "I have been playing video games since my childhood, so when I needed a change in my life, SCS seemed to be a perfect place to go. Now I can say that was the best decision. I've not only been given the opportunity to work on interesting projects, but I've also met cool people. Although the company has grown a lot since I joined, I can still feel that SCS preserves its unique atmosphere, and I probably won't find another place like this. This atmosphere allows great freedom in personal time management, which helps me reduce stress. This autonomy allows for better focus, more effective work, and a healthier balance between professional and personal life."


Since his first days in our company, he has worked on multiple projects, as he shares here: "I started with larger industrial areas for the Iberia DLC. Later, I was asked to take care of our externally produced procedural rocks and the rework of our huge deposit of ground textures. I've contributed to many projects, including map reworks, Colorado, Iberia, Montana, Nebraska, the West Balkans, Wyoming, and Texas, and I have always had a drive to improve things and move things forward. Nebraska was the first DLC for which my role changed, and instead of rocks and ground textures, I've been asked to manage the production of landmark assets while overseeing deadlines for other types of assets like generics and depots. Currently, I'm responsible for assets for four simultaneously running projects - Iowa, Louisiana, and two other, not yet announced projects."


And what are his tasks now? "My main responsibility is the on-time delivery of all assets. During the initial project phase, this includes asset list finalization and processing of new tasks, which means that I have to approve every single task for production, and subsequently, to distribute tasks internally and externally. During the production phase, I'm constantly in contact with all the teams involved in the DLC production, solving any issues that may arise, coordinating technical solutions if needed, and identifying any possible risks that could endanger deadlines. During the later stages of every project, I have to check every single asset from both the asset and map perspectives, and provide feedback on anything that doesn't meet our standard or has not been fixed during the production phase," Lukáš says, and continues:


"Due to the fact that every project needs hundreds of new assets and the vast majority of our assets are being produced externally, I have to closely cooperate with our outsourcing department led by Václav P. and his growing team, currently composed of Andrej, Inga, Kevin, Marek, Radek, Tomáš, and Veronika. They do an astounding job controlling and giving feedback to all the externally produced assets from landmarks and generics to vehicles and depots. Without them, it wouldn't be possible for us to run so many projects simultaneously," he says about our outsourcing department.


Creating assets can be a challenge as we are not only trying to recreate real places, but we are also limited by the map scale, which allows us to choose only a limited number of places and a limited number of landmark assets. "Our responsibility is to choose assets that will make every place recognizable by players who are familiar with the area and visually interesting for every player. Before a final asset list is approved for every DLC, in cooperation with our map and research teams, we have to spend hundreds of hours researching the whole area and considering what will be possible within our limitations. This is not easy, as we do our best to recreate the feel of every region and make it as interesting for our players as possible," Lukáš has told us.


It makes sense that he also collaborates with Davido, our map DLC lead for Louisiana, as they have to coordinate assets and map production. "Not only due to the necessity to meet deadlines, but also in order to support our marketing team. Marketing presentations are one of the most important parts of every DLC production, as they allow us to show all the love and care we put into the projects, and it's one of the keys to success. Davido is a true professional, and I always look forward to collaborating with him and his great team on new projects," Lukáš says. You can read about Davido and his team in a separate blog post.


As we near the end of today's blog, Lukáš has a short message for our #BestCommunityEver. "We truly enjoy working on the project, giving it our maximum effort and passion. We believe that with the same energy and dedication we put in, players will enjoy it just as much as we do."

And that's it for today! Remember to add the Louisiana DLC to your Steam Wishlist and 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! We look forward to sharing more with you down the road.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3012580/American_Truck_Simulator__Louisiana/

The first preview from the upcoming Illinois map expansion for American Truck Simulator has just arrived! Today, we would like to show you some truck stops that our map designers have been working on, so let's take a look.


Truck stops are an essential part of the trucking industry, serving as more than just places to refuel. They offer long-haul drivers a convenient place to take a break and fulfill the mandatory rest period required after eight hours on the road.


These first three truck stops are all located in close proximity to the city of Bloomington, right in the center of the Prairie State. Each one is inspired by their real-world counterpart and our map team is making sure to recreate them with as much detail as possible.

One of these is located by the I-55 with a big gas station, parking for both trucks and personal vehicles and even a small dog park! The other one can be found along US-150 and while it is not as big, it offers everything you may need on the road including a supermarket and a restaurant. If you travel northwest from Bloomington, you can discover the third one near the city of Peoria with a large truck parking area.


Moving to the northern part of Illinois, you may come across another truck stop near the city of Rockford on I-39 - you will surely find a place to rest there as there is a huge amount of parking spaces for trucks.


We wouldn't want to leave out the south of the Prairie State either, so if you are traveling on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, make sure to stop by a truck stop near Rend Lake, as you will surely like to spend some time there to soak in the Illinois surroundings. When you travel further north on this road, you will find another nice stop near the city of Effingham.


We hope you will enjoy your stay at these accommodations in the Prairie State! Just remember this DLC is still in its early stages of development so everything you see here may be changed before the release. 

If you are looking forward to trucking there, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist! Don't forget to stay connected with us for all the updates by following our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. We will see you on the road!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3486960/American_Truck_Simulator__Illinois/