American Truck Simulator News

We're happy to share with you another look into our on-going California Rework project for American Truck Simulator. For some of our newer player base, a small part of our team has been hard at work to rework the base game state of California and bring it up to standard with our current map expansions as part of a free update.

Today, we're happy to share with you some preview screenshots from the cities of Fresno & Huron!


[h3]Fresno[/h3]

Nestled in the heart of California's Central Valley, Fresno is home to a unique blend of urban vibrancy and agricultural charm. Known as the "Raisin Capital of the World," this city boasts its title of 'the most productive farmland'. You may have even delivered to this city a few times before in American Truck Simulator. Let's take a look at some of the changes that have been made in the rework.


Much like many of the other cities in the California Rework, Fresno was completely reworked from the ground up. This means the city and road network from our current base map editor has been deleted and the team has rebuilt it from scratch. This allows the team to take advantage of techniques and tools we previously did not have, and really utilise the space to bring a more realistic layout and representation of the locale.

Major road networks, such as the CA-99 which runs through the city along with many other connections in and around Frenso have been reworked. The team has also reworked industries in the area, and you may even find some new depots to deliver to.


[h3]Huron[/h3]

Surrounded by vast expanses of farmland, Huron provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Known for its colorful murals that tell the story of the community and its rich cultural heritage, Huron provides a glimpse into the heart of the Golden State's rural charm.

Just like the work undertaken in Fresno, Huron has been built from the ground up, including its road networks and local industries. Nearby, you'll find a new Truckstop under the 'Vortex' brand located close to the I-5.


Like many other small towns and cities, Huron is home to a variety of Agriculture industries. In the surrounding area, farms grow soybeans, corn, and own livestock. It is also an emerging hub for the production of niche crops for specialty markets, as-well as a rapidly growing cluster of wineries.


Rest assured, the team is working hard on this project & we look forward to sharing more previews from this upcoming phase of the California Rework. If you missed out on any of the previous blogposts on this topic, be sure to take a read back here. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

Dear #BestCommunityEver,

As the holiday spirit fills the air, it's a time to reflect on the year that has passed and spend time with those closest to us. No matter where you are in the world or how you observe this holiday season, we hope that you will find the time to take a pause and savour the joy and peace of this special time. Like many others, a majority of our ever-growing team here at SCS Software will take a short break to celebrate this festive season. We hope you don't mind us posting a little less than normal during this period!

Our offices are already filled with the spirit of the season, with the start of our most ambitious and festive World of Trucks Christmas event to date! Have you made your first journey through the portal to the magical #ChristmasWinterland yet? Join truckers from across the world in helping deliver supplies and gifts to and from this wonderland filled with holiday joy, snow and more! We invite you to join us in spreading cheer this holiday season.


As we reflect on the year 2023, we will undoubtedly think about the moments that brought us joy and those that brought us sadness. It has been a challenging year for many people around the globe, and we sincerely hope that the world will become a better place in 2024. If you're curious about what SCS Software has in store for the coming year, we recommend checking out the recording of our Special Christmas Live Stream which took place recently. It's packed with exciting news, glimpses of upcoming projects, and plenty of hints and teases from our development teams.

From all of us here at SCS Software, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We feel your anticipation building for the Nebraska DLC, and today, we're excited to satisfy that curiosity by offering you a behind-the-scenes look at its development. Prepare to be captivated by the diverse landscapes that await you, from grassy dunes to wavy hills, cornfields to meadows, and the enchanting Platte River flowing through it all.


Nebraska is far from a monotonous stretch of land. In fact, the DLC promises to showcase the state's rich biodiversity through various biomes. The Sandhills, resembling grassy dunes, provide a unique and picturesque terrain. The Shortgrass Prairie, adorned with rolling hills and landmark mountains, promises an immersive driving experience as you navigate through its landscapes.


The Mixedgrass Prairie unveils vast fields of corn, soybeans, and sorghum, creating a patchwork quilt of agricultural beauty. And for those who prefer the sight of taller grasses, the Tallgrass Prairie offers a blend of grasslands and fields, adding another layer to the visual richness of Nebraska. Each biome presents a new challenge, ensuring that every drive is a distinct adventure.


One of Nebraska's defining features is its intricate network of rivers and streams. Prepare to encounter the most famous of them all - the Platte River. This iconic waterway winds its way through several towns, roads, and highways, offering a scenic backdrop for your journey. Crossing over its bridges or driving alongside its meandering course, the Platte River will become a companion on your travels, adding a touch of serenity to the hustle and bustle of the virtual road.


Moreover, Nebraska boasts a rich variety of vegetation, with wildflowers adorning the roads and landscapes. The state will have many flowers along the roads, including the ubiquitous wild sunflowers that seemingly grow like weeds. You can also expect the company of numerous cattle on the roads, adding a touch of rural life to your journey.


Nebraska may surprise you with its charm, making each drive not just a task but a memorable adventure through the heartland's hidden treasures. Are you already excited to travel to this new state? Let us know by adding the Nebraska DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Stay tuned for more updates by following our social media channels (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).

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

With the recent release of the Farm Machinery DLC for American Truck Simulator, we wanted to take the opportunity to talk with one of the driving forces behind the new and unique addition. In todays 'Under The Hood' blog, we spoke with Stanislav L, one of our 2D/3D Graphic Designers who helped bring the idea to life.



Featuring 2 new in-game brands, the Farming Machinery DLC allows drivers to deliver a variety of unique cargoes on Lowboy, Dropdeck or Flatbed trailers to a number of agriculture-related industries large and small across the virtual world of American Truck Simulator. So what was the inspiration behind creating this DLC?

Stanislav L, 2D/3D Graphics Designer at SCS Software

"As we continued to work our way across the USA, from the coast, past the Rocky Mountains with its snowy peaks, wild valleys and snake like roads; we arrived into a totally different area, The Great Plains". Stanislav explains "It’s an area of agriculture and the backbone of the country. The fields appear to go on endlessly for miles, with golden crops ready for the harvest. We felt that it'd only be right to represent farming more in our games and highlight the importance of the agriculture industry. After all, it provides nourishment to millions of Americans every day".


So what was Stanislav's role in creating the Farm Machinery DLC? We asked him to find out! "I believe I was a good match for the Farming DLC. Next to the design language and looks of the machines, there are a lot of mechanisms and functional parts. There is a heavy practical side behind all the fancy bodywork. Which can be seen on the first sight. ". Stanislav tells us "I think that I can say that I understand how these machines work, because I have 12 years of experience in the agriculture industry".

"I studied at the Technical Faculty (ČZU), which is the main university for Agricultural Education & Research here in Prague. I then continued my studies and work at the Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering (I was a scientist!). I then went on to work at one of the biggest companies which designs and produces its own machines here in Czech Republic. My positions included working in the Design Engineering department, which included assisting the team to administer their CAD data and models. I also programmed a bunch of standalone and integrated tools in Java, optimized their workflows with custom classes in their CMS etc. I then went on to switch from IT to graphics (because this was the subject I loved always the most) and became the head of graphic design in the Marketing Department".


Having this background and previous work experience would prove to be incredibly useful when it came to the creation of the Farm Machinery DLC. Stanislav explains "As a concept artist at SCS Software, I transform ideas from words or paragraphs into visual form, I help design how the DLC will look".

"I created the concept designs for all the machines which we wanted to depict in the DLC. We created two in-game brands, Owl and Greenler, which are solely fictional. I also designed nine machines (with some variations in-between the brands). Our aim was to make them as realistic as possible, so that you (the player) are immersed with realistic cargo, that is used in the agriculture industry".


So how many people were involved in the creation of this DLC? "Actually many people were part of this project (and helped us to successfully release it and deliver to players)." Stanislav tells us "Dominik (3D Graphics Designer/Technical Supervisor) was responsible for the Technical/Modelling side and I was more on the artistic/Design end. I also must mention the Research department, who provided us with plenty of resources and information about US farming machinery. They assisted us in choosing the categories and types of machines which were ultimately selected for this DLC".

"During the production stage, we had several 3D Graphic Designers working on the DLC. We had nine machines to create, so each of them made one or two models. It was great to have such a big team because we were able to work on many models simultaneously and shorten the production time".


"The last stage involved their implementation in our game and comprehensive testing & bugfixing. We also had a small inner circle, which included Smety (Senior Vehicle Artist) and Peter (3D Graphic Designer), both having experience in the Agriculture industry. I would like to thank all those involved the creation of this DLC, it wouldn't have happened without their hard work."

So how long did it take to create this DLC, and which cargoes were the most fun and/or most challenging to create? Stanislav shares his answer with us. "I think it took around a year. From the idea stage through preproduction, production, implementation into the economy, testing, bugfixing, etc. It is quite hard to remember when we specifically started talking about it though. As for the cargoes question... The Crawler tractor was really fun, it's the field’s powerhouse! It always has great aesthetics and is the manufacturer’s flagship".


"I also really enjoyed working on the autonomous tractor, as it is the future, and they are about ready to hit the market in the real world. I enjoyed experimenting with all curves and aerodynamic lines that are featured on it. Developing this model was fun, as I wanted to give it a futuristic look. I enjoyed it a lot. The cabin accessories were also fun to create. It was great to jump from the machines hard iron and solid mechanisms to working on plushies and play with toys for a while like we are little kids again".


"The most challenging aspect of this DLC was probably the Seeding unit, not from a design but a technical side point of view. This is because there are not a lot of bodies which can hide the inner parts, you pretty much see it all. Nothing is indicated, every single part is there on the machine, visible for all to see. So it was a challenge to be able to depict it and stylize it within the borders of our polygon limit. Luboš (3D Graphic Designer) did a great job on it."


We're thankful for the time Stanislav took out from his work schedule to share a little Under the Hood with us about this DLC. We asked him for anything he'd like to share with you, our #BestCommunityEver. "Have fun, play games, Simulation ones are the the best and deliver some Agriculture Machines in this DLC! Help the farmers in their hard work".

"Oh and just something to share, we have even more information we'd love to share with you, that didn't make it into this blog. We are playing with an idea of creating a 'Making of the Farming DLC' downloadable publication. Let us know in comments if you would be interested in seeing this, as-well other subjects in other formats besides our blog".


If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Farm Machinery DLC, available now for American Truck Simulator on Steam! If you already own this great addition and you are enjoying, consider leaving a positive review for us too. We hope you enjoyed this Under the Hood look for this DLC, let us know if you'd like to read about some specific subjects in the future! Until then, keep on truckin'.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638630/American_Truck_Simulator__Farm_Machinery/

The moment we've all been eagerly waiting for is finally here! We're thrilled to announce the release of the much-anticipated Kenworth T680 100 Years Anniversary Edition for American Truck Simulator.


After numerous requests from our passionate community, we've partnered with Kenworth to bring you a completely new vehicle – the Kenworth T680 100 Years Anniversary Edition. This iconic truck represents a century of Kenworth's commitment to excellence and innovation, making it a must-have for every trucker out there.

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The special edition features an onyx-finished grill and filter covers, a distinctive Kenworth 100 badge on the sleeper cab, and a luxurious interior with red accents and silver trim. The signature edition seats and steering wheel, along with special limited edition black wheels with silver trim add a touch of sophistication. Safety meets innovation with digital mirrors, a blind spot detector, and the Kenworth Idle Management System at the back of the cab. Aerokits from FlowBelow enhance aerodynamics, while the truck's configuration boasts the highest sleeper, the 76-inch High Roof Sleeper, paired with a 6x4 chassis and the AirGlide AG400L suspension system. Get ready for a stylish virtual journey honoring Kenworth's enduring legacy!


This project thrived thanks to a fantastic collaboration with Kenworth, especially Brianna Potthast and her team, who was such a joy to cooperate on this truck with. Special thanks also go to our vehicle team, especially Daniel Antonín, and our external colleague Renju Therakathu from New Zealand. Stay tuned for exclusive interviews with Daniel and Renju, offering insights into the Kenworth T680 100 Years Anniversary Edition's development.


While we're proud to release the Anniversary Edition on time for Kenworth's 100 years celebration, this is just the first stage of the full T680 release. This project was done on a super-accelerated schedule, and we made it happen on time thanks to smooth cooperation with experts from Kenworth. However, we'll need several more months to complete all the customization options our #BestCommunityEver is used to when receiving a new vehicle family with complete treatment, so stay tuned!

Gear up for the ride of a lifetime with the Kenworth T680 100 Years Anniversary Edition in American Truck Simulator. Stay tuned for more updates by following our social media channels (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok). We'll see you on the road!