American Truck Simulator News

American Truck Simulator's missing city means better roads

American Truck Simulator is getting a new California, and as the developers have previously explained, that means an end to San Rafael. There'll be a new city in its place once the next piece of the California rework goes live, which is ultimately going to lead to a more realistic, better-playing road network in the area. Today, the devs have provided a look at that new road layout.

"A major focus of this part of the rework is going back to areas where roads may have not been geographically correct or represent the current standards that we are now able to achieve," the devs say in today's blog. "With more tools to create more complex and realistic road networks based on real-life references, we can bring more true-to-life assets to the road. This includes new junctions, crossroads, bridges, agriculture stations, rest areas, and more. Between major economy cities, drivers will now also come across settlements, which will become a common sight for players."

In more specific terms, all the junctions have been rebuilt, the US-37 to Napa Valley crossroad has been rebuilt, there's a new area around Carquinez Bridge, the I-80 and I-580 merge is more realistic, and the Richmond Bridge landmark has gotten a rework.

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California Rework - Road Network #1

As previously mentioned in our California Dreamin' development insight blog, road networks are a large focus in the California rework. Most of the roads are are being rebuilt from the ground up. Today's blog will give you a first look into the work being undertaken by the California Rework team on roads, highways, junctions and to come in the next phase of the project.

A major focus of this part of the rework is going back to areas where roads may have not been geographically correct or represent the current standards which we are now able to achieve. With more tools to create more complex and realistic road networks based on real life references; we can bring more true to life assets to the road. This includes new junctions, crossroads, bridges, agriculture stations, rest areas and more. Between major economy cities, drivers will now also come across settlements, which will become a common sight for players.

One particular area which our community may take interest to, is the changes to the surrounding road network in the San Pablo Bay Area. With the removal of San Rafael in this rework phase, our team have made some major changes to the road layout, junctions and location of highways in this area. These changes are also being made in preparation for the new city which will replace San Rafael in a future rework phase. Here are just a handful of the changes made:

All junctions reconstructed from the ground up
US-37 Crossroad lead to Napa Valley rebuilt
A completely new Carquinez Bridge area
Correct merging of I-80 & I-580 based on real life references
Richmond Bridge Landmark reworked
and more!

As you can see, the team have been hard at work! We are sure you will enjoy the updates that will be coming to California in the future. We look forward to sharing more developments updates to the road networks and more in upcoming blog posts!

Montana - Guess the location!

When it comes to detective work, we think our community is unrivalled. Within a short amount of time (sometimes minutes) members from our official forums along with our followers on our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) can accurately pinpoint the real life locations of where our in-game screenshots were captured.

Today, we are calling on you again, our #BestCommunityEver, to find the locations from our in-development DLC for American Truck Simulator, Montana. Are you up for the challenge? If so, let's get started!

Think you got them? Post your answers on our official forums, social media channels or in the comments below here on our blog. We may even reward a few users who got it close or spot on with a key!

PLUS American Truck Simulator will be celebrating it's 6th anniversary on Wednesday and we would love to celebrate with you! Join us for a live-stream where we will be trucking and giving away ATS related gifts along the way! Don't miss out from 6pm CET live on Twitch and YouTube channels.

If you like what you see in Montana, then be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist. Your additions supports us here at SCS Software and also notifies you close to the time of its release; thank you!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1811080/American_Truck_Simulator__Montana/

Texas - Cotton Gin

It’s time to reveal another new industry arriving in the upcoming Texas DLC for American Truck Simulator. And once again, as is often the case with this state, it’s going to be something big! Let’s take a look at the Cotton Industry and explore what makes the local production unique.

Texas produces more cotton than any other state in the entire U.S., with roughly 40% of the country’s total production. The fields are located mostly northwest and southeast, covering more than nine million acres, which is an area equivalent of approximately 14,000 square miles (36,259 square kilometers). Thanks to this, you will have an opportunity to drive past these fields, which will offer a characteristic view of oil extraction machines or wind turbines being surrounded by an incredible amount of white cotton plants.

The beginnings of cotton production can be traced all the way back to 5500 BC and it is amazing to see how far it has come in the modern age. This progress has mostly been achieved by the development of the cotton gin, which is a machine used for processing cotton. The final material has a large variety of uses, for example in the textile industry. It is perhaps thanks to its flexible utilization, that cotton is the second-highest ranked commodity based on the market value in Texas.

It seems that the cotton industry is truly an important part of the overall economy of The Lonestar State. And if you cannot wait to drive past the vast and iconic fields, make sure to add the Texas map expansion to your Steam Wishlist, so you can show us how excited you truly are. Also, make sure to stay in touch with all the latest news, as we still have a lot of information to share with you in regards to this massive state!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1465750/American_Truck_Simulator__Texas/

California Rework - Ukiah

Welcome to Ukiah, California, a northern California city with a small town charm, an inviting downtown and local industries. As an already existing city in American Truck Simulator, you may have delivered here a few times before, but you're about to see this old city in a new light!

As part of the California Rework project, Ukiah along with several other cities will be receiving an update, bringing new assets, textures, and updates to surrounding road networks. One of the most noticeable changes to Ukiah is the introduction of a new industry!

Ukiah is one of many areas in California known for its vineyards and wine production. Dotted with numerous small vineyards, the Ukiah Valley region has perhaps the deepest grape growing roots in the County. With the rework of Ukiah, players will be able to deliver essential equipment and produce to and from one of the vineyards located in the city.

On your travels in Ukiah, you can discover what makes one of the smallest cities in California a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Ukiah also has a new neighbour, The settlement of Hopland! Curious explorers might also find a small secret road they can use to create a local shortcut. No matter your reason for visiting, we are sure you will enjoy all that Ukiah will have to offer in this future update.

Want to learn more about our plans for the California rework project, as well as what the future holds for the state and beyond? Read more at our dedicated, read more at our latest California Dreamin' Development Insight blogpost. Like what you see? You can look forward to more of these blog posts highlighting cities being reworked in the California rework project and we can't wait to share more with you!