Friday, January 17, 2025

Return to Winterland Conclusion

The magical Christmas season is long gone and so is our Return to Winterland World of Trucks event. For the past couple of weeks, our community has been hauling cargo like crazy to complete their individual and community goals for this event. We are very proud to say that you have managed to achieve the community goal with plenty of time to spare! Now let's take a look at some stats.

But first, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Christmas event! Even if you didn't finish all your deliveries, it's been so great seeing so many of you dive in, share screenshots and videos, and just have fun as soon as the event kicked off. And you always amaze us with how quickly you smash the community goal - it's seriously unbelievable!

In total, you have completed over 2.5 million Christmas deliveries! 270,000 players contributed in the Return to Winterland event and over 114,000 finished all 15 jobs and accomplished their individual goals. While this stat wasn't a deciding factor, we're sharing it purely for fun - you've driven an impressive 251,294,135 kilometers while hauling Christmas cargo!

We would also like to thank the amazing team behind the Return to Winterland event - you set the bar really high with the Christmas Winterland event in 2023 and managed to raise it even higher this time as Winterland's weather changed noticeably. Truckers experienced longer and sunnier days than before, but also faced snowfall! As part of the adventure, drivers were challenged to help rescue gift packs that had been lost during a previous snowstorm. We cannot wait to see what you come up with for the upcoming Christmas season.

And let's not forget about the cute Christmas-themed rewards! We really hope you like them and that they fill your truck cabin with the holiday spirit.

Your excitement has not only made this event a big success but also fueled our passion to deliver more in the future. We really appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to more adventurous events together! Make sure to stay connected with us for all the latest updates by following our TwitterFacebookInstagramBluesky, and YouTube. Keep on truckin'!

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Project Scandinavia Refresh

Today, we're delighted to share with you a little more information about a project we have been working on for a while, the Scandinavia DLC Refresh. We have hinted at its existence during our recent Special Christmas 2024 Live Stream, so we thought we may just as well explain what it is all about. The motivation for starting this project was to bring the existing Scandinavia DLC content closer to our current standards, so that when you pass through it on the way to the new region covered by Nordic Horizons DLC, the difference is not too abrupt.

As one of our most popular and oldest expansions for ETS2, with over 5 million copies sold, we wanted to refresh the Scandinavia DLC to bring the region closer in quality with our newer additions. The ambition is not a total rework, but we aim for an extensive touch up, a “reskin” of the region with updated textures and technology. This will create a smoother driving transition for players travelling between the Scandinavia DLC and our upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC.

What changes and additions are coming with this project? Our rework team is hard at work reskinning the region with updated materials for vegetation, road textures, various assets, and more. We are also creating and adding a few new rest stops and fuel stations along the road network, along with new and updated road junctions.

While some places will only receive cosmetic improvements, some places will be reworked from ground up. Want an example? We are excited to share that the team will be reworking the capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen! As with previous rework projects, the older version of the city will be removed and rebuilt from scratch. This is undoubtedly a significant task for the team, but the end result should be well worth the time and effort!

We look forward to sharing more information and screenshots from our progress of refreshing the Scandinavia DLC for Euro Truck Simulator, which will ultimately come as a free update to all owners of this map expansion. Keep an eye on our official Social Media Channels for the latest news on all our upcoming projects for both ETS2 and ATS! Until then, keep on truckin'.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

SCS On The Road - Interview from Kenworth Manufacturing Plant

Welcome to another SCS On The Road episode! This time, we take you to Chillicothe, Ohio, where Mark interviewed Kenworth's plant manager Doug Van-Zuiden at their manufacturing plant.

In this episode, you will have the opportunity to find out everything there is to know about Kenworth's manufacturing plant in Chillicothe. We would like to thank Kenworth and Doug for letting us visit this wonderful facility, taking their time to host us and letting us make this interview and the entire episode! Now, without further ado, take a look for yourself.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more updates by following us on our X/TwitterFacebookInstagram, and YouTube. Don't forget to also follow our friends from Kenworth on their Facebook, X/Twitter, or Instagram.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Looking back at 2024!

2024 has already come and gone. Before we dive into what is next, we thought it would be nice to take a moment and reflect on everything the past year has brought our way.

We have made a lot of progress in both American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 in the past year. We released a few free updates for the games, new map expansions, trucks, trailers, paint jobs, and more! We're proud to have collaborated on some of these projects with some of the biggest companies in the industry, strengthening our partnerships and bringing exciting new content to our community. We believe these achievements have once again raised the bar, contributing to an even better gaming experience for all you truckers out there.

Make sure to check out this fantastic video that captures the journey of our games and our company throughout 2024!

We are very happy that we were able to release all of this new content for you. Your fantastic feedback means the world to us and we are always excited to hear it! Now, it is time to look into the upcoming year which will definitely bring a lot more content. You can take a look at the Christmas Special live stream with Pavel where we talked about some of the upcoming stuff.

We would like to wish you all the best for the new year. Make sure to stay connected with us for all the updates by following our TwitterFacebookInstagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Missouri - Springfield

Take a trip with us to Springfield, Missouri! In today's blog, we want to show you a glimpse of another city that will be included in this upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator, so let's take a closer look.

Springfield, located in the southwestern region of the Show-Me State, is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Plateau - this hilly area has an abundance of caves and water bodies. Because of that, the city is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, offering some picturesque views.

This city is also known as the birthplace of Route 66 as this iconic road was named right there in Springfield. Other than that, there are several other important major roads and highways including the I-44 going through the city making it a significant transport hub.

Truckers will find plenty of gas stations and rest areas to accommodate them on their long journeys along with a big logistics company that has its headquarters in Springfield. And there will be no shortage of job opportunities either! Among the diverse establishments in the area, you'll find an aviation service, a food processing plant, a quarry, a battery factory, a facility for car parts, truck and trailer services, and car dealership depots. Additionally, there's a unique underground warehouse we showed you in a previous blog about Missouri.

As in all our cities, visitors to Springfield will encounter some iconic city landmarks such as a couple of beautiful churches, a Route 66 reference, and the stunning underground warehouse.

We hope you are looking forward to trucking in Springfield. If so, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Don't forget to follow us on our X/TwitterFacebookInstagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. Happy trucking in 2025!

Friday, January 3, 2025

Iowa - Meet the Team

In June 2024, we announced that we had begun production on Iowa for American Truck Simulator! Today we're happy to introduce the Team working on this upcoming DLC! 

We figured it would be best to let them introduce themselves in their own words, with a little message about themselves and what they are currently working on in the team. We hope you enjoy these words for you, our #BestCommunityEver! 

Saimon

"My love for games like Sonic and Heroes sparked a passion that eventually led me here, to this amazing company. One of the highlights of my career was starting as a lead on the Texas DLC. My other passion lies in art and landscaping, which naturally reflects in the DLCs I’ve been involved with. I also deeply enjoy working with people, and I must say, as a team, we’ve made an incredible journey since the release of Nebraska. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited for what we’ll achieve next!"

Vacky

"I have been working at SCS for four and a half years now, and since my humble beginnings with the Texas DLC, I have always enjoyed being challenged with different tasks. The biggest challenge for me has been creating large cities, but I also appreciate designing a nice scenic road or a custom depot. At the moment, I am enjoying my time working on Cedar Rapids."

Tony


"My initial journey at SCS led me to the arid plains of Texas, where I began paving the first miles of Highway 90. This also involved creating a significant number of rock formations, which naturally steered me toward specializing in crafting geological features. With every new project, I strive to push my boundaries and introduce exciting elements that delight curious players and offer them something fresh—whether it’s the view from Scotts Bluff National Monument or a drive through the forgotten mines of the old Oregon Trail. My greatest challenge so far has been creating the Making of Texas book. It allowed me to leverage my experience with graphic design while also teaching me many new skills along the way."

Draky

"Hi, my nickname is Draky. I’m a map designer at SCS Software, where I’ve been working for three years. My main focus is landscapes, especially vegetation and materials, which I really enjoy. My first big project was Nebraska, where I contributed from start to finish. Currently, I’m working on the state of Iowa, developing and refining landscape details while striving to capture the right atmosphere. The city I was responsible for is the beautiful, modern Davenport. I even had the chance to visit this city in person during a company trip, and I immediately fell in love with it. I hope you’ll enjoy it. For the Flowers!"

Evgeny

"A few years ago, I joined Simon's great team, which had just finished working on one of the coolest Texas DLCs, and I had the opportunity to work on Texas 2.0. I still remember the excitement I felt when I learnt that I would be working on the city of Texarkana and a small settlement.

Since then, I have worked with this team on the Nebraska DLC, where I delved deeper into the art of map design. With every new city or landscape, I gain valuable experience and learn something new about map-making. I build a personal connection to each of these places by studying their history and culture through articles and local news.

The toughest yet most creative part of my work is capturing the experience of a specific place within the very limited space available on the map. It’s exciting! Cities are my jam, but these days I also enjoy working on custom depots, large industrial sites, and managing generic assets for the entire DLC."

Morrys

"My journey at SCS Software began not too long ago when I joined midway through the Iowa project. I don’t have a specific specialization yet, and I’m enjoying the opportunity to work on a bit of everything. Working on the Iowa DLC has been an amazing experience, thanks to its diverse landscapes, fascinating cities, and unique locations. I have a strong eye for detail and always strive to deliver an authentic and immersive experience for players as they explore each area. I hope you’ll enjoy every mile of this DLC!"

Fregar

"I’ve been working at SCS as a map designer for over four years now. I started with Texas DLC, including creating new content in Texas 2.0, then moved to Nebraska, and now I’m continuing with Iowa. My main focus here is on Iowa City, one scenic town, and the surrounding roads. I’m the kind of person who’s a bit of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design. Outside of work, I enjoy Warhammer, drawing, and, of course, video games. Oh, and at home, I have two parrots to keep me company!"

Maky

"I’ve been working at SCS as a map designer for over two years now, and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Being part of a relaxed team of like-minded people is just as important to me as the creative work that truly fulfils me. Although I initially thought I’d feel more confident working on landscapes, I’ve gradually discovered that I enjoy cities, scenic towns, and especially truck stops even more. Since Nebraska, I’ve been responsible for truck stops in this team. I love tackling their technical design, and I find them fascinating as a concept—serving as meeting points for truckers."

Karel (Citymanlive)

"It’s been 4 years now since I started working at SCS as a map designer, and because I love city-building strategies, I think I’m in the right place! I began working on the legendary rework of California, then jumped to the massive Texas DLC, Kansas, lent a hand in Nebraska, and now a beautiful Iowa awaits me. I’m excited, and when you drive through Waterloo, let me know how you like it!"

Eren

"My career at SCS Software began in 2023 with the state of Nebraska. When I was assigned to Iowa, I was tasked with creating its largest city, Des Moines – something I didn’t expect at all. Looking back, I see it as a necessary trial by fire that gave me an incredible amount of experience. Although Iowa might seem unassuming at first glance, it actually offers a lot of interesting locations, which will be reflected in our DLC. I believe you’ll enjoy exploring this state as much as we enjoyed putting it together!"

Theo

"I’ve been working at SCS for a little over a year now, but Iowa is the first DLC I've been part of from the very beginning of the creation process—and it’s been a great journey! My main responsibility is Sioux City, which poses an interesting challenge since it’s my first large city. What I like most, however, is creating the long, scenic roads that connect the cities. It’s my goal to accurately recreate the fields, rivers, and expansive landscapes of Iowa, all while capturing the region’s authenticity for players."

Eevee

"I’m new at SCS and just starting to work on my first project as a junior map designer. It’s definitely a big challenge for me, but it motivates me even more to grow and create maps with creativity and vision. Luckily, everyone here is friendly and willing to help. Even in these few months at SCS, I’ve learnt so much, and I look forward to growing further and turning my ideas into something truly exceptional."

We hope you enjoyed meeting the team members behind the Iowa DLC, who are working hard to deliver a great map expansion. We can't wait to share more of their ongoing work with you in the future. If you are excited about this upcoming DLC, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'.