Illinois: Meet the Team

A few weeks ago, we announced another state that is currently in development for American Truck Simulator - Illinois. Now, before we have enough material to share glimpses of this upcoming map expansion, we would like you to meet the team working on it!

They all have a short message for our #BestCommunityEver and cannot wait to start bringing you updates from the Prairie State.

Dubak

"I've been with the company for over seven years and in that time I've worked on some amazing DLCs like Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Kansas and, now as a Team Leader, on Missouri, which I took over from Patrik. After the sensational Missouri, we're diving into Illinois with the team, which everyone is really looking forward to. Players can look forward to beautiful landscapes, stunning cities, precise depots, and most importantly Chicago! I hope all our players will be impressed and relocate their HQ to Chicago!"

El

"I've been working for SCS as a map designer for almost 5 and a half years. In that time I have worked on DLCs like Idaho, a bit of Wyoming, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and now Illinois. Outside of creating the map, one of my main responsibilities is selecting generic models that would be the best for our DLC, which are later created by our amazing 3D graphics team. I really enjoy seeing the different types of architecture and other unique things. In Illinois, I'm working on one of the bigger cities, which really caught my eye during our business trip to the USA. The city is fascinating, both for its visuals and industry, and I can't wait for you to see it."

Ilona

"I have been working at SCS for about six and a half years, during which I have contributed to several map DLCs, including Utah, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. In Missouri, I was involved not only in map creation but also in designing viewpoints and cutscenes, and I hope players will enjoy them! Currently, I am working on a city in Illinois, which I had the opportunity to visit during a business trip to the USA. This experience provided me with great inspiration for its development. This will be my last project for now, as I will soon be going on maternity leave. I will be eagerly awaiting the release of the DLC and cheering for my team from afar through the screen!"

Jakub

"I've been in SCS for almost 2,5 years now, and Illinois is the third project I've been a part of. While I fondly look back on Missouri, it's time to move on and get Illinois right. With each project, I learn more and more and I hope that my progress will be seen through the screen by our players. All the work done under the hood looks very promising and I can't wait to see the DLC in its finished state."

Jan

"I began working in SCS a little under a year ago and since then I have done some work on the Missouri DLC, where I was tasked with creating a part of US-136 and some additional work on Springfield in later development stages. I enjoy pretty much everything about this job, but I like the technical aspect of it the most. That includes cities, settlements, industrial zones or truckstops. Illinois is the first big project that I have been part of from the start. My main task will be creating the southernmost part of Illinois. It's a more forested and hillier part of the state with many water bodies as well and I am really looking forward to creating these parts. I hope you'll be excited to haul in this DLC, just as much as I am to be part of it!"

Jirka

"I have been working as a map designer for a year and a half and Illinois is the second project that I'm contributing to. My first project was the Missouri DLC, where I enjoyed building cities the most. Every project is a new challenge for me, and I always look forward to the new skills I will gain while working on it. At first glance, Illinois may seem like a state full of fields, but if you take a closer look, you'll find that it also has plenty of beautiful places, which I look forward to our players discovering. I'm currently working on a charming city in the east of the state and I'll continue with a new road up north."

Lukáš

"I have been working at SCS for over five years and have gradually worked on several projects, gaining valuable experience along the way. Besides the usual map work, I also design custom depots, which I really enjoy. I love bringing players challenges and unique locations. After working in Missouri, I have moved further east, where a great challenge awaits me, and I am really looking forward to it—just as much as the moment when we can all explore this part of the map."

Majk

"Illinois is my first project as a map designer at SCS, and I’ve been working on it for four months now. My main focus is one of the cities in Illinois. It’s a challenging task, but since I enjoy the technical aspects of the work, it has been a rewarding experience. I really hope that I will capture the distinctive character of my town for our players and create a city that feels both authentic and enjoyable to explore in the game."

Macík

"Yo! My name is Martin, but I usually go by my nickname, MTX or Macík. I joined SCS and their shenanigans about six months ago, and I’m currently developing my first expansion for all of you to enjoy: the state of Illinois. Right now, I'm mostly working on rural sections located in the western part of the state. To say that I was terrified of creating landscapes instead of focusing on urban areas would be an understatement, but I’ve managed to get the hang of it by now. It’s definitely an experience that will come in handy in the near future. Our team is looking forward to giving you the best possible way to experience this beautiful state – it really has a ton to offer!

Ranx

"Following Missouri, Illinois is the second state I will be working on. In the last project, I created mostly natural scenery, country roads and a few highways. This time, I am looking forward to the more urban challenge of building one of the cities and its surroundings, as well as the depiction of the northern part of the state amidst beautiful green uplands. Hopefully, our team can deliver another great DLC so that every player can experience a piece of Illinois."

Martin

"I have started working on the California Rework project and then continued with Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Now, my fifth project is Illinois. In our team, I am responsible for the map as well as all vegetation related to the new states such as trees, shrubs, flowers, weeds, grasses and so on. In Illinois, I have been working on a city, and in this location, I will also be in charge of 3 settlements and the surrounding adjacent road network and maybe also a hidden road. Who will find it?"

Michael

"Hi, my name is Michael and this is my first project at SCS. I am working on the highways in southwestern Illinois. I am really enjoying working on this project and I hope you enjoy it too. You can look forward to landscapes full of forests, fields and rivers. Each route I create is designed with realism and a smooth gameplay experience in mind, so you’ll feel like you’re actually driving through the American countryside. Get ready to explore places you’ve probably never seen before – all from the comfort of your own cabin! I look forward to you trying my work and embarking on a journey that will keep you entertained. Buckle up, we’re off!"

Pavel

"I am Paul aka PJ and I have worked on projects like California, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Illinois is the fifth project I am working on. My speciality is truckstops, rest stops and truck scales. I am more of a technical type of person, but I like to play around with landscaping as well. In Illinois, I have work coming up in east St. Louis, on some settlements, and with lots of truckstops, and some depots."

Quinten

"I have been around since Colorado working as a map designer on everything from roads and their environments to small and medium-sized towns and settlements. For Illinois, I will be focused mostly on roads and environments, lots of farm fields with a small forest section here and there. Each DLC brings a new challenge, be it a new type of city or landscape that I never made before. I am looking forward to bringing Illinois to life in a way that our players will find interesting."

We hope you enjoyed meeting the team behind the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. If you did, 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. Until next time, drive safe.

Iowa: Road Network

It's time to hit the road and explore what can be found in Iowa's road network! In this blog, we're excited to share with you some of the interstates, junctions, bridges, and more we've been recreating virtually for our upcoming Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's get truckin'!

First stop, near Iowa City, drivers will encounter the recently constructed Interstate 80 interchange, a significant infrastructure project completed in 2024. This modern junction features innovative design elements, including distinctive bridges and pillars, that enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal. It features colourful vegetation, improved traffic flow for Exit 242, and a uniquely designed matching road and pedestrian bridge.

Given that many Iowan cities are situated near rivers, bridges play a pivotal role in the state's road network. Our team has recreated many of the unique bridges large and small found across Iowa, quite a few of which are illuminated in various colours at night. One such bridge is the Women of Achievement Bridge in Des Moines. This elegantly designed pedestrian bridge spans the Des Moines River, honouring notable women from Iowa's history.

Drivers will also be able to cross the Centennial Bridge in Davenport, which spans the Mississippi River and is renowned for its distinctive arches and nighttime lighting. One unique and famous bridge we could not miss is the wooden Madison Bridge, which was famously featured in The Bridges of Madison County, a well-known American romantic drama movie.

We already covered some of the truck stops in Iowa where you can refuel and rest, which you can read about here. However, one rest stop that drivers are big fans of is located on I-80 westbound near Adair! Best known for its towering wind turbine blade sculpture, standing approximately 148 feet tall, it serves as a tribute to Iowa's leadership in wind energy production. Be sure to check it out on your travels!

The state of Iowa continues to grow, so as you drive across the state, you'll be sure to find plenty of construction along the way too! Be sure to check out your Job Market for any contracts that will help deliver needed equipment or machinery to these construction sites.

We hope you enjoyed hittin' the road with us and checking out some of the landmarks, interstates, junctions, rest stops, and more you'll come across in Iowa. But there's still more to come, so be sure to keep an eye on our blog for future updates! Until then, if you like what you see, add the Iowa DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

American Truck Simulator - 1.54 Update Release

We are excited to share with our community that the 1.54 update for American Truck Simulator is now officially released! This update features implementations, fixes, quality of life improvements and more. Let's dive in and take a look at what's in store.

Before that, we have to give a huge shoutout to everyone who participated in the Open Beta phase, shared feedback, and reported bugs. Your invaluable contributions have allowed us to fine-tune content and eliminate bugs that slipped through the cracks initially. We hope that you will enjoy the new features, changes, and more that come with this update.

Cargo System Redefined

Until now, what seemed like the game combining a trailer with cargo, such as a piece of machinery, was actually a manually created model, with each trailer-cargo pair stored separately on disk. This approach required an enormous number of unique models, making it harder to add new content efficiently and taking up disk space.

In the redefined cargo system, the code automatically merges cargo and trailers based on simplified rules. This means that each cargo will define its own model, loading methodology, and lashing method. This will make the work of our vehicle team much easier as it no longer requires our 3D artists to manually create pre-baked trailer-cargo pairs.

While there may be issues in the first iteration, it's a worthwhile goal to refine the system, as it not only improves efficiency but also saves disk space and memory by eliminating the need to store countless pre-made combinations. This project may also lead to other possibilities for both of our games, especially with dynamic cargo (un)loading and more. You can read about how this project was executed in our recent Under the Hood blog.

Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign

The Truck Adjustment Menu has been completely redesigned to provide a more user-friendly experience. Previously, each option for adjusting your driver's FOV, seat, mirrors etc had separate menus with different layouts. Now, they share a cohesive interface, making adjustments much more intuitive and easier. The new design also takes on a similar design from our previous UI overhaul and is optimized for both mouse and controller, ensuring accessibility for all users.

For keyboard and mouse users, adjustments are now more streamlined with the use of the WASD keys for navigation, along with buttons for finer tuning. Meanwhile, controller users will find the new system much smoother, with the left stick controlling adjustments, the right stick handling camera movement for mirror positioning, and the D-pad or shoulder buttons navigating the menu.

The addition of shoulder button support makes menu navigation more fluid for controller players. This update makes adjusting mirrors and seats much easier, particularly for those using controllers, ensuring a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience. Accessing the Truck Adjustment Menu remains the same. You can use the F4 by default, a custom assigned key of your choice, or through the adviser services menu.

We hope you enjoy this redesign, and that you find it easy to use and navigate through whilst you are out hauling on the road!

PhysX System Implementation

In 1.54, we are adopting the NVIDIA PhysX physics engine as an alternative to the current Bullet physics engine for low-level simulation of physics in the game world that players interact with. This shift allows players to experience more precise collision detection results and more robust behaviour during scenarios involving collisions between vehicles and obstacles or other vehicles. PhysX also offers our teams better debugging tools, which indirectly benefits players by helping resolve bugs more efficiently.

One of the most noticeable improvements brought by PhysX can already be experienced in our recently introduced Driving Academy game mode. For example, collisions with cones and obstacles are now more accurate and objects no longer appear to "levitate" slightly above the ground after interaction, a flaw that occurred with Bullet. While players may not see drastic changes, certain interactions should exhibit slightly improved behaviour.

During the Open Beta, many players expressed concerns about hardware limitations due to recent news that 32-bit version of PhysX would no longer be supported by certain GPUs. However, the PhysX implementation we use runs entirely on the CPU, meaning players can enjoy PhysX without worrying about graphics card compatibility.

With the release of version 1.54, PhysX is now the default physics engine for all gameplay. Players who prefer the previous Bullet physics engine can switch back by using the "-bullet" command line argument in their Steam launch options.

Driving Academy Rewards

Everyone who has already completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use inside the game on the same profile they completed the academy with - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. So make sure to complete your scenarios and grab your rewards, there will be more to come!

Changelog

Gameplay

• Cargo System Redefined
• Driving Academy Rewards
  

Visual

• Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
• First Launch Screen Flow Refresh
  

Vehicles

• Lode King & Prestige Trailers Pack bug fixes

Other

• PhysX Implementation

Benelux Rework: Meet the Team

Not so long ago, we announced our next rework project for Euro Truck Simulator 2, Project Benelux! This will consist of reworking the countries of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg completely from the ground up. Today, we're happy to introduce to you the team behind this Project, and a little bit about themselves.

The team currently consists of eight people, who have been working hard behind the scenes on this task, which is still in its very early stages. If you missed out on the announcement of this project, you can check out the original blogpost here. We figured it would be best to let them introduce themselves in their own words. We hope you enjoy these words for you, our #BestCommunityEver!

Honza - Project Benelux Rework Lead

"After the Switzerland rework, this is my second project as a map lead. Following the Alpine region, I was happy to be chosen for this project because it offers different opportunities and challenges for map designers. I was a bit naive in thinking it would be easier to design, but that turned out not to be the case. The combination of flat areas in the north, limited space, and a complex highway system presents quite a challenge. In my spare time, I still enjoy working on map design while managing the project. This time, I'm reworking the city of Liège and its surrounding areas. I believe our players have a lot to look forward to, as we are striving to capture the complexity of this region as accurately as possible."

Iva

"Hi, my name is Iva. After completing my bachelor's degree in architecture, I decided to change fields. In 2020, I coincidentally discovered a job posting for a map designer position at SCS. At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about the gaming industry and was worried about whether I had anything to offer. Over time, I specialized in urban design. Thanks to the knowledge I gained in college, urban design has given me a unique opportunity to authentically represent the character of specific cities, and I hope I'm succeeding. I've created several cities that I'm very proud of, including Graz (my first attempt), the completion of Salzburg, and the design of the entire Rhineland region.

After completing the rework on Germany, I briefly worked on the beauties of Greece before moving to the Benelux project, where I have been given responsibility for two beautiful cities. Each city is completely different, with their own diverse road network and several iconic locations to look forward to. I can't wait to see it all come to life. Keep your fingers crossed!"

Eliska

"Hi! Eliska here. You might remember me from Switzerland's 'Meet the Team' post, and yes, I'm still here! After over a decade working as a camera operator in the film and television industry, I joined SCS Software four years ago. I worked previously on reworking Austria, Germany, and Switzerland before landing in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Sadly, there isn’t much space for trucks in the magnificent old town, but we aim to bring you another iconic Amsterdam vista. The city is full of landmarks, and nearby, the port town of IJmuiden has completely won me over. I hope you enjoy embarking on a ferry there as much as I enjoyed building it. See you on the road!"

Daniel

"Having studied IT for four years and always enjoyed building and creating things in various games, working on ETS2 felt like a no-brainer. Since joining SCS, I've spent nearly two years gaining experience, contributing to European rework projects, and building several German cities from scratch.

Beyond the usual mapping work, I'm also responsible for creating custom depots for the Benelux project, bringing a previously ATS-exclusive feature to Europe. Currently, I'm working on the city of Brussels and its surprisingly lush surroundings. I've found the city fascinating and quite different from my previous tasks, making it even more enjoyable to work on."

Kristian

"Three years ago, I joined SCS Software, and since then, I have worked on various map projects. I currently specialize in ports but also contribute to city designs as part of the Benelux rework, which is an incredibly exciting challenge for me. Before this, I worked as a photographer and never imagined I would one day be part of the gaming industry. However, this job has completely captivated me. It's amazing to see the virtual world take shape and come to life through the details we create. I hope players will enjoy the result just as much as I enjoy creating it!"

Jitka

"After working on the landscapes of Switzerland and the challenging task of connecting Albania to Greece, I started helping with the preproduction of the Benelux project. My main task was preparing natural assets and laying out areas around Luxembourg and the Ardennes in Belgium. Nature in the Benelux region is incredibly diverse, from the hilly south to the lowlands in the north. With improved textures and vegetation, players will experience everything from forests, rivers, and lakes to tulip-filled polder fields and narrow streams. Recreating Luxembourg City was another challenge due to its small yet intricate nature. However, I believe we've managed to do it justice, and I look forward to seeing players explore it."

Tereza

"Hello, community! I joined SCS in November 2023. Previously, I was part of the Germany rework team. However, once that project was completed, I was assigned to work on Benelux. My focus has been on the landscapes of the Netherlands, which has given me a great sense of peace and calm. While I'm currently working on the Nordic Horizons DLC, I hope to return and finish what I started. I look forward to you seeing our work in the future, thanks for playing and supporting us!"

Veronika

"Nice to meet you, I'm Veronika. I've been at SCS for a year and four months, and my first project was the rework of the Berlin Ring and Dresden area. After finishing Germany, we eagerly jumped into the Benelux project. As a map designer, I faced the challenge of working with the vast flat landscapes, complete with charming canals, small farms, and stunning sand dunes along the coast. I'm originally a physiotherapist, but my passion for creativity led me here. What I love most about my job is the freedom to fly over the map like a bird, create my own routes, and virtually travel the world every day through my work."

Jiri

"Hey, my name is Jiri, and I currently work as a map designer at SCS Software. In a few months, I’ll be celebrating my first year with this amazing team at a fantastic company. I've met many inspiring colleagues who share my interests, whether in fitness or Warhammer tabletop games. Here, I am fulfilling my childhood dreams, and I can't wait for you to embark on the journeys we're creating in Benelux with passion and dedication."

Radek

"Hey everyone, I’m Radek! Video games have obviously been a big part of my life since I was a kid, but I never really thought I’d be making one myself. After years spent working in a totally different field, I felt it was time for me to rework my own life path, and that led me to SCS Software. The Benelux rework is my first project here in SCS and since I joined the team in autumn 2024, I gained a lot of experience by working on this project with such talented and experienced colleagues.

On top of that, on this project I’m also focusing and specializing on the natural aspect of the map - vegetation. That means creating new vegetation profiles, researching real-world landscapes, and making sure the greenery in the map feels as authentic and immersive as possible. I am really happy for the possibility to use my knowledge and interest in this project's favour. I truly believe players will love what we’re putting together, and I’m beyond excited to be part of such an amazing community."

We hope you have enjoyed meeting the team behind Project Benelux! We look forward to sharing more on this rework in the future. Remember to follow us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any Euro Truck Simulator 2 news. 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. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

Missouri - BIG in Missouri + Special Transport Update

More news from Missouri has just arrived! In today's blog, we would like to show you the new routes for Special Transport in the Show Me State along with one brand-new oversized cargo. Do you have what it takes to take on this challenge?

Only the most skilled drivers will dare to handle these massive hauls. With Special Transport coming to Missouri, our map designers prepared three routes specifically chosen to suit the huge cargo you will be able to haul there. But don't be fooled, it won't be an easy drive!

Think you have what it takes? Let's check out the cities where you'll be delivering these oversized loads to. The owners of the Special Transport DLC will be able to take on these jobs along the following routes:

Kansas City to Rolla
Cape Girardeau to Springfield
St. Louis to Kirksville

But that's not all! We are also updating this DLC by giving you a new free cargo to deliver - a huge underground electric loader. This machinery is used in the underground mining industry where it can operate fast in tough conditions. You will not only be able to transport it in Missouri but also in the ATS base map and some other map expansions.

Make sure to enjoy this upcoming map expansion to the fullest and explore new challenges with the Special Transport DLC which you can get on Steam! 

If you are excited about Missouri, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist. For more ATS news, make sure to follow us on 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'll see you on the road!