Star Nation Experience 2025

We are excited to announce that after our collaboration last year, we are once again teaming up with our good friends at Western Star to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to two lucky members of the American Truck Simulator community. This includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Oregon, USA, to take part in the Star Nation Experience 2025. Ready to learn more? Let’s take a closer look at what the Star Nation Experience is all about!

Last year, our lucky 2024 Star Nation winners gathered in Bend, Oregon, for a unique four-day event unlike any other in the trucking industry. This unique experience included a behind-the-scenes tour of Daimler Truck North America's facilities, the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Western Star X-Series line up at Daimler Truck's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, and even a chance to meet Starsquatch!

They also got to experience the natural beauty of Oregon and take part in exciting outdoor activities, including fly-fishing, off-roading in ATVs, and more. Though they arrived as strangers, their shared love for trucking quickly turned them into friends and even led one of our winners to pursue a trucking career. You can watch a recap of the 2024 Star Nation experience at our YouTube channel below with Nemiro and Mark who also were in attendance!



So what can you expect for Star Nation 2025? Two lucky winners will be treated to an all-expenses-paid, four-day adventure, hosted in Bend, Oregon between the 6th-9th of June 2025 by the Western Star team. If you win, you’ll be treated to top dining options and adventures, including activities like whitewater rafting, the X-Series Ride & Drive Challenge at the Madras Proving Grounds, a Star Nation photo shoot in the mountains and so much more! 

You will also have the chance to help shape future Western Star innovation by sharing your insights with Western Star engineers, marketers, researchers, and product development leadership. It's the ultimate prize for any American Truck Enthusiast!

In addition to the fantastic activities awaiting participants at the event, we're happy to reveal that Oscar and Nemiro from our team will also be attending. They'll not only meet with the participants and winners but will also be on hand to capture all the moments and memories throughout the Star Nation Experience 2025! 

So how can you enter? Before entering, we strongly advise you to review Western Star's Terms and Conditions, read the FAQ, and thoroughly examine the application form as there are specific limitations for applicants. For instance, this opportunity is exclusively available to individuals from the USA or Canada who are 21 years of age or older. Also, while not required for entry, a Commercial Driver's License will be required to participate in all Grand Prize trip activities. Western Star Trucks will then select two winners from applicants who meet all requirements. We wish everyone the best of luck!

Ready to apply? First you'll need to sign up to the Western Star newsletter before continuing the Entry form, which you can all find on the Star Nation page here.

We look forward to spending a fun-filled few days at Star Nation 2025, and we will be sure to keep you along for the ride with social media updates, videos and more from our journey. Be sure to keep a close eye on Western Star's Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter for the latest Star Nation news, and our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and BlueSky too. Until then, keep on truckin'!

SCS On The Road: Mark's Trucking Trip

We're back with another SCS On The Road episode, and this time, we've got something a bit different for you! Join Mark, our Vehicle Production Coordinator at SCS Software, as he returns to his trucking roots in Canada and takes you behind the wheel to experience what it takes to be a real trucker hauling across Canada and the USA!

Starting off in Whitby, Ontario, Mark will take you along for the ride on a one-week journey to Fort Worth, Texas. You'll experience the highs and lows of trucking and discover what makes it such a unique yet challenging job. So, it's time to hit the road, grab a drink and some snacks as you take the passenger seat on this long haul! We're sure you'll be comfortable in the beautiful Peterbilt 389 truck, which was kindfully provided by Mark's father, and which has been a reliable workhorse in his company for many years.

A huge thank you, of course, goes out to Mark, who put a lot of work into recording this journey, and to everyone who made this trip possible for him to share with you, our #BestCommunityEver. We hope you learn something new about the trucking world, and who knows, it might even inspire a few of you to pursue a CDL! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a comment, like, and subscribe, Mark would love to hear your thoughts! Until next time, keep on truckin’!

Driving Academy - Truck Driving Proficiency

Today, we have an update regarding Driving Academy. Our teams are currently working on a new set of scenarios for Driving Academy for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator which are really going to test your trucker skills when it arrives in the future! While this new chapter won't be, unfortunately, part of 1.54 update we still think you may be excited to read and see what the future holds.

We released Driving Academy as a free update in October last year where we introduced sets of scenarios in 5 chapters from truck driving basics to more advanced challenges. We were inspired by many of our players who have used our games to get a sense of handling a truck and trailer, and learning how to maneuver and reverse. Now, after a few months, we wanted to take it a step further with a set of much more challenging scenarios which will be a part of the upcoming module called Truck Driving Proficiency and will test even the most skilled drivers to the limit. Please keep in mind that everything you see in this blog can change as the Truck Driving Proficiency for Driving Academy is still a work in progress.

For this new module and set of scenarios, we will also introduce a new reward system. The most important thing is still to precisely complete a scenario by driving along the designated path and avoiding any collision. For proficiency level, there may be additional conditions you will have to meet to successfully pass the scenario.

New in this upcoming module, players will be able to achieve up to 3 collectable stars, which can be earned by meeting additional conditions such as only using the interior camera, limiting gear shifts between drive and reverse, or completing the scenario in the set time.

Our goal is to test the players' skills and let them prove themselves as top-tier drivers, solving each scenario on their own without step-by-step guidance. That's why in this module you won't find any pre-recorded video tutorials, and you will have to use all the knowledge we taught you in our first module of Driving Academy.

But there is more. As we already mentioned in the 1.54 Open Beta blog, Driving Academy will also get new content in the upcoming 1.54 update. Everyone who has completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use in the base game - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. And that's not all - more rewards will be available for completing the upcoming Truck Driving Proficiency!

Make sure to follow us on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, 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!

Louisiana: Truck Stops

As you journey through our upcoming Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator, you'll encounter a variety of truck stops designed to support truckers and travelers making their way through the Deep South. Let’s check out what they have to offer!

Whether you're filling up the tank, making some adjustments to your rig, or simply taking a well-deserved break, these truck stops provide all the essentials for life on the road. Keeping both yourself and your truck happy and healthy is crucial whilst on the road.

Truck stops come in all shapes and sizes! From large complexes offering generous parking and multiple fuel pumps to small town roadside stops, drivers will never be too far away from an area they can pull into for a gas'n'go or a well deserved rest stop.

They also make a great place to meet fellow truckers on the road, especially if you're playing in convoy mode! Be sure to take advantage of all the dedicated spots to make some great photos for your album.

We look forward to meeting you at a Louisiana truck stop in the future. Until then, stay tuned by following us on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, BlueSky) for the latest updates on the development of this DLC and more. Until next time, drive safe and keep on truckin’!

Under the Hood: SCS Hiring

Today, we bring you another Under the Hood blog, this time brought to you by the wonderful Human Resources team of SCS Software who will tell you more about our hiring process, but also the team's work and background in our company. So, let's take a look!

Our HR team consists of 11 people and they take care of not only the usual HR responsibilities like recruitment or payroll, but also internal communication and office operations. We have HR specialists, controlling, development and wellbeing specialists, an internal communications colleague, a receptionist and office administrators who take care of office comfort.

So let's meet the team! The part of the HR team that focuses on the hiring process (and more), consists of our Head of Human Resources, Lenka, Senior HR Specialist, Saskia, and our Communications Specialist/Recruiter, Maruška.

Lenka - Head of Human Resources

"I'll be here for eight years in June. I chose SCS because of the company's culture, which impressed me after speaking with the owners, and the Financial and Operations Director. I felt that there was trust in the company. There are motivated people working here who enjoy their work immensely and take pride in their product. I was also intrigued by the opportunity to build HR from scratch," says Lenka, and adds: "We are continuously growing with the company and fine-tuning HR processes to make sense. Recruitment is especially important to us right now - we are looking for new talent for both technology positions and additional reinforcements for established teams. Fair remuneration is also a big topic - we want everyone to feel valued for their work and motivated to keep growing. And of course, we try to create an environment where people feel good to work, enjoy it and want to stay."

Saskia - Senior HR Specialist

"I have been a proud member of the SCS team for over 12 years. When I joined, I had no idea what great people were behind SCS and the adventurous ride that awaited me. The biggest part of my job is recruiting. Even after all these years, I still enjoy it because I get to work with amazing people in a great environment. I am proud that the HR department also acts as a safe haven for colleagues who come in for some advice or a chat. Since recruitment is my main job, approximately 80% of our colleagues went through me in cooperation with Maruška and the team leaders of the individual departments," Saskia says.

Maruška - Communications Specialist/Recruiter

Maruška also shares her SCS story from her beginning to the present. "In July I will celebrate 5 years in SCS. I joined SCS on a recommendation for the position of Assistant. After the interview, I was sure that this was the place I wanted to work at. Until then, I had no idea that there were companies that took such good care of their employees. Thanks to the growth opportunities that SCS offers, after a year I started taking care of internal communications while helping Saskia with recruitment - and I still do so to this day."

The number of colleagues in SCS Software has gradually increased, so too the workload for the HR team. In January, there were 370 people working in our company. "We have about two dozen programmers, slightly fewer game design colleagues, and about 120 map designers for ETS2 and ATS. There are also 20 people in technical art development, Assets are made up of around 60 graphic designers; we have around 30 colleagues in the vehicle design team and over 30 people in QA, testing and support. And then there is an amazing marketing team with 9 colleagues in addition to us in HR. We operate on the principle of close collaboration between the different specialist teams," Lenka explains the numbers.

Saskia reveals more about the channels that play a key role in our recruitment. "In 2024, we grew significantly and managed to fill almost 80 positions. Our career site plays a big role and is proving increasingly successful - 705 of the 2,465 responses to our adverts in 2024 came through that. Social media communication is also important to us and of course referrals from colleagues, who are responsible for almost 40% of new hires. I often consult with job candidates about opportunities in other positions at SCS to ensure their talents find the best possible fit."

To have a successful team that works well together, it is great to have both senior and experienced colleagues as well as younger ones, as Lenka explains here. "Finding experienced and senior people is much more challenging than reaching out to young talent. The Czech market is small and there is huge demand for top professionals in IT and game development. We are competing not only with Czech companies but also with foreign ones that offer the opportunity to work remotely. That's why we started looking for talent abroad so that we could bring in specialists from Singapore, Turkiye or Ukraine. On the other hand, we are actively looking for young talents at schools, offering internships and organising excursions. We are interested in the potential and willingness to learn with these candidates - we give them the space to gain experience and develop the skills we need."

So where is the best place to look for both senior and junior candidates? "For junior roles, we have found the Jobs.cz platform to be a good fit, where we can reach people interested in graphic design, map designers, researchers and testers. For senior roles, the situation is different - here LinkedIn has proven to be the most useful, providing great opportunities to directly reach professionals with specific experience, including those in game development. We strive for transparent and professional communication with candidates so that they have a positive experience regardless of the outcome of the selection process," Saskia reveals.

And how do we compete with others to attract the best to work with us? Maruška explains it: There are several reasons to be a part of SCS: for some, it's developing games, others are fans of our games, some appreciate the friendly environment, and others are attracted by the superior benefits. But what does the whole company agree on? We have great leadership. Our owners, Pavel, Martin, and Petr, along with our Financial and Operations Director, Tomáš, really go out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable.

Saskia also adds her view of what we can offer: "The enticing thing for candidates is the opportunity to work in game development and combine work with a hobby. It's also a chance to use and develop your talent and learn from professionals. Games from SCS have a strong brand and for passionate fans, it's a dream come true."

Of course, we also need to be more practical in terms of things that would make people want to work at SCS such as salary. "Wage demands are constantly rising - and so are the wages of our people. Each candidate comes with their own ideas, influenced by their experience, previous jobs and, of course, information from the market. Some are guided by salary surveys, some by the offers of competitors, and others by the advice of friends in the industry. We try to be fair and transparent in our remuneration - we evaluate not only experience but also potential, contribution to the team and ability to grow with the project. However, salary is only part of the total compensation. We offer a wide range of benefits. The most popular are flexible working hours, working from home, and also a superior office space. In the offices, we can go for a massage, yoga, to a personal trainer or to play pool. In the kitchenettes, we can enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, fruit and other snacks.

The HR team also cooperates with the marketing team on various occasions. "Together, we travel to job fairs and gaming conferences across the country to ensure our company's presence. We help each other in organising external events and together we also handle some internal matters, such as choosing gifts for our colleagues. In addition, thanks to our talented videomakers and 2D graphic designers from marketing, we have great and high-quality output from our events, which you can see on our LinkedIn page," Maruška told us.

We are also proud to say that our colleagues stay with us for long periods of time as plenty of them have been working here for more than ten years or from the very beginning! Lenka explains the main reasons why people are happy working at SCS: "I think it's definitely the company culture which consists of open communication at all levels, respect for every employee, support for work-life balance and a strong connection to the community of players. We build a friendly and supportive environment where every team member's ideas are valued. We also work closely with our community of fans, whose feedback helps improve our games. We believe that happy employees are the foundation of our company's success," she says. 

"We want our employees to enjoy coming to work, feel comfortable and be able to take a break from their demanding tasks. At the same time, we believe in the importance of listening and a human touch - we address workplace issues, whether they relate to interpersonal relationships or a pleasant working environment, including the ability to customize your workplace. Open communication and regular surveys on various topics help us bring the whole team together," Lenka shares with us.

She also explains how important it is for the company to retain its staff by helping it grow. "I would divide development in SCS into two parts - professional knowledge and skills, and soft skills. In terms of professional skills, we are very fortunate to have experts in each area working in the company who are happy to share their knowledge. We run in-house lectures, rotations and also a Trainee Centre for 3D Graphic Designers where colleagues can move up to the level of a fully fledged 3D Graphic Designer in 3 to 6 months with our in-house trainers. We regularly offer bespoke soft skills development programmes to managers, such as more recently project management, leadership etc."

As we mentioned before, the HR team doesn't handle just hiring, but also internal processes in the company, as Lenka tells us here. "We deal with remuneration, training and development, employment law consultation and internal communication. We also organise a lot of events for our colleagues. A big part of our work is well-being and the benefits associated with it. We take the health of our people seriously, so we try not only to solve problems but also to prevent them. We know that sedentary work is hard on the eyes and back, so we have quality ergonomic equipment and two hours a week that colleagues can choose to spend on sports, massage or creative relaxation. We also offer health screenings, consultations with a nutritionist and support prevention - from vaccinations to InBody analysis. And because everyone has different tastes, we do tailor-made activities - from sports to workshops, cooking lessons, and painting classes."

One of Maruška's many responsibilities is organising internal company events which can be demanding when it includes almost 400 people. "It requires thorough preparation. For events such as the company-wide Summer Day, Health Day, Family & Friends Day, or the Christmas Party, I always try to bring something new to the table to ensure that each event is unique and not just a complete repeat of last year. At the same time, we respect feedback from colleagues - if they really like something, we are happy to repeat it, e.g. we love the dragon boat race we always have on Summer Day. Seeing how much our people enjoy themselves, and how grateful they are for these events is the biggest motivator for me. VidCasts (as we call our internal video podcasts) are one of my responsibilities too. The key is to collect topics that colleagues are interested in and talk to those who have something to say about them. For example, we recently launched a new series of VidCasts - interviews between Pavel and various team leaders in which they present their visions and missions for 2025-2026.

Even though working in HR is no easy task, they are all happy to be here because they have found their passion in what they do, as Lenka explains here: "I found myself in HR, I started as a recruiter and even then I was excited to be at the start of my colleagues' careers. I enjoy the communication that is around HR. I like to make things better, and introduce new practices at all stages of the "employee life cycle". And then I'm happy when it succeeds."

And Maruška agrees: "HR is great and really interesting! I also really enjoy organising events for colleagues, whether it's a smaller party or something big. I'm grateful that our leadership is open to communication about new ideas. I'm always trying to come up with something new and interesting that will make my colleagues happy."

For the end of this blog, our HR representatives have a message directly for our #BestCommunityEver. "We believe that happy developers make great games - and you give us the energy to live up to that belief with your enthusiasm. Thanks for being part of our community!" says Maruška.

"Thank you for being with us! Your feedback and passion for our games is what keeps the whole SCS team motivated. We greatly appreciate your emails wishing to be part of our team - we are always happy to hear from you. Our doors are open to everyone and we would be honoured if your skills are a match for any of our open positions," Lenka shares.

"Passion for our games brings us all together, and it is thanks to passionate and talented people that we can keep pushing our games forward. Find what you're good at and give it your all! You never know where your skills might lead you - maybe to our team at SCS Software. We're always happy when you choose to develop your talents with us," Saskia tells us.

We hope you found this glimpse into the hiring process - and life at SCS Software - both enjoyable and insightful. If you're interested in working with us, explore our open positions or our LinkedIn. We'd love to have you on board! For other 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!