Gamescom & Future Games Show & Find Your Next Game

We hope you're all enjoying the summer roads, whether you’re cruising through Euro Truck Simulator 2 or exploring the great American highways in American Truck Simulator. August is already in full swing, and with so many exciting things happening behind the scenes, we wanted to take a moment to share what’s coming up for SCS Software this month. Spoiler alert: it’s shaping up to be a big one!

Gamescom

This August, we’ll be attending Gamescom in Cologne, Germany - one of the biggest events in the gaming calendar! We’re proud to be representing the Czech Republic as part of the Czech National Booth in the B2B (Business-to-Business) segment.

Our mission? Meet, network, and explore new partnerships with a wide variety of companies. We're thrilled to have meetings lined up with representatives from major platforms, including Sony, Microsoft, and many more, across both the gaming and automotive industries. We're excited about the future and are actively working on ways to expand our presence and content offerings for both of our flagship titles. And while our presence at Gamescom is focused on the B2B segment this year, there's always a chance we’ll run into some of you. If you spot someone from the SCS team, don’t hesitate to say hi!

Future Games Show

Make sure to keep one eye open for the upcoming Future Games Show this August, because we’ve got something special in the works! A brand-new exclusive teaser video will be making its debut there, and we can’t wait for you to see it.

Find Your Next Game

Also on your watchlist this August should be the Find Your Next Game show, which runs alongside Gamescom, where we’ll also be dropping something cool and exclusive, this time related to the Nordic Horizons DLC. We’re incredibly proud of what’s coming and are thrilled to be part of this show’s lineup.

We’re working hard to bring fresh new content and experiences to both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. The journey is far from over, and exciting things are still to come! We’re truly thankful for the continued support and enthusiasm from all of you, the #BestCommunityEver. Whether you’ve been driving with us for years or just recently joined the road, we appreciate every single one of you!

Until next time, keep on truckin’, and we’ll see you out there on the road!

Louisiana: Bridges

The upcoming Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator will take you deep into the heart of the American South, a region defined not only by its rich culture and unique landscapes but also by its intricate network of waterways. And where there are waterways, there are bridges!

In today’s blog, we'll be showcasing a selection of iconic bridges that you’ll be able to drive across in this upcoming map expansion. These structures aren’t just impressive feats of engineering; they are crucial lifelines that connect Louisiana’s cities, industries, and communities. And yes, we’ve made sure they look just as grand in-game as they do in real life!

The mighty Mississippi River slices right through Louisiana, and crossing it requires some truly monumental bridges. Among them is the Horace Wilkinson Bridge in Baton Rouge, the highest bridge over the Mississippi and a vital link for both local commuters and long-haul truckers.

Further south in New Orleans, the Crescent City Connection offers a dramatic skyline view as you roll into the heart of the Big Easy. Farther along the Mississippi, the Huey P. Long – O.K. Allen Bridge (also known as the Old Bridge) offers another scenic and historical crossing.

One of the most striking bridges in the DLC is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest continuous bridge in the world. Trust us, hauling a heavy load over this expanse feels as epic as it sounds.

Out west in Lake Charles, drivers will encounter the Calcasieu High Bridge and Calcasieu River Bridge, vital connectors in a bustling industrial corridor, surrounded by pipelines and the hum of refinery life.

The Houma Twin Bridges give you a glimpse of the coastal lifestyle, while the Leeville Bridge and the Louisiana Highway 1 Bridge lead you deep into southern Louisiana’s marshy edge.

Add to that the Simmesport Bridge and the stunning Veterans Memorial Bridge, and you’ve got a diverse lineup of spans that each bring something special to your trucking journey through the Pelican State.

Every bridge in Louisiana DLC tells a story of commerce, connection, and character. From towering steel arches to sturdy river crossings, these landmarks are a defining part of the state’s landscape, and we can’t wait for you to drive across them, take in the views, and maybe even snap a few screenshots along the way!

Stay tuned for more previews as we continue to reveal what’s in store for American Truck Simulator - Louisiana. In the meantime, don’t forget to add the DLC to your Steam Wishlist and follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter for more behind-the-scenes content, teasers, and announcements.

Nordic Horizons: Kiruna

Välkommen till Kiruna! In today's blog, we have another glimpse of what's coming for the Nordic Horizons DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Get comfortable and enjoy this little preview of the city of Kiruna, before you head there yourself in this upcoming map expansion.

Situated 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Kiruna is actually Sweden's northernmost town! This location is unique as people living there experience two months of midnight sun in the summer, and it's also an ideal place to watch the magical northern lights from the beginning of autumn to the end of winter.

While the town is not the largest in terms of population, it has so much to offer. Not far from it, visitors can find the country's highest mountain, Kebnekaise. It's also home to the world's largest underground iron ore mine. And let's not forget about the stunning beauty of the nature surrounding Kiruna, with forests, tundra, rivers, and an uncountable number of lakes.

The iron ore mine will be featured in our game as a massive depot where players can deliver cargo, both at ground level and deep underground. The Kiruna mine will become the largest custom depot in ETS2 and also the first to be located underground. It's a truly fascinating operation, with over 130 years of history. Each day, the mine produces enough iron ore to build six Eiffel Towers. The depot is complex, so players will need to rely on a full diagram of the area and custom signs placed throughout the mine.

Mining lies at the heart of Kiruna's economy, and its impact is so significant that parts of the city are being relocated to ensure the safety of its residents. This includes the construction of a new city centre three kilometres east of the original one.

This beautiful new city centre is being recreated by our asset and map teams through detailed landmark buildings. This includes the city's new town hall, featuring the original historic clock tower that has been carefully restored and relocated from its former site, along with several other notable buildings surrounding the new town centre.

In addition, truckers will be able to deliver cargo to the local railway terminal, a construction site, a recycling depot, and various other industries located around the town.

We hope we got you excited to visit this city when the Nordic Horizons DLC is released. If we did, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to stay tuned for more updates from the world of Euro Truck Simulator 2 by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, or by signing up for our newsletter. Happy haulin'!

Modelling Long Distance Coach with Vitalii

With the introduction of long-distance buses in Euro Truck Simulator 2, the Coaches DLC brings a fresh perspective to the game's world. We spoke with Vitalii, one of the vehicle artists behind this exciting update, to learn more about the creative process, technical challenges, and the immersive details players can look forward to when stepping into the driver’s seat of a coach.

As a Senior 3D Artist on the Coaches project, Vitalii plays a central role in crafting the visual identity of the new long-distance buses being added to Euro Truck Simulator 2. “I'm essentially in charge of bringing these vehicles to life visually,” he explains, “handling everything from the 3D modeling of both their exteriors and interiors, to creating the detailed textures and materials that define their appearance.” His responsibilities also include developing all necessary animations and closely collaborating with production and research teams to ensure each coach is recreated as authentically as possible.

When asked what his work on Coaches entails, Vitalii emphasizes the balance between technical artistry and realism: “It's about combining technical artistry with precision to deliver a realistic experience for our players.”

On the topic of research and scanning, Vitalii shares that while he usually relies on reference material gathered by a dedicated team, the Coaches project was a unique opportunity. “I actually had the opportunity to go on a business trip myself to see the real coaches firsthand,” he says. “This was incredibly valuable, as it allowed me to personally observe and capture all the necessary details I needed to accurately recreate them in the game.”

Speaking about what excites him most about the project, Vitalii reveals, “I'm most excited about seeing my work truly come to life within the game world.” Watching his models, textures, and animations in action, and more importantly, seeing how players respond, is what truly motivates him: “Knowing that my efforts contribute to fulfilling a long-standing community wish and providing them with a fresh, immersive experience is what really motivates me.”

When asked how he feels about the overall addition of long-distance buses, Vitalii is enthusiastic: “This has been a top request from our community for many, many years, and seeing it finally come to fruition is incredibly exciting.” He believes it goes beyond adding a new vehicle – it's about expanding gameplay and deepening player immersion. “It's about showing our dedication to listening to what our passionate community wants.”

In terms of the tools used, Vitalii describes a well-curated workflow. “I mainly use Blender for the modeling phase,” he shares, appreciating its flexibility and community support. “For creating my own custom tileable textures, I rely heavily on Substance Designer,” due to its procedural capabilities. Photoshop plays a role in editing textures, while Maya is used to integrate assets into the game engine through custom exporters. “I sometimes use Marmoset Toolbag to generate precise light maps,” he adds, which enhances the realism of coach lighting.

Reflecting on similar projects, Vitalii mentions his past experience with major truck reworks, particularly interiors. However, Coaches presented a new level of complexity. “Coaches are significantly more spacious than trucks,” he says, “and inherently contain a lot more geometry and detail.” This posed a technical challenge: “figuring out how to optimize such a large and intricate space... while keeping the performance impact low.”

Discussing what he’s enjoyed most, Vitalii highlights the novelty of the project. “It's always refreshing to tackle a new type of vehicle,” he notes. “Creating the various animations for the coaches presented a fun challenge,” one that pushed him creatively while being immensely satisfying.

Addressing the challenges faced, Vitalii reiterates that optimization was a primary hurdle. “We really had to figure out new approaches to keep the visual quality high while ensuring polycounts remained low,” especially given the scale of coach interiors. Additionally, “implementing the animations required a different philosophy compared to trucks,” prompting the team to rethink their usual methods.

When asked about interesting details players can expect, Vitalii hints at the depth of immersion. “We've paid close attention to the atmosphere inside the coaches,” he says. “Players might notice intricate details on the interiors and passenger areas that really bring the space to life.”

Finally, in response to what players will enjoy most, Vitalii believes the shift in gameplay pace is key. “The core focus of this update is exploration,” he says. “Players shouldn't miss out on taking the time to appreciate the scenery and discover landmarks.” The Coaches experience, he explains, offers a new lens through which to enjoy the game's expansive world: “It encourages a slower pace, letting them see the game world from a new perspective, which I think will be very rewarding.”

We're excited to reveal more about the upcoming Coaches DLC as the development continues! For the latest updates, be sure to follow us on our social media channels on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok, or sign up for our newsletter. If you're looking forward to hitting the road in style, don’t forget to add the Coaches DLC to your Steam Wishlist!

South Dakota: Meet the Team

A couple of months ago, we announced that we had begun work on the South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator. Today, we're excited to shine a light on the talented individuals behind the project by introducing the team working on this upcoming map expansion!

Saimon

"I've been working at SCS Software for almost nine years, and for most of that time, I’ve been leading our DLC projects. This role included designing the overall layout of new expansions, choosing all the cities, truck stops, landmarks, as well as coordinating the work of our team, collaborating with other departments, and supporting the growth and motivation of my colleagues.

After years of working on multiple DLCs, the time has come to pass the torch to some of our talented and ambitious teammates. I’m now transitioning into a new position as an Art Lead, where I’ll focus more on broader aspects of map development, ensuring visual consistency, improving efficiency, and coming up with fresh ideas and unique content for the ATS world.

I'm truly excited about this new chapter and I believe it will help us deliver even more polished and immersive experiences for our players."

Vacky

"Something about me? I’ve been at SCS for over five years now. I’ve always loved playing games since I was a little boy and dreamed of designing them one day. Dreams do come true! Among my favorite titles are old school classics like Red Alert 2, Caesar III, Age of Empires 2, Heroes of Might and Magic, World of Warcraft (Classic), and many others. From newer games I enjoy Cities: Skylines, Stellaris, Elite Dangerous, Transport Fever and lately, I’ve been slowly getting into soul-like games. When I am not playing something on my computer, I am painting and playing Warhammer miniatures – specifically The Old World at the moment.

I was really looking forward to working on South Dakota since our research trip in the USA, and now I’m really happy to be working on Rapid City and its surroundings."

Tony

"I was lucky enough to visit South Dakota in person and experience its diverse landscape firsthand. I was especially drawn to the mountainous regions in the western part of the state; Black Hills left a truly strong impression on me. That’s why I’m excited to be in charge of bringing this area to life in our game. I’m working to capture not just the unique terrain, but also the atmosphere that made the place feel so special during my visit."

Draky

"My name is Draky, a nickname that reflects my passion for mythical creatures and animals. I'm a creatively inclined person who enjoys visual arts, painting, and design. I usually spend my free time playing video games, especially those focused on survival or puzzles. Some of my favorite physical activities include archery and acro yoga. I'm currently working on a visualization of the Sioux Falls waterfalls, which captivated me at first sight. I believe they’ll captivate you too. My next stop will be the Badlands, and I’m incredibly excited about it!"

Evgeny

"South Dakota is the fourth DLC I’ve worked on, and with each new project, I challenge myself to push the boundaries of what I can create in the map. I always try to bring something fresh to both my work and the player experience. My personal life strongly influences my approach.

I’m passionate about hiking, which helps me craft more immersive and natural landscapes in the game. My background in architecture gave me a deep appreciation for designing cities and settlements with structure and character. I also enjoy drawing, painting, and calligraphy, which helps me focus on the beauty of detail and how it all fits together within a bigger concept. On top of that, endurance sports like triathlon have taught me how to stay committed to long-term goals, manage my time, and maintain mental resilience. Each of us on the team brings something unique to the world of ATS, and I’m proud to contribute with my own perspective."

Morrys

"After the awesome Iowa project, which received great feedback, we’ve jumped right into South Dakota. It’s a state that offers a lot, and you know it! Here’s a little hint about one of the things I’m working on and really enjoying. It’s a location not far from the Nebraska border and the Missouri River.

Anyway, since the last article ("Iowa - Meet the Team"), I feel there’s been progress. I’d say my work has reached a new level, both technically and visually. At the same time, we’ve also become a bit more in sync as a team, which is great, and I’m looking forward to the projects we’ll tackle in the future.
Of course, work isn’t the only thing I do! I have a strong connection to sports thanks to my background as a professional judoka, and I try to stay active as much as I can. I also enjoy some quiet time with a good movie, whatever the genre (though sci-fi is my favorite).

Last but not least, I love gaming. Some of the very first games I played as a kid were DOOM 2 and the flight simulator MiG-29 Fulcrum. To wrap it up, I wish you lots of successful contracts and plenty of miles logged in ATS!"

Viki

"I’ve been working at SCS for almost 3 years, during which I’ve worked on several map DLCs. I started with a few smaller tasks in Oklahoma, then worked on Nebraska and Iowa from start to finish, and I’m currently working on South Dakota.

In my free time, I enjoy 3D modeling and printing, creating cosplays from movies and video games, playing D&D with friends, and of course, playing video games!

I hope you’ll enjoy driving through the streets of Brookings, Hot Springs, as well as part of the Black Hills including the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. I love creating authentic and detailed scenes that I hope you’ll all have fun exploring. The rest of the team and I are looking forward to giving you the best possible way to experience the beauty of South Dakota."

Fregar

"My real name is Petra. I'm from Prague and I've been working at the company for almost five years. In my free time, I enjoy drawing and painting, it helps me relax and express myself creatively. I'm also a fan of Warhammer, which combines strategy, storytelling, and miniatures I enjoy painting. Swimming is another passion of mine; it keeps me active and clears my mind. At home, I take care of three parrots: Sofi, Iggy, and Mona, the newest addition to the family. She's still settling in, but already showing a lot of personality."

Maky

"It will soon be three years since I started working at SCS as a map designer. My first contribution to the game was on Texas 2.0, followed by work on Nebraska, Iowa, and now South Dakota. Within my team, my speciality, responsibility, and personal passion is designing truck stops. Outside of work, I love going to concerts and festivals, music is one of my greatest joys. I also enjoy building LEGO sets and other model kits, playing board games and video games, and reading. Lately, I've even been thinking about getting a pet snake!"

Kaja (Citymanlive)

"It's time to set out on a new journey – this time to South Dakota! Staying true to tradition, I'm currently working on a town whose name is quite similar to the one I worked on in Iowa. Thanks, Saimon! While creating – or more accurately, while currently “mayoring” the town – I enjoy a good cup of coffee… though not as much as I enjoy the company of my colleagues. In fact, it's really them who give me the greatest inspiration and energy. Together, we make up one big, leveled-up team, and I truly believe there's a lot to look forward to!"

Eren

"This is my third Map DLC. In South Dakota, I'm responsible for two areas: Sioux Falls, the state's largest city located in the east (besides the local waterfalls, which are being worked on by Draky), and Spearfish, situated on the edge of the Black Hills. I chose the former mainly to further develop my technical skills related to building large cities, while I took on the latter for its picturesque, hilly landscape covered with coniferous forests.

Starting with this DLC, I'm also taking on the role of Road Designer, specifically an interchange designer. It's probably a good thing I’m starting here, since there are mostly basic interchanges in South Dakota and the complex ones will only come later in other states. It’ll be a kind of level progression, and honestly, I’m looking forward to it."

Theo

"In the upcoming South Dakota DLC, I have the honor of building the city of Yankton and the surrounding area. I’m really enjoying the open landscapes and river scenery, this part of map creation is my current favorite, probably because I just enjoy being outside in real life, whether hiking or going for a walk. (Though I also like a quiet evening with a good book or video game!) Since American Truck Simulator blends gaming with exploring the world and its beautiful nature, I feel lucky to be part of a project like this!"

Eevee

"Hi! I'm Ivana, aka Eevee. I've always been interested in art of all kinds, whether it's drawing or painting, video games, music or even just coding silly websites. One of my biggest inspirations is and always will be nature. I love hiking, foraging, collecting trinkets outside, and just the outdoors in general. All of my hobbies combined have made me try joining the ranks of map designers here at SCS, and luckily, here I am!

I've been here for a little over half a year by now. On the last project – Iowa, I've only worked on a small part of US-20, and mostly did work in later development stages there, since I came here just a few months before the Iowa DLC release. Now I'm working on an entire part of South Dakota, around the northern borders. I like the open scenery so far, and have been working on a small city as well. I can only hope the players will like it as much as I'm enjoying working on it!"

Miya

"I joined the team recently, and South Dakota is my very first project. My passion for art is what brought me to SCS! For years, I’ve dedicated myself to illustration and drawing, often inspired by my favorite games across fantasy and simulator genres. Joining SCS feels like the perfect combination of everything I love.

Right now, I’m working a bit on everything, which I really enjoy. It’s a great opportunity to explore and find what suits me best!"

We hope you enjoyed reading these messages from the team working on South Dakota, shared with you, our #BestCommunityEver! If you're excited to hit the road in the Mount Rushmore State, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist. We truly appreciate all your support and look forward to sharing more about this upcoming DLC for American Truck Simulator. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

Iceland: Guess Where We Are

Are you looking forward to the upcoming Iceland DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2? In today's blog, we'd like to put your knowledge to the test with a little geography quiz! Can you guess the real-world locations shown in these in-game screenshots from this work-in-progress map expansion?

Whether you're from the Land of Fire and Ice, have visited Iceland, or just know your geography well, we think you might recognize some of the real-world locations featured in these screenshots. Our map designers are working hard to bring this expansion to life with a big attention to detail. Recognize any of these places? Let us know in the comments below!

We hope we have gotten you a little more excited about Iceland with this sneak peek from this map expansion! Don't forget to support us by adding the Iceland DLC to your Steam wishlist.

Remember to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok a follow as you'll receive updates about our games straight to your feed, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed! Until next time, keep on trucking.