SCS On The Road: Star Nation Experience 2025

We're back with another unforgettable episode of SCS On The Road! Join Oscar and Beny as they take you back to Oregon for the Star Nation Experience 2025. Partnering once again with our friends at Western Star, the event brought together eight lucky contestants from across North America for a weekend packed with adrenaline, adventure, and—of course—trucks!

Among the group were two members of the American Truck Simulator community, Tyler and Alex. Tyler, a seasoned truck driver, brought his real-world experience to the challenge. Meanwhile, Alex, despite it being his first time ever behind the wheel of a real truck, was brimming with excitement to test drive the powerful Western Star 49X! You can find more information about the two ATS participants in our previous blog.

Kicking off the action-packed weekend was a team-based competition designed to test both skills and spirit. Tyler and Alex found themselves on opposing teams, turning friendly rivalry into pure entertainment.

One of the highlights of Saturday was a test track experience. But before participants got behind the wheel of a real truck, their first challenge was to complete a course on the SCS Motion Simulator running American Truck Simulator. Once completed, they moved on to driving real trucks on the test track, taking on a series of driving challenges that brought the in-game experience to life.

Another exciting moment came during a challenge at the High Desert Proving Grounds. Participants had to reverse trucks downhill, then stop precisely at a marked zone to score points. Next, they tackled another challenge at a quarry – guessing the weight of a gravel-loaded trailer and spreading it evenly between two cones.

The adventure didn’t slow down on Sunday. With the sun barely rising over Oregon, the group kicked things off with a fly fishing session. Then came ATV riding, where the drivers embraced the dust, speed, and freedom of the Deschutes wilderness.

We were once again blown away by the skill and dedication of our American Truck Simulator community. Watching Alex transition from virtual to real trucking with such confidence and enthusiasm was especially moving – a true example of how games can spark real-world aspirations. Tyler’s journey was just as inspiring, as American Truck Simulator played a big role in helping him choose his future path in trucking and earning his CDL.

We’re incredibly proud of Tyler, Alex, and all the participants who made this year’s Star Nation Experience unforgettable. Whether behind a wheel or in front of a monitor, the passion for trucking runs deep in the #BestCommunityEver.

A huge thank you goes out to Western Star for hosting and organizing this amazing event, and for continuing to believe in the powerful connection between simulation and reality. Until next time, keep on truckin’, and we’ll see you out there on the road!

Star Nation 2025 Update

We are returning to Bend, Oregon, from the 6th to 9th June to take part in Western Star's unforgettable Star Nation Experience 2025! Along with us, Western Star Trucks, and members of the Star Nation community, two lucky American Truck Simulator players had the chance to win this all-expenses-paid trip, so let's meet them.

Last year, we were honored to join Western Star Trucks for the 2024 Star Nation Experience - an adrenaline-filled adventure in Oregon's rugged wilderness. From off-road trucking and fly fishing to ATV thrills, it was an unforgettable celebration of the Western Star community. A standout moment was the behind-the-scenes tour and driver challenge at Daimler Truck's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras. You can watch our SCS On The Road episode from last year's event below. And this year promises just as much excitement.

Last week, Western Star announced the winners they selected - not just from their own community, but from ours as well, inviting two ATS players to join the experience. They're also bringing back two past SNE alumni, Casey LaDelle and Tatiana DeYoung, as coaches for this year's Get Tough Challenge. As mentioned earlier, we're excited to be part of this unique event, with Oscar and Beny representing us. They'll be meeting the incredible group of winners and the Western Star team while also capturing the entire weekend to create a special SCS On The Road episode. Now, let's meet the two participants from the #BestCommunityEver!

Tyler

Tyler works for a construction company that specializes in large-scale infrastructure projects - an industry where dependable, heavy-duty equipment is essential. Off the job site, he's an avid American Truck Simulator player, finding a unique connection between his real-world experience and his passion for virtual trucking. What stands out most to him is the level of authenticity and detail brought to Western Star trucks in the game.

"Western Stars feel like the last tough trucks out there. The new 49X is one tough truck that gives a comfortable experience," he says, having driven the truck in real life, he truly appreciates its power and comfort.

Alex

Alex is a dedicated fan of Western Star and American Truck Simulator, with a connection to the brand dating back to his childhood. 

"My parents met in Portland, and on a visit there as a kid, I saw my first Western Star tridem log truck, and it left an impression. It has become my favorite brand to play with, logging thousands of miles in both an SFA and an SBA 49X. I had a medical event 7 years ago that left me barely able to walk when I was at my worst in the hospital. I have fought back, working through years of PT and exercises to regain it, so the #NeverBackDown isn't just a slogan for me, it's a mantra for how to break through such a curveball."

We would like to thank Western Star Trucks for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this adventure again, along with the members of our community. Keep a close eye on Western Star's Facebook and Instagram, and our X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook so you don't miss out on any news from the Star Nation Experience 2025, which Oscar and Benny from our team will also attend. Oregon, here we come!

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: Daimler Trucks North America Plant Tour

You've driven the trucks; now see where they are made! Today, we're excited to release a new episode in our SCS On The Road series. Join us in Cleveland, North Carolina, USA, where we had the special opportunity to tour the Daimler Trucks North America Truck Manufacturing Plant. We're thrilled to share our experience with you, our #BestCommunityEver!

Join Nemiro, our PR & Marketing Manager and Timothy Hall from Daimler Trucks North America as they take you on an in-depth tour of the production line, where trucks are rolled out of the facility daily! From the chassis to attaching the cabin and making customisations based on the client's needs, you'll learn all about how these trucks come together in a short amount of time. It certainly is an incredible sight to see and learn about!

We would like to thank our partners at Daimler Trucks and Western Star Trucks for inviting us and allowing us to record behind the scenes at their production plant, we learnt so much! If you enjoy this episode, subscribe, hit the like button, and leave a comment, as it really helps support our future episodes and videos. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

SCS On The Road: Star Nation Experience 2024

Today we're excited to bring you a special SCS On The Road Episode. Earlier in the year we announced we'd be teaming up with our friends at Western Star Trucks for the Star Nation Experience 2024! Hosted at various locations across the US state of Oregon, our 2 lucky American Truck Simulator players, Brendon and Connor, were chosen to experience wild, adrenaline-fueled experiences filled with trucking, fly fishing, ATV fun and more! 

Join Nemiro and Mark as they take you along for the journey from Europe to the USA to participate in Star Nation Experience 2024 and share with you what they got up to during this one-of-a-kind adventure! The highlight for us was undoubtedly the opportunity to drive some of Western Stars' iconic trucks at Daimler Truck's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras and, of course, meet Starsquatch! 

But that's not all! Connor, one of our lucky Star Nation winners from our ATS community, amazed everyone with his exceptional real-life trucking skills, which have been entirely honed through playing American Truck Simulator. Though he had never driven a real truck before, Connor quickly impressed us all with his precision and control and even went on to win a reversing competition against experienced truck drivers including our resident expert, Mark!

Inspired by Connor’s talent and passion, YouTuber Casey LaDelle, owner of a heavy-haul rescue company in Oregon, came up with the idea of supporting Connor’s journey to earn his CDL license. From this idea, we at SCS Software, along with Western Star Trucks and Casey LaDelle, have agreed to come together to help Connor achieve his dream by collectively covering the expenses associated with obtaining his license. This story is a powerful testament to the overlap between virtual trucking and real-world skills, highlighting the potential for gamers to pursue a career in the trucking industry.

We wish Connor all the very best on his journey and we can't wait to see how he progresses. You can watch our recent live stream with Connor on our YouTube channel, check it out here! 

We'd like to thank Western Star for the opportunity to become an official partner of Star Nation 2024 and for organizing an incredible itinerary of activities and experiences. We hope you enjoy this after-movie that we put together for you, our #BestCommunityEver to enjoy and experience first from our POV what the Star Nation Experience is all about! 

Star Nation Experience 2024 Update

Earlier this year, we announced that we have teamed up with Western Star Trucks for the Star Nation Experience 2024 in this blog. Along with us, Western Star Trucks, and members of the Star Nation community, two lucky American Truck Simulator players had the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Bend, Oregon, and take part in this unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Unfortunately, the original date for the Star Nation Experience 2024 had to be cancelled due to the wildfires spreading in the area. As a result, Western Star, in cooperation with local authorities, firefighters, and sheriffs, made the decision to postpone the event to ensure everyone's safety. The new date has now been announced: the event will take place from September 27 to September 30! And today, we are excited to introduce the two participants from our ATS community, so let's meet them.

But first, we shall remind you of what this amazing event is all about. In the heart of Oregon's untamed wilderness, Western Star Trucks hosted the first Star Nation Experience last year for eight lucky winners of their raffle, marking the first of its kind in the trucking industry. 

It is a wild, adrenaline-fueled experience filled with trucking, fly fishing, ATV fun, and more adventures celebrating everything that makes Western Star and the Star Nation community special. The highlight of the event is undoubtedly the behind-the-scenes tour of Daimler Truck High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, where they took on the ultimate driver challenge last year, pushing Western Star X-Series trucks to their limits. And this year will be no different.

As we already mentioned above, for the Star Nation Experience 2024, Western Star has invited us to participate but also dedicated two slots of the team of eight lucky winners to members of our American Truck Simulator community. Our friends at Western Star received plenty of applications and a few weeks ago, they selected the winners. We are very excited to meet with all of them, especially with the two from our community - Connor and Brendan.

Brendan

Brendan's passion for trucking traces all the way back to his childhood. "I’ve been obsessed ever since I was a kid. I would always play with toy trucks and pull wagons around in my yard," he says. This early fascination grew into a full-blown obsession with trucks, leading him to discover the world of ATS and a career as a driver.

Since 2019, Brendan has been an avid player, drawn to the game's meticulous detail and immersive environments, which realistically replicated real trucking experiences. In ATS, Brendan's vehicle of choice is the Western Star 4900EX, inspired by his fond memories of riding in his father's truck as a child. Captivated by its iconic design and reliability, Brendan enthusiastically recreated his favorite truck in-game, using mods to enhance his virtual trucking adventures.

Outside of ATS, Brendan's dedication to trucking extends into his professional life, where he spends most of his time on the road, logging miles as a professional truck driver.

Connor

Connor’s passion for ATS began with the original Euro Truck Simulator when he was just 12 years old. "There was something about the open road and the sounds of the truck engine that always pulled me into playing more," Connor recalled.

In the virtual realm of ATS, Connor drives his favourite truck, the Western Star 57X, relishing its smooth rides and long-haul comfort. The truck's iconic logo holds a special place in Conor’s heart; it resonates with him - something he identifies with. Beyond gaming, Connor values ATS for its ability to offer a temporary escape from the humdrum of everyday life as well as the opportunity for him to immerse himself in the role of an owner-operator, participating in virtual convoys and engaging with a community of fellow trucking enthusiasts.

We would like to thank Western Star Truck for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this adventure along with the members of our American Truck Simulator community. Keep a close eye on Western Star's Facebook and Instagram, and our X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook so you don't miss out on any news from the Star Nation Experience 2024 which Nemiro and Mark from our team will also attend. Get ready to embark on this unforgettable adventure with us!

Star Nation Experience 2024

We have some exciting news for our #BestCommunityEver! We are teaming up with Western Star Trucks to bring you a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Last year Western Star started a new tradition by hosting the unique Star Nation Experience event in Bend, Oregon, for their community. Now, for the 2024 season, we have been invited to participate! Alongside us and Western Star Trucks, two lucky American Truck Simulator players will have the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Oregon from 8th to 11th August and take part in the unforgettable Star Nation Experience 2024!

To give you an idea of what the participants can expect, let's take a look back at last year's event. In the heart of Oregon's untamed wilderness, Western Star Trucks made history with an epic 4-day event in 2023, marking the first of its kind in the trucking industry. It was a wild, adrenaline-fueled adventure celebrating everything that makes Western Star and the Star Nation community special. Eight winners of the raffle got access to the Daimler Truck North America facilities and leadership, along with an exclusive preview of the latest X-Series lineup. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the behind-the-scenes tour of Daimler's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, where they took on the ultimate driver challenge, pushing Western Star X-Series trucks to their limits.

And that's just the beginning, participants also indulged in a variety of outdoor adventures, from trout fly-fishing, and brand photoshoots to ATV rides, and even had the chance to meet with the legendary STARSQUATCH. It was a wild ride from start to finish, showcasing the true spirit of trucking enthusiasts coming together for an unforgettable experience.

Despite being strangers at the beginning only connected by their love for Western Star Trucks, this group immediately came together as friends and became like a family by the end of the trip. Want to see more? Dive into all the action-packed details here.

Following the success of the Star Nation Experience event in 2023, Western Star has approached us with a desire to recreate the magic in 2024 with two members from the #BestCommunityEver involved as well!

Perhaps you recall our special live stream last year, where we had the honor of hosting Anthony Pires, former Brand Manager of Western Star. During that stream, we hinted at the possibility of such a collaboration, and since then, developments have been quietly underway behind the scenes. Now, we're thrilled to announce that this project is indeed becoming a reality, and we are partnering with Western Star once again for the Star Nation Experience 2024. The event will retain the essence of its predecessor but our community will have the opportunity to participate alongside us! Want to see more? Watch the teaser for this year's event here.

Do you want to put the Western Star X-Series to the test at the Madras Proving Grounds, meet the masterminds behind the product, and spend the weekend landing monster trout and trailblazing the Oregon terrain on ATVs? Then test your luck and enter the raffle to be one of those two lucky winners of the all-expenses-paid trip and join us at the Star Nation Experience 2024 from 8th to 11th August in Bend, Oregon. You can apply here!

Before applying, 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 this year. 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 Drivers 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!

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 unforgettable moments and memories throughout the Star Nation Experience 2024!

Don't miss out on any updates regarding this exciting collaboration between us and Western Star by signing up for the Star Nation Experience 2024 newsletter at the end of this page. Also keep a close eye on Western Star's Facebook and Instagram, and our X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Get ready to embark on this unforgettable adventure with us!

SCS On The Road: Western Star 57X Walk-Around

We're back in the USA for our newest SCS On The Road episode! This time, we're in Cleveland, North Carolina to check out the Western Star 57X at the Daimler Truck North America Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant! 

During our visit, we met up with Anthony Pires, who took us on a detailed walk-around of the 57X, which you can also find in American Truck Simulator! This truck brings the best of both worlds of Western Star, with it's X-Series DNA crossed with Daimler's platform tested over millions of miles, bringing you the most advanced on-highway Western Star, ever! 

We hope you enjoy this fun, but educational video with Anthony, who at the time of recording was Western Star's Brand Manager; he has since moved on to a new role. We'd like to express our gratitude for all his hard work and we wish him all the very best in his new position.

We hope you've enjoyed our latest SCS On The Road episode! Let us know which part you enjoyed the most in the comments below. Stay tuned for the next episode! Until then, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Western Star® 49X Power Hood Update

We are happy to officially announce that the Power Hood option is now available for the Western Star® 49X in American Truck Simulator. This addition will take your truck's appearance to the next level, offering a blend of old-school charm and undeniable might, bringing a touch of nostalgia and dominance to your virtual driving experience.

The Power Hood option breathes new life into the Western Star® 49X. With its imposing front grille, muscular lines, and distinctive contours, this enhancement commands attention on the virtual highways, evoking strength and merging classic charm with modern power. And in combination with a new Texas bumper, and the recently added cabin suspension simulation, the trucking experience feels fresh and mighty.

So, set off for the nearest service center and embrace this new customization option to transform your Western Star® 49X into a mighty symbol of the power that trucking is undeniably capable of. The in-game territories await your arrival. Safe travels, and we’ll see you on the road!

We at SCS along with Western Star® themselves are eager to see your personally customized trucks over social media, so make sure to tag us (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and Western Star® (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) with the hashtag #49XPowerHood when sharing your videos or screenshots with the rest of the world. We’ll make sure to highlight the best ones. And some of them will surely be rightfully rewarded by Western Star® swag or scaled models!

Western Star® 5700XE is now Available for American Truck Simulator

American Truck Simulator is no stranger to the Western Star® brand. With 2 of their newest trucks, the 49X and 57X, already available in-game, today we are excited to announce the arrival of a legend. Introducing the Western Star® 5700XE, which is now available at your Western Star® Trucks dealership in American Truck Simulator! 

Combining tough performance, modern technology and the traditional look of a classic truck, Western Star® didn’t overlook a single detail when creating this truck; with advanced engineering to improve efficiency and aerodynamics. XE – which stands for extreme efficiency – summarizes exactly what this truck is all about.

Ever since we saw this truck at the Mid-America Trucking show in 2016, we knew we had to have it in the game! We are very thankful to the team at Western Star® in helping us bring this legend to the virtual roads of ATS, especially when it meant digging through some archives to find the information we needed for its development. 

The Western Star® 5700XE arrives with a select choice of configurations and customizations. This includes a day cab, the 54" High Roof Stratosphere and the 82" Ultra High Roof Stratosphere. Chassis available are short, medium and long versions in 6x2 and 6x4. Engines included are exclusively Detroit Diesel, which offers the options of DD13, DD15 and DD16 up to 600HP. Transmission options include the Detroit DT12 automated manual as well as Eatons.

There are lots of customizations available for this truck too, including plenty of Chrome parts, aero fairings, interior trim options and so much more! You may even find a big screen-inspired paint job included. Be sure to check them all out. We look forward to seeing how you customize your 5700XE for the road. 

Ready to ride? Share your first journey with us and Western Star Trucks on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram with the hashtag #ATS5700XE to be in with a chance to WIN some cool merch provided by Western Star. Winners will be picked by members of our team based upon their favourite shots. Screenshots that have been edited and/or contain third party modifications are allowed too, so get creative! 

A massive thank you to our friends over at Western Star® for allowing us to once again work with them so closely to bring this truck to American Truck Simulator. We are sure that there is more to come from our cooperation with Daimler Truck North America in the future. Until then, keep on trucking! 

Western Star® is a trademark of Daimler Trucks North America LLC and is used under the license of SCS Software s.r.o.

Western Star® 57X Coming to American Truck Simulator

Today, we are excited to reveal a secret project that we've been working on very closely with Western Star® Trucks. Shortly after its real-world premiere, we are very excited to announce the arrival of the Western Star 57X, which is now available at your nearest Western Star® Trucks dealership in American Truck Simulator!

The Western Star® 57X combines the best of two worlds – taking the X-Series DNA with bold design & rugged durability, combining it with the best of Daimler Truck North America’s on-highway platform, tested over millions of miles, bringing you the most advanced and innovative Western Star highway truck. Ever! 

The Western Star® 57X arrives with a select choice of configurations and customizations. This includes a day cab and a 72" sleeper cab, 3 short chassis options and 2 longer chassis options, 5 interior trim designs, exclusively Detroit® powertrain options, and so many more customizations and accessories to make your flagship truck stand out! 

Be sure to also check out the unique Phoenix Rising paint job for this truck (and your trailer), which many of you may already be familiar from the pre-launch teasers. 

A massive thank you to our friends over at Western Star® for allowing us to once again work with them so closely to bring this truck to American Truck Simulator shortly after its real-life premiere! We are sure that there is more to come from our cooperation with Daimler Truck North America. Be sure to share your first virtual journey with the 57X with us (@SCSSoftware) and Western Star (@WstrnStarTrucks) on our Twitter with the hashtag #BreakNewGround 

Western Star® is a trademark of Daimler Trucks North America LLC and is used under license to SCS Software s.r.o.