California Rework - Meet the Team

The California Rework project is a challenging task that we have been working on for quite a while, and despite the hard work and dedication that is required, we haven’t had the opportunity to mention the unsung heroes that are part of the dedicated team.

We hope you will enjoy this small presentation of the SCS map designers that are currently working on Phase 3 of California Rework and their short messages to you, the #BestCommunityEver.

Janek (current leader of the project)

I took over the California Rework from Mrazík, and it's my very first project as the Map DLC Lead, but certainly not the first project I've worked on. You can see my work in the DLCs for Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and also in the upcoming DLC for Oklahoma.

My main goal in the California Rework project is to capture the atmosphere of all areas in California as best as possible and to ensure the best comfort for the team so that we can deliver California to you just as you have always wanted.

Tereza

I work at SCS as a Junior Map Designer, and as well as working on California Rework I have also been involved in the creation of the Oklahoma DLC. In Phase 3 of California, I particularly enjoy the vast plains, almond fields, and farms. Players can look forward to a new and polished California coat, which I personally find to be the most exciting.

Tomáš

I worked on the second phase of the California Rework, where I created US-80 with Donner Pass and Truckee. I also helped to finish some other locations and contributed to bug fixing. Currently, I'm working on Stockton and US-50, which have a similar mountainous scenery to Donner Pass.

Juraj

When I joined SCS two and a half years ago, we started working on the second phase of the California rework. In the meantime, I also helped with other map DLCs. Working on the third phase of the rework is the most interesting for me so far because I got the opportunity to focus on cities and industrial areas, which I enjoy the most. I am convinced that players will also love this new part of the map as they can look forward to seeing many new landmark structures and areas.

Margo

The California Rework is the first project I am a part of as a Junior Map Designer. What I enjoy the most about the Rework is the great creative freedom I have in influencing, uplifting, and transforming each location, resulting in more interesting places to discover!

Martin

My first task at SCS was designing a simple country road for the Utah DLC almost 4 years ago. I've come a long way since then, working on several DLCs in between, and taking on challenging tasks like El Paso, Texas. California has a distinct summery vibe in our game compared to other states. You can feel the presence of the Pacific Ocean nearby, and our original map captured that well. The rework receives the same quality treatment as a brand new DLC, with a much-improved and denser road network, many new landmarks, and the newly included city of Modesto, of which I happen to be the author.

Johny

I have been involved in the rework from the very beginning, I believe we started with three people. During my time at SCS, I have also worked on creating a few roads for Montana and Texas. Currently, I enjoy working on smaller historical settlements with an organic structures. I find the American contrast between regular concrete jungles and organic development, such as in Santa Cruz, fascinating. Players can expect a lot of detailed content and beautifully designed cities and landscapes. 

Bartłomiej

I'm simply trying to do everything I can to make my region look as good as possible. That includes taking advantage of the skills and knowledge I gained before joining SCS Software while working on my own map project for American Truck Simulator. I think many players will appreciate the new feel of California.

Roman

Since joining SCS, working on the third phase of the California Rework is my first experience with map design on this scale. I am grateful for my experienced colleagues who guide me on this journey of improvement and discovery. It's been very exciting to witness the growth of the new and improved California, and I think there is a lot to be excited about.

Františka

I have been working as a map designer on California for two years now and have also been involved in the previous phase. Currently, I enjoy working on various diverse coastal roads. Players can definitely look forward to plenty of new stunning ocean views.

Pavel

I have been with SCS for almost a year, and the California rework is the first project I have worked on. I hope the players will enjoy exploring the revamped familiar locations of this iconic state.

Honorable mention - Mrazík (previous team lead)

The ongoing effort to rebuild California to meet modern quality standards has entered its third phase, with a clear objective in mind: to introduce an impressive upgrade to the content that every player of ATS can navigate, and enjoy. So far, I firmly believe that the team has successfully captured the very essence of Californian trucking, architecture, and culture, and I eagerly anticipate the release of the final product in the game. 

While I am no longer part of the mapping team, having witnessed Janek's potential, I gladly entrusted him with the role of the new Map DLC Lead as he shares similar values and possesses the ability to motivate and inspire the team in ways better than I ever could, along with brimming with the energy required to bring to a great finish what the team and I have started.

We really hope you’ve enjoyed this slight detour from our usual map-related blog posts. The team is doing their best to provide you with an amazing experience and we can’t wait to show you some more of what they’ve been working on in the future. Until then, keep your eyes on the blog or follow us on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) for any new updates.

Oklahoma - Turnpike Tolls

Roads that charge tolls have historically been found in Oklahoma since 1916, which is the earliest known toll road recorded in the state. Today, turnpike tolls are an important source of highway funding in many states in the US, benefiting the local economy, road maintenance and cleanliness. 

In our upcoming Oklahoma DLC for American Truck Simulator, we are sure you will end up passing through at least one of several turnpikes on your journey. Each one a little unique in their own way, with their own name and design. These toll gates are smartly designed and situated in the "middle" of each turnpike road, in a way that the driver can't leave the road without passing by it. 

Similar to the payment system in California, there is a one-time fee for the whole section of road you travel on. You may already be familiar with this in American Truck Simulator around California. 

Today, a majority of these tolls use a more modern cashless tolling system, which uses cameras that read license plates and e-tag devices in vehicles. However, our map team still wanted to bring a mix of the old and new together, as Oklahoma is currently in the process of converting to cashless. This means you'll still visually see some of the older cash booths and other designs in place, but with the benefit of using the cashless system and not needing to bring your vehicle to a complete stop. 

So whether you love them or hate them, Turnpike tolls are just one of many pieces of highway and interstate infrastructure you'll find across Oklahoma and beyond. We look forward to showcasing more of what this DLC will feature in the near future. Until then, keep on Truckin'! 

In-game Dynamic Billboards

Some of you may have noticed the appearance of actual, real recruitment campaign assets in American Truck Simulator from Schneider National, one of the largest logistics companies in the United States, displayed on in-game billboards. Even though we’ve previously used the in-game billboards to showcase a variety of exciting updates such as the arrival of new Kenworth trucks and promotions for our WoTr event, this new addition is now in the try-out phase and we believe it holds promise in offering something valuable to our games as well as the automotive industry.

Our primary intention goes beyond mere advertisements. We aim to provide opportunities that bring attention to interesting details organically within our game world - things of value and deeper meaning. The introduction of Schneider National's recruitment campaign further builds upon this vision.

That is why when Schneider National approached us with their desire for us to help them with their recruitment campaign, we were excited to collaborate since it presents something new and also allows us to assist the need of the trucking industry in general considering the current shortage of skilled professionals. As one of the leading logistics companies in the US, Schneider National's reputation and legitimacy are unquestionable. We saw this partnership as a chance to embark on a new journey and conduct experiments that could potentially have a positive impact and we are grateful to Schneider National for this opportunity.

We respect your gaming experience and want to ensure that it remains enjoyable and immersive. We believe that featuring industry-related content within the game can be both relevant and beneficial. Besides, with countless players passing by our in-game billboards, who knows? Someone might stumble upon a recruiting sign, prompting them or their friend to consider a job application at Schneider National or perhaps contemplate a career in the trucking industry.

For now, we have chosen ATS as the testing ground for these dynamic billboards. By starting with English-only content, we can focus on refining the experiment without the complexities of localization. 

The positive feedback we have received from those who have noticed this change has inspired us to continue exploring opportunities and provide meaningful visual assets that go beyond traditional advertising. Together, we can create a more immersive and purposeful in-game world, and we’re immensely excited to see where this partnership will take us in the future.

Germany Rework: Winsen + Feldbinder Factory

As you may know, a part of our map team have been busy reworking Germany, to bring it up to our current map standards. Today, we are happy to share with you an exciting project which we have worked closely with our friends at Feldbinder on. Let's take a closer look shall we?

Welcome to Winsen, a charming town located southeast of Hamburg, and home to the renowned Feldbinder factory; which we are happy to announce, will be available for owners of the Feldbinder DLC in the upcoming 1.48 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Our map team have worked together with the team at Feldbinder to recreate this facility in-game with as accurately as possible.

Its real life counterpart, covers a massive 90000 m² area of industrial real estate, including a crane-accessible hall space, which hosts operations associated with the processing of aluminium for special silo trucks of any volume. Along with the vehicle production process, this facility is also home to all of the central functions associated with sales and administration of Feldbinder, as well as the central department associated with the global sales of spare parts.

Drivers in Euro Truck Simulator 2 will be able to deliver to and from 2 new depots within the factory area, one for dropping off much needed cargo, parts and more, and another area for picking up brand new trailers fresh off the factory line to deliver to businesses and customers around Europe. 

A small part of the surrounding suburb of Winsen has also been recreated by our map team. Whilst this area is more a scenic pass through, we are sure you'll still find it pleasant to drive through. 

We'd like to thank the wonderful team at Feldbinder for all their help on this project. Without them, it wouldn't of been possible! We can't wait for you to explore it all for yourselves. We'll be sure to let you know once its ready. Until then, keep on truckin'! 

Switzerland Rework - Alpine Roads

We really appreciate the positive feedback you provided us with after the last blog post dedicated to the Switzerland Rework project. We figured we could hype you up even more by showing you even more images from the local Alps and preparing the bravest among you for a challenging trip through the alpine roads.

Despite being surrounded by wonderful nature the alpine roads of Switzerland are not for the faint-hearted. Prepare yourself for a true adventure as you navigate the winding paths at dangerous heights. We don’t mean to scare you but you'll need nerves of steel and unparalleled skill to conquer these challenging routes. The hairpin turns, narrow passages, and potentially bad weather conditions will put your driving prowess to the test.

Well, will you be up to the challenge? If so, let us know in the comments here or on social media. While you’ll be at it, make sure to also follow our social media profiles (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to stay in touch with all the latest news regarding Euro Truck Simulator 2 and future projects.

Time to Level Up Your Heavy Haul

Exciting times are ahead for all of us here at SCS, as we're forging onward with a thrilling new endeavor in partnership with our friends at Western Star®. We don't want to spill the beans just yet, but we've got a little sneak peek ready for you. The image below is just a glimpse into what we've been quietly cooking up. All we can say for now is - you might want to brace yourselves for an elevated heavy hauling experience that'll take your trucking adventures to uncharted territories.

We plan to reveal more soon. Buckle up, and get ready!