California Rework - US-50 Connecting Sacramento & Carson City

Today, we're excited to announce that the US-50 connecting Sacramento & Carson City will be included in Phase 3 of our California Rework! This major east-west highway will be one of the new routes that you will be able to travel on. Let's take a closer look at the work that has been undertaken, shall we? 

Many of you might be familiar with this historical and major highway. Stretching coast to coast and cutting across the midsection of America's Lower 48, the US-50 has rightly earned its legendary status. Naturally, our team couldn't go without adding this famous highway into this phase of the rework. 

Since a majority of our rework consists of deleting old areas and rebuilding road networks, cities and more from scratch, we've been able to create and include extra details and routes we were not previously able to due to limitations. As with all our rework phases so far, we've also brought up the quality of the areas to match those of newly released DLC addons. 

The US-50 in California will run through a variety of different locations such as the Placerville and Tahoe Valley settlements. Drivers can also expect these parts of the Highway to be very scenic too, with sections running through mountains and hills. 

Along this route, truckers will also be subject to checks from one of the state's Agriculture Checkpoints. These special stations are the first line of defence in pest exclusion efforts. All drivers hauling goods into the state will have to undergo special checks from the control station where vehicles are inspected for commodities that may be infested with invasive species, and for the correct documentation for their cargo.

Phase 3 of the California Rework is an ongoing project that will come as a free update to all owners of American Truck Simulator. We look forward to sharing more news on our work in the future as we continue to progress with this significant overhaul of California. Looking forward to driving on the US-50? Let us know in the comments below! Until then, keep on truckin'.

Kansas - Research Trip

Today, we are happy to share with you another report from one of our Research Trips! This blog focuses on the journey Kansas Map Lead, Patrik Sadlon, Map Designers Pavel J, Ilona C, Elena H and 2D Artist Annie V, took to the U.S earlier this year. The purpose of their travel was to gather references and information for the upcoming Kansas DLC, as well as to inspire them in preparation for future projects.

However, please keep in mind that the information and media presented here do not confirm what our upcoming DLC will include.

Travelling 10,500kms in 17 days, the team visited 20 different states across the US. Each member of the team had their own goal set for the trip. "The goal of map designers was to experience driving on US roads, which are (of course) completely different compared to our roads in Europe" Patrik tells us. "Annie's goal was to see and grab the feel of typical American info-graphics, billboards, brand logos etc.". As you can imagine, these trips proved to be a valuable experience for our teams in bringing a realistic look and feel to our ATS projects. 

"For me, the best part about visiting America was getting to drive there." Elena explains to us, "Seeing what our players would see from the point of view of a driver really changed my perspective on what to add to our map and what not to. I noticed things while driving the same route we have in the game that I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. The feel of the road is also very different from our roads in Europe. Everything is smoother and larger." 

"Another thing I really liked was the small towns we saw across the states. Each had its own atmosphere, and some of them were truly magical to visit. It was great to see the nature, the roads and their curves, the vastness of the states, and the cities. It's a very different vibe compared to Europe, and I think seeing all this with our own eyes can help us create a better game for our players."

The team spent quite a few days in Kansas, exploring various cities along Interstate 70, such as Colby, Hays, Topeka and of course, Kansas City. They also visited the likes of Wichita, Hutchinson and Emporia to ensure we captured the "genius loci" of the area. 

"The great thing about our trip to Kansas was that as map designers, we were able to be in the places that we would be creating in our game." Pavel J tells us "I am responsible for Topeka, the capital of Kansas in our upcoming DLC. What was great about the trip was that I got to see Topeka with my own eyes and then I got to build it virtually! It gave me a whole different approach and made me realize what was really important and what the players would like. However, I'm sorry that we have limits and I couldn't make the city as big as the community would have liked. The thing I enjoyed most about the state was Kansas City, which I had the privilege of visiting. Now I just hope to visit the US again. Even though Kansas may be boring to some, it still has its charm". 

"It was great to have the opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity that can be found in this part of the United States." Ilona shares  "Known as the 'Sunflower State', Kansas surprised me with its varied landscapes, winding roads and the many farms that dominate the area. Although we saw only a few sunflower fields, it was clear that this flower plays a significant role in the landscape. The western side of the state is dominated by wide fields of corn and wheat, creating a fascinating view of the endless plains that Kansas has to offer."

"We also passed many family farms as well as large commercial farms where corn, maize and other crops are grown. These farms are an important element of the local economy and culture, and their presence gives Kansas its unique character."

With so much to see in a short amount of time, the team made sure to take plenty of reference shots and videos for the team back at the offices. "We took a lot of video and sound equipment with us" Patrik tells us. "We used a 360 degree camera, mounted on the roof of the car, which allowed us to record our own "streetview" that our colleagues can watch in VR. This allows them see the "size" of the area by just letting them sit with us in the office, watching the material that we recorded".

However, Kansas wasn't the only destination for the team! "We had opportunity to see many states in just 15 days, so we have now great comparison of each one, knowing what's typical for which location." Patrik explains "With focus on Kansas and .. one state that will be announced soon (stay tuned!) - we discovered that the mood of great plains is interesting in its own way. We took many notes along the way and now we are ready to implement them into the game. Noises of crickets that we heard and recorded in Kansas are ready to be released with the DLC. Some other bits needs to wait a little bit more to be implemented - but we are working hard to bring the feel to as close as possible to what we experienced in US." 

This huge journey took this particular team from Denver, Colorado and onwards through the states of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas where they spent a few days exploring the agricultural character of the state. From Kansas they headed to Chicago, but with "little" side jobs in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missisippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Phew, what a trip! We look forward to sharing how these research trips translate to our virtual recreation of the states in the future. Until then, we hope you enjoyed this little behind the scenes report of our trip out to the states! Be sure to add Kansas to your Steam wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin' 

SCS On The Road - From ETS2 Player to Kögel Trailer Career

In this episode of SCS on the Road, our journey took us to Burtenbach, Germany, where we met Kevin - a living testament to the seamless blend of virtual passion and professional reality. Kevin, an avid Euro Truck Simulator 2 player, now serves as an IT professional at Kögel Trailer, and his story unfolds the unexpected turns life can take.

Our primary aim during this visit was to capture the essence of Kögel Trailer so we could accurately transfer them to the world of Euro Truck Simulator 2. Kevin showed us around and walked us through his remarkable transformation from enthusiast to professional. His transition from exploring digital realms to enhancing real-world IT solutions for trailers is a prime illustration of life's unpredictable course within the gaming industry.

We hope you've enjoyed this episode of SCS on the Road! Let us know how you liked it in the comments below. Stay tuned for the next episode! Until then, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Pinktober 2023 Update

As we bid farewell to the month of October, it's time to conclude the #Pinktober2023 campaign for this year. Let's take a look at its impact and success.

Over the entire month, we were dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. Whether through our live streams on Twitch or the reminders on our social media, we aimed to keep our community informed. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year's campaign, whether by tuning in to our broadcasts or sharing kind messages on social media using the special paint jobs from the DLCs. These seemingly small steps play a crucial role in the ongoing battle against this dangerous disease.

Thanks to the incredible support from the #BestCommunityEver, the total amount raised from the sales of the Pink Ribbon paint job packs is a staggering 55,000 USD! This sum is truly remarkable, and we extend our gratitude to each and every one of you. We believe that contributing the entire amount to the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer will make a significant difference to those in need.

However, let's not forget that supporting such causes can be a year-round commitment. While donations are crucial, there are various ways to join the fight. Spreading awareness and reminding your loved ones about the importance of regular health checks matter the most. Our health should always be a top priority, and these are messages we should all keep in mind.

A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering effort and support!

Euro Truck Simulator 2 - 1.49 Open Beta

Today, we are happy to share with you that the 1.49 Open Beta branch for Euro Truck Simulator 2 is now available to try and test out. If you plan on participating in this Open Beta, we ask that you please help us by reporting any bugs you may encounter in the appropriate section(s) of our official forums.

Your feedback and reports are extremely valuable to our team and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. So, without further ado, let's take a look at what the 1.49 Open Beta has in store.

HDR Skyboxes, Moon and New Weather Effects

First and foremost, after many requests, we've added the Moon (back) to our night sky! It's a subtle but remarkable touch that adds an extra layer of realism and wonder to your virtual trucking adventures. Curiously, it's worth mentioning that what might appear as a simple addition – the Moon – has posed some significant challenges for some time. Integrating the Moon into the night sky has required casting, rendering, and calculating lunar light, managing reflections in water bodies, dealing with wet roads, and addressing mirror effects, among other things.

In addition to that, we've also reimagined the night sky, introducing dynamic stars that gently twinkle, enhancing the overall authenticity of the night-time experience. 

We are also happy to share that skyboxes will now be High Dynamic Range (HDR), which means that there will be richer, more vibrant colors in the skies and our weather visual effects have also received an upgrade. Thunderstorms now include visible lightning, offering a more immersive experience. And make sure to keep an eye on the night sky in certain regions, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you will notice.

To sum it all up, we’ve also prepared a special video for you showcasing all of these changes. It’s definitely worth checking it out along with the dedicated blog post we published previously!

Used Truck Dealers

We're also happy to introduce another highly requested feature. Used Trucks will be now available immediately in the main menu taking you to a selection of trucks that are more budget-friendly compared to brand new vehicles. However, these used trucks come with some mileage and wear, which is indicated by their star rating and a separate window that provides a detailed breakdown of the damage to various parts.

One of the most significant changes coming along with this feature is the enhanced damage and repair system. In the past, our approach was very simplistic - individual parts would accumulate damage, represented as a percentage, and you could repair them, resetting the percentage to zero. However, with the 1.49 update, parts will accumulate three types of damage

• Damage: This type of damage can be fixed by standard repairs, just as before.
• Parts Wear: When components accumulate significant wear and tear, you'll want to replace them.
• Permanent Wear: The permanent wear represents systemic aging and wear across the whole vehicle. It can only be nullified by Total Restoration of the entire vehicle. This is a more expensive procedure, but it's the only way to bring your truck and trailer back to pristine condition.

With the improved damage system comes enhanced control over vehicle maintenance. You can now make informed choices about which parts to repair or replace based on your judgment. Alternatively, you have the option to seek professional advice for the best repair strategy for your truck or trailer.

We'd love to hear your feedback about this new addition on our official forums. Happy (used) trucking! 

Keybind Modifiers 

Another highly requested feature coming with 1.49 is the introduction of Keybind Modifiers! When previously creating a new bind in the menu, you could only assign a single key for an action. With the 1.49 update, you will now have the option to use a combination of the key and modifiers to bind an action. For example, you can now assign Shift + L to turn your lights if you so wish! 

This opens up a whole new world of key bind combinations for you to use, allowing for more binding options, but that's not all! You will also now have the options to bind short press and long press key. Holding the key down will be recognised as a long press, and pressing a button as normal will be seen as a short press. 

Keyboards aren't the only peripheral taking advantage of this change. Controllers will also be able use this new feature! We look forward to hearing your feedback on this new change!

Changelog 

Visual

• HDR Skyboxes, Moon and New Weather Effects

Other

• Used Truck Dealers
• Keybind Modifiers

So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It's only an open beta, not a stable public version - so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to get there faster, we'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in this section.

Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.

If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2  → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.49. No password is required. Sometimes you have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

Introducing Greece

We bet a few of you have been wondering over the past couple of days about the next move in our Euro Truck Simulator 2 adventure. Well, the suspense is over because today, we're thrilled to declare the official kickoff of our upcoming DLC endeavour. Brace yourselves, as this time, the routes will guide you through the captivating landscapes of Greece!

Get ready for the breathtaking beauty of Greece, as the DLC not only unveils the captivating landscapes of inland Greece but also invites truckers to explore the charm of some islands, with approximately 14 cities waiting to be discovered. Imagine cruising through picturesque villages, winding roads, and iconic landmarks that mirror the rich tapestry of Greek culture. The allure doesn't end there - Greece introduces a fresh dimension to your trucking adventures with the addition of hotel complexes and vibrant cotton farms as new depots. As a trucker, get ready to be captivated by the allure of Greece, a destination that transcends the ordinary and promises an unforgettable journey through the sun-kissed coastline and cultural wonders of this Mediterranean gem.

Unlike the conventional timeline, where pre-production typically takes almost a year prior to actual production, Greece is shaking things up by embracing a faster pre-production phase. This fills the development process with a boost of speed and excitement.

Get ready for a bunch of exciting new stuff that this country has in store. Be it in terms of industry, nature, landmarks, road networks, or loads of other intriguing content!

If you're pumped up about this fresh addition to the Euro Truck Simulator 2, swing by the Steam page and add it to your Steam Wishlist. It would mean the world to us, and we'd be incredibly grateful! Also, stay tuned for any updates on this upcoming DLC, whether it's here on the blog, on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, or by subscribing to our newsletter. We've got a bunch of exciting topics in the works, and we're eager to share them with you as soon as possible. Until then, catch you on the road!