Активность

Today, we would like to invite our #BestCommunityEver to take another journey with us in this episode of SCS On The Road. This time, we head to Greensboro in North Carolina, USA, to take a close-up look at the stunning Volvo VNL 860! A few months back, we had the pleasure of visiting the headquarters of Volvo Trucks North America, nestled in the scenic surroundings of North Carolina. During our visit, we had the fantastic opportunity to record an exclusive walk-around of the beautiful Volvo VNL 860. Guiding us through the details of this remarkable truck was none other than Jason Spence, the Product Strategy Director, who has been working with Volvo for an impressive 25 years. We want to thank Jason and the entire Volvo team for granting us this invaluable experience. And now, without further ado, join us as Nemiro and Jason will tell you everything about this amazing truck in today's episode below! We hope you have enjoyed this episode of SCS On The Road. If you did, you can also check out another episode we did with Volvo Trucks North America a few months back about how they are designing their trucks here. Don't forget to stay connected with us and all the latest information through our social media channels, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and TikTok. Happy trucking! Просмотр полной статьи

Buckle up, it's time to hit the road! Today, we're excited to share with you the very first gameplay preview from our upcoming Nebraska DLC for American Truck Simulator. Join us as we drive from the city of Valentine, Nebraska to an Agriculture Facility just below North Platte. Please keep in mind that what you see here is still a work in progress and does not represent the final product. From cities to scenic byways, Nebraska has plenty left yet to be discovered. If you like what you see, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! We thank you for your continued support and look forward to reading your comments and first impressions on the Cornhusker State in American Truck Simulator. Просмотр полной статьи

Known for its scenic beauty, clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, it's easy to see why Arkansas has earned the title of the "Natural State". In our upcoming Arkansas DLC for American Truck Simulator, our team has been hard at work re-creating the various trees, vegetation and more you'll come across on your travels. Let's take a closer look, shall we? Did you know Arkansas has its own State tree? Designated in 1939, the Loblolly Pine can be found across a majority of the state, and continues to remain the most significant timber species. These trees can reach heights of up to 100ft, with its pines growing between 6 to 9 inches long, which is makes it the ideal species for lumber and pulpwood, in which Arkansas is the leading producer in the United States. When you see a pine in Arkansas, it’s probably a loblolly! You'll be sure to spot plenty of them on your travels. Another tree you'll be sure to see is the Bald Cypress. Commonly found in swampy or wetland areas, they are well-suited to the diverse wetland ecosystems found throughout the state. Often found across the South-eastern United States, particularly in areas like the Mississippi River; Bald Cypress trees contribute to the scenic beauty of Arkansas with its unique shape and and iconic "knees" – woody projections that emerge from the roots. However, not every plant or tree you'll find in Arkansas is native to its homeland. The Kudzu Vine is a fast-growing, invasive vine native to Asia which has found its way into the States in 1876, where it was touted as a great ornamental plant for its sweet-smelling blooms and sturdy vines. However, they forgot to mention the rapid growth rate of the vine, which is capable of growing up to a foot (30 cm) per day under ideal conditions. It climbs by twining around trees, poles, and other structures, often forming dense mats that can shade out native vegetation. In Arkansas it is commonly found along roadsides, in forest edges, and in undisturbed areas such as abandoned fields and vacant lots. Another such example is the Silk Tree, an ornamental tree species native to Asia, particularly Iran, Korea, and Japan. Its elegant fern-like foliage, vibrant flowers, and overall graceful appearance make it a popular choice for landscaping and ornamental purposes. While the Silk Tree undoubtedly adds aesthetic value, its ability to spread its seed rapidly, means it often outcompetes native vegetation and disrupts local ecosystems. These are just a small handful of the various new vegetation species you'll find in our upcoming DLC. Those who are familiar with different species of trees will spot the likes of the Smooth Sumac, Black Oak and many more. We urge you to look out for them and maybe a take a minute to learn about them when you have are taking a rest! We hope you enjoyed this little insight into the vegetation side of things, and we look forward to highlighting the natural beauty of the state in the near future. Until then, be sure to add Arkansas to your Steam Wishlist and to follow us on Social Media (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram) for all the latest news. Просмотр полной статьи

We're back in Eindhoven, Netherlands, for another exciting episode of our SCS On The Road series! Join Nemiro and Henk Meeuwis as they take you through the amazing DAF Museum which shows the whole history of this automotive company. Get ready for our longest episode yet! We're diving deep into DAF's history, milestones, and more. And we believe our community will love learning about it all. We have to express huge thanks to Henk Meeuwis for guiding us through the museum with his wealth of knowledge, as he has been working for DAF for 47 years! And a big shout-out also goes to the DAF Museum team and our friends at DAF, Tim Gerth, and Koen Damen, for helping us make this episode happen. Now, without further delay, let's dive into it! We hope you've enjoyed the tour of the DAF Museum, but there is surely more to explore than we showed, so if you happen to be in Eindhoven, visit it yourself! Don't forget to follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so you won't miss out on any news and future episodes of SCS On The Road. Просмотр полной статьи

The intricate network of roads and highways in Nebraska plays a pivotal role in connecting its communities, industries, and travellers alike. Stretching across the expansive plains and rolling landscapes, these thoroughfares serve as vital links for commerce, transportation, and tourism. Today we are happy to share with you a preview into some of the Road Networks you'll find in our upcoming Nebraska DLC for American Truck Simulator. Whilst there will be plenty of roads to explore, one major Highway you'll come across is the famous I-80, the longest Interstate in Nebraska! Along this crucial route you'll find plenty of places to stop if you need a break or some extra fuel, such as Rest Stops and Truck Stops both large and small. Prior to the 1900s, travelling across Nebraska was extremely difficult and roads were few and far between. During the late 19th century, various interest groups began putting pressure on the Federal Government to create a larger Road Network, and by 1904, the State had created thousands of miles of roads to travel on. Today, Nebraska has hundreds of thousands of miles worth of roads, many which our team have re-created for our upcoming DLC. From major routes to backroads, there will be plenty to explore. You may even find yourself a scenic viewpoint or a route that is not on your GPS! Whilst we are still working hard behind the scenes on the road network, we hope you enjoy the previews of the routes you'll be travelling on in the future. Let us know if you recognise any of the roads, highways or areas by commenting below, on our official forums or one of our social media channels (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook). Looking forward to driving through Nebraska for yourself? Then be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! We are excited to share more previews with you in the near future, until then, keep on truckin'. Просмотр полной статьи

We have some news for our #BestCommunityEver! Today, we're rolling out the Experimental Beta for the upcoming 1.50 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Why do we call our upcoming beta experimental? We need to manage expectations right from the start. We are starting the beta cycle this time from a rather early stage. The level of polish and stability is not the same as for our usual Open Betas. We believe in transparency with our community, and we also need to gather a lot of feedback early this time, to understand how well the features perform. That's why we're offering this Experimental Beta as a precursor to the Open Beta, giving you a glimpse of what's to come while acknowledging that it's still very much a work in progress. Behind the scenes, our team is working hard on internal projects and releases, all scheduled for version 1.50 of our games. Despite our best efforts, certain aspects of the update are still undergoing refinement. However, we know how important it is to involve our community in the development process, which is why we're making this content available to you in its current state. Your feedback at this stage is invaluable as we strive to deliver the optimal experience. With the Experimental Beta, we invite our dedicated players to join us in fine-tuning, testing, and providing feedback. Your input will assist us in identifying and addressing any issues or imperfections before the Open Beta and ultimately the full version 1.50 release. It's worth noting that this beta may cause instability in certain areas of the game. For those seeking a more polished experience, we recommend awaiting the subsequent Open Beta or the full version's release. We are very committed to delivering high-quality updates. In the days to come, we'll continue to debug and finalize everything that's coming to ETS2 with the 1.50 update. Your patience and support during this phase are deeply appreciated as we work towards a seamless transition to the next chapter of Euro Truck Simulator 2. Without further ado, let's delve into what you can anticipate from version 1.50. Renderer Changes - (still based on DirectX 11 API for now)We're consistently working on improving our rendering system. It's been a key focus lately, though it'll take some time to complete. Until then, you can expect additional content and enhancements in version 1.50, including: A new feature was added - TAA, or Temporal Anti-Aliasing, which sets itself apart from other anti-aliasing techniques, that aim to smooth images to reduce jagged edges or flickering through higher resolution rendering. Instead, TAA harnesses the timeline, particularly previous frames, to calculate color values as if from a higher resolution, providing a smoother result.Cascaded shadow changes: Smooth transition when blending between cascades, smoother and better-stabilized shadow edges.Soft particles: Particles and light flares smoothly fade out when near geometry, eliminating harsh intersections for a more seamless visual experience.Lit/shadowed smoke: Smoke particles with enhanced volume perception and shading from sunlight, providing a more realistic and immersive atmosphere.Far shadows: Ever-present shadows from distant large objects like factory halls, skyscrapers, and road overpasses, with the option to toggle them off in the Options menu.Optimized light computation: Dynamic lights are evaluated in a single pass, known as clustered lighting, improving performance in night scenes. User Interface ReworkWe are introducing substantial UI updates to enhance player interaction and accommodate more features. The redesign adopts a flatter, minimalistic design with tooltips and layered navigation, ensuring easier accessibility. For most UI screens, the visible changes are just an evolution of the previous look, though functionally, a lot of work was invested into making them work more comfortably with a gamepad or a steering wheel, requiring less time reaching for a keyboard. The biggest change is the Home screen redesign, a new Status Bar sitting atop many various UI screens, the Quick Menu shortcuts, new fonts, icons, and much more. The result should be a clearer look on 2K and 4K resolutions, with all the changes contributing to a more streamlined gaming experience. We plan to have a separate, more detailed blog on this topic in the near future, so stay tuned. Switzerland ReworkThe eagerly awaited Switzerland Rework project is set to debut in the upcoming 1.50 version of Euro Truck Simulator 2. You can look forward to a complete redesign of Switzerland, including its major cities such as Geneva, Bern, and Zurich. Alongside these enhancements, the economy has been finely tuned to reflect reality, featuring additions like a chocolate factory depot. But that's not all – the road network receives substantial upgrades too. Prepare to navigate the newly added sections of the A9 motorway and the challenging N19 road. Moreover, fulfilling the longstanding desire of many truckers, the A40/E25 route from Geneva to Aosta, Italy, promises an exhilarating journey beneath the majestic Mont Blanc. You can watch the trailer for this project below or find all the blogs about the rework here! The team behind the huge Switzerland Rework is already engaged in another rework project; however, we will keep any additional details to ourselves at the moment. Germany Rework - RhineFor the 1.50 version, we have reworked the Rhine region as part of the Germany Rework project. In total, four cities were completely rebuilt - Dortmund, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Duisburg. Not only did we revamp the cities, but their surroundings as well so this whole region has been reimagined from the ground up. We also added a part of Autobahn 3 from Cologne to Frankfurt. You can find out about this rework project in more detail in this blog dedicated to the cities in this region or another blog about industry and intersections in this part of Germany. This is surely not the last time you will hear about the Germany rework project as the team is already working on another part of the country! Options TooltipsPlacing your mouse over each setting option will display helpful information, including explanations of what the options do. You will now effortlessly grasp the purpose of every adjustable option in the settings, enabling you to easily fine-tune your experience. Lane AssistantAfter implementing various driver assistance features, developing lane assistance was the next step for us. This system is more complicated because it has to work well with the different ways people control their vehicles. Making it work well with steering wheels with force feedback was particularly important, even though it was challenging because of possible problems like control-force feedback loops and other details. Also, the lane assistant features different modes, each serving distinct purposes, making it more complicated. Now, truck drivers can enjoy simply turning it on along with adaptive cruise control, letting the truck do more of the driving. Changelog Map Switzerland ReworkGermany Rework - Rhine region Vehicles MAN TGX FaceliftLane assistant feature added UI Substantial UI design update (Home screen redesign, persistent Status Bar, Quick Menu, new fonts, icons and more)Settings options show information about what they do Visual Improvements in the rendering systemTemporal Anti-Aliasing feature addedCascaded shadow updatesSoft particles Lit/shadowed smoke Far shadowsOptimized light computationFrame rate limiter added Sound Brake squeaking sounds added So, do enjoy all these new additions, but please remember: It's only an experimental beta, not an open beta yet or even a stable public version, so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the open beta or the final release. But if you're interested in helping us get there faster, we'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in the dedicated section. Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game. If you wish to participate in the experimental 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 → 1.50. No password is required. Sometimes you may need to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there. Also, the 1.50 Experimental Beta is currently unavailable for Mac OS users, but it is expected to be released for the platform in the near future. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and feedback. We believe the Experimental Beta will be a valuable stepping stone towards Open Beta and an exceptional 1.50 version. Don't forget to stay connected with us and all the latest information through our social media channels, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Happy trucking! Просмотр полной статьи

Exciting times are ahead! We're happy to announce that the very first electric vehicle coming to Euro Truck Simulator 2 will be the Renault Trucks E-Tech T! We're proud to partner with Renault Trucks once more, honoured by their trust in us to introduce their latest state-of-the-art, fully electric truck to our #BestCommunityEver. Make sure to read the whole blog, as there is a lot of important information about this truck and an upcoming design competition you don't want to miss! First, let's take a few steps back and look at our past projects we did in cooperation with Renault Trucks which eventually led to bringing this truck into our game. In Autumn 2023, we were invited to Lyon for a design contest among selected influencers and truckers. Guided by specialists from Renault Trucks, LumiLor and our own talented 2D graphic artist Annie, the group crafted designs featuring the innovative LumiLor paint job – a cutting-edge method that allows layers of colour on any surface to be illuminated by small electric impulses. While we were there, we also toured the Renault Trucks assembly plant, test-drove the E-Tech T, gathered reference materials for our vehicle department, and captured the sounds of this remarkable truck. You read more about it here or watch the video below. In December, two designs were chosen for the public vote in which our community also participated. In an exciting showdown, the stunning Diamond Echo and Lightning Bolt designs went head-to-head in the vote. Ultimately, the Diamond Echo emerged victorious, making automotive history by bringing this unique paint job to life on a truck for the very first time! Later, Renault Trucks invited us to attend and amplify the reach of the grand reveal event on April 9 at their headquarters in Lyon. We took this amazing opportunity and teased what was to come by placing a special truck model under a blue veil in front of selected Renault Trucks dealers in ETS2, which you can read about here. It was a great pleasure and experience to share that grand reveal with our #BestCommunityEver through a live stream directly from the venue which you can replay below. We are incredibly honoured that Renault Trucks has acknowledged our community as a strong and desired audience to share this moment with. Having the President of Renault Trucks, Bruno Blin, the Design Director, Paul Daintree, and the Chief Designer, Vincent Froidevaux, join us in the stream was a source of immense pride. It was exciting not only to witness the E-Tech T but also their entire range of fully electric vehicles. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, our teams were hard at work recreating this truck for ETS2, ensuring that we could bring it into the game for our community to enjoy. We are now proud to announce that this fully electric truck will be the very first EV truck in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Its arrival is close, expected not long after the release of the 1.50 update! The Renault Trucks E-Tech T boasts impressive specifications, including a powerful 540kWh battery that enables it to cover up to 500 kilometres on a single charge when using a DC charger during a one-hour break. Equipped with a 4x2 configuration and a 12-speed Optidriver gearbox, it offers a seamless driving experience. It has a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) of 44 tons, highlighting its impressive hauling capacity. Additionally, its maximum regen rate matches its maximum output, reaching an impressive 490kW. As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the E-Tech T, it's crucial to address some key considerations. Just like in the real world, transitioning to electric vehicles poses unique challenges in our virtual realm. While our team has worked tirelessly to bring the E-Tech T to ETS2, our in-game infrastructure isn't fully ready to support electric vehicles. Gas stations, initially designed for traditional fuel vehicles, can't easily become electric charging stations without major modifications. Despite these challenges, we're dedicated to promoting electrification within our game. Integrating more EV trucks into ETS2, making them fully customizable and accessible, is our goal. This process will take time as we navigate game development complexities. Currently, we're embarking on an experimental phase, our initial steps toward in-game electrification. That is why the E-Tech T, along with a few other electric trucks planned for the future, will be introduced in a special mode and will be accessible only through the Quick Jobs section. Our cautious approach ensures a smooth experience as we gradually integrate electric vehicles into our virtual world. The introduction of the E-Tech T is a big milestone that marks the beginning of our journey toward in-game electrification - a historic moment for our community. We're incredibly proud of the years of collaboration with various partners, and the continuous growth of our game and community. It's a testament that our game is now recognized as a platform worthy of featuring the latest projects from our partners, including their desire to introduce electric trucks into ETS2. We are happy that the beautiful and technologically advanced E-Tech T is the very first to come and we eagerly await your feedback on its quietness, acceleration, behaviour, and smoothness and hope you will have fun driving it in Euro Truck Simulator 2. But that's not all! Renault Trucks highly values our community and enjoys collaborating on exciting projects with our ETS2 fanbase. Following the remarkable moment when the Renault Trucks team utilized LumiLor's paint technology for the first time in automotive history, and after the grand reveal of the truck adorned in this unique design, we're happy to reveal another exciting opportunity for our community. Although, due to technical constraints, the LumiLor paint job won't be featured in the game with the E-Tech T vehicle for now, we have something special in store for our community. We're partnering with Renault Trucks for another community design contest similar to the one we did here! In this new contest, our community is invited to assist the Renault Trucks team in designing a second paint job for the E-Tech T truck. This design will later be recreated on another fully electric and real E-Tech T vehicle! It's truly an incredible opportunity for our community. You can apply here! Everyone is welcome to participate in this design contest. Whether you're a skilled modder with numerous paint jobs under your belt, a talented graphic artist proficient in software like Photoshop, or someone with a perfect idea for a paint job, you can join in! Simply download images of the truck, unleash your creativity with pencils or colours, and submit a photo of your proposed design. Let's make this design contest an unforgettable experience and showcase the creativity of our amazing fanbase! We strongly recommend that participants carefully review the Terms and Conditions and the rules of the design contest which you can find here. This ensures that their design has a chance to be selected by Renault Trucks as one of the five finalists, from which the community will vote for the best design. The winning design will be revealed in the future, but it remains to be seen when and where. Remember, when creating your design, be sure to paint over the ultramarine blue colour with white, and try to incorporate elements that reflect electrification and electric powertrain. And that's not all! As a token of our appreciation for their creativity and dedication, all finalists will receive an exclusive package of Renault Trucks and SCS Software merchandise, along with exciting gifts from another esteemed partner, Thrustmaster! The winning design will also be included in Euro Truck Simulator 2 when the E-Tech T truck becomes available for players to own in the game! We hope you are as excited as us to try out this electric marvel when it comes to ETS2! Until then, stay connected with us and all the latest information through our social media channels, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Просмотр полной статьи

Today, we're rolling out something a little different: the Experimental Beta for American Truck Simulator's upcoming 1.50 update. Why call our upcoming beta experimental? We need to manage expectations right from the start. We are starting the beta cycle this time from a rather early stage. The level of polish and stability is not the same as for our usual Open Betas. We believe in transparency with our community, and we also need to gather a lot of feedback early this time, to understand how well the features perform. That's why we're offering this Experimental Beta as a precursor to the Open Beta, giving you a glimpse of what's to come while acknowledging that it's still very much a work in progress. Behind the scenes, our team is hard at work juggling internal projects and releases, all scheduled for version 1.50 of our games. Despite our best efforts, certain aspects of the update are still undergoing refinement. However, we recognize the importance of involving our community in the development process, which is why we're making this content available to you in its current state. Your feedback during this phase is invaluable as we really want to deliver the best possible experience. With the Experimental Beta, we invite our dedicated players to join us in fine-tuning, testing, and providing feedback. Your input will help us identify and address any issues or imperfections before the Open Beta and eventually the full 1.50 version release. It's important to note though, that this beta may cause instability in certain areas. If you prefer a more polished experience, we recommend waiting for the further Open Beta release. Rest assured, our commitment to delivering high-quality updates remains unwavering. In the days to come, we'll continue to debug and finalize everything that's coming to ATS with the 1.50 update. Your patience and support during this phase are greatly appreciated as we work towards a seamless transition to the next chapter of American Truck Simulator. Now, without further delay, let's take a look at what you can expect from version 1.50. Renderer Changes - (still based on DirectX 11 API for now) We're consistently working on improving our rendering system. It's been a key focus lately, though it'll take some time to complete. Until then, you can expect additional content and enhancements in version 1.50, including: A new feature was added - TAA, or Temporal Anti-Aliasing, which sets itself apart from other anti-aliasing techniques, that aim to smooth images to reduce jagged edges or flickering through higher resolution rendering. Instead, TAA harnesses the timeline, particularly previous frames, to calculate color values as if from a higher resolution, providing a smoother result.Cascaded shadow changes: Smooth transition when blending between cascades, smoother and better-stabilized shadow edges.Soft particles: Particles and light flares smoothly fade out when near geometry, eliminating harsh intersections for a more seamless visual experience.Lit/shadowed smoke: Smoke particles with enhanced volume perception and shading from sunlight, providing a more realistic and immersive atmosphere.Far shadows: Ever-present shadows from distant large objects like factory halls, skyscrapers, and road overpasses, with the option to toggle them off in the Options menu.Optimized light computation: Dynamic lights are evaluated in a single pass, known as clustered lighting, improving performance in night scenes. User Interface ReworkWe are introducing substantial UI updates to enhance player interaction and accommodate more features. The redesign adopts a flatter, minimalistic design with tooltips and layered navigation, ensuring easier accessibility. For most UI screens, the visible changes are just an evolution of the previous look, though functionally, a lot of work was invested into making them work more comfortably with a gamepad or a steering wheel, requiring less time reaching for a keyboard. The biggest change is the Home screen redesign, a new Status Bar sitting atop many various UI screens, the Quick Menu shortcuts, new fonts, icons, and much more. The result should be a clearer look on 2K and 4K resolutions, with all the changes contributing to a more streamlined gaming experience. We plan to have a separate, more detailed blog on this topic in the near future, so stay tuned. California Rework - Phase 3The eagerly awaited third phase of the California rework is focused on central California. Six cities in this area have undergone a complete rework: San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton, Santa Cruz, Huron, and Fresno. We have also added two brand-new cities; San Jose and Modesto, which will replace Oakdale in our game. All roads in the area have received a complete overhaul, including major routes such as CA-1, US-101, I-5, CA-99, US-395, and more. The beautiful Yosemite National Park also underwent significant enhancements as part of this update! You can watch our trailer for this phase of California rework below. International LT S13 & International LoneStarThe International LT will receive revamped interior and exterior options, and the LoneStar will get a refreshed interior. The International LT's exterior sees significant enhancements with new features, customizable options, and adjustments to existing parts, including the addition of the S13 model with its Integrated Powertrain. Additional accessories such as new chassis fairing extenders, bumper and grille options, FlowBelow fairings, blindspot detectors, and a shorter day cab chassis have been introduced. The interiors of both trucks have also undergone a complete overhaul with new models, updated textures, customizable interior cabinets, and functioning cabin physics, fulfilling a highly requested feature. Stay tuned for more updates as we plan to have a separate blog on this topic in the future. Options TooltipsPlacing your mouse over each setting option will now display helpful information, including explanations of what the options do. You will now effortlessly grasp the purpose of every adjustable option in the settings, enabling you to easily fine-tune your experience. Lane AssistantAfter implementing various driver assistance features, developing lane assistance was the next step for us. This system is more complicated because it has to work well with different ways people control their vehicles. Making it work well with steering wheels with force feedback was particularly important, even though it was challenging because of possible problems like control-force feedback loops and other details. Also, the lane assistant features different modes, each serving distinct purposes, making it more complicated. Now, truck drivers can enjoy simply turning it on along with adaptive cruise control, letting the truck do more of the driving.Changelog Map California Rework – Phase 3 Vehicles International LT S13International LoneStar (interior) and LT (exterior & interior) reworkLane assistant feature added UI Substantial UI design update (Home screen redesign, persistent Status Bar, Quick Menu, new fonts, icons and more)Settings options show information about what they do Visual Improvements in the rendering systemTemporal Anti-Aliasing feature addedCascaded shadow updatesSoft particles Lit/shadowed smoke Far shadowsOptimized light computationFrame rate limiter added Sound Brake squeaking sounds added So, do enjoy all these new additions, but please remember: It's only an experimental beta, not an open beta yet or even a stable public version, so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the open beta or the final release. But if you're interested in helping us get there faster, we'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in the dedicated section. Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game. If you wish to participate in the experimental 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 American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.50. No password is required. Sometimes you may need to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there. So, to our community, thank you for your ongoing dedication and feedback. Together, let's make the Experimental Beta a valuable stepping stone towards Open Beta and an exceptional 1.50 version. Don't forget to stay connected with us and all the latest information through our social media channels, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Happy trucking! 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Hey there, truckers! We've got some updates to share about the upcoming Nebraska DLC for American Truck Simulator. Get ready to explore fresh industries as we venture into the Cornhusker State. With three exciting new companies on the horizon, there's plenty to look forward to in our virtual trucking adventures! One of the standout additions to Nebraska's industrial landscape is the Recreational Vehicle (RV) dealer. You'll find these dealerships sprinkled across cities like Omaha, Norfolk, and Columbus, offering a wide array of recreational vehicles. But it's not just RVs; they've got buggies, ATVs, and UTVs too! We're bringing these dealerships to Nebraska because there are so many beautiful places ideal for camping in the Cornhusker State. These vehicles are a hit not just in Nebraska, but all across middle America! The Utility Vehicle Factory in Lincoln represents another key addition to Nebraska's industry. Here, they manufacture a diverse range of equipment, from UTVs and ATVs to buggies and motorcycles which are then delivered to the RV dealers. However, the crown jewel of this facility lies in its production of subway cars, destined for public transport systems across various states. As players deliver cargo to or from this factory, they may see these subway cars that operate in iconic cities like New York City. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nebraska's economy, with the state being a leading producer of corn, soybeans, beef, and other agricultural commodities. That's why we had to incorporate a few Soybean Factories into its landscape. Located in cities such as Scottsbluff, Alliance, and Lincoln, these facilities specialize in soybean processing, serving both human consumption and animal feed purposes. Apart from those new industries, truckers can expect to encounter a variety of prefab reskins scattered throughout Nebraska. These include revamped versions of road garages, construction warehouses, and farm garages, adding visual diversity and realism to the state's infrastructure. We cannot wait to bring you this map expansion. If you are looking forward to it, make sure to add the Nebraska DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Until then, stay connected with us and all the latest information through our social media channels, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Просмотр полной статьи

Welcome to Jefferson City, Missouri, a charming destination renowned for its blend of historical significance and picturesque landscape. Today, we are happy to share with you a look into the work our team has undertaken in recreating this city in our upcoming Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator. Situated on the banks of the Missouri River, one of the main attractions of the city is the famous and iconic Missouri State Capitol building. Built between 1913-1917, it was constructed with Burlington Limestone, sourced from the nearby city of Carthage. This impressive structure stands as the main landmark of the city and hosts the State Senate and House of Representatives, as-well as other important government bodies and offices. Drivers in our upcoming Missouri DLC can expect to explore and drive through a part of the downtown area themselves, and those with eagle eyes may even be able to spot some locations our team visited on their research trip previously; Let us know if you do! There are plenty of smaller details and other landmarks to be found too, including the barracks of the Missouri Army National Guard. Across the river, you'll find plenty of work at some of the local industries, which includes an agricultural farm and a construction site. Players entering the city may spot a view of the local quarry too, as well as some of the more residential areas of the city where the locals reside. The city has changed a lot since the times of Thomas Jefferson, the city's namesake and the 3rd President of the United States, but we're sure you'll enjoy trucking through it! We hope that you enjoy all the work that our talented teams have put into recreating this historic city in Missouri. Looking forward to the release of the Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator? Be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'. Просмотр полной статьи

A few members of our Euro Truck Simulator 2 map set on a journey to Greece a few months back. Their quest? To gather references and inspiration to create the Greece DLC for our #BestCommunityEver as accurately as possible. Now, we interviewed them about their trip and how it benefited them! The team consisted of Ilona, Michal, Karina, Jakub, David, and Artur. In the course of eight days, they journeyed through Greece, from its southern reaches to the north, exploring islands, coastal stretches, and inland areas. "Our first destination was the drier and rockier Crete. The climate is reflected in the architecture, which is full of balconies and loggias shaded by awnings. Greece struck us as a very diverse, culturally and historically interesting country with lots of monuments and important sites. We mapped some of them in more detail, such as the Corinth Canal, the Meteora Monasteries, and the Rio-Antirio Bridge. As part of our travels, we also visited an olive farm in the Messenia region, where we learned more about the process of olive oil production, a symbol of Greek cuisine and culture," Michal shares with us. The majestic Meteora Monasteries were probably one of the team's favourite places, as Ilona agrees with. "What I liked most about Greece was the omnipresent smell of diverse vegetation and the distinctive landscape, which I hope we will be able to capture in the DLC. The biggest gem for me was definitely the Meteora Monasteries," says Ilona. As the team confirms, it's a big advantage to see the country for yourself before working on implementing it into the game. "It was definitely beneficial to see the places I'm going to be doing on the map live. A lot of details that you don't notice on Google Maps, or don't stand out as much, often give a completely different dimension and feel to a place in person," says David. Starting our expedition fueled by the expectations set during our preliminary research, Jakub unfolds the tale of the team's voyage through Greece's varied terrains, which he fell in love with. "When we were doing our preliminary research, we saw that some of the roads we looked at weren't exactly exciting. But after travelling through the country, I can say I was pleasantly surprised. Driving through the mountainous parts of Greece, there were great views one after another. Even the roads between fields offered something nice to look at. If I were to choose one memorable place, it would be the Rio-Antirio Bridge. It stretches about 2880 metres long and is surrounded by mountains and sea, with dark ominous clouds in the sky and sun peeking through them. That was the first time it came into our view and it was a dramatic scene," says Jakub. One of the reasons we visit the countries in person is to get a general feel of it that would be difficult to obtain through internet research. "One of our tasks was to look at what type of houses are most common, so we could choose everything that needs to be made by our 3D artists to best represent the country. And we were quite surprised how difficult that was. It’s not an easy thing to do generally, as every country has different building styles etc., but what we learnt was also that almost every single house was different," Jakub shares with us. Artur's journey through Crete not only opened his eyes to the vibrant tapestry of Mediterranean island living but also unveiled the rich landscapes and cultural flavours essential for infusing our game with genuine authenticity. "It gave me important aspects that must not be missed in the game, that I would not have noticed otherwise if I had not seen them with my own eyes. You could see that life in Greece is very much geared towards tourism and olives, which were absolutely everywhere. I was very surprised on the trip by how different the north and south of Greece are in terms of landscape. The more southern areas were dominated by bushes and olive orchards and the north by forests and traditional rectangular fields. For me, the overall combination of sea, hills and mountains is absolutely divine and I can't wait to see what it will look like in our game," Artur tells us. We cannot wait to bring you more news from this upcoming map expansion as it continues to be developed. Until then, stay connected with us and all the latest information through our social media channels, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. If you are looking forward to trucking in this map expansion, make sure to add the Greece DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Просмотр полной статьи

Special Transport operations are expanding! Drivers looking for speciality work in our upcoming Nebraska DLC for American Truck Simulator will be pleased to know that oversized loads will be on offer in the Job Market. Truckers who are ready to take on these mighty loads will find several new Special Transport routes in Nebraska. Whilst these routes have been carefully pre-planned by our dispatchers, you can expect there to be some challenging manoeuvres on the road to your final destination. As always, local police and trained escort teams will assist in guiding you along the correct route, and where necessary, help block traffic to allow safe passage. Seasoned truck drivers with experience in this field will know that these jobs are no easy task and require patience, skill and knowledge of their rig. Loads range in size and length, and drivers can expect some new ones to come too! Think you got what it takes? Special Transport DLC owners will find contracts on offer between the following cities: Scottsbluff to McCook Norfolk to OmahaLincoln to North Platte We look forward to welcoming drivers old and new on these Special Transport jobs in Nebraska. In the mean-time, be sure to brush up on your skills by checking out some of the contracts available in the Job Market. New to the trucker scene? Then be sure to add the Nebraska DLC to your Steam Wishlist, and to check out the Special Transport DLC for American Truck Simulator. Until next time, keep on truckin'. Просмотр полной статьи

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! Просмотр полной статьи

Last year, we had the pleasure of visiting the Kögel Trailer factory in Burtenbach, Germany, an experience we've shared with our followers across our blog and social media platforms. Now, in cooperation with our friends at Kögel Trailer, we're excited to announce that the Kögel Trailer Pack DLC will be coming to Euro Truck Simulator 2! In this blog, we would like to share with you the progress that our vehicle team has made on bringing the Kögel trailers to our game. As you can see from these screenshots, our team has been working on these trailers for quite a while now. Kögel Trailer, based in Burtenbach, has a long history in the transportation industry being established back in 1934. Renowned for its innovative designs and commitment to quality, Kögel produces a diverse range of trailers tailored to meet the evolving needs of logistics professionals worldwide. We would like to thank our friends at Kögel for the smooth collaboration throughout the process of integrating their trailers into our game. Their team has been incredible collaborators, always willing to share data, offer insightful feedback, and assist us with any questions we've had. We also made two SCS On The Road episodes from our visit to Kögel which we have shared with you in the past few months. If you haven't already, you can watch them both here to get a glimpse into how Kögel produces their trailers and what you can look forward to in ETS2! Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to roll out this eagerly awaited DLC by following us on our social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok). Also, remember to follow our friends from Kögel on their Facebook or Instagram. We'll see you on the road! Просмотр полной статьи

As we prepare to embark on another journey through the heartlands of America with the upcoming Nebraska DLC for American Truck Simulator, we are reminded of the rich history and profound significance of the landscapes we traverse. Among the rolling plains and bustling cities of Nebraska lie monuments of remembrance, many of which pay homage to the brave souls who selflessly served their country in times of need. Throughout Nebraska, travelers will encounter a myriad of war memorials, each one a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals in defense of liberty and justice. From the tranquil countryside to the vivid urban centers, these memorials stand as a testament to the resilience and courage of those who answered the call of duty. Can you recognize some of these places? Or maybe you have personally visited one of them to pay respect and honor the fallen with a minute of silence? In the spirit of remembrance and gratitude, with this upcoming expansion, we invite players of American Truck Simulator to take a moment during their travels through Nebraska to visit these sacred sites of commemoration. Let us never forget the sacrifices made by those who came before us, and strive to ensure that their legacy lives on for generations to come. In closing, let us reflect upon the words of President Abraham Lincoln, who once said, "Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause." Until we see you next time, we wish you a great time and happy days. Make sure to add Nebraska expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Don't forget to follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so you won't miss out on news about this upcoming DLC and our other projects. Просмотр полной статьи

While we are still working hard to bring the 1.50 update to you, we would like to share another sneak peek at what's to come with it! Teaming up with our friends from Scania, we are happy to reveal something special coming to the world of Euro Truck Simulator 2 in the 1.50 update: the famous Scania Demo Centre in Södertälje, Sweden. This facility was established in 1995 and serves multiple purposes in real life. Mostly, Scania uses it to demonstrate their vehicles, both trucks and buses. The facility hosts up to 14 thousand visitors every year from universities to engineers and also allows drivers with a Category B license to try out Scania vehicles. There are three different types of terrain - three kilometres of asphalt roads, two kilometres of forest roads, and three kilometres of gravel roads. Now, you will be able to navigate this meticulously crafted test track and put your truck to the test in various conditions and terrains in Euro Truck Simulator 2! And just a friendly reminder - as the Demo Centre is located in Sweden, you need to own the Scandinavia DLC to be able to visit it. This in-game circuit is an exact replica of the real one on a 1:1 scale. We are proud of the smooth and professional cooperation with Scania that made it possible for us to precisely reproduce every detail in this location. Excited to visit the Demo Centre? Drivers looking for the Scania Demo Centre may need to invest some time and effort in it as this is another example of the type of content that is not visibly marked on the World Map. We encourage you to explore the city of Södertälje in Sweden, along with its surrounding areas. Doing so may just reward you with finding the road that leads to the Scania Demo Centre! We are looking forward to you exploring everything that the Scania Demo Centre has to offer. We would like to thank our friends at Scania and the Demo Centre who helped us greatly in bringing this special facility to life in Euro Truck Simulator 2 for our #BestCommunityEver to enjoy. Our teams have worked hard to replicate the look and feel of this area and we hope you will enjoy exploring it! Would you like to see what this facility looks like in the real world? Check out our SCS On The Road episode we created when we visited the Scania Demo Centre last year and get another preview of what is coming. We hope you are excited to discover and try out the Scania Demo Centre! Don't forget to follow us on our social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and share some pictures and videos with us from the Scania Demo Centre when it's released. Also, remember to follow our friends at Scania on their social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Until then, we wish you safe and happy driving! Просмотр полной статьи

As part of our upcoming 1.50 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2, we're excited to bring an update to the Wielton Trailer Pack DLC. Founded in 1996, Wielton S.A. has become one of Europe's top manufacturers of semi-trailers and trailers, With a focus on quality, durability, and innovation, Wielton consistently delivers exceptional trailers. Today we are happy to share that we have worked closely with Wielton to bring an all new trailer series from their latest catalog. Introducing the Container Master! This new generation of subcontainer trailers features a super lightweight and durable chassis. This update will contain two lengths for this particular trailer. The first being the Wielton Container Master NS3 P20 SL TANK, which measures 8305mm (27ft) in length and is especially created for the safe transport of Chemical Tank Containers (ADR). We're especially excited for this to be our first-ever branded ADR container trailer in Euro Truck Simulator 2. The second length we are introducing is the Wielton Container Master NS3 P40 SL, which is designed for the transport of a 40ft container or 2x20ft containers. Both of these trailers will also have a range of options available for them, suited for your hauling needs, such as Side Protection, Rear Bumpers, Tool Boxes, Optional Spare Tire, Mud Flaps, Paintjobs and more. We look forward to seeing you haul across Europe with these new trailers, which will come as a free update for all Wielton Trailer Pack DLC owners in the 1.50 Update. Until then, be sure to follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to date with all the latest news and more. Просмотр полной статьи

We are excited to join Renault Trucks in making automotive history with the reveal of the groundbreaking paint job design on their fully electric marvel, the Renault Trucks E-Tech T! This unique paint job will come to life for the first time ever on a truck with LumiLor technology - a cutting-edge method that allows layers of colour on any surface to be illuminated by small electric impulses. Taking a step back, let's revisit the journey that led to this historic moment. Back in Autumn 2023, we joined Renault Trucks in Lyon for a design contest among selected influencers and truckers. Guided by specialists from Renault Trucks, LumiLor and our very own talented 2D graphic artist Annie, the group crafted designs featuring the innovative LumiLor paint job – a luminescent technology capable of creating mesmerizing animations on the truck's surface. You can read more about the design process in our previous blog or watch an SCS On The Road episode from our visit to Lyon below. After that, two designs were chosen for the public vote in which our community also participated. The beautiful Diamond Echo and Lightning Bolt designs faced off in this vote, with the Diamond Echo eventually taking the first place. Then, the E-Tech T made its way to the LumiLor labs near Dresden for painting. We are honoured that Renault Trucks invited us to personally attend and amplify the reach of this grand reveal event on April 9 at Renault Trucks' headquarters in Lyon. We can't wait to be able to bring that moment to our #BestCommunityEver through a live stream straight from the venue! It's a testament to our partnership with Renault Trucks and their recognition of our community's importance. Also, in recent days, you might have noticed some teasers coming from Renault Trucks on their social media and through their newsletter. Now, we are happy to confirm that you have the chance to find something hidden under a blue veil at selected Renault Trucks dealerships in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Who knows, perhaps if you can locate this spot, park your current Renault Trucks vehicles in front of the concealed truck, and share a screenshot or video on social media channels tagging SCS Software (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and Renault Trucks' (X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) main profiles along with the hashtag #ETechTrucking, you might be fortunate enough to receive some exclusive gifts from us and Renault Trucks! We're proud to be Renault Trucks' trusted partner, ensuring that this historic moment reaches not just automotive enthusiasts but also our #BestCommunityEver. Stay tuned for more information about this project on Renault Trucks' website. Also remember to follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so you won't miss out on any news! Просмотр полной статьи

We're happy to bring you another sneak peek into our upcoming Arkansas DLC for American Truck Simulator. In this blog, we want to showcase another batch of charming Arkansas cities that truckers will be able to explore, following our previous blog about cities in Arkansas. Fayetteville, the second-largest city in Arkansas, offers truckers a glimpse into the heart of a lively college town. As you navigate through its downtown area, you'll encounter a landscape dotted with beautiful churches, bustling banks, and the iconic courthouse. Fayetteville's vibrant atmosphere and rich cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination. Springdale is an integral part of a conurbation that includes Fayetteville and Bentonville, forming a trio of major cities along the I-49 corridor. The US-412 cuts through Springdale as well, so we just couldn’t leave out this important checkpoint. With a history deeply rooted in the agricultural industry, Springdale was once known as the "Broiler Capital of the World," a title it earned due to its significant poultry production. Today, remnants of its agricultural legacy can still be seen throughout the city. Fort Smith, the third-largest town in Arkansas, boasts a captivating history rooted in its military origins. Originally established as a strategic military post, Fort Smith has weathered its fair share of challenges, including a devastating tornado in April 1996. Today, the remnants of historic buildings like the Reynolds Davis building serve as poignant reminders of this natural disaster. El Dorado stands as a testament to Arkansas's rich industrial heritage, especially during the oil boom and the World War II era. As the heart of the region's chemical, petroleum, and lumber industries, El Dorado will include all of these sectors in our game as well. From bustling refineries to lush forests, this city embodies the essence of Arkansas's industrial legacy. We hope that players will appreciate the attention to detail and enjoy the immersive journey through the cities of Arkansas. Keep in mind the work you see here is still a work in progress. If you can't wait to get this map expansion, add it to your Steam Wishlist! Also remember to follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so you won't miss out on any news. Safe travels! Просмотр полной статьи

On your travels throughout the U.S State of Nebraska, a variety of hidden gems await drivers in the form of captivating art murals and street art, transforming ordinary stretches of road into dynamic galleries. From historical references to modern interactive art, our talented teams have recreated and preserved some of these art pieces virtually in our upcoming DLC for American Truck Simulator for drivers to view and enjoy. These roadside masterpieces, found across towns and cities large and small, offer travellers a glimpse into Nebraska's vibrant artistic tapestry and history. In today's blog, we're happy to share with you a preview into some of the ones you may spot whilst on the road. One such mural which can be found in the city of Beatrice, depicts the Pioneers who travelled the Historic Oregon Trail seeking new opportunities in the West. At the bottom of the artwork, you'll see a representation of the Big Blue River, one of the largest tributaries of the Kansas River, which served as notable landmark for the Pioneers, which is found near the city. This large art mural which spans across an entire wall depicts an old train station along with a locomotive, harking back to the days when these iconic steam trains traversed Nebraska and passed through the city of Bridgeport. Featured prominently on this artwork is Henry T. Clark. along with the toll bridge he built over the North Platte River, as well as iconic natural landmarks located near the city. Some of the other art murals found across Nebraska range from commissioned pieces from the local governments depicting nearby landmarks to notable figures, to older long-standing businesses which used art as a way to attract customers, long before the days of TV and digital advertising. Today, art comes in many different forms, one such piece of modern artwork which you'll find in this DLC is the Wings Across the Heartland project. This interactive display of art consists of wings painted on buildings in Grand Island, Nebraska and soon across communities located across NE Highway 2. You may spot a few of these on your travels, and even some of the locals posing with these wings! Art in public places continue to play an important role in preserving culture, conveying the history of local communities, and beautifying local areas. One county in Nebraska is making it their goal to support the creation of murals throughout the area to promote the creative expression of the artist and to provide an enriching visual experience for residents and visitors. From this project, a variety of different artists have been able to display their artwork for all to enjoy. We hope you'll look out for some of these unique art pieces and murals on your future travels through Nebraska in American Truck Simulator. Each one has their own story, and we hope you'll take the time to really appreciate the work and time put into each one, both virtually and in real life! We look forward to sharing more previews of this map expansion in the near future. Until then, keep on truckin'! Просмотр полной статьи

Welcome to St. Joseph, Missouri! Located just a stone's throw away from the state of Kansas, this charming city has a history dating back to the 19th century. Whilst this DLC is currently heavily under development, we wanted to share with you some very early previews from this upcoming U.S State for American Truck Simulator. So please keep in mind, some of the screenshots you will see here feature areas that are still work in progress and contain some placeholders. While this city may not look particularly too exciting at first glance, St. Joseph has a pretty famous history. One of the city's most iconic historical contributions was its pivotal role as the starting point for the Pony Express. In 1860, St. Joseph became the eastern terminus of this legendary mail delivery service, which provided a swift communication link between the eastern United States and the rapidly developing western frontier. The city's central location made it the ideal launching point for some of the most famous riders in the history of the American West. Today, industries are still very much at the heart of the city's core. Players looking for a nearby job contract will surely find some availability in the southern portion of the city. Here you will find Grain Elevators, a Large Food Factory, and a smaller Chemical Plant, which you will be able to deliver to and from. Those doing some window shopping for a new truck will also find a Kenworth Trucks dealer in the area too! In the Northern section of the city, you'll come across the downtown area, which features a variety of different historical buildings. Most notable are of course some of the old brick factories, houses, shops and warehouses which can still be found standing today. Here you will also find the Town Square, which features landmarks such as the “The Journey West” pilgrim statue, the Civic Arena building, and the signature Downtown Marker. Those familiar with this area, knows of St. Joseph's proximity to the Missouri river, which travels alongside the city and acts as a State Line. One significant landmark players will be able to find along the river is the famous Swing Railway Bridge, which was opened in 1906. You'll also be able to travel on the I-229, a unique two storey Highway which runs alongside the river. Road & River is not the only transport around these parts however! You'll also find an extensive rail network across St. Joseph, which serves as an important link for cities across the State. Many industries both locally and beyond rely on this important transportation network to move products, parts and more across the US and beyond. There will be plenty more for you to discover on your journeys in St. Joseph and beyond. We hope you enjoyed this early showcase of this city, and look forward to visiting it yourself in American Truck Simulator in the future. If you did, be sure to add Missouri to your Steam Wishlist, as it really helps to support our future developments, including this one! Until next time, keep on truckin'. Просмотр полной статьи

Let's challenge your geographical expertise and detective prowess! Dive into this blog featuring selected screenshots from the Nordic Horizons DLC, our upcoming map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Guess Where We Are and pinpoint the real-world locations depicted in each of these images. Share your guesses with us in the comments section below! We announced the Nordic Horizons DLC in January and it's still under heavy development. In this map expansion, you will be able to explore the enchanting landscapes of Northern Europe including the beautiful expansive fjords of Norway which lead up to the Arctic Ocean, Sweden's Norrland all the way to the Scandinavian mountains, and Finland's Lapland. Now let us know if you recognize some real-world locations in these screenshots! We look forward to seeing who got the closest guesses! Although this DLC is still in the earlier stages of development, we hope this blog gives you a glimpse into the work being undertaken. If you are eager to play it, make sure to add the Nordic Horizons DLC to your Steam Wishlist and follow our social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) so you won't miss out on any news about it! Просмотр полной статьи

In December, we launched the Christmas Winterland event for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. This ended up being one of our biggest and most successful World of Trucks events in which truckers completed over 2,600,000 deliveries. Recently, we spoke with some of the developers responsible for creating the event to bring you another "Under the Hood" blog. As this project involved dozens of people, we couldn't interview everyone, so we selected a few of them from various departments to bring you an insight into their work on the magical Christmas Winterland! Let's take a look at how we put this exciting event together. Gavin"It was the largest World of Trucks event we've ever produced, incomparable with anything previously attempted. We wanted something more engaging and visually stimulating than previous Christmas events, but the final result was much larger than what we initially discussed," says Gavin, our game designer. The discussions about the Christmas event first took place in November 2022, so more than a year before its release. "The initial idea we had for this project was to create a wintery and magical depot, impressive in looks, with an environment attractive enough that you would be willing to come back to it for the duration of the event, with three portal entrances offering different routes to reach the depot," Gavin shares with us. An event this big required everyone to chip in to make it on time so we could deliver the Winterland to our community in perfect shape. "A lot of people were involved! There were sixty people in the event channel on our internal communication platform. On the whole, the event called upon many disciplines; gameplay and event design, production, map design, asset design and research, vehicles, technical art, programming, audio design, 2D graphic design, quality assurance, and marketing. It was the incredible effort made by all the teams that made this event possible," Gavin tells us. Lucie, our producer, managed the Christmas Winterland map and asset production, which required facilitating communication and assisting all teams in identifying and resolving issues. Her previous map designer experience was of great help in this process. Lucie"It was my first project and it wasn't exactly a small one. Challenges were found almost every other day, from unfixed bugs to lost assets, and map hacks. All year I acted as a sort of organizational glue connecting people pushing the production forward and doing everything I could to make sure we got it done in the end and surprised our community. I'm so happy that we did it together and it was a great honor to work with everyone," Lucie reflected on her work on this project. The magical snowy Christmas Winterland map was created by our map designer Milan who walks us through the process: "The map was done in several steps and it was a bit different from a normal production. We had to find an angle that had the reality of trucking while evoking the festive and slightly fairy-tale feeling of Winterland. We ultimately chose a world resembling old Christmas postcards. We also tackled the size and content of the map, the result was determined by the time limit we had. Also due to this, the map creation was done through the heavy use of placeholders and alternate solutions, which pushed the final testing phase a bit and led to some hectic work at the end of the project. But otherwise, it was enjoyable, thanks to the enthusiasm of everyone involved." "Probably the most complicated part of the whole project was the fact that the map and the assets had to work for both ETS2 and ATS and since it was the first time we did such a thing, it was not without problems. But we made it," Milan says. What makes every map come to life are the assets such as houses or cars and the surroundings. In Winterland, we had to give them a layer of snow for the first time which was quite challenging as Anna told us. Anna"I used procedural generators to decorate and cover most of the assets on the map with snow. The biggest challenge was to maintain a balance between beautiful visuals and performance. Due to the geometry of the snow, the 3D model polycount was significantly higher than our usual standard. We had about two hundred such models in Winterland, so there was a bit of a risk. Players could officially see snow for the first time, that's why everyone on our team was excited to give the best Christmas gift to our best community," says Anna, our artist. The first part of work on the assets was done by our research team who gathered reference material as guidance and inspiration for our asset makers. Mary"This event was special for ATS & ETS2 in many ways, it was important to gather all possible references and inspiration that would help the process of creating the Christmas map. Part of that work was also the design of Christmas depots, including their brands. We made sure they felt warm, welcoming, and in the right spirit for the event. That was the fun part for us," says Mary, our researcher. Not only did we come up with a new map, but we also made specific trailer and truck paint jobs for this event which turned out to be more difficult than one might think. Tomáš, our graphic designer responsible for the paint jobs, told us more about it. Tomáš"The main goal was to come up with 5 trailers, each representing a specific Winterland depot. Dealing with the paint job was complicated, as it had to be compatible with both European and American trailers, which differ in size. In the end, we created one identical frame that was the same for all the trailers, but only the inside of the frame was changed." "The next step was to come up with a paint job for the truck that would match all the trailers. As with the trailers, we created a single paint job for the cab that was compatible with both ETS2 and ATS. Despite the initial nervousness, I ended up appreciating that the team gave me this task and I was able to be part of my first big project which allowed me to develop some new skills. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this project," Tomáš says. The Character Assets department had a lot of work on their plate. They had to develop completely new characters for the Winterland map and create new animations for them. The most memorable ones were probably the ice skaters on the frozen pond. Rado"For the event, we have created an extensive list of new characters and their animations in winter clothes with a sufficient number of variants - 16 women and 8 men with 10 versions of each character. In addition to human characters, a group of reindeer and an animation of the crank mechanism of a steam locomotive were created for this event. Another task we participated in was the modification and creation of new particle emitters like snow coming from the truck and trailer wheels and different types of smoke from chimneys and the locomotive," says Rado, our Character Assets lead. Another task the team had to tackle was the design and implementation of the portal tech. "Early in the project, we decided that each generated Christmas event job should have a decent selection of portals available nearby. We also did not want to place the portals at services or garages; those would not feel magical enough. In the end, we decided to use parking areas outside of cities," Sipak, our programmer, says. "This was a challenging task since parking areas weren't designed to support the spawning of vehicles after players teleported there. We developed a set of algorithms that automatically decided which parking areas are suitable for portals, find safe spots where the player's vehicle teleports to, and decide which portals to use so it's neither too far from nor too close to the destination and also on the correct side of the highway. We also had to teach the servers about the portals to enable them to generate the event jobs, and to update the game's UI in many places to correctly support jobs where the player, not the GPS, chooses the path," Sipak shares with us. To add as much realism as possible, we also needed to adjust the truck's physics of driving on snow and ice, which our programmer Max told us about. Max"Creating the support for snow, snowy roads, and ice physics simulation was fun indeed. Since we introduced an electronic stability protocol with more precise simulation and refined physical behavior in the previous update, we could make use of that even further. The rest was just a matter of fine-tuning the ABS, ASR, and automatic gearbox shifting conditions to fit the new terrains and physical materials. Now we have another source of trucking fun, especially if you disable all those assistants," Max told us. And we cannot forget about those beautiful cabin accessories you received if you successfully completed the event! Those cute Christmas-themed decorations were made by our graphic designer, Wolfka. Wolfka"This year, thanks to a completely new map for the Christmas event, the approach to inventing accessories was a little different than in previous years. In the past, the overall theme of the event was more of an issue, but this year it was necessary to connect the interior decorations to the individual depots the players were going to while still maintaining the connection to Christmas and the event theme. The biggest challenge in creating the Christmas toys was to make them in a short time so that they were presentable and exuded the Christmas spirit, which I think was successful and resulted in a beautiful collection that combines the classic Christmas colors. Does anyone have any idea where you can get a sweater exactly like the one I made? I'd love to wear it next Christmas," says Wolfka about her work on the project. Of course, before we release any new content, we must test it thoroughly to ensure that our #BestCommunityEver can enjoy it without any problems along the way and this event was no different. Petr"Testing the Christmas event was a fascinating and challenging experience. At QA, we were aware that this big event required the utmost care as it was a Christmas gift for our community. I was excited about finally having snow in the game, and eager to see the players' reaction when they saw it. It was very interesting to tweak the behavior of the truck on the snow. Our programmers did a great job of maintaining a sufficient simulation without affecting the fun of truck control. Zigzagging on a frozen lake leaves many fond memories, especially when a flying tree suddenly appears next to you or you plummet under the roadway into an endless abyss," says Petr, our senior tester. We also had a beautiful old-school steam locomotive driving around the map which gave it a more fairy-tale feeling. Our graphic designer Dino tells us about designing this locomotive. "One of the things I didn't expect to work on in our games was a steam locomotive. I didn't have any knowledge of it prior to this task, so the researching of the components was very fun. And since it's supposed to be an AI vehicle, it means it will be animated so all the logical moving parts should be there. Texturing was very fun too, and it was all very well coordinated by Lucie, the producer. She was giving quick feedback which helped to achieve the Christmas feel of the old locomotive and wagons," Dino says. With a project this big, the teams had to overcome a lot of challenges. "Especially understanding and agreeing to the artistic vision as a team; there were many challenges in conveying and iterating the creative vision with all key stakeholders. Effort forecasting and scheduling were difficult, because of the uncertainties surrounding the new map-loading technology and the portals," says Gavin. "Testing posed another significant hurdle, due to new gameplay mechanics, especially regarding the impact on convoys in multiplayer. The logistics and resource management were also complicated due to other competing high-priority projects. Moreover, fine-tuning assets and refining the environment presented their own set of obstacles, due to the nuances of the Christmas event lore and the information that we wanted to convey to the player," Gavin adds. Even though there were a few last-minute concerns and challenges, we luckily resolved them and released the event in time. "When we finally saw what the event was going to be like, once it came together and was being reviewed and tested, it galvanized the teams to commit to the final level of polish to make the map and event really shine. And typically, it’s that last ten percent of polish that requires the greatest effort. We simply saw that the event was so good, we had to nail it for the players, and for ourselves, since we had been working on it for such a long time," Gavin concludes. This definitely isn't the last time you're seeing the magical Christmas Winterland. We are already having discussions and design meetings on how we can improve the whole concept and technology for future events to come, so stay tuned for that! Remember to follow us on our social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) so you won't miss out on any news about our upcoming events. Until then, we'll see you on the road! Просмотр полной статьи

Are you up for a challenge that will test your knowledge of the world and your detective abilities? This blog post features sneak peeks from the upcoming Greece DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Can you pinpoint the real-world locations in each image? Let us know in the comments below and let's unravel these mysteries together! Greece DLC brings the charm of southern history, a beautiful sun-kissed coastline, and cultural wonders, making this Mediterranean gem truly unique. This map expansion not only unveils the captivating landscapes of inland Greece but also invites truckers to explore the charm of some islands. Let us know where you think these photos take place! We're excited to see who came closest with their guesses! While this DLC is still in its early development stages, we hope this blog provides a peek into the ongoing work. If you're excited for this DLC to come, add the Greece DLC to your Steam Wishlist, and stay tuned to our Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for all the latest updates! Просмотр полной статьи

Today we're happy to share with you the final blog on Phase 3 of the California Rework project, which we are excited to announce will come to American Truck Simulator players in the upcoming 1.50 update! Previously we shared with you a variety of different topics here on our blog, which if you missed you can take a read here. So without further ado, let's delve into what the team has been up to! Welcome to San Francisco, arguably one of the most famous cities on the West Coast, and the second-most densely populated major city in the USA. We are excited to present to you a look into the work undertaken in and around San Fran, and what changes you can expect to see around the area from a truck driver's perspective. We spoke with Patrik S, who was one of the main driving forces behind the rework of San Francisco about the process behind it all. When the team began working on this area, they first looked at how they would approach it. "We all agreed that San Fran holds a special place in our hearts, and that really did like the original version which exists in our current base map" Patrik goes on to explain, — "Created originally by Milan Vavron who we nicknamed the "Father" of ATS maps — he was the very person to work on the map after Pavel approved the ATS project; we wanted to choose a different approach to keep the charm and details he created there". However after Patrik visited the city back in 2019, and a research trip was conducted more recently, the team came to a decision together on how to tackle the area. "We decided to take a different approach from the other cities we had worked on. Instead of removing the whole area and starting from scratch, we decided to revamp his original creation and bring it up to the quality standard we hold today" Patrik tells us, "We made layout updates that match our current standards, including updates to the surroundings such as material switches, newer models and more. We also took the time to correct a few things that were not possible in the past due to technical limitations. This includes things like view distance limitations from areas such as the Golden Gate Bridge and other parts of the Bay Area" "We updated but kept the iconic waterfront of San Francisco, as well as the famous steep streets and even added new trams that extend to new areas of the map. The road network has been reworked to give them a modern and more realistic look, and we updated all the road signage with thanks to our Australian colleague, Nathan. However one change you may notice is that a majority of the steep streets have become "secret roads", so that we could keep famous roads such as Lombard Street in-game, whilst not forcing the player to drive where trucks usually don't drive." "We also added a new junction at the west end of Bay Bridge, that includes a ramp from the bridge which takes drivers downtown which we are sure players will love. This will be first time in American Truck Simulator that players will experience driving between towering skyscrapers! For the iconic Skyline you'll see from different points around the area, we used some of my own reference pictures to make a panorama model which can be viewed from a distance". As you can see, the rework team has really gone above and beyond when updating this area. To give you a taste of what is to come, we've highlighted a couple of areas which you'll be able to experience in the 1.50 update for ATS. Golden Gate Bridge Would it even be San Francisco without the world famous Golden Gate Bridge? Our rework team has completely re-made this model from scratch to best represent the current state, look and layout of the iconic landmark. You'll find that it now includes the arch at the south end, as well as the option to drive under the bridge to see the Fort, if you do find the way. In total, the team made around 20 different draft versions of the bridge, with different lengths and widths, until they came to a decision on the most suitable one for the scale we work with. This new updated version you will find is a little bit wider and longer than the original, just to keep to proportions. When you enter the Bridge, you'll approach a completely new tollgate which has been custom built, so it is no longer one large prefab as it was previously. We also decided to remove the artificial fog that permanently surrounded the bridge, and replaced it with an updated system that can generate fog with our weather system. So depending on the time, the day or the weather, the view could be different! We are happy to give the love that this wonder of the modern world an overhaul and a fresh update for all drivers to enjoy. Pier 39 Pier 39, where San Fran meets the Bay to Play. This iconic waterfront area is a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike. Our team which focused on reworking this area made quite a few changes to accommodate truckers and to add in more details. The first being the truck garage which has now been moved from behind Pier 39 to a more suitable location. We upgraded the model of the pier significantly, as well as reworking the roads in the surrounding area to better match its real life counterpart. It also serves as a great location for our new expanded Tram network to make a 'U-Turn', which is where the real thing does too! You may even be able to spot some of the local residents of Pier 39, who reside there for a majority of the year. We're of course talking about the Sea Lions! Be sure to use your ears to navigate towards them, if you'd like to see them. We are excited for you to check out this famous area for yourself, whilst out on delivery or during your free-roam time. As you'll have the opportunity to explore the third phase of the California Rework project in the upcoming free 1.50 update, we've also crafted a brief video trailer highlighting the beautiful transformation California has undergone in recent months. We hope this preview ignites your excitement for what lies ahead! We look forward to the time when you'll be able to explore this fantastic city for yourself, which will come as a free update to all owners of American Truck Simulator in the 1.50 update. Whilst we're still working hard to bring it all together, be sure to share your thoughts and comments with us on our social media channels, as our team would love to hear how much you love the changes. We hope you enjoyed reading, and we look forward to bringing you more development news in the near future. Until then, keep on truckin'! Просмотр полной статьи