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


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

Janek (current leader of the project)


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

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

Tereza


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

Tomáš


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

Juraj


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

Margo


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

Martin


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

Hoang


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

Bartłomiej


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

Roman


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


Františka

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


Pavel

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


Honorable mention - Mrázik (previous team lead)


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

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



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

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



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

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



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



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



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

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


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

From the meandering currents of its rivers to the tranquil shores of its lakes, Oklahoma is home to a variety of different water bodies large and small. Long before roads existed, both lakes and rivers were used as a way to navigate across America. Today, they have become popular attraction for both locals and visitors to enjoy recreational activities and admire their natural beauty.



Let's keep the flow going and showcase some of the ones you'll find in our upcoming Oklahoma DLC!


Oklahoma has approximately 78,603 miles of river, with two of the most prominent being the Arkansas and Red River, both which stretch over 1400 miles long across several states!






As a tributary of the mighty Mississippi River, the Red River gets its name thanks to the brownish-red color of its water, caused by large amounts of red dirt and sediment. The Red River isn't the only tributary in town however, the Arkansas River is too! As one of the most important rivers in the mid-west, the Arkansas River is an irreplaceable hub of trade and commerce in the region. It is also an important habitat for wildlife both on the land and in the water.




One of the "newest" rivers in the state is the The Oklahoma River. Located in the center of the nation, The seven-mile stretch of river was originally known as the North Canadian River. This area has since been transformed into a beautiful landscaped areas featuring trails and recreational facilities.


Oklahoma is also home to more than 200 lakes, including Lake Eufaula and Texoma; both which are featured in our upcoming DLC.




Lake Eufaula, named after the nearby city, is Oklahoma's largest lake, boasting an impressive 105,500 surface acres with over 800 miles of shoreline. From fishing to watching the wildlife, it has always been a popular hub for enjoying its natural beauty.





Lake Texoma is Oklahoma's second-largest lake and one of the largest reservoirs in the United States; and as a State Park, it offers great facilities for both visitors and locals alike. Like a majority of the lakes in the State, Texoma was formed by Denison Dam on the Red River.


Dams play an important role and serve multiple purposes; including flood control, water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife preservation, and/or hydroelectric power. With such large rivers flowing through Oklahoma, you can understand the need to construct quite a few of them.






Well dam! I think that's enough water talk for today, but we look forward to showcasing more from our upcoming DLC in the near future. Until then, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2209650/American_Truck_Simulator__Oklahoma/

It is truly amazing to be able to use just three letters to instantly evoke the feeling of reliability, performance, and absolute driver satisfaction. This is why the Volvo VNL is an embodiment of excellence in the trucking world, and we are excited to let you know that a brand new generation with multiple models has arrived in American Truck Simulator as a free update!


The new models include the VNL 860, 740, and 300, with the 860 standing in the spotlight as the flagship and most advanced model of the three, offering the highest standard for the most demanding of truckers. And, to provide you with the possibility of making this awesome truck feel truly yours after you get it in the game, we will include several different customization options for both the interior and exterior that will make you stand out wherever your journey will take you.

The interior and exterior customizations include:

• 3 cabin types - Daycab (300), 740 Sleeper, 860 Sleeper
  
• Trim options - Fleet, Standard, Touring, Limited
  
• Steering wheel - standard, premium (with stitching)
  
• Seats - cloth, vinyl, and leather in different colors
  
• Floor mats - rubber, fabric
  
• 10 different chassis types in total
  
• several spots for accessory placement in the interior and over a hundred detailed options on the outside including new exclusive paint jobs

This truck is available with cutting-edge engine options that redefine performance. Offering a selection between the Volvo D13 engine, the Volvo D13 Turbo Compound engine, and the Cummins X15, you will always feel more than capable when conquering steep inclines or cruising effortlessly on the open road.









We’d like to thank Volvo Trucks North America for their cooperation with us on this project and we’re sure the members of their team would very much love to see your feedback in the form of videos or screenshots on social media. Once you get your hands on the truck, make sure to tag us (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and Volvo Trucks North America (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and we’ll make sure to share the best posts both in our internal channels and publicly via the accounts as well.

Once again, this addition comes as a free update and the new VNL is available at the nearest Volvo Trucks dealer in the game right now! So, check it out, customize it according to your personal preference, and set out on a journey across American Truck Simulator like never before.

We know that many of you are very excited about the changes in the upcoming phase 3 of our ongoing California Rework project for American Truck Simulator, and we are glad to share some more information about it with you today. Get ready to hit the road to Santa Cruz, which will be completely revamped from the ground up!


Santa Cruz is a city with a rich history, founded in 1791 by Spanish explorers. Its unique city layout is in the "European style," with an irregular grid of streets that reflects the city's history. Today, Santa Cruz is a tourist town known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant downtown area. The main city center is located off the coast and is formed by Pacific Ave, which is home to most shops, boutiques, restaurants, and hotels. The most interesting spot in downtown Santa Cruz is the intersection around the Town Clock, where visitors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the city.








If you head west along the coast, you'll find the old lighthouse, which now houses the Surfing Museum. Near the lighthouse and the southern tip of the mainland, you'll find Lighthouse Field State Beach Park, where you can check out some beautiful relaxing views.



The city center is located on the ocean coast, with Santa Cruz Wharf's wooden pier and several houses and restaurants. To the east of the pier, on Beach St., is the Santa Cruz Boardwalk promenade with an amusement park and several restaurants. The Boardwalk is a popular spot for visitors to the city, with its iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster and other rides.



Please mind that what you can see in the screenshots is still very much a "work in progress" and you might spot some placeholder depots which will be replaced in the final version. That being said, we sincerely hope this blog post got you excited enough to pay the city a visit once the third phase of California rework will become available in the game. If you are looking forward to finding out what else is coming in this phase, follow our social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and you will never miss out on any important information. We’ll see you on the (reworked) road!

There's no better feeling than hitting the road and traveling to a U.S. State you've never been to; but before you get going, there are a few rules you need to follow. Each state has its own regulations and laws for truck drivers and Oklahoma is no exception.



Ports of Entry are where your journey begins. These gateways ensure that you and your truck are ready for the road ahead. At these checkpoints, you'll undergo inspections to make sure you have all the necessary permits and paperwork and that truck and cargo are in compliance with state and federal regulations. You'll be on your way in no time if you are!







Once you're on your way, you may encounter weigh stations along your route. These play a vital role in keeping the roads safe and secure. Prepare to have your truck's weight measured accurately, as overloading can pose serious risks. Keep an eye on those weight limits to avoid penalties and ensure a smooth journey through the beautiful landscapes of Oklahoma.






So as long as you're in check, we hope you enjoy all the road has to offer in our upcoming Oklahoma DLC for American Truck Simulator. Be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist if you're looking forward to it. We can't wait to share more with you about its development in the future. Until then, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2209650/American_Truck_Simulator__Oklahoma/

Since you loved our latest Kansas DLC blog post in which we played the "Guess Where We Are" mini-game, we have decided to reach out to our map designers for even more screenshots and they were kind enough to provide us with several more locations. So, here goes round two - can you guess the places?












As before, your hard work will not come to naught, as those who will guess correctly in the comments under the blog or social media posts, will have a chance to eventually receive a free key of the map expansion once it will be released. We were truly amazed by the keen eye of some of you the last time and we wish you the best of luck in this round as well!










Overall, Kansas DLC will offer stunning nature, interesting cities and industries, and a unique atmosphere with new experiences. If you are looking forward to driving across The Sunflower State, add this project to your Steam Wishlist and follow our social media profiles (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to never miss out on any important updates.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2298430/American_Truck_Simulator__Kansas/

Back in January, we posted a blog sharing some details on some of the Industries that will be featured in our upcoming Oklahoma DLC for American Truck Simulator. Since then, our team has completed a considerable amount of work on the depots and placed them into the world, which we are happy to share with you today!



From Tire Factories to a River Ports, our teams have paid particular attention when creating these industries within the American Truck Simulator economy. This includes designing brand artwork for new and existing depots, which our artists have been tasked with creating. Today we'd love to show you a combination of the both, with a little behind the scenes insight for these upcoming Oklahoma industries.








As we showcased in a previous blogpost, Oklahoma will feature a range of different industries unique to the state. This includes a River Port, Bus Factory, Building Technology Factory, Gas & Chemical Distributions, Tire Factory, Furniture Store and Public Works. With these industries will come some new unique cargo additions too, which we look forward to sharing more about in a future blog post.







Almost as important as the cargo is the companies' image. Our artists have been hard at work updating and creating new brands across the American Truck Simulator world; and Oklahoma is no exception. On your travels, you'll be able to spot an array of new logos and brands, each one going through a process of being changed and refined multiple times to create a design that is recognisable to the industry they represent, which is no easy task!









We spoke with our in-house artist, Annie, about the designs of some of the brands you'll find in Oklahoma, here is what she had to say about them:

Know as ERPO, I designed this logo with a sleek, simple, minimalist design which aims to inspire confidence in the company and its services. I did experiment a lot with this one, especially with the rounded squares (as they were alot of fun to play with!). Even if we end up not using most of the designs, they can be recycled and reused later in production.



This industry stood out from the rest from the very beginning. Having come with a very unique and exciting new depot, I chose to give Yelco's logo and assets a stylish, modern look - but one that also screamed "reliability". I felt like a diamond and triangular shapes in general fit the theme!



Technoma's logo was a fun one to design. Since the company specializes in air conditioning, heating and cooling systems (among other things), I let these concepts inspire the logo creation. As for the assets themselves, I aimed to create a really distinct look that set the company apart from its competitors in ATS, using the "pipe" shape from the logo itself. It was a very fun assignment and I hope our players like the results.



Dynamix is a manufacturer that isn't at all new to ATS, you may have encountered it in your garage before where it has served as one of our default tire manufacturers for years. It's always exciting to bring an old company closer to fans and letting them interact with it. Dynamix's logo has been given a little "facelift", alongside a brand new depot and modern signs to go with it!



Creating a logo for CCW (Central Civil Works) was a fairly challenging task, as we struggled with the artistic direction at first. Ultimately, we chose the more modern take on the logo, in a vibrant dark green colour we considered underrepresented in our game, helping the company stand out.



Creating the look of our new furniture store, Myroo, was a very fun task. Unlike with most depots, Myroo gave us the opportunity to get extra creative with the building itself. I had fun experimenting with different materials, eventually settling on wooden decorative elements, which we'd use later in the signs designs as well. When it came to the design process behind the logo, the key words in this case were family-friendly, cozy & welcoming.



https://store.steampowered.com/app/2209650/American_Truck_Simulator__Oklahoma/

A couple of months ago we officially announced phase 3 of our ongoing California Rework project and we are really excited to bring you some more news today. Focused mainly on the eastern part of the state, check out the screenshots and information below on what changes you can experience once this phase will be fully ready for you to get your hands on it.



Eastern California is reminiscent of Nevada due to its similar desert landscapes, dry climate, and geology. It’s important to know this as there is a fair amount of work being done in this entire area, which will see changes not only to the environment but also to the US-395 and US-6 roads. Additionally, there will be a brand new road to journey across - the CA-120. We hope these changes will further improve your enjoyment of driving through this area of The Golden State.








You may be familiar with the Agricultural Inspection Stations which we’ve added in the previous phases. This time around even more will be added at the border checks at US-50, US-395, and US-6. These enhanced checks are meant to simulate the real-world agricultural inspections that take place at border crossings and we hope it will add a new level of realism to the game.









As you can see, there’s also a small tease in the last screenshot but that’s a story for another day (feel free to guess what it is though!). For now, let us know how you like our progress so far, and make sure to follow our social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to stay in touch with more updates and news in the future.