Truckers, start your engines and get ready to roll through The Prairie State! From the towering skyline of Chicago to the highways that carry freight across the Midwest and beyond, weβre excited to announce that the..
Illinois DLC for American Truck SimulatorΒ will be released on May 14th 2026
Weβre just as excited as you are! To keep the wheels turning, weβve released the official Illinois DLC trailer on our YouTube channel. Put together by our talented video team, it offers a glimpse into the diverse landscapes, iconic landmarks, industries and cities waiting for you on the road. Be sure to check it out, and if you enjoy it, drop a like and let us know what you think!
As we approach the release, our teams are putting the final touches on Illinois to ensure everything is ready for the journey ahead. We canβt wait to see you hit the road for the very first time! From navigating the busy streets of Chicago, with its skyscrapers and intricate road network, to cruising through the stateβs vast agricultural heartlands, Illinois offers a rich and varied trucking experience.Β
Along the way, youβll encounter detailed landmarks, unique infrastructure, and locations inspired by real-world industries, all carefully crafted by our teams to bring an authentic and immersive trucking experience to every mile of the journey. We think you'll love what they've been able to bring to this DLC!
With the release of Illinois, weβre also proud to mark a major milestone in American Truck Simulator, as the iconic Route 66 is now fully driveable across the map. From its western beginnings all the way to its eastern reaches, drivers can experience this legendary highway in its entirety, taking in the sights, history, and atmosphere that have made it a symbol of the open road.
Ready to roll through Illinois? Donβt forget to add the Illinois DLC to your Steam Wishlist to be notified as soon as it goes live. Your support truly means a lot to us and helps drive our future projects forward. We look forward to welcoming you to the roads of Illinois with you very soon. Until then, keep on truckinβ!
We have just shipped an updated Steam Deck Client to the Stable channel.
General
Added a setting to enable 'Switch To Desktop' in the login screen. It can be found in System Settings.
Added a low battery level toast for wireless gamepads.
Added a battery indicator to the header for wireless gamepads.
Updated the Store main menu option to navigate to the Steam Store home page instead of the Great On Deck hub.
Improved compatibility with WiFi captive portals.
Improved client performance when there are many unread account notifications pending.
Fixed a case where opting into the 'Preview' channel could silently fail.
Fixed subtle sizing issues with the Recently Played carousel.
Fixed the Voice chat tab of the QAM not being hidden after exiting all active voice chats.
Fixed spell check not working in certain browser views.
Chat
Moved Steam chat into the quick access menu, making it easier to access while in-game.
Introduced new quick chat feature for Steam Deck and Big Picture Mode.
When in a chat, press and hold the view button to bring up quick chat options.
Move thumbstick and release view button to send a quick chat.
Quick chats can be edited in Settings > Keyboard.
Focus will no longer jump to room effect replay buttons when scrolling through chat history.
Fixed a bug that would sometimes prevent chat history from loading when scrolling up.
Downloads
Added Remote Downloads Management. This allows you to manage downloads on Remote Steam Clients from the downloads page. You can select different clients by pressing Y on the downloads page.
The App Details page now has the same options and statuses for remote clients as the local client.
Both the local and remote clients must be updated to enable this feature.
Game Recording
Fixed the instant clip shortcut not working for non-Steam games when using a gamepad.
Fixed a bug which affected taking a screenshot from a game recording clip.
Remote Play
Added feedback if capture can't be started on the remote computer.
Cloud
Fixed an issue which could lead to data loss when uninstalling, reinstalling, and playing a game without restarting the client in between.
Steam Input
Revised controller settings to reduce clutter and to make them work better with gamepads.
Changed controller settings to use a menu and details structure instead of tabs to list the connected controllers.
Fixed a case where radial menus would fail to dismiss after releasing the joystick on Steam Deck.
Fixed a case where the controller calibration screen could fail to load the correct values the first time it is opened.
A new Steam client has been released and will be automatically downloaded.
General
Added a low battery level toast for wireless gamepads. Battery notifications for Xbox controllers on Windows are temporarily disabled.
Added System Report button to the Help section on Windows.
Improved client performance when there are many unread account notifications pending.
Fixed spell check not working in certain browser views.
Big Picture Mode
Moved Steam chat into the quick access menu, making it easier to access while in-game.
Introduced new quick chat feature for Steam Deck and Big Picture Mode.
When in a chat, press and hold the view button to bring up quick chat options.
Move thumbstick and release view button to send a quick chat.
Quick chats can be edited in Settings > Keyboard.
Added a battery indicator to the header for wireless gamepads.
Updated the Store main menu option to navigate to the Steam Store home page instead of the Great On Deck hub.
Fixed the Voice chat tab of the quick access menu not being hidden after exiting all active voice chats.
Fixed an issue with the "use the gamepadui overlay when a controller is connected" mode where desktopUI chat windows could open and block the Big Picture overlay.
Downloads
Added Remote Downloads Management. This allows you to manage downloads on Remote Steam Clients from the downloads page.
The App Details page now has the same options and statuses for remote clients as the local client.
Both the local and remote clients must be updated to enable this feature.
Remote Play
Enabled streaming while Remote Desktop is active on Windows.
Added more flexible options to the Advanced Host Options for selecting primary display, resolution, refresh rate, etc. while streaming from a Windows computer. This will also allow setting whether HDR is enabled while streaming.
Added support for the SudoVDA virtual display driver on Windows. If you have the SudoVDA driver installed and select this as your primary display in the Advanced Host Options, Steam will automatically create a virtual display to match the client display settings.
Added support for streaming 7.1 surround sound.
Added a workaround for an AMD driver bug causing stream corruption and lockups on Windows. This bug is also fixed in the latest AMD drivers, version 26.3.1.
Added feedback if capture can't be started on the remote computer.
Fixed launching with surround sound audio when streaming a game from the library.
Game Recording
Fixed the instant clip shortcut not working for non-Steam games when using a gamepad.
Fixed a bug which affected taking a screenshot from a game recording clip.
Cloud
Fixed an issue which could lead to data loss when uninstalling, reinstalling, and playing a game without restarting the client in between.
Steam Input
Revised controller settings to reduce clutter and to make them work better with gamepads.
Fixed a case where radial menus would fail to dismiss after releasing the joystick on Steam Deck.
Fixed a case where the controller calibration screen could fail to load the correct values the first time it is opened.
Windows
Updated CPUID SDK used for CPU Temperature in in-game overlay performance monitor when enabled.
macOS
Fixed soundtrack playback not working on Apple Silicon machines.
Steam Next Fest is a week-long celebration featuring hundreds of FREE playable demos as well as developer livestreams and chats. Players try out upcoming games on Steam pre-release, developers gather feedback and build an audience ahead of their Steam launch, everyone wins!
Lately, thereβs been quite a bit of chatter echoing across the highways ofΒ American Truck Simulator. From truck stops to weigh stations, drivers have been exchanging stories about a certain unfamiliar rig cruising the open road. Naturally, this caught our attention!
This mysterious machine hasnβt made things easy for those trying to get a closer look. With its smooth ride and surprisingly quiet presence, it seems to come and go before anyone can properly study it. The image weβve seen so far leaves plenty of questions unanswered, but also sparks a lot of excitement.
What weβre seeing here is a truck that keeps its secrets well. Its modern design and refined presence hint at something built with both performance and driver comfort in mind. However, details remain limited, and no one has managed to get a closer, clearer lookβ¦ yet.
Reports suggest that this mysterious newcomer could be a strong contender for both long-haul journeys and regional routes alike, offering versatility for all kinds of jobs across the vast American landscape. Beyond that, though, weβll leave the speculation up to you.
Do you think you know what it might be?
Weβll be sharing more information when the time is right. Be sure to stay connected with us on our social media channels onΒ X/Twitter,Β Facebook,Β BlueSky,Β YouTube, andΒ Instagram, and byΒ subscribing to our newsletterΒ so you donβt miss any future updates! Until next time, happy haulin'!
You can officially start adding Steam Controller to cart on May 4th, and we're excited for folks to get their hands on it (pun intended). You can learn more about Steam Controller (and bookmark it for when purchasing opens) on theΒ official product page, but we thought it would be fun to do a quick intro here as well.Β
This controller is packed with a ton of capabilities, so we wanted to take a moment to introduce you to what we think makes it so great.
First, the basics
Steam Controller is designed with all the inputs for you to play all your games on Steam, however you like to play.Β PC? Check. Laptop? Check. Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame? Check, check, and check. All the inputs youβd expect for a typical gamepad are right where youβd expect them, and we spent a lot of time ensuring they feel comfy in your hands for extended play session. And all the extra inputs? Ready and waiting for you when you want to use them.
Upgrades!
The Steam Controller uses next-generation magnetic thumbsticks with TMR technology. Designed for an improved feel, responsiveness, and long-term reliability, they also support capacitive touch for motion controls.Β
Also, it comes with a puck. The Steam Controller puck has two jobs: it provides a fast and stable connection as a wireless transmitterΒ and serves as your main charging station, connecting magnetically to your Controller with a super-satisfying click.
Advanced Inputs for gaming flexibility and performance
We wanted to make sure to highlight the advanced inputs in this controller that really give you the power and flexibility to play how you want:Β
Trackpads
Gyro
Grip SenseΒ
Grip buttons
We're highlighting some of the main features of Trackpads, Gyro, and Grip Sense below; but we'll also provide a more in-depth look for each of them in the coming weeks as we share their user guides, as well as details on ways you can customize these features for your experience.
Why trackpads?
Many games on PC are intended to be used with a mouse (think FPS, puzzle games, point-and-click adventures, and deck builders, in addition to a lot of older games). The trackpads on Steam Controller provide an enormous amount of flexibility for playing, especially in their ability to act as a mouse replacement for these kinds of games.Β They're highly precise and customizable, which allows you to dial them in whether for a cozy puzzle game or a highly competitive shooter.Β
Besides just using them as a mouse, in Steam Input you have the option to map them as many other things as well, like button clusters, joystick, virtual menus, and more.
Gyro seems cool; what does that mean on Steam Controller?
Gyroscopes and accelerometers aren't new to gaming (nor to Valve devices), but more recently the growth of the gyro gaming community (specifically those who really "dial it in" for competitive games) has helped drive the technology forward. The gyroscope is a highly precise sensor that detects the rotation of the entire controller, meaning as you're gaming with your Steam Controller you can find yourself aiming, controllingΒ cameras, steering wheels, and flight yokes with the tilt of the wrists.
We have a whole step-by-step guide for getting the most out of the gyro on Steam Controller that we'll be sharing soon on the product page. You should check it out!
But first--Β we can't talk about gyro on Steam Controller without talking about Grip Sense.
Wait, what is Grip Sense?Β
Grip Sense is what we're calling the new input that uses capacitive touch sensors to sense if you're holding the handles. There is one sensor in each handle of the Steam Controller. The primary use for this is to enable/disable Gyro quickly so you can reset your position when you get to the edge of your comfortable zone (called "ratcheting"). Kind of like when you reach the end of your mousepad and pick up your mouse to recenter it.
You can even map Grip Sense like any other button! We love using it to pull up menus, weapon wheels, and even pause the game when you put the controller down.Β
Grip Buttons
Grip buttons give you 4 extra, easy to use buttons for you to map whatever you want to. They are most especially useful when mapped to ABXY: you never have to move your thumb off the right stick or trackpad, allowing you to maintain precision at all times.Β
Powered by Steam Input
The Steam Controller and Steam Input would swipe right on each other if they could. (That's a terrible pun that just means they're a great match.)Β Using all the customization tools we provide in Steam Input Configurator, you can customize the Steam Controller however you want.Β The possibilities are limitless! (Well technically there is a finite amount of possibilities but itβs a really big number β it lets you do some crazy things)
Bonus cool factor with this? Steam Controller will be pre-populated with community configurations for thousands of games out-of-the box, and a good chunk of that is thanks to the hard work done by developers and the community for Steam Deck.Β You can also make and share your own!Β
More to come
We'll have more posts leading up to launch and beyond including how to guides, deeper looks at how we arrived at some of the features we did (including Grip Sense), and tips for things like traveling with your Steam Controller, different connectivity modes, and more.
Weβve kept the engine running, because today weβre excited to share a second gameplay preview from our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator! Ready to hit the road?
On this trip, weβre taking on a job contract that takes us through the bustling streets of Chicago. We start our journey at a construction site in the heart of the city, near the Roosevelt Bridge, where weβll make our way through downtown. Be sure to look out for landmarks such as Buckingham Fountain and for stunning skyline views of the city!
From there, we head south on Interstate 57, where we'll travel towards the picturesque landscapes of southern Illinois, with our final destination being a scenic marina near the city of Marion, located along the shores of Lake Rend. Fancy tagging along for the ride? If so, join us as a co-driver by watching the video below!Β
We hope you enjoyed this gameplay preview of Illinois and the trucking opportunities it will bring to American Truck Simulator! If you like what you've seen, be sure to add the Illinois DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Not only does it support our work, but it also ensures you'll be notified as soon as the DLC is released. Thank you all for your kind comments and support so far, we can't wait to see you out on the roads of The Prairie State.Β
[p]Fixed a bug where players can get stuck in a planted-turn state.[/p][/*]
[p]Made foot IK transitions smoother.[/p][/*]
[p]Adjusted the firstperson in-air crouch transition time to match the thirdperson animation better.[/p][/*]
[p]Fixed a case where high frequency stutter steps would cause large pose changes.[/p][/*]
[p]Fixed a case where legs would snap when quickly stopping and then continuing in same direction.[/p][/*]
[p]Adjusted thirdperson bomb plant animation to more closely match firstperson animation.[/p][/*]
[p]Minor adjustments to viewmodel animations.[/p][/*]
[p][/p][p]\[ MISC ][/p]
[p]Fixed random crash on startup when a non-default Audio Device was specified in settings or when sound_device_override was specified in a config file or on the command line.[/p][/*]
[p]Adjusted official map guides to match new surface smoothing.[/p][/*]
[p]Dropped weapons with silencers now correctly reflect the silenced state.[/p][/*]
As the work on the Isle of Ireland DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2 continues, we thought about taking you behind the scenes of our work and showing you more about what a job as a researcher in SCS Software looks like. So today, we bring you an interview with our colleague Adam, who will tell you more about his work on the Isle of Ireland!
Adam joined SCS in 2022, and since then, his primary focus has been on map DLCs for Euro Truck Simulator 2.Β
"I've conducted research for the West Balkans, Greece, Nordic Horizons, and the reworks of Switzerland and the Benelux. The UK rework and the Isle of Ireland are the first two projects I've been tasked with overseeing for the Research & Game Development department. The Isle of Ireland is special to me for personal reasons as well, since this is the first time I have the opportunity to collaborate with my brother, who is the map lead for this DLC."
Adam is responsible for ensuring that the department prepares high-quality materials for the Isle of Ireland DLC in a timely manner for the other departments. "These aren't just references for map designers; other specialized departmentsΒ βΒ such as the vehicle, vegetation, and road design teamsΒ βΒ also rely on our work. But I don't do this alone. Our team has experts for all of these various areas. I work alongside many talented and enthusiastic people," Adam explains.
So, how exactly does the process of research for map expansions look? The department's involvement begins long before any actual map building starts, laying the groundwork that shapes everything that follows.
"In the first phase, it was necessary to thoroughly familiarize ourselves with the history, culture, natural environment, relevant laws, and traffic regulations. In collaboration with the map lead, we selected the cities we wanted to include in the DLC, and I proposed which highways and roads would connect them. An important part of our work is also figuring out the placement of depots across the map so that the economy works for us. We have a specialist on our team dedicated to this very issue. With her help, and in collaboration with the map lead, we also prepared completely new economy depots for the DLC. We then researched exactly how they work and designed the best way to implement them in our game," Adam says.
Once the planning phase is complete, the team moves on to gathering detailed real-world references, capturing both the big picture and the subtle differences that make each location unique.
"The next step was collecting photographic data, during which our team "scanned" all the roads and towns, shot by shot, trying to capture what is typical for the island. We tried to capture the most important elements, but we also focused on the small details. I also emphasized that different parts of the island vary significantly, and it was necessary to take this into account. As an example, I can mention road markings, which are completely different between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland," he told us.
"The result of this phase of the project is a shortlist of the most important assets, which the asset department creates based on the source materials, so that map designers can subsequently use them to assemble the map. In the same way, and in collaboration with our vegetation specialist, specifications for the vegetation department are then developed," Adam explained to us.
The work of the department goes far beyond general research - it often requires diving deep into highly specific and technical details to ensure authenticity.
"We also need to understand the local culture, customs, and context. As an example, I can mention directional signs, where it was necessary to study manuals, and together with the road department, figure out how to approach the fact that specific dimensions vary from sign to sign - requiring a solution that respects reality while remaining technically feasible. In reality, all dimensions are based on the size of the lowercase letter "x," and once this value is determined, we divide it by 4 to get the so-called "Stroke Width," and all other elements - spacing, arrow size, borders, and the size of the sign itself - are calculated as multiples of this unit. And the size of "x" itself is influenced by the permitted speed and the type of sign."
But their work is far from over, and it won't be finished until the Isle of Ireland DLC is actually released. "We're continuing to prepare materials for the creation of new vehicles, assets, 3D character models, vegetation, and branding. We're also conducting quality checks directly in the editor and gathering all sorts of additional information," Adam told us.
The biggest challenge regarding research for the Isle of Ireland is that it is a vibrant and rapidly developing region, as new developments are constantly being built and the landscape is literally changing in front of your eyes.
"For example, the port of Rosslare underwent a major modernization last year, completely transforming its transportation layout. Waterford, meanwhile, is currently undergoing one of the largest urban transformations in its modern history. As for the architecture, perhaps the biggest challenge was to accurately capture the differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as to convey the character of the smaller, charming towns with their picturesque, colorful houses. It's satisfying when I manage to solve a problem and track down information or a reference thatβs hard to find," he says.
To bring all that research and planning to life, the map team will carefully translate Ireland's unique character into the in-game world, giving players a lot to explore as they uncover the map filled with plenty of landmarks to discover.
"The Irish island has a rich and complex history and a strong cultural identity, all of which will be reflected in the map's design.Β The entire island is a landmark in its own right, thanks to its unique scenery, but players can look forward to downtown Dublin on the banks of the River Liffey, the Samson & Goliath cranes in Belfast Harbor, the peat bogs in central Ireland, the wild landscapes of Connemara and the Killarney area, and much more," Adam hints.
And with that, Adam and the whole team would like to send a final message to our #BestCommunityEver as they continue to work hard on bringing you another quality map.
"I hope we'll be able to capture the magical atmosphere of this landscape with its cozy, colorful towns. I hope players will appreciate the attention to detail, discover all sorts of easter eggs, and that we'll be able to convey to them the enthusiasm with which we've approached the Isle of Ireland DLC from the very beginning. I myself am looking forward to getting behind the wheel and driving along the winding roads that twist through the green hills."
Weβre excited to continue our journey across South Dakota, highlighting even more of the cities coming with this DLC for American Truck Simulator. Each one has its own unique history and charm, which has been captured and recreated by our talented teams. Ready to check them out? Letβs get rolling!
AberdeenΒ
Located in northeastern South Dakota, Aberdeen serves as an important hub for agriculture and industry, and also acts as a key gateway for drivers heading towards North Dakota. Known as the βHub City,β it plays a vital role in connecting surrounding rural communities.
In-game, drivers will find a variety of industries to explore, including a large farm, a sizeable farm equipment scrapyard, and a soybean processing facility, reflecting the steady flow of agricultural freight that defines trucking across this part of the state. The city also features several notable buildings and landmarks such as the White House Inn, Aldersgate Church, and the Brown County Offices. There's plenty for you to explore here on your travels. Oh, and be sure to stop by the local truck stop before continuing your haul! Watertown
Surrounded by farmland and home to a range of industrial businesses, Watertown offers a unique blend of rural charm and economic activity. The city sits near the notable glacial Pelican Lake, a popular destination for outdoor activities and a natural getaway shaped by melting glaciers over 20,000 years ago.
Watertown is also known as the home of one of the most well-known American artists of wildlife and rural nostalgia, Terry Redlin, with an Art Centre named after him located in the city, which we've included in our recreation. Drivers will also be able to deliver to and from a range of industries in Watertown, including an ethanol plant, trailer manufacturing facility, and residential development depots.Β
Whilst driving through Watertown, you may notice the cityβs unique layout, which reflects its early origins. Diagonal streets form the original town centre, which were aligned with the railway that once ran through it, allowing for easier access when transporting goods. As the city grew beyond its initial footprint, development gradually shifted to a more traditional straight grid pattern, creating the distinct mix of layouts you can see today.
Brookings
Home to South Dakota State University, Brookings is a lively city with plenty to discover. One of its most recognisable sights is the Coughlin Campanile, a 165-foot-tall chimes tower completed in 1929, which stands proudly on the university campus. It was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Elsewhere in the city, youβll find Veterans Memorial Park, a multi-war memorial that honours all veterans, past, present, and future. Its design features a centralised star symbol representing the five branches of the armed forces.
Drivers passing through Brookings will also come across Pioneer Park, a popular local spot that hosts community events throughout the year. Looking for work? Brookings offers a wide range of job opportunities, including a custom farm depot and a furniture manufacturing facility, alongside several other industries that supports the local economy.Β
Yankton
Situated along the Missouri River, Yankton is a city deeply connected to the water, often earning it the nickname βRiver Cityβ. One of its most iconic landmarks is the Meridian Bridge, completed in 1924. This historic double-deck, vertical-lift structure was the first permanent crossing over the Missouri River in the Yankton area and played a vital role in connecting the region, including early freight routes moving goods across state lines.
Originally built to carry traffic between South Dakota and Nebraska, the bridge remained in use for over 80 years before being replaced in 2008. Today, it has been preserved as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing, allowing visitors to experience this impressive piece of engineering up close. It still stands as a defining landmark of Yankton, reflecting both the cityβs history and its strong connection to the river.
In Yankton itself, drivers can also pass by the Veterans Memorial and a local church. Many visitors are drawn to nearby Lewis and Clark Lake, one of the most popular recreation areas in the South Dakota state park system. Here, drivers will have the opportunity to complete deliveries to a local depot, all whilst taking in the sights and sounds of the city.Β
MitchellΒ
Located along Interstate 90 between Sioux Falls and Pierre, you'll find Mitchell, best known for one of South Dakotaβs unique attractions, the famous Corn Palace! Decorated with elaborate murals made entirely from corn and other grains, it draws visitors from across the country and stands as a true local icon. It's kinda corny, but we had to include it!Β
In addition to this landmark, Mitchell features a variety of industries for drivers to deliver to and from, including a grain elevator, farm depot, trailer production facility, and building materials factory. Youβll also find an oil and natural gas site nearby, along with a spacious truck stop, a familiar sight for long-haul drivers travelling along I-90.
Our team has done their best to squeeze in as much detail as possible into these smaller cities, within the scale of ATS. Finding the right balance is always a challenge, but we think theyβve done a great job bringing these South Dakota cities to life. Let us know what you think in the comments, weβd love to hear from you!
If you enjoyed todayβs look at the cities of South Dakota, be sure to add this upcoming DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Your support means a lot to us and helps drive our future releases. We look forward to sharing more development news and previews in the near future. Until next time, happy haulinβ!Β
[p]Adjusted camera motion due to recoil to match CS:GO more closely. Bullet trajectories should continue to match CS2.[/p][/*]
[p]Players will now experience the full camera motion due to external sources of aim punch (e.g. getting shot) regardless of network latency. The effects of aim punch on bullet trajectories are still applied immediately on the server.[/p][/*]
[p][/p][p]\[ ANIMGRAPH 2 ][/p]
[p]Minor adjustments to viewmodel animations.[/p][/*]
[p]Fixed several cases where crouch transitions in the air were instantaneous.[/p][/*]
[p]Fixed a bug where MVP panel characters weren't resetting correctly.[/p][/*]
In today's blog, we would like to show you the custom depots and completely new companies you will deliver cargo to and from in our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator, so let's take a look!
Illinois has one of the most diverse economies in the United States and a long history of manufacturing, producing a wide range of goods. It is also a major producer of non-electrical machinery, such as industrial and construction equipment, which is among its most important export industries.
As always, we wanted to reflect the real world when choosing depots for this map expansion, which is why you'll see representations of these industries in our newly created companies, as well as in our established custom depots. One of them is Antlion, a large construction machinery factory in Peoria. From there, you can take vehicles straight from the production line to the new dealer, GroundBreaker, in Quincy.
If you're a fan of boats, you're in for a treat. With Lake Michigan being a popular recreation spot in the state, you'll also be able to transport boats to or from the new Aqua Vista marinas in Marion and Chicago, as well as the already established Rock Port logistics company in Peoria.
And we couldn't forget about the Chicago International Airport, one of the busiest in the whole world. In our game, it's represented by a landmark cargo terminal, carefully recreated to match the real one, where players can load cargo onto aircraft. The area also includes a fuel station, where you can transport jet fuel. You will also be able to deliver cargo straight into a massive ULTIMUS transport plane!
In the Missouri DLC, we introduced underground warehouses, which offer an unusual experience of transporting cargo below the surface. Following that, you will be able to find the new UnderCity storage in Chicago, a big underground depot used for storing a wide range of products for the city's needs. Another one can be found near Quincy, a branch of the Terrastore company, which you are already familiar with from Missouri.
Agriculture is just as important to the state as manufacturing. Illinois is home to around 75,000 farms that cover nearly three-quarters of its land. Farmers produce large amounts of soybeans, corn, and dairy products, as well as raising pigs and cattle, helping supply food across the U.S. and around the world. That is why you will find plenty of custom depot farms around the cities of Marion, Champaign, Rockford, and Effingham.
Alongside these farms, you will also come across large Flavorfair grain elevator custom depots in East St. Louis and Quincy. These facilities play an important role in the agricultural supply chain, collecting and storing grain from nearby farms before it is transported onward for processing or distribution.
But that's not all. If you're looking to haul something a bit heavier, be sure to check out the quarries around Chicago and Rockford. You can also head to the custom timber harvest depot near Marion, where logging operations keep a steady supply of timber ready for transport.
Today, weβre excited to share a closer look at another key part of our upcoming Coaches DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2. While stepping behind the wheel of a coach introduces a brand-new way to experience the road, an equally important part of this new gameplay lies in where your journey begins and ends; the coach stations and stops themselves.
When development on Project Coaches began, there were already quite a few bus station prefabs placed across the ETS2 map. Many of you may have already spotted these throughout the map long before our official announcement of Coaches. While they served well as scenic placeholders, they were not really designed with our Coaches DLC in mind. As a result, a significant part of the Coaches development has focused on reworking these older assets, refreshing their layouts, and in many cases rebuilding them from the ground up so they better reflect real-world locations and integrate more naturally into their surroundings.
At the same time, expanding coverage across the map became a key priority. We spoke with Dominik, Producer of Project Coaches, to learn more. "From the very beginning, we faced a significant challenge, expanding the network of bus stations and stops across all of Europe. In some existing DLCs, these locations were scarce or missing entirely. Our primary goal was to cover key cities to ensure players can take on bus jobs even if they own a DLC that is currently disconnected from the rest of the road network. Following that, we focused on covering as many capital cities as possible while identifying new spots where we could realistically fit bus infrastructure into the map."
Of course, integrating these new locations into an already established world is far from straightforward. Many of our map expansions, such as Italia, Road to the Black Sea and Beyond the Baltic Sea were originally built without the Coaches' gameplay in mind. This means that adding new stations required revisiting existing cities and carefully adapting them to fit new infrastructure.
One of our map designers shares, "Most bus terminals require varying degrees of intervention into the existing map. Creating a brand-new station from scratch is a relatively straightforward process, essentially standard map development. However, adding new areas to locations where they weren't originally planned presents a unique set of challenges, especially in parts of the map that are nearly a decade old. In those cases, we must carefully use older assets and techniques to ensure the new additions don't feel out of place."
Even in our newer map expansions, space is often limited, especially in dense urban environments. "It is quite a puzzle to integrate two hundred meters of road and a large bus terminal into a space where, originally, there was only room for half of that. Itβs a constant balancing act between our vision and the technical reality of the existing map."
In some cases, this has even led to cities being expanded to include parts of their town centres, allowing for more authentic placement of coach stations. Additionally, map designers who have been working on specific DLCs have been implementing their own stations, with the Coach Team stepping in to provide technical support and ensure that all necessary gameplay functionality is properly implemented.
"Itβs been great to be part of the Coaches development team as a tester and to have the opportunity to see all of these newly created locations come to life." Simon B from our QA team adds "The asset and map designers have really outdone themselves on this project, creating vibrant bus stations and once again bringing a large portion of the real world closer through stunning landmarks and scenery.
That said, with so much work to do, there are always some remaining issues or imperfections that can go unnoticed with each new bus station, which is where I come in. Whether itβs a smaller detail or a larger issue, and whether the fix is quick or more involved, everything is resolved smoothly and efficiently thanks to the proactivity of the wider team. Iβm excited to continue helping ensure these bus stations are in top condition, and I canβt wait to see the final result of all our work."
With the Coaches DLC, weβre not just introducing a new vehicle type, but so much more! From reworked legacy prefabs to newly built landmark stations and expanded city areas, we want to ensure that players can enjoy this upcoming addition across our already established Euro Truck Simulator 2 map.Β
Excited for the Coaches DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2? Be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! It really helps support our future releases and ensures youβll be notified when it launches. In the meantime, follow us on our official social media channels to stay up to date with the latest development news. Until next time, see you on the road!