In today's episode of SCS On The Road, we take a look back at our participation at this year's Gamescom. Take a look at how it went!

This year, at the end of August, we once again took part in Gamescom in Cologne, Germany! We had a booth with six PC stations and two of our 4D Motion Simulators, where fans could get hands-on with previews of our upcoming Coaches, Road Trip: Ford, Iceland, South Dakota, and British Columbia DLCs. The cherry on top was the brand-new Volvo FH Series 6 100 Year Edition, which Volvo Trucks were kind enough to bring along and display at our booth.

Over the five-day show, we welcomed a huge number of visitors and content creators who came to try out our upcoming DLCs. We're incredibly happy that so many of you could make it and meet with us there! Now, let's take a look at how our Gamescom adventure went in this episode of SCS On The Road.

And that's it for today! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Remember to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok to receive updates on our upcoming projects and future SCS On The Road episodes. Or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed. Until next time, we will see you on the road!

• [p]Agents now wear their equipped gloves during the photobooth photography sessions and in buy menu[/p][/*]
• [p]Fixed grenade crosshair rendering when crosshair thickness is set to 3 pixels[/p][/*]
• [p]Fixed formatting of titles in commend and report dialogs[/p][/*]
• [p]Improved lighting in the Warehouse map[/p][/*]
• [p]Updated workshop convars whitelist with the new crosshair settings[/p][/*]
• [p]Stability improvements[/p][/*]

We have just shipped an updated Steam Client to the Preview/Beta channel.

General

• Fixed a bug that sometimes caused an empty "Steam Family Activity" group to appear in notification settings

Remote Play

• Improved the automatic Pyrowave bitrate calculation to improve visual quality

• Added convars @PyrowavePSNR and @PyrowaveHeightFactor to tune automatic bitrate calculation (see https://github.com/Themaister/pyrowave/blob/master/eval-results/objective-bitrate-evaluation.md for details)

• Pyrowave manual bitrates can be increased up to 1 Gbit/s (more bandwidth increases latency!)

• Pyrowave bitrate has been reset to the automatic default

• Fixed gradually increasing video latency when using Pyrowave on slow network links

• Reduced audio dropouts when using Pyrowave

• Added a dialog to recover if your network isn't able to handle current streaming settings

• Added a Steam menu option to stop desktop streaming

Steam Input

• On Linux switch to reshuffling gamepad input when the last running game exits instead of on game launch to avoid issues when running multiple apps at the same time

Game Overlay

• Fixed crash when Vulkan games recreate their swapchain

Steam Controller Firmware

• Fixed an issue where some Bluetooth BLE connections could disconnect repeatedly, especially on Steam Deck

• Improve the time needed to fully connect the device in Steam

• Fixed an issue where pairing via a puck connection could fail

The Steam Client Beta has been updated with the following changes:

General

• Fixed regression where main window would not reappear when desired, e.g. when attempting to launch Steam again when already running in the systray but with all windows closed.

• Fixed a bug that sometimes caused an empty "Steam Family Activity" group to appear in the notification settings dialog

Remote Play

• Improved the automatic Pyrowave bitrate calculation to improve visual quality

• Added convars @PyrowavePSNR and @PyrowaveHeightFactor to tune automatic bitrate calculation (see https://github.com/Themaister/pyrowave/blob/master/eval-results/objective-bitrate-evaluation.md for details)

• Pyrowave manual bitrates can be increased up to 1 Gbit/s (more bandwidth increases latency!)

• Pyrowave bitrate has been reset to the automatic default

• Fixed gradually increasing video latency when using Pyrowave on slow network links

• Reduced audio dropouts when using Pyrowave

• Added a dialog to recover if your network isn't able to handle current streaming settings

Steam Input

• On Linux switch to reshuffling gamepad input when the last running game exits instead of on game launch to avoid issues when running multiple apps at the same time

Game Overlay

• Fixed crash when Vulkan games recreate their swapchain

Big Picture Mode

• Fix cases on Windows where guide buttons presses would go to the main BPM window instead of opening the overlay in the game

• Fix cases where the main BPM window would not get focused when quitting a game

Steam Controller Firmware

• Fixed an issue where some Bluetooth BLE connections could disconnect repeatedly, especially on Steam Deck

• Improve the time needed to fully connect the device in Steam

• Fixed an issue where pairing via a puck connection could fail

SteamOS 0.4.3 (for Steam Frame) has just been released.

This update is for the Steam Frame Beta channel, and includes new features that are still being tested. You can opt into this in Settings > System > System Update Channel.

General

• Improved power efficiency and battery lifetime during both streaming and local gameplay, with gains of up to 12%. Note: Result vary depending on framerate and content.

• Added accessibility option for users who want to limit eye tracking to a single eye. VR Settings -> General -> Track Dominant Eye Only. (requires enabling "show advanced settings")

• Fixed an issue that prevented controller bindings from loading for certain games, including Google Earth VR and Thumper.

• Improved focus behavior when interacting with grab/resize handles

Streaming:

• Further VR streaming reliability improvements, including additional fixes for “Error 17.” Note: On the PC, you must also opt into SteamVR 2.18.2 or later to reduce “Error 17” connection issues. At the time of this release, SteamVR 2.18.2 is available on the SteamVR \[beta] branch.

• Fixed steam frame wireless adapter connectivity issues that affected users in some countries.

This OS release includes SteamVR (2.18.2)

The Steam Autumn Sale brings in deals on games throughout the entire Steam Store.

All week long you'll find sales on games of every size and genre: from big franchises and giant adventures, to cozy shops, deckbuilders, and story-rich titles.

As with previous seasonal sales, you can earn stickers by going through your Discovery Queue during the event.

Grab your pumpkin spice latte and join us for Steam Autumn Sale, on now through October 8th at 10 a.m. Pacific on Steam.

Every October, people around the world come together to raise awareness of breast cancer and show their support for those affected by it. Pinktober is a time to stand united, share important information, and remind ourselves and others of the importance of taking care of our health.

Supporting Through Driving

Since 2019, we have been proud to support Pinktober alongside our community through our special Pink Ribbon Charity Pack DLCs for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator.

As in previous years, 100% of the income from these DLCs will be donated to the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer at the end of October. The organization works to support and empower people affected by breast cancer, and we are grateful to be able to contribute to their important work together with you.

By adding the Pink Ribbon Charity Pack DLCs to your collection, you can give your trucks a vibrant new look while helping support a meaningful cause. Whether you pick one up for yourself or as a gift for a fellow trucker, every contribution counts.

A Reminder to Take Care of Yourself

Pinktober is about more than showing your support on the road. It is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of our own health.

• Take the time to perform regular self-checks.
• Stay informed about potential symptoms and risk factors.
• Visit your doctor for regular screenings and professional advice.

Regular check-ups and appropriate screening can play an important role in early detection.

Put Your Support on the Road

We'd love to see our #BestCommunityEver bring Pinktober to the roads of American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2. Customize your trucks with the Pink Ribbon designs, hit the road, and share your screenshots with us using #Pinktober2026.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Pinktober campaigns over the years. Your generosity continues to help us support those affected by breast cancer and contribute to a cause that reaches far beyond our virtual roads.

Let's make Pinktober 2026 another year of solidarity, awareness, and support. Together, we can drive for a cause.

• [p]Various clipping fixes in Rush maps[/p][/*]

• [p]Fixed visualization of weapon inaccuracy + spread[/p][/*]
• [p]Added crosshair outline color option[/p][/*]
• [p]Added a new style "Static Quadrant"[/p][/*]
• [p]Enabled grenade crosshairs in freeze time for insta-smokes (just hold any grenade attack button)[/p][/*]
• [p]Allowed negative gaps for classic dynamic crosshair style[/p][/*]
• [p]Changed the classic dynamic crosshair alpha increments to 0.01[/p][/*]
• [p]Scope dot scale and color preferences are now included in the new crosshair share code[/p][/*]
• [p]Changed the format of the crosshair share code to accommodate newly included crosshair settings[/p][/*]

Whether you're hauling cargo beneath the glow of city lights, crossing long stretches of desert highway, or watching the horizon for anything unusual in the Nevada skies, the Silver State always has another road, town, or surprise waiting ahead.

Just south of Reno lies Carson City, the capital of Nevada. Sitting at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the city offers a very different atmosphere from its larger neighbour, with historic streets, government buildings, and plenty of scenic surroundings.

As the centre of Nevada's state government, Carson City is home to several important landmarks, including the Nevada State Capitol, while its location also places it close to routes leading towards Lake Tahoe and other parts of western Nevada. Whether you're passing through or making a delivery in the city, there will be plenty to take in along the way.

Our map designers have rebuilt Carson City from the ground up, bringing greater detail to its streets, scenery, and surrounding areas, while giving some of its key landmarks and locations a fresh new look. Familiar elements from the original map have also been rebuilt where possible, bringing them up to the quality and level of detail found in our latest map and asset work.

Our team has worked to give the area more of its own identity, while also improving the locations where drivers will pick up and deliver cargo, including new custom depots designed specifically for the area.

Winnemucca

Located along the Humboldt River, Winnemucca has long served as an important stopping point for travellers crossing northern Nevada. Its position along a major east-west transport corridor has helped make it an important regional centre for transport and cargo.

We have just shipped an updated Steam Client to the Preview/Beta channel.

General

• Fixed clicking the buttons in the footer causing the glyphs to change back to gamepad

• Fixed a clicking the back button in the footer not working if nothing on the page had digital navigation focus

• Fixed the Steam logo spinner moving during the login flow

• Added delaying dimming the screen or displaying the screensaver when the Steam Store, web browsers or other apps request to disable monitor sleep and screensavers while playing video.

Steam Input

• Added support for the user-invoked On-Screen Keyboard in the desktop overlay

• Fixed issues with button and slider sizing in the configurator when opened in the desktop overlay

The Steam Client Beta has been updated with the following changes:

General

• Avoid stealing activation when the Steam main window opens, if another window was activated during startup/login.

Big Picture Mode

• Fixed clicking the buttons in the footer causing the glyphs to change back to gamepad

• Fixed a clicking the back button in the footer not working if nothing on the page had digital navigation focus

• Fixed the Steam logo spinner moving during the login flow

• Added delaying dimming the screen or displaying the screensaver when the Steam Store, web browsers or other apps request to disable monitor sleep and screensavers while playing video.

Steam Input

• Added support for the user-invoked On-Screen Keyboard in the desktop overlay

• Fixed issues with button and slider sizing in the configurator when opened in the desktop overlay

• Fixed Windows handheld controllers having priority over docked controllers in Steam Input API games

Remote Play

• Increased Pyrowave encoding priority to handle encoding GPU-heavy games on Windows

• Improved Vulkan capture performance

• Added support for zero-copy Pyrowave encoding of Vulkan games on Windows and Linux

Game Overlay

• Improved scaling of Performance Monitor FPS line graph for various text scaling settings values

SteamOS 0.4.2 (for Steam Frame) has just been released for all users.

This update is for the Steam Frame Beta channel, and includes new features that are still being tested. You can opt into this in Settings > System > System Update Channel.

Streaming:

• Improved audio reliability while streaming

• Improved connection reliability while streaming (including "protocol error 17")

General

• Improved user proximity detection

This OS release includes SteamVR (2.18.1)

SteamOS 0.4.1 (for Steam Frame) has just been released for all users.

This update is for the Steam Frame Beta channel, and includes new features that are still being tested. You can opt into this in Settings > System > System Update Channel.

General

• Fixed "Return to Gaming mode" when starting up directly into Desktop mode.

• Fixed rare cases of other network interfaces causing disruption of wireless dongle connection.

• Spectator view is now smoothed by default. Spectator view can be accessed on PC via Steam > Settings > Remote Play, or any device that supports Steam Link to preview what the Steam Frame user is seeing in headset.

• Users can now specify their Dominant Eye in VR Settings. This controls which eye is used for spectator view, screenshots, etc.

• Added option to disable spectator view smoothing under VR Settings > Developer (in headset).

• Fixed an issue where the dashboard would recenter unnecessarily for some users.

• Improved focus handling and gamepad navigation in the dashboard.

• Fixed a case of dashboard panels flickering.

• Miscellaneous performance and stability improvements.

• Updated embedded browser (CEF) with crash fixes and Linux H.264 detection fixes.

• Fixed the keyboard not appearing while streaming.

• Audio: downmix and binaural rendering now have matching volume across all formats.

• Improved proximity sensor detection model.

This OS release includes SteamVR (2.18.1)

We are super excited that the day many of you have been waiting for has finally arrived. Today, you can get ready to drive a new set of vehicles with the release of the Road Trip: Ford DLC for American Truck Simulator!

The Road Trip: Ford DLC is now released and available on Steam!

We first announced project Road Trip in April last year, and since then, it has been eagerly awaited by our #BestCommunityEver. A dedicated team was formed to bring this brand-new experience to American Truck Simulator, working closely with our vehicle team, programmers, testers, and many other colleagues across the company. The Ford DLC is the first release from the Road Trip project, and we're incredibly happy to finally bring it to our community!

Now, you can hit the open roads of American Truck Simulator like never before with this DLC as you take the wheel of:

• The iconic 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback
• The all-purpose 2023 Ford F-150
• The modern 2023 Ford Bronco
• and the legendary 1998–2012 Ford Crown Victoria

With the Road Trip: Ford DLC, you will unlock Car Mode, its related features, and all of these personal cars, which you can take out on the road and experience American Truck Simulator from a whole new perspective. Customise your vehicles with a variety of accessories and paint options, then hit the road and explore at your own pace.

Looking for something to do along the way? Take on smaller deliveries through Quick Jobs or the Dispatch Market and build your courier reputation, or discover the world around you with the new Atlas feature. Visit iconic locations, learn more about them, and collect beautifully designed postcards as you explore.

At release, the Atlas feature and its Tourist Boards will be available in California, and in the Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota DLCs. The remaining states will be gradually included in future updates.

Step away from your big rig and get behind the wheel of iconic Ford vehicles, a fresh way to explore the world of American Truck Simulator. You can also team up with your friends in Convoy mode and hit the road together, with trucks and cars sharing the highways! And don't forget that if you own this DLC, you can also enjoy the Atlas feature from behind the wheel of a truck.

We're happy to have partnered with Ford to bring these iconic vehicles to life in American Truck Simulator, and we would like to thank them very much for their cooperation in making this possible. 

But now, it's all up to you - we can't wait to see where your next road trip takes you!

Release Live Stream

As we always do with our map expansions, we also plan to introduce the new Road Trip: Ford DLC to our community with a special release stream! Starting today at 3 pm CEST, we'll be joined by guests who worked on the DLC's development, chatting with them about the process while taking Ford cars out on the roads of American Truck Simulator. And at the end of the stream, we'll officially release the DLC together with you!

Make sure to share photos or videos from your road trip journeys with us on social media by tagging us on X/Twitter, Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram. For more news from American Truck Simulator and further Road Trip development, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on our social media accounts. We will see you on the road!

• [p]Fixed pixel-gaps in various Rush rooms.[/p][/*]
• [p]Clipping adjustments in T/CT Castle rooms.[/p][/*]

We have just shipped an updated Steam Client to the Preview/Beta channel.

General:

• Fixed a regression that caused non-Steam games to fail to launch.

• Fixed the onscreen keyboard not working the first time it is invoked on desktop.

Remote Play:

• Improved color accuracy when streaming an OpenGL game.

The Steam Client Beta has been updated with the following changes:

General:

• Fixed the onscreen keyboard not working the first time it is invoked on desktop.

Remote Play:

• Improved color accuracy when streaming an OpenGL game.

Linux:

• Fixed a regression that caused non-Steam games to fail to launch.

This year, we were once again invited by Western Star to take part in their Star Nation Experience along with two members from our American Truck Simulator community. Today, we bring you an SCS On The Road episode where you can watch what the whole amazing event looked like!

Beny and Oscar travelled all the way to Bend, Oregon, to represent SCS at the wonderful Star Nation Experience 2026 in June. There, they met up with two members of our ATS community, Conor and Nathan, who were selected and invited by Western Star for an all-expenses-paid trip and a weekend packed with unforgettable experiences.

From fly fishing and ATV rides to the X-Series Ride & Drive Challenge at the Madras Proving Grounds, they also got to meet the Western Star team and other trucking enthusiasts. So, let's watch together and see how the Star Nation Experience 2026 went!

We would like to say a huge thank you to Western Star for inviting us once again, along with Nathan and Conor, and for giving us the opportunity to take part in such an amazing event. We are also happy that we could capture the experience and share it with our community!

Make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, and Instagram so you don't miss out on any events, news, and fresh SCS On The Road episodes. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed. Until next time, happy hauling!

We have just shipped an updated Steam Client to the Preview/Beta channel.

General:

• Fixed the Recordings & Screenshots dialog not showing all games that have related screenshots in the game filter dropdown.

• Improved the text layout in achievement notifications when the name, description or both wrap across multiple lines.

• Fix some cases of header/footer flicker and invisibility during the first seconds after waking from sleep.

• When waking from sleep with a game running but the account now playing elsewhere:

  • Provide an option to exit the local game.

  • Go back to sleep if there is no input for 60 seconds.

• Fixed issues with trackpad typing if the trackpad is touched while the onscreen keyboard is opening

Steam Input:

• Improved the consistency of trackpad sensitivity between Steam Deck and Steam Controller

• Fixed cases where the Virtual menu modes could show the wrong activation type if it was created in the standalone menu vs from a controller source

• Implemented a version of the "Reorder Controller" dialog for Steam Input API games. Note - this disconnects the controllers temporarily so older games which do not handle hot plugging properly can lose controller input

• Additional polish for the multibinding page

• In the desktop UI overlay the desktop config will now be applied. For most gamepads this will not be a difference in behavior because they have a blank desktop config, but Steam Controllers or devices that have setup a custom desktop config will have mouse input to click on things in the overlay.

Remote Play:

• Improved color accuracy when streaming from a Windows computer

• Fixed the mouse cursor when streaming from Linux using the SteamRT3C client

• Fixed a capture lockup when streaming from pipewire on Linux and SteamOS

• Reduced Pyrowave latency when streaming from pipewire on Linux and SteamOS

• Added the -pyrowavestats command line option to log Pyrowave encoding performance

SteamRT3 Experimental Beta

• Fixed Steam overwriting PATH, LD_PRELOAD, and LD_LIBRARY_PATH variables when launching games.

The Steam Client Beta has been updated with the following changes:

General:

• Fixed the Recordings & Screenshots dialog not showing all games that have related screenshots in the game filter dropdown.

• Improved the text layout in achievement notifications when the name, description or both wrap across multiple lines.

Big Picture:

• The mouse is now hidden in the overlay until there's mouse movement

• Fixed issues with trackpad typing if the trackpad is touched while the onscreen keyboard is opening

Steam Input:

• Improved the consistency of trackpad sensitivity between Steam Deck and Steam Controller

• Fixed cases where the Virtual menu modes could show the wrong activation type if it was created in the standalone menu vs from a controller source

• Implemented a version of the "Reorder Controller" dialog for Steam Input API games. Note - this disconnects the controllers temporarily so older games which do not handle hot plugging properly can lose controller input

• Additional polish for the multibinding page

• In the desktop UI overlay the desktop config will now be applied. For most gamepads this will not be a difference in behavior because they have a blank desktop config, but Steam Controllers or devices that have setup a custom desktop config will have mouse input to click on things in the overlay.

Remote Play:

• Improved color accuracy when streaming from a Windows computer

• Fixed the mouse cursor when streaming from Linux using the SteamRT3C client

• Fixed a capture lockup when streaming from pipewire on Linux and SteamOS

• Reduced Pyrowave latency when streaming from pipewire on Linux and SteamOS

• Added the -pyrowavestats command line option to log Pyrowave encoding performance

SteamRT3 Experimental Beta

• Fixed Steam overwriting PATH, LD_PRELOAD, and LD_LIBRARY_PATH variables when launching games.

This update is for the SteamOS Beta and Preview channels, and includes new features that are still being tested. You can opt into this in Settings > System > System Update Channel.

These notes contain all changes since the current stable SteamOS 3.8 release, with the changes added since the previous 3.9 preview releases noted below

General

• Add preliminary support for Legion Go 2 brightness control

• Fixed Steam Remote Play not working on Steam Machine when booting with no external display connected

• Fixed "Disable Frame Limiter" toggle not working when VRR is enabled

• Fixed the frame limiter incorrectly applying to VR titles when streaming from Steam Machine to Steam Frame

• Fixed loss of input if a launcher window is accidentally dragged around in Game Mode

• Fixed logging in to Desktop Mode via RDP with system users when enabled

• Fixed an issue causing certain games (incl. ELDEN RING and DARK SOULS™ III) to fail to run on recent Panther Lake Intel CPUs

• Worked around a firmware issue on some ASUS devices causing excessive fan speed upon waking from sleep

• Fixed a bug causing hidden WiFi networks to fail to connect on the first attempt

• Fixed boot screen corruption on Intel PTL+ devices

• Fixed a regression from previous 3.9 previews causing Steam Machine to occasionally wake from hibernation unexpectedly

• Fixed a regression from previous 3.9 previews slowing down system boot speed and causing the boot logo to briefly vanish during boot

• Fixed a regression from previous 3.9 previews breaking virtual keyboard input for some languages in Game Mode

• Fixed a regression from previous 3.9 previews with nested desktop mode

• Security and stability fixes

General

• Updated Arch Linux base

• Updated Desktop Mode from Plasma 6.4.3 to Plasma 6.7.3

  • For more information, see
    https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/6/6.7.0/
    https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/6/6.6.0/
    https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/6/6.5.0/

• Fixed a system crash when launching Forza Horizon 6 on Legion Go 2

• Fixed an issue causing frame limits to result in lower than intended FPS on certain external displays

• Fixed issues with suspend/resume on systems with RDNA1 or RDNA2 based dedicated GPUs

• Security and stability updates

Misc

• Updated the bootloader to improve compatibility with certain motherboards

• The Desktop Mode lockscreen is no longer prevented from being explicitly enabled in settings (but remains off by default)

Developer

• Switched WiFi backend to wpa_supplicant by default for new installations, improving compatibility with various WiFi networks

  • Enhanced wpa_supplicant to support fast WiFi reconnect on resume from sleep, previously only available in the iwd backend

  • Known issue: Existing installations will continue to use iwd unless manually enabled in Developer Settings

• Linux kernel rebased on Linux 7.2

• Added preliminary support for hibernation, not yet exposed in Game Mode UI

  • Enhanced Linux kernel hibernation support to enable interrupting hibernate requests and fixed various driver issues

• Various scripts and packages have been renamed from `steamos-` to `holo-`, with aliases to the former names where appropriate

• Improved support for running SteamOS as a VM guest with accelerated graphics (virtio-gpu, venus)

• Updated included renderdoc version

• [p]Various gap fixes and clipping adjustments.[/p][/*]

• [p]Fixed some cases where loud reloads would persist while trying to stealth reload.[/p][/*]

• [p]Added sv_clantags_enabled option so custom servers can disable clan tags.[/p][/*]
• [p]The eggs of background players in main menu lobbies now rest in nests.[/p][/*]

Ready to hit the road? Today, we're taking a closer look at one of the new systems created for our upcoming Coaches DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and Road Trip for American Truck Simulator; Mode Switch. This feature helps bring different types of gameplay together, allowing you to move between your trucking career and new adventures behind the wheel of a car or coach!

ETS2 & ATS are expanding beyond trucking, and with that comes the need to clearly separate the different careers and gameplay experiences available to players. This is why we have divided the game into different modes, Truck Mode, Car Mode and Coach Mode.

Each mode has its own gameplay, progression, and career systems. Truck Mode remains centred around transporting cargo and building your trucking business, while Car Mode, introduced with Road Trip, places a greater emphasis on exploration and building your reputation with customers. Coach Mode will focus on operating routes, providing passengers with a smooth journey, and keeping them satisfied along the way.

Progression is separate between these careers, with Car Mode using reputation rather than traditional experience points. However, some important parts of your profile remain shared. Your money and map exploration carry across all modes, meaning roads discovered while travelling by car will remain explored when you return to your truck, and vice versa.

Separating the experience into different modes also allows us to keep everything relevant to your current career together in one place, including your vehicles, progression, statistics, and other mode-specific information.

Switching between modes is straightforward. You can enter another mode while you're not driving to manage that career, although you cannot have more than one active job across all modes at the same time. The full switch between modes happens once you press the Drive button.

As of right now, the navigation system remains tied to the mode you last drove in, so you won’t be able to set or adjust a route for the newly selected mode. As soon as you hit the road, the correct navigation and gameplay systems for that mode will kick in. Looking ahead, we’re already looking at ways to make navigation between modes feel even smoother in future updates. 

Wonder where you last left off in your vehicle? The map will also show the positions of your other vehicle, as well as your current position when undertaking a Quick Job. When you mode switch, you'll continue from the location where you left your truck, coach, or car.

The introduction of multiple modes also played a part in our recent changes to the fatigue system. Fatigue Simulation is now separated into Rest State and Mandatory Breaks. Your Rest State represents how tired your character is and is shared across modes, while Mandatory Breaks represent legally required rest periods. Trucks and coaches are subject to Mandatory Breaks, while cars are not.

The introduction of different modes is an important part of expanding Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator while keeping their various gameplay experiences connected. Each mode offers its own career and progression, while shared systems such as money and exploration help ensure everything still feels like part of the same world and profile.

We hope this gives you a better understanding of how Mode Switch works and some of the thought process behind the creation of the system. We're looking forward to getting you behind the wheel of some new vehicle types in Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator!

SteamOS 3.8.28 has just been released for all users with the following changes:

These notes contain all changes since the previous SteamOS 3.8.16 stable release. See here for changes since the previous SteamOS 3.8.27 beta release.

General

• Updated Mesa graphics driver to a new major release, containing many ray-tracing performance improvements, as well as other performance and functionality improvements

• Greatly improved VRAM management, improving performance and stability in cases where VRAM is limited

• The Steam Machine splash screen/logo now appears much more quickly after device startup

• Added support for waking up from the Steam Controller Wireless Adapter (2015)

• Improved battery indications when the device is charging in but using more power than the charger can provide

• Preliminary support for the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter

• Added support for Steam Controller (2026) to the built-in [c]hid_steam[/c] controller driver, enabling use with native controller applications when Steam is not running

• Fixed 20-30s startup delay in some games on non-Valve devices with no audio sources

• Fixed delayed start time for some games under Proton when no capture device is present

• Fixed an issue causing black screens in certain launchers, including Zenless Zone Zero and FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

• Fixed an issue where hotplugging HDMI displays could cause lockups in Desktop Mode

• Fixed an issue where TVs supporting an HDMI "Game Mode" would display the initial boot logo on startup before engaging said mode, causing unnecessary delay and flashing

• Fixed some cases of slow or stuck Wi-Fi connections with certain adapters

• Fixed an issue causing previous SteamOS updates to fail to apply for some users

• Fixed Firefox in Desktop Mode sometimes freezing when fullscreen

• Worked around an issue where Unreal Engine 5 VR games could display a blank right eye

• Fixed Bluetooth instability with Nintendo Switch Pro (v1) controller

• Fixed Desktop Mode allowing resolutions below 640x480 on certain displays, rendering it unusable

• Fixed a bug where the system would freeze on resume if an SD card was removed while suspended

• Fixed a rare Steam Deck issue where fan speed would revert to BIOS control until a reboot, resulting in higher than normal fan speeds

• Fixed an issue where game performance could be degraded after sleep/resume on systems with AMD discrete GPUs

Steam Machine Firmware 108

• Fixed an issue where the system could occasionally wake up immediately after going to sleep

• Fixed a rare issue where CPU performance could be degraded until reboot after waking up from sleep

Audio

• Add option to reset all audio configuration and settings to system defaults under Settings -> Audio

• Fix for HDMI audio dropouts with some game and TV combinations

• Improve reliability of HDMI hotplug detection

• Add option to prefer lower latency audio codecs for Bluetooth devices

Non-Valve Devices

• Improve support for MSI Claw and OneXPlayer device variants

• Improve support for devices with external or no Wi-Fi adapters

• Fixed an infrequent bug where some 3rd party handhelds would have input ignored when held

• Added initial gamepad support for MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

• Added initial gamepad support for Konkr FIT

• Added initial gamepad support for AYANEO Pocket S2

• Updated gamepad support for OneXPlayer Apex with new firmware

• Added controller support for missing OneXPlayer F1 and OneXPlayer 2 special edition models

• Fixed a regression with some MSI Claw devices on newer firmware losing access the Guide and Quick Access Menu buttons

• Fixed a regression with Legion Go 1 models on older controller firmware where gyroscope would fail to initialize

• Fixed a regression on OneXPlayer F1 models where rumble was being blocked and the joystick poll rate was low. As a consequence, the M1 (left) extra shoulder button is no longer able to function.

• Fixed issues with battery display on Lenovo Legion Go models

• Fixed a bug where the MSI Claw would freeze on resume if an SD card was present during suspend and resume

Developer

• Updated the Linux kernel to 6.18.50

• [p]Added a better description of the rules to the loading screen.[/p][/*]
• [p]Adjusted rules for determining when to kick players due to team damage.[/p][/*]
• [p]Various clipping adjustments.[/p][/*]

• [p]Fixed a case where it was possible to get a slightly faster silent reload by tapping the reload button before holding it.[/p][/*]
• [p]Fixed a case where it was possible to use silent reload to fire shotguns faster than normal.[/p][/*]

• [p]Fixed a case where the AK-47 inspect animation sometimes popped.[/p][/*]

The road is calling! The South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator has arrived, bringing local industries, rolling prairies, stunning scenery, and some of America’s most recognisable landmarks to your journeys.

The South Dakota DLC is now released and available on Steam!

It’s been an exciting road since we first announced that South Dakota was in development, and today we’re excited to finally release it to you. So saddle up, warm up the engine, and get ready to roam the Mount Rushmore State! To help you get your bearings, here is a look at the full map of the DLC, showcasing the cities, towns, and road networks waiting for you.

• Explore 13 faithfully recreated cities, including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre, and more!
• Discover 21 scenic towns and settlements across the state, such as Hot Springs, Wall and Sturgis.
• Travel across a road network representing around 3000 miles of real-world roads, with connections to Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa.
• See iconic South Dakota landmarks including Mount Rushmore, the Corn Palace, Sioux Falls, and the Dignity of Earth and Sky sculpture.
• Deliver cargo to 10 custom depots and discover new industries, including trailer manufacturing, residential housing, and a landmark food production facility in Sioux Falls.
• Explore stunning natural locations such as the Black Hills, Badlands, and the landscapes surrounding Reva.
• Experience the variety of South Dakota’s scenery, from dramatic rock formations and forested hills to wide-open plains and bustling cities.
• Discover famous sights, local landmarks, scenic roads, and hidden details as you travel across the Mount Rushmore State!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

From busy roads in Rapid City to the wide-open Great Plains, dramatic Badlands, and winding roads of the Black Hills, South Dakota offers plenty of variety for truckers to discover. Along the way, you’ll encounter some of the state’s most iconic sights, including Mount Rushmore and the waterfalls of Sioux Falls, while hauling cargo through the diverse landscapes of the Mount Rushmore State. We can't wait for you to start explorin'! 

Release Live Stream

Don't forget about our special Release Live Stream, which starts today at 3 pm CEST! Joining us will be some special guests, including the CEO of SCS Software, Pavel Šebor, all of whom will be chatting with us about this exciting new addition while we drive through South Dakota.

Towards the end of the live stream, we'll officially release the South Dakota DLC together, with a live video feed from our office release party, so make sure to be there!

• [p]Increased the maximum countdown-after-elimination time from 7 seconds to 14 seconds on end rooms and Convoy.[/p][/*]
• [p]The countdown-after-elimination time does not activate in cases where an entire team dies to suicides, team kills, and/or disconnects.[/p][/*]
• [p]Warmup time once all players have connected, freeze time, and technical timeout time are all reduced.[/p][/*]
• [p]Various gap fixes and clipping adjustments.[/p][/*]

• [p]Some additional information about the new crosshair system:[/p]
• [p]The new crosshair thickness and length units are in pixels. In the past, the values were defined with an arbitrary scale and converted to pixels based on display resolution so the same value would result in different pixel counts at different resolutions. With the new settings, if you want a 1-pixel wide crosshair with a bar length of 8 pixels and a gap of 4 pixels, then you would set: thickness = 1, length = 8, and gap = 4. [/p][/*]
• [p]Please be aware that the new crosshair system automatically rescales pixel counts when the display resolution changes. For example, if a crosshair was configured at display resolution 1280x720 with a thickness of 2 pixels and then the display resolution changes to 2560x1440, it will now automatically rescale the thickness to 4 pixels so that it remains proportionally the same as when it was configured.[/p][/*]

• [p]Added option to draw half-outlines. This will only draw the top-left portions of the outline for a crosshair.[/p][/*]
• [p]Fixed a bug preventing 0 gap width from being respected.[/p][/*]
• [p]Added a static square crosshair style[/p][/*]
• [p]Reduced the minimum dynamic spread distance to 64 pixels. The new dynamic crosshair styles will show you the real weapon spread and inaccuracy and the 'Dynamic Spread Limit' setting is a limit on how far the crosshair will spread at maximum inaccuracy and spread. There is a baseline spread distance of 64 pixels which covers the weapons with the largest spread so that players can better understand how accurate they actually are with their equipped weapon.[/p][/*]

• [p]Fixed a case where left-handed viewmodels would animate incorrectly while silent reloading.[/p][/*]
• [p]Fixed a case where thirdperson player models would animate too fast while silent reloading.[/p][/*]
• [p]Fixed a case where firstperson Dual Berettas would animate incorrectly while reloading.[/p][/*]
• [p]Clan tags now appear in death notices.[/p][/*]