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.
26.2 Snapshot 4 (known as 26.2-snapshot-4 in the launcher) is the fourth snapshot for Java Edition 26.2, released on April 21, 2026, which adds two new languages, makes technical changes, and fixes some bugs and issues.
Full changelog: https://minecraft.wiki/Java_Edition_26.2-snapshot-4
Split View just got better: You can now right-click any link and choose Open Link in Split View to open it alongside your current tab. You can also search open tabs when creating a split view and quickly reverse tab positions using the new Reverse Tabs option in the tab context menu.
Share multiple tabs in a single step. Select several tabs, right-click, and choose Copy X Links (for Windows and Linux) or choose Share → Copy X Links (for MacOS). When pasted into other apps that support rich text, links include both the page title and the URL for easy reading.
Try out real-time, private translations in Firefox Desktop with the about:translations page. Start typing the word "translate" into the URL bar for a quick-action shortcut to the page.
Added support for the GTK emoji picker on Linux, allowing users to insert emoji using the system shortcut (typically Ctrl+.).
Firefox web apps are now available to Windows users who installed Firefox through the Microsoft Store.
The new Firefox Profile management system is now available to all users, including users on Windows 10.
Backing up a profile to a file is now available to all Windows 10 and 11 users, including those who use the new profile management system.
Firefox now ships with a new .rpm package for Linux users on Red Hat, Fedora, openSUSE, and other RPM-based distributions.
Firefox now prompts you to enable location access in Windows settings when granting a website permission to use your location, if geolocation hasn't already been allowed. This behavior, previously limited to some Windows 11 versions, now applies to all supported Windows versions.
The built-in VPN is now available for users in Canada. Note: This feature is not available in enterprise environments.
Currently available in: Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States
This feature is part of a progressive roll out.
What is a progressive roll out?
Certain new Firefox features are released gradually. This means some users will see the feature before everyone does. This approach helps to get early feedback to catch bugs and improve behavior quickly, meaning more Firefox users overall have a better experience.
Fixed
Fixed an issue on macOS where, when macOS Lockdown mode is enabled, emoji characters are not displayed in web content.
If you prefer creating tab groups from the context menu, you can now turn off drag-and-drop group creation in Settings > Tabs > Drag tabs to create tab groups.
A new element-specific section has been added to the pseudo-class toggle panel including a toggle for the :open pseudo-class, which is only available for elements that have an open state like <dialog> elements. The existing toggle for the :visited pseudo-class was also moved there, as it only applies to <a> and <area> elements. (Learn More)
The Document.caretPositionFromPoint() method now only returns a position in a shadow DOM if its ShadowRoot is passed in the newly-added shadowRoots option.
The devtools network monitor now indicates when a connection used a certificate issued by a certificate authority not in Mozilla's Root CA Program.
Web Platform
Firefox now supports the ariaNotify API for accessibility notifications (e.g. for screen readers) as a more ergonomic and reliable alternative to ARIA live regions.
Firefox now supports media element pseudo-classes (e.g., :playing, :paused) to allow more precise styling based on media playback state.
Added support for the highlightsFromPoint() API, which allows web pages to interact with CSS Highlights by returning all Highlights at a given point.
Firefox now supports light-dark() on images, just like on colors, which is very useful for supporting dark mode on websites.
The color-mix() function previously accepted only two color values. This limitation has now been removed, allowing the function to accept an arbitrary number of colors.
Added support for a new auto value on the sizes attribute for lazy-loaded image elements with multiple images defined via srcset. This allows the browser to automatically select the right image based on the layout width of the image element. (Learn More)
Unresolved
Users with Bitdefender security software installed may experience problems loading websites, particularly Facebook.com. We are working on a workaround, but as a temporary mitigation, disabling Bitdefender or turning off its traffic filtering features may resolve the issue. (Fixed in 150.0.1)
Some websites on internal or corporate networks that require a login prompt may fail to display the sign-in dialog in Firefox 150, showing a blank page instead. (Fixed in 150.0.2 in Bug 2034752)
Community Contributions
With the release of Firefox 150, we are pleased to welcome the developers who contributed their first code change to Firefox in this release, 22 of whom were brand new volunteers! Please join us in thanking each of these diligent and enthusiastic individuals, and take a look at their contributions:
Today, we’re 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. It’s 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.
"It’s 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 it’s 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. I’m excited to continue helping ensure these bus stations are in top condition, and I can’t wait to see the final result of all our work."
With the Coaches DLC, we’re 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.
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 you’ll 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!
We’re back with another episode of SCS On The Road! This time, we’re taking you to the Netherlands, where we visited DAF Trucks in the city of Eindhoven. During our trip, we had the opportunity to explore their facilities, gather valuable reference materials, and get up close with the DAF XF Electric.
Join Nemiro, Oscar, Filipkoo, and George, members of our SCS Software team, as they meet with Tim Gerth, Sales Information Manager at DAF Trucks NV. In this episode, we will take you behind the scenes of how we recorded authentic sounds and captured detailed photographic references for the DAF XF Electric.
We also had the opportunity to gather video and photo references of the DAF Eindhoven campus, which we’ve recreated in Euro Truck Simulator 2, and that players will get to explore as part of our Benelux Rework update. You can read more about that here!
We'd like to give a massive thank you to our friends at DAF Trucks, and to everyone who made our visit possible, for allowing us to visit their Eindhoven facility, get up close with the DAF XF Electric, and ultimately bring both of these into Euro Truck Simulator 2. We'd also like to give a special thanks to Tim Gerth, who we met during our visit and who we've had the opportunity to interview in a previous SCS On The Road episode, which you can find here. We highly recommend taking a watch!
Make sure to stay connected with all the latest news and upcoming episodes by following us on X, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, and YouTube, or by subscribing to our newsletter. We look forwarding to bringing you more SCS On The Road episodes in the future, and until next time, keep on truckin'!
Today, we’re incredibly excited to share a truly special milestone for American Truck Simulator, one that celebrates not only our journey, but the legacy of one of the most iconic roads in the world.
Route 66 is a legendary highway in the United States, stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, crossing eight states along the way. First established in 1926, it became one of America's first continuous highways, playing a major role in U.S. culture and history.
In 2026, Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, and to mark this milestone, a wide range of events and initiatives are being organised to honour its legacy. As part of these celebrations, the Route 66 Centennial Commission has brought together official projects that help preserve, showcase, and share the story of this legendary road with the world.
We are incredibly proud to share that American Truck Simulator has been recognised as an Official Route 66 Centennial Project. This prestigious designation, approved by the United States government and Congress, places our work alongside a range of initiatives honouring the legacy of Route 66 as it reaches its 100-year milestone.
We put together a short video showcasing some of the iconic locations you can find along this historic highway in American Truck Simulator, check it out below!
So, what does this mean? The Route 66 Centennial Project highlights a
variety of efforts from around the world that help share the story of
this historic highway. These include preservation work, cultural
programmes, and modern digital experiences like ours. "SCS Software’s
Route 66 recreation in their American Truck Simulator video game offers
an unprecedented way to experience the history, culture, and beauty of
America’s most iconic highway," said Bill Thomas, Commissioner for the
Route 66 Centennial Commission. "This digital re-creation not only
celebrates the centennial milestone but also honours the people and
communities that have kept Route 66 alive for generations."
We are truly honoured that American Truck Simulator has been included in this initiative. Since the release of ATS in 2016, our team has been carefully building the game world state by state, always aiming to recreate real locations with authenticity and care. One of our long-term goals has been to bring Route 66 to life in a way that players everywhere can experience and enjoy.
With the upcoming release of the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator, our virtual recreation of Route 66 will be completed in full, allowing players to drive the entire historic route from Chicago to Los Angeles across all eight states. This marks a major milestone not only for our game, but also for everyone who has dreamed of experiencing this legendary journey.
We would like to thank the Route 66 Centennial Commission for this incredible recognition, and of course, our community, whose support continues to drive us forward. We look forward to sharing more with you as we approach the completion of Route 66 in American Truck Simulator.
We're happy to share that the Open Beta for the 1.59 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2 is now available for players to try out and test. If you decide to take part in this Open Beta, it would be a huge help if you could report any issues or bugs you may encounter in theappropriate section of our official forums.
Your feedback and reports mean a lot to our team, and we genuinely appreciate the time you are taking to help us improve the game. With that said, let's jump in and explore what the 1.59 Open Beta brings.
Benelux Rework Release
We are happy to reveal that the long-awaited Benelux Rework project will be released in this update! Our assets and map designers have completely rebuilt the whole original map of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg from scratch, delivering a richer, more detailed experience.
Truckers will be able to explore a wide range of revamped major cities and their surroundings, including Amsterdam, Groningen, Rotterdam, Brussels, Liège, and Luxembourg City. Each location has been carefully redesigned to highlight its unique character with plenty of landmarks and details!
You can also look forward to hauling cargo through entirely new locations. These include Antwerp, home to one of Europe's largest container ports; the DAF Trucks facility in Eindhoven, which has been recreated with remarkable detail in close cooperation with our partners at DAF Trucks; as well as key transport corridors - the busy E40 and A2 motorway.
You'll be able to drive from the beautiful hilly landscapes of the Belgian Ardennes to the flat polders and picturesque coastal roads in the northern Netherlands - the reworked Benelux offers a diverse and varied environment that truly reflects the region's look and feel.
Whether you're cruising through dense city centers, navigating busy highways, or discovering scenic country routes, the Benelux region now offers a far more immersive and authentic journey. You can see more from what is coming in our already released blogs on this topic.
Volvo Trucks Experience Center
In partnership with our friends at Volvo Trucks, we are adding the renowned Volvo Trucks Experience Center, situated in Gothenburg, Sweden, to the map, where you will be able to test your trucking skills.
The center's standout feature is its dedicated driving circuit, which incorporates sweeping bends, tighter technical corners, elevation changes, downhill stretches, and varied road layouts. This allows drivers to assess vehicle behaviour in a controlled environment, highlighting stability, braking precision, handling characteristics, and overall driving comfort in ways that go beyond everyday road conditions.
The Volvo Trucks Experience Center has been recreated almost entirely on a 1:1 scale in our map with a strong attention to detail. You will be able to drive the full circuit and explore the surrounding areas of the facility.
To find this amazing facility, you will need to venture around the roads near Gothenburg to discover an entrance that will initially not be shown on your GPS. And remember, since it is located in Sweden, you will need the Scandinavia DLC to be able to visit it. You can read more about this addition here.
Thermo King Update
Thermo King, a global leader in transport temperature control, is coming to Euro Truck Simulator 2 with their trailer refrigeration units! These will replace all the unbranded units we had on our base game and DLC reefer trailers so far. This will add an extra touch of realism when you are hauling temperature-sensitive cargo and spot a famous real-world brand on your trailer.
From the 1.59 update, you will be able to see the Thermo King A-360, A-400, A-500, SLXi 300, and SLXi 400 refrigeration units on the front of your single trailers, which deliver a range of trailer refrigeration performance to suit different transport needs. On top of that, we will also be adding the UT-1400R unit, designed for double-trailer configurations and mounted beneath the trailer. Find out more about this update here.
Advisor Update - Finances & Damage Widgets
We've been closely listening to feedback from our community, and one of the most common points raised in the new route advisor was that many players missed having quick access to information on vehicle damage and finances. While our teams are actively working on the next steps in our broader vision for a redesigned UI in this area, we didn't want to make you wait until that work is complete. Instead, we've prioritized implementing some of the most frequently requested improvements as soon as possible.
Based on that, we've implemented the Damage and Finances widgets. These widgets are designed to restore easy access to information about truck damage, plus trailer and cargo damage, if you are currently driving with a trailer and cargo, as well as your current bank balance, with an average profit over the last seven days displayed too.
These widgets can be turned on and off in the Widget Settings Menu, and if enabled, they will be displayed in the bottom right corner above your GPS.
Tow to Road
The Tow to Road feature was designed to improve the overall quality of life for players by reducing frustrating situations during gameplay. It will allow drivers to quickly recover if their truck overturns or gets stuck in a ditch or uneven terrain. It will also help prevent disruptions in multiplayer sessions, enabling players to continue with their convoy when they find themselves stuck, without the need to be towed to a service location, which could cause unnecessary delays.
So when you are in a difficult situation, you can simply find the new "Tow to Road" button under the Service menu (set to F7 by default). After paying a small fee for the towing service, you will be transported to your last safe location on the road. You can read more about this feature here.
Skills UX Redesign
The Skill Screen has received a visual rework while remaining in its original place within the interface. This update focuses on improving clarity and overall user experience without changing its core functionality.
You can now view both your current skill level and the next step in its progression. Tooltips also allow you to explore other ranks within each skill. Selecting a skill provides improved readability and clearer visual feedback, including a better indication of how many steps remain in that skill's progression path.
Each skill is represented as a clickable button, making it easy to access more detailed information. The redesign also improves navigation when using a controller.
QoL UI/UX Changes
We're continuing to refine the overall user experience with updates focused on readability, clarity, and smoother controller navigation.
The in-game news banner has received a visual refresh to better align with our newer UI style while improving readability. When hovering over a news item, a tooltip will now display a longer excerpt along with a clear call to action. Deactivated news items now feature a clearer status indicator, which also doubles as an activation button.
We're making navigation on the world map more intuitive for controller users. A new "undo last pin" feature has been added, along with remapped controls for adding, removing, setting avoid areas, and resetting pins.
Save handling has also been improved, with new saves now using the standard save icon instead of a black screenshot and overwriting clearly labeled as "Overwrite". Garage upgrade cutscenes can now be skipped more consistently using the (B) button, and the controller navigation has been further refined with improved D-pad accessibility across UI.
Traffic Sound Rework
We've also made some adjustments to traffic audio as part of this update. Sounds have been softened and rebalanced to better match real-world perception, with less emphasis on distant engine noise and more on the subtle "road hiss" of tires. Honking behavior has also been slightly randomized to reduce repetition. Overall, traffic should now feel less intrusive and better integrated into the ambient soundscape.
Height Blend Improvements
We've also made a few improvements to the Height Blend feature. Derived normal maps can now be enabled to help conserve GPU memory, and we've also addressed several graphical issues to ensure more consistent, visually accurate results.
Detour Feature Maintenance
We've decided to temporarily disable the detour feature to focus on maintenance and further development. We've received numerous reports of Detours not functioning as intended, and the current system no longer meets our needs.
As a result, we'll be shutting down detours while we work on improving and upgrading the feature in the background to make it more stable and reliable. Please note that this change only affects detours - random road events will continue to be available in the game.
Changelog
Map
Benelux Rework Release
Volvo Trucks Experience Center
Vehicles
Thermo King Update
Gameplay
Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
Advisor Update - Finances & Damage Widgets
Skills UX Redesign
QoL UI/UX Changes
Improved News Banner Readability
World Map Pin Enhancements
Save Icon Update
Garage Cutscene Skipping
D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
Traffic Sound Rework
Other
Detour Feature Maintenance
So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It's only an open beta, not a stable public version - so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to get there faster, we'd appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in the dedicated section.
Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.
If you wish to participate in this Open Beta, you can find this version in the Experimental Beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2 → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.
Have you been wondering what our Bridge Between Communities blog was teasing last week? Some of you have correctly recognized the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which will bring our community closer together than ever before. And now we are really excited to reveal that our next map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2 will take players into the heart of Türkiye, with the...
This vast, culturally rich region is a land of stunning contrasts, where sunlit coasts meet towering mountains and open plains. From the west's olive groves to the glittering waters of the Mediterranean, a new vista awaits your discovery after every turn.
Transport cargo from the bustling streets of Istanbul all the way to Aksaray, the easternmost point of this expansion. The route begins with engineering marvels as you cross the record-breaking 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, or the impressive Yavuz Sultan Selim and Osmangazi Bridge, each a gateway into Anatolia. At the heart of your journey lies Ankara, the capital city and a vital crossroads of the region. Soon, the road may lead you past the shimmering expanse of Tuz Gölü, or through the vibrant tourist cities of Antalya and Alanya, where grand hotels rely on your cargo deliveries.
Experience the thrill of cruising the beautiful coastal roads in both the north and south, where the sea sparkles just beyond the guardrails, and take on challenging mountain routes with steep climbs, tight turns, and breathtaking views.
We can't wait to start bringing you future updates from this upcoming map expansion as the work on Soul of Anatolia goes on. Just keep in mind that there is a long way ahead to bring this big map to you, and everything you see here is still really much in a work-in-progress state and may change until the DLC is released.
Also, remember to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok a follow as you'll receive updates not only about Soul of Anatolia, but also other news from our games straight to your feed. Or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed! Until next time, we will see you on the road.
We’re excited to announce that the 1.59 Open Beta for American Truck Simulator is now live and ready for you to check out. If you choose to participate, we’d greatly appreciate you sharing any bugs or issues you come across in the proper section of our official forums.
Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us, and we’re thankful for the time you take to help us make the game even better. With that, let’s take a look at what’s included in the 1.59 Open Beta.
Advisor Update - Finances & Damage Widgets
We've been closely listening to feedback from our community, and one of the most common points raised in the new route advisor was that many players missed having quick access to information on vehicle damage and finances. While our teams are actively working on the next steps in our broader vision for a redesigned UI in this area, we didn't want to make you wait until that work is complete. Instead, we've prioritized implementing some of the most frequently requested improvements as soon as possible.
Based on that, we've implemented the Damage and Finances widgets. The widgets are designed to restore easy access to information about truck damage, plus trailer and cargo damage, if you are currently driving with a trailer and cargo, as well as your current bank balance, with an average profit over the last seven days displayed too.
These widgets can be turned on and off in the Widget Settings Menu, and if enabled, they will be displayed in the bottom-right corner above your GPS.
Tow to Road
The Tow to Road feature was designed to improve the overall quality of life for players by reducing frustrating situations during gameplay. It will allow drivers to quickly recover if their truck overturns or gets stuck in a ditch or uneven terrain. It will also help prevent disruptions in multiplayer sessions, enabling players to continue with their convoy when they find themselves stuck, without the need to be towed to a service location, which could cause unnecessary delays.
So when you are in a difficult situation, you can simply find the new "Tow to Road" button under the Service menu (set to F7 by default). After paying a small fee for the towing service, you will be transported to your last safe location on the road. You can read more about this feature here.
Skills UX Redesign
The Skill Screen has received a visual rework while remaining in its original place within the interface. This update focuses on improving clarity and overall user experience without changing its core functionality.
You can now view both your current skill level and the next step in its progression. Tooltips also allow you to explore other ranks within each skill. Selecting a skill provides improved readability and clearer visual feedback, including a better indication of how many steps remain in that skill's progression path.
Each skill is represented as a clickable button, making it easy to access more detailed information. The redesign also improves navigation when using a controller.
QoL UI/UX Changes
We're continuing to refine the overall user experience with updates focused on readability, clarity, and smoother controller navigation.
The in-game news banner has received a visual refresh to better align with our newer UI style while improving readability. When hovering over a news item, a tooltip will now display a longer excerpt along with a clear call to action. Deactivated news items now feature a clearer status indicator, which also doubles as an activation button.
We're making navigation on the world map more intuitive for controller users. A new "undo last pin" feature has been added, along with remapped controls for adding, removing, setting avoid areas, and resetting pins.
Save handling has also been improved, with new saves now using the standard save icon instead of a black screenshot and overwriting clearly labeled as "Overwrite". Garage upgrade cutscenes can now be skipped more consistently using the (B) button, and the controller navigation has been further refined with improved D-pad accessibility across UI.
Traffic Sound Rework
We’ve also made some adjustments to traffic audio as part of this update. Sounds have been softened and rebalanced to better match real-world perception, with less emphasis on distant engine noise and more on the subtle “road hiss” of tires. Honking behavior has also been slightly randomized to reduce repetition. Overall, traffic should now feel less intrusive and better integrated into the ambient soundscape.
Height Blend Improvements
We’ve also made a few improvements to the Height Blend feature. Derived normal maps can now be enabled to help conserve GPU memory, and we’ve addressed several graphical issues to ensure more consistent, visually accurate results.
Detour Feature Maintenance
We've decided to temporarily disable the detour feature to focus on maintenance and further development. We've received numerous reports of Detours not functioning as intended, and the current system no longer meets our needs.
As a result, we'll be shutting down detours while we work on improving and upgrading the feature in the background to make it more stable and reliable. Please note that this change only affects detours - random road events will continue to be available in the game.
Changelog:
Gameplay
Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
Advisor Update - Finances & Damage Widgets
Skills UX Redesign
QoL UI/UX Changes
Improved News Banner Readability
World Map Pin Enhancements
Save Icon Update
Garage Cutscene Skipping
D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
Traffic Sound Rework
Other
Detour Feature Maintenance
Enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It's only an open beta, not a stable public version - so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to get there faster, we'd appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in the dedicated section.
Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.
If you wish to participate in this Open Beta, you can find this version in the Experimental Beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.
Some time has passed since our first Road to Consoles Dev Talk, where we took you behind the scenes of our work on bringing Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator to the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. And today, we would like to share our progress since then with the second dev talk!
We know our #BestCommunityEver is eager to hear more news about the development of this project. We are working hard on bringing our games to consoles as soon as possible, but it is a huge task that requires the involvement of multiple departments in SCS Software. Even though there is still a lot of work to be done, we are making progress every day, and we are happy to give you an update on it.
In our second Road to Consoles Dev Talk, we interviewed some of the key members of the involved departments to tell you more about what they are currently working on, what is ahead of us, and also some of the challenges they are dealing with. And our goal is to do everything properly without taking any shortcuts. So without further ado, let's see what the team has been busy with!
We hope you have enjoyed taking a dive behind the scenes of the development process. And don't worry, we're just as excited to share more as you are to hear it, so stay tuned for our next update when we have something new to reveal.
We will share more important information about this project once we are ready to reveal it, so don't forget to follow us on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any news. Or you can sign up for our newsletter to stay informed. Until next time, happy trucking!
Few cars have shaped American roads and culture quite like the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback. Today, we’re excited to take a closer look at this iconic American muscle car, and one of the vehicles that you’ll be able to get behind the wheel of in our upcoming Road Trip module with the Ford Car Pack DLC.
The 1967 Mustang Fastback marked a defining moment for the brand, introducing a more aggressive design, wider stance and a more powerful engine. This evolution shaped its reputation as a true performance machine, combining everyday drivability with power. Its versatility, iconic fastback silhouette, and muscular proportions make perfect fit for the open road.
Our team has worked hard to bring the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback to life in American Truck Simulator, with a strong focus on period accuracy and heritage. From its unmistakable exterior design to the finer details that define its character, every effort has been made to faithfully recreate this classic vehicle.
Players can look forward to a selection of factory-inspired exterior colours, including Lime Gold, Acapulco Blue, Dark Moss Green, Silver Frost, Burgundy, Candy Apple Red, and many more!
On the inside, you’ll have the choice to select from a range of authentic interior trims, including Black, Red, Saddle, Parchment, Ivy Gold, and Dark & Light Aqua, paired with classic seating options such as luxury bucket seats or ComfortWeave insert seats. All in a Deluxe interior variant which features brushed aluminium accents.
Please note: the 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback is still a work in progress. While both the exterior and interior models are actively being refined, some elements continue to be fine-tuned.
We’re incredibly thankful to the team at Ford for helping us source a classic Mustang during our visit to the USA, and to Toman Motors s.r.o.
for providing us access to their Mustang for detailed reference
materials. We'd also like to give a shoutout to our good friends at Veteráni na Truc
for allowing us to record authentic Mustang engine sounds. Their
support has been invaluable in helping us recreate this American legend.
We look forward to sharing more updates on the Road Trip Module, and what more is to come. Until then, be sure to add the Ford Car Pack to your Steam Wishlist. We thank you all for your support and look forward to seeing you out on the road!
Every road connects more than just places, and this upcoming journey is no exception. An iconic crossing comes into view: a bridge that not only unites distant shores but also brings the Euro Truck Simulator 2 community closer together than ever before. A powerful symbol of the connections, shared experiences, and journeys that lie ahead.
Today, we are excited to take you on a scenic journey to the historic city of Springfield, the capital of Illinois, which will be featured in our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator!
Known for its rich heritage, beautiful architecture, and deep connection to American history, Springfield offers a unique blend of past and present. Our teams have worked hard to capture the essence of this iconic city, bringing its streets, landmarks, and atmosphere to life for virtual truckers to explore and enjoy.
As you approach Springfield, you’ll immediately notice its distinctive skyline, highlighted by the impressive Hotel Tower that rises above the surrounding buildings. While driving through downtown, you’ll encounter several important institutions that define Springfield’s character. The historic Old Capitol building stands proudly as a reminder of the city’s political legacy, complemented by nearby establishments, including a local bank and the County Office. Each of these locations has been carefully recreated to reflect its real-world counterpart, adding authenticity to your journey.
Springfield is not only about government and history, however. The city also offers a variety of everyday destinations that bring it to life. For example, a local clinic, an insurance company, or a public library; these locations add depth and realism to the environment, making your deliveries feel like part of a living, breathing community.
Rail enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of Union Station, an important transportation hub that adds another layer of activity to the city. As you pass by, you may catch glimpses of trains and infrastructure that highlight Springfield’s role in regional connectivity.
Of course, no visit to Springfield would be complete without honoring one of the most significant figures in American history. The statues and murals of Abraham Lincoln around the city are a tribute to the city’s most famous resident, offering a moment of reflection as you drive through the area.
Whether you are delivering cargo to bustling city depots or simply passing through, Springfield promises a memorable experience filled with detailed scenery and iconic landmarks. Our goal has been to create a city that feels authentic, immersive, and rewarding to explore from behind the wheel.
Today, we're excited to unveil another piece of the puzzle for the upcoming 1.59 update of Euro Truck Simulator 2. We're proud to announce that Thermo King, a company specializing in temperature control solutions for trucks, trailers, and more, will be joining ETS2 with their trailer refrigeration units as a free update!
Thermo King, a brand of Trane Technologies, has been a global leader in transport temperature control since pioneering the field in 1938. Their solutions cover temperature-controlled systems for vans, trucks, trailers, railcars, and intermodal containers, as well as HVAC products. By maintaining optimal conditions regardless of the environment, their technology protects a wide range of sensitive goods, from fresh and frozen food to pharmaceuticals, electronics, and more.
In Euro Truck Simulator 2, the Thermo King refrigeration units will replace all the unbranded units we had on our base game and DLC reefer trailers so far, adding an extra touch of realism when hauling temperature-sensitive cargo and spotting a famous real-world brand on your trailer.
So, in the 1.59 update, you will be able to see the Thermo King A-360, A-400, A-500, SLXi 300, and SLXi 400 refrigeration units on the front of your single trailers, delivering a range of trailer refrigeration performance to suit different transport needs. On top of that, we will also be adding the UT-1400R unit, designed for double-trailer configurations and mounted beneath the trailer.
We would like to thank Thermo King very much for enabling us to add their refrigeration units to Euro Truck Simulator 2, helping make our game look more realistic! Make sure to follow Thermo King on their Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with all the great work they do.
We hope you will appreciate this new addition when it arrives with the 1.59 update. Don't forget to stay tuned for more news from our games by following us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We would also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter. Until next time, safe travels!
We are happy to reveal a new feature that will be available in both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator with the upcoming release of the 1.59 update - the Tow to Road service. Let's take a look at how it will work!
The Tow to Road feature was designed to improve the overall quality of life for players by reducing frustrating situations during gameplay. It will allow drivers to quickly recover if their truck overturns or gets stuck in a ditch or uneven terrain. It will also help prevent disruptions in multiplayer sessions, enabling players to continue with their convoy when they find themselves stuck, without the need to be towed to a service location, which could cause unnecessary delays.
So when you are in a difficult situation, you can simply find the new "Tow to Road" button under the Service menu (set to F7 by default). After paying a small fee for the towing service, you will be transported to your last safe location on the road.
Just be careful that if you disconnect your trailer beforehand, it will remain in its original position, and only the truck will be towed. Also, if you move too far away from your last safe position on the road, the Tow to Road function may become unavailable to prevent misuse of the feature.
And don't worry, we are keeping the Tow to Service feature as well, as it serves a different purpose. Tow to Service is intended for situations involving heavy vehicle damage, where driving is no longer possible, and repairs are required. Tow to Road, on the other hand, is primarily used to quickly return the vehicle to a drivable position on the road.
We hope you will appreciate this new feature coming with the 1.59 update, which might help you quickly get back on the road when you are stuck, but without the need to be towed to service.
Welcome to East St. Louis! Today, we’re taking a closer look at this historic city, which will be featured in our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. We hope you enjoy this preview of the industrial hub that our teams have recreated in detail.
East St. Louis sits on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, directly across from St. Louis, Missouri. As part of the wider metro area, the city has long played a key role in transport and heavy industry. Its location along the river helps support a dense network of freight routes, rail lines, and industrial sites that serve the region.
Drivers travelling through East St. Louis will see clear views across the Mississippi River toward the St. Louis skyline. Players will recognise several landmarks on the other side, including the world-famous Gateway Arch and parts of downtown St. Louis.
Industry defines much of East St. Louis, which serves as a major hub for metal production and heavy industry. Drivers will be able to deliver cargo to a large steel facility, along with other sites tied to manufacturing and construction materials. A nearby refinery and several chemical plants add to the mix, creating steady demand for tanker and heavy haul jobs.
Agriculture also feeds into the region’s supply chain. Several grain mills and storage sites connect local farming output to national transport routes, giving drivers additional freight options across the area.
Rail transport remains a major part of the city’s identity. At the turn of the 20th century, East St. Louis was one of the busiest rail hubs in the United States, and that legacy still shows today. Players will pass large rail yards, intermodal terminals, and railway depots where cargo moves between trains and trucks.
While travelling through the metro area, players may also notice the black-and-blue trams that run through the wider St. Louis region. These light rail vehicles link communities on both sides of the Mississippi River.
Whether you're hauling steel, chemicals, grain, or containers, East St. Louis offers plenty of freight opportunities in this working industrial hub along one of America’s most important waterways.
We hope you enjoyed this look at East St. Louis. We look forward to sharing more from the upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator soon. If you like what you see, be sure to add Illinois to your Steam Wishlist. You can also follow our social media channels for the latest development news, screenshots, and previews. Until next time, keep on truckin’
Amsterdam, best known for its iconic canals, historic architecture, and vibrant cycling culture, is one of the Netherlands’ most recognisable and visited cities. Today, we’re excited to share a closer look at the work of our talented Benelux Rework team, as they bring this famous destination up to modern DLC standards with improved detail, updated road networks, and refreshed landmarks. Let's take a closer look!
Dating back to the 12th century as a small fishing settlement on the Amstel River, Amsterdam grew into one of the most important trading hubs of the world during the Dutch Golden Age. Its famous canal ring, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in the 17th century and remains one of the city’s defining features. Today, Amsterdam is a modern European capital, blending historic charm with contemporary infrastructure, something our team aimed to reflect throughout this rework.
So what work has taken place? Amsterdam has been completely rebuilt from the ground up! Recreating such a dense and iconic destination was no small task, especially within the limits of the game’s scale. Through careful decisions, the team were able to preserve Amsterdam’s unique character and looks. We think they have done an excellent job! Wouldn't you agree?
One of the more unique challenges the team encountered was surrounding part of the A10 Zuid ring road, located south of Amsterdam. In real life, this section is currently being moved into an underground tunnel as part of an ongoing infrastructure project. However, during our research trip at the beginning of the Benelux rework, the highway was still above ground. This led to an important decision, whether to recreate the real-world layout as we experienced it, or attempt to represent a future version that is not yet complete.
After careful consideration, we chose to keep the highway above ground. This allowed us to work with real-world references while also creating a unique driving experience. It gives players the opportunity to travel through one of the few places in Europe where highways pass beneath towering skyscrapers, offering a memorable and visually striking perspective of the city.
As with most reworks, rebuilding the city from the ground up gave the team the opportunity to introduce new landmarks and bring older ones up to date with our newer modelling standards. Whilst it won't be possible to travel through the historic inner city itself, the team has carefully selected locations and viewpoints that we believe best represent Amsterdam.
We would also like to give a special thanks to our asset team, whose work on the city’s landmarks and architecture has played a huge role in bringing Amsterdam to life. Their attention to detail helps make each location feel authentic and memorable. We can't wait for you to explore it all for yourself!
IJmuiden Ferry
Not far from Amsterdam lies the coastal town of IJmuiden, home to an important ferry connection between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. As part of the Benelux rework, this location has also been revisited and refreshed.
While IJmuiden was already present in the original map as a landmark ferry location, it has now been updated to better match the quality and detail of the surrounding reworked areas. Although the scale of changes here is not as extensive as what you'll find in Amsterdam, you'll still certainly notice some big changes!
The ferry terminal continues to serve as a key gateway for drivers travelling between mainland Europe and the UK, offering an important connection for long-distance routes. Its updated design aims to provide a more immersive experience while maintaining its recognisable identity. We hope this connection will be used a lot more often with the arrival of the UK rework in the future!
Interestingly, this location became a personal favourite for one of two map designers who worked on it, thanks to its unique atmosphere and role within the wider transport network.
We look forward to sharing more news on the Benelux Rework, which will arrive as a free update for all Euro Truck Simulator 2 owners in the future. Until then, be sure to follow us on our official social media channels so you can stay up to date with the latest news, even whilst on the move. Until next time, keep on truckin’.
As you travel across the Mount Rushmore State, you’ll encounter a variety of distinctive and memorable settlements along the way. In today’s blog, we’re taking a closer look at another selection of towns that our map designers have been bringing to life for the upcoming South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator.
Redfield
Redfield is often called the “Pheasant Capital of the World.” This nickname comes from the area’s rich hunting tradition and thriving wildlife population. As you drive through town, you may notice subtle nods to this heritage, along with its classic Midwestern layout and welcoming small-town atmosphere.
Martin
Serving as a vital hub for nearby communities, Martin offers a glimpse into everyday life on the plains. It may be modest in size, but its role in the region is significant. Our team focused on capturing that authenticity, from local businesses to the open landscapes that stretch far beyond the town itself.
Mission
Mission is an important community within the Rosebud Indian Reservation. The town blends cultural significance with rural charm. As you pass through, keep an eye out for details that reflect its identity and the surrounding rolling plains.
Selby
A friendly small town with a population of just over 640, Selby sits among rich farmlands and serves as a quiet waypoint for travelers passing through the region. Its location along a well-traveled highway makes it a natural stop along your journey. In-game, you’ll experience its laid-back atmosphere, surrounded by the agricultural landscape.
Sturgis
Famous across the country, Sturgis is best known for its legendary motorcycle rally, which draws huge crowds every year. Beyond the roar of engines, however, the town has its own everyday charm. Drivers can enjoy a mix of forested surroundings and winding roads that make this area especially memorable. As you approach the town, be sure to look out for the iconic Sturgis sign on Sly Hill!
Wall
Just off Interstate 90, Wall is a must-see stop for anyone traveling through western South Dakota. It’s widely known for its iconic roadside attraction, which has been drawing in visitors for decades with its classic Americana charm. As you cruise along I-90, you’ll also notice a series of billboards encouraging you to make a stop in town, a signature part of the experience that our team has recreated for players to enjoy.
Of course, South Dakota is home to many more towns and communities than we could include. As with all our map expansions, we carefully select and adapt locations to fit the 1:20 scale of American Truck Simulator. This approach allows us to create a map that feels both rich and true to life, while keeping drives engaging and well-paced for players behind the wheel.
And that’s all for today! We hope you enjoyed this second look at some of the settlements coming with the South Dakota DLC. Each town, big or small, helps bring this beautiful state to life.
We’re thrilled to announce that the SCS Fan Day Experience is returning for its fourth edition! On May 15th, 2026, we will once again be welcoming a group of passionate members from our #BestCommunityEver to our offices in Prague, Czech Republic, for a special behind-the-scenes afternoon. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like inside our studio, this is your chance to find out!
Our previous Fan Day Experiences have been truly unforgettable, from guided tours of our offices and insights into our development process to fun times with our simulators and friendly chats with our team. Meeting you in person, hearing your stories, and sharing our passion together is something we genuinely look forward to every time.
For this upcoming event, we will be selecting 20 fans to join us for SCS Fan Day Experience Vol. 4. During your visit, you can expect a deep dive into our studio, opportunities to meet the people behind our projects, and maybe even a few surprises along the way. Of course, no visit would be complete without some refreshments, great conversations, and a small gift to remember your day with us.
Please note a few important details before applying: As with our previous events, we are unfortunately unable to cover travel or accommodation costs, so all selected participants will need to arrange and fund their own trip to Prague. Additionally, if you are under the age of 18, you will be required to bring an accompanying adult with you to the event. If chosen, you will need to be at our offices in Prague on the 15th of May, 2026.
If you’re interested in attending, you can apply by filling out our application form. We encourage you to share as much as you can about yourself, your passion for our games, and why you’d love to visit us. Feel free to include photos or even a short video introduction; this helps us get to know you better! If we pick you, we will contact you via email with further details, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox!
We’re incredibly excited to once again open our doors and share this experience with you. Thank you for being such an amazing community, and for your continued support. We can’t wait to meet twenty more of you and spend another memorable day together. In the meantime, stay up to date with the latest news by following us on our social media channels: X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube. Good luck to everyone applying. We hope to see you soon!
Over the years, World of Trucks events have become a very special part of our shared journey. Whether it was exploring new maps and economies during our Cruising events, contributing to continental goals in Trade Connections, building new landmarks in Operation Genoa Bridge, or taking part in magical seasonal experiences like the Witches of Brackenreach or Woven Wonders of Winterland, each event has offered something new, something fun, and brought the community together in its own unique way.
Today, we’d like to share with our #BestCommunityEver that we will be taking a temporary pause from running our World of Trucks events.
This pause is an important step for us. In order to move events forward, we need to invest time into improving the underlying systems and infrastructure that support them. This means reworking how events function behind the scenes and how they are experienced in-game.
As part of this, we want to bring much more of the event experience directly into the game itself. This includes being able to view and redeem rewards, earn and view achievements, and follow event progress and community milestones, all directly in-game.
We’ve got even more ideas we’re working towards, but we’re not quite ready to share them just yet. When the time is right, we’ll return to running your favourite events and share more about what’s ahead.
You can think of this as the first step in building a stronger foundation for future events, one that will allow us to create experiences that are more engaging, rewarding, and flexible, supporting a wider variety of formats, ideas, and durations.
In the meantime, we’ll continue bringing you new content, updates, and improvements across both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, and we look forward to sharing more with you as development progresses.
Thank you, as always, for your support, feedback, and passion. It truly means a lot to us.
Halló og velkomin til Keflavík! In today’s blog, we’ll be taking a closer look at this beautiful and historic town, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which you’ll be able to explore and deliver to in our upcoming Iceland DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Ready to see more? Let's hit the road!
For millions of travellers each year, Keflavík marks both the beginning and end of their journey in Iceland. The town is home to the Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport, the country’s main international hub, located just outside the town. We made sure to include this key location as an industry, as it also handles a large share of the island’s cargo. Drivers headed for the airport, will see the airport terminal in the distance before being directed to the cargo terminal, where you'll pick up or deliver jobs.
As you head towards Keflavík itself, you’ll enter a town shaped by both the coastal industry and modern travel. Historically, Keflavík grew as a fishing community in the 16th century, with strong ties to the sea that still influence the area today. Over time, its role expanded alongside the development of the airport, turning it into a key hub and destination on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
In-game, you’ll find a range of industries to deliver to and from, including a shipyard, a car dealer, and a supermarket, along with a fuel station and a service point. While these locations technically sit within the neighbouring town of Njarðvík in real life, the two form part of the wider municipality of Reykjanesbær, together with the village of Hafnir.
Whilst the road network here is not very complex, it plays an important role in connecting the Island. From the airport, you can either head into Keflavík itself or follow Route 41 straight towards Reykjavík, one of the main links across the peninsula.
Life here is mostly peaceful, the landscape of Iceland, and the Reykjanes Peninsula in particular, is constantly changing. As many of you may know, Iceland sits on an active geological boundary, with volcanic activity becoming more frequent in recent years. Efforts to keep eruptions and lava flows away from towns and infrastructure remain ongoing, but the surrounding terrain continues to be shaped by these powerful forces.
You can find a few landmarks around the area too, including art installations which include various sculptures! We are sure you will enjoy taking in the sights as you deliver around this historic town.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Keflavík! If you’re excited about trucking in Iceland, be sure to add this upcoming DLC to your Steam Wishlist. It will notify you when it releases and helps support our future work. Thank you to everyone who has already done so. We look forward to sharing more about Iceland in the future. Until next time, keep on truckin’!
A few weeks ago, we showed you a first preview of the smaller towns waiting to be discovered in our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. And today, we're happy to take you back behind the scenes for a second look at the work our map designers have been putting into bringing these settlements to life - and to reveal even more of them!
Galena
Starting in the far northwest corner of the state, we arrive in the charming town of Galena, set among rolling hills along the Galena River, a tributary of the nearby Mississippi River. Today, Galena is celebrated for its remarkably preserved character, with more than 85 percent of its buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Driving down Main Street feels like stepping back in time - many of the structures standing there today date back to when Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States, once called Galena home. As you explore the town, you'll spot several notable landmarks, including the local high school's distinctive tower, a historic museum, and the local 19th-century cultural and event hall.
Rushville
Roughly halfway between Quincy and Peoria along Route 24 lies the cozy town of Rushville, home to around 3,000 residents. It also has a number of historic architectural gems, particularly in the downtown area, many dating back to the 19th century when Rushville was established. Several of these have been carefully recreated by our asset designers to reflect their real-world counterparts, including the courthouse, the town square with its charming central gazebo, a classic local storefront, and even a few recognizable statues.
Farmer City
If you venture northwest of Champaign, you'll come across Farmer City just off Interstate 74. This rural community, deeply rooted in agricultural tradition, is surrounded by rolling farmland, and its economy has long been shaped by crop production and livestock.
Grayville
Nestled on the Illinois–Indiana state line along the banks of the Wabash River, Grayville is a charming town with easy access via Interstate 64, just south of the town, making it convenient for travelers heading east or west. Its surroundings of rolling hills and scenic river bottoms provide a picturesque setting. In addition to its natural beauty, Grayville is known for hosting some of White County's most popular festivals throughout the year.
Norris City
Traveling south from Grayville along Illinois Route 1, you'll arrive in Norris City, a quaint town of just over 1,000 residents. Nestled amid expansive farmland, Norris City radiates peaceful, rural charm, with a strong sense of community.
Illinois is home to a wide variety of public art, and many of its towns and cities proudly display colorful murals that celebrate local culture, history, and community pride. For our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator, our map and asset teams have recreated several of these works so that drivers can come across them while traveling across the Prairie State. In today's blog, we'd like to highlight some of the murals you may spot on your journeys!
Chicago
As one of the largest cities in the United States, Chicago is well known for its thriving art scene. Murals can be found throughout many of the city's neighborhoods, decorating building walls with bold colors, detailed imagery, and unique designs. As you navigate the streets of Chicago, keep an eye out for these impressive works that help bring even more character and authenticity to the city.
These large-scale artworks reflect the creativity and diversity that Chicago is famous for. From colorful patterns and community-inspired pieces to striking portraits and imaginative compositions, they add life to the urban landscape and make each street feel a little more distinctive.
Springfield
As the capital of Illinois, Springfield is rich in history and culture, and its streets also feature a variety of murals that bring color and character to the downtown area. As you explore the city, you may notice several of these artistic pieces adorning building walls along your route.
These murals often celebrate the heritage and stories of the region, helping to create a sense of place for both locals and visitors alike. Including them in the Illinois DLC allows players to experience another layer of authenticity while traveling through the state.
Rockford
Located in northern Illinois, the city of Rockford is another place where you can spot several murals while driving through town. These artworks decorate a number of buildings and add vibrant colors to the streets, creating memorable sights for anyone passing by.
Public art like this plays an important role in highlighting the identity and culture of local communities. By recreating these murals, our teams aimed to capture the atmosphere and personality that make each Illinois city unique.
Quincy, Champaign, Macomb & Marion
Murals are not limited to just a few locations, however. As you continue your journey across Illinois, you may also discover colorful murals in cities such as Quincy, Champaign, Macomb, and Marion.
From large walls covered in vibrant illustrations to smaller artistic pieces that celebrate local culture, these murals help make every city feel more alive. Our teams enjoyed researching and recreating these details to ensure that each location feels authentic and full of character.
Today, we’re excited to give you an early glimpse of something special arriving in Euro Truck Simulator 2 with the upcoming 1.59 update! In partnership with our friends at Volvo Trucks, you’ll soon have the opportunity to test your trucking skills at the renowned Volvo Trucks Experience Center, situated in Gothenburg, Sweden!
Located in Gothenburg, the home of Volvo Trucks, the Volvo Trucks Experience Center brings together brand presentation spaces and a purpose-built driving facility created to showcase the performance and engineering of Volvo Trucks’ vehicles. While visitors can explore Volvo’s latest innovations, technology, and heritage on site, the center’s standout feature is its dedicated driving circuit.
This carefully designed track incorporates sweeping bends, tighter technical corners, elevation changes, downhill stretches, and varied road layouts. Together, these elements allow drivers to assess vehicle behaviour in a controlled environment, highlighting stability, braking precision, handling characteristics, and overall driving comfort in ways that go beyond everyday road conditions.
In Euro Truck Simulator 2, the Volvo Trucks Experience Center (VTEX) has been recreated almost entirely on a 1:1 scale. Players will be able to drive the full circuit and explore the surrounding areas of the facility. Our teams paid close attention to detail to faithfully capture the layout and atmosphere of the real-world location, including all of the parking areas that form part of the center, delivering an experience that closely mirrors its real-life counterpart.
Drivers wanting to check out this special area will need to venture around the roads near Gothenburg, to discover an entrance that is not yet discovered on your GPS, which leads into the facility. And just a friendly reminder, as it is located in Sweden, you will require the Scandinavia DLC to be able to visit it.
Last year, we had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Volvo Trucks Experience Center ourselves, where we got up close to the facility and even behind the wheel of the Volvo FH Electric, Volvo FH16 780, and Volvo FH I-Save. During our time there, we gathered detailed photographic references and captured authentic sound recordings to support our ongoing projects. We also documented the visit as part of our SCS On The Road series on YouTube; you can watch the episode below!
We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to our good friends at Volvo Trucks for their support and collaboration in bringing this special location to Euro Truck Simulator 2 for our players to explore and enjoy.
We look forward to sharing more news about upcoming updates, DLCs, and other exciting developments soon. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you don't miss a thing, and until next time, keep on truckin’!
In today's episode, we're heading to Dobříš, a small town in the Czech Republic, and home to the Bobcat EMEA headquarters. Alongside a behind-the-scenes look at how the models for our games were created, we also got a walkaround of some of the machines to learn more about them.
When we visited Bobcat last year to gather reference materials for our Bobcat Cargo Pack DLCs for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, we also had the chance to record this episode while capturing the scanning process with our vehicle department and exploring more of Bobcat's product range.
We would like to thank Bobcat for the invitation and smooth collaboration, as well as Matúš Gejdoš, their Product Manager for Portable Air Compressors, and Zdeněk Brůžek, the Field Product Trainer, for sharing their time and knowledge with us about these impressive machines. Without further ado, let's watch!
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