The 1.60 update for American Truck Simulator introduces an improved material system for selected trucks, enhancing interior surfaces with more realistic reflections and lighting. SCS Software’s Daniel and Martin explained how the system works and what it means for performance—and for the upcoming Road Trip project.

Instead of expensive ray tracing or global illumination, the system reuses existing mipmaps from reflective cube textures. Each mipmap level corresponds to a different reflection sharpness—from perfectly glossy chrome to rough, diffuse fabrics (where the cube face is just 2×2 pixels, acting as a color cast). This lets every interior material react to the truck’s surroundings, such as picking up a green tint when driving past trees. The update also rebalances contrast and lighting throughout the game to eliminate extremely dark areas.

The system extends the current rendering pipeline, so performance impact is minimal. It was profiled continuously during development and adapts to medium or low settings by disabling real-time reflections while keeping materials realistic. However, each truck requires individual adjustments and testing across all weather and lighting conditions. As a result, only four trucks across ETS2 and ATS have the new system so far; the rest will be updated gradually.

The improved material system was developed for the upcoming Road Trip project, which adds passenger cars to American Truck Simulator. The system is designed from the start to work for both trucks and cars. Players can wishlist the Ford Car Pack and the RAM & Dodge Car Pack on Steam.

The next major overhaul for American Truck Simulator is the Nevada Rework Project, which will bring the entire Silver State up to the quality standards of the game’s latest content. Announced today, this complete rebuild covers all existing cities and road networks, preserving the state’s character while rebuilding many locations from the ground up.

Nevada was one of the original states in ATS, so the rework will also add locations and connections missing from the original version. A key example is the city of Fallon, east of Carson City, along with the missing sections of US-95 that run through Fallon from south to north. Throughout the state, brand-new custom depots will provide more diverse delivery destinations.

No release date has been shared yet, but the team says it will preview more as development continues.

SCS Software has released a cryptic teaser for the next U.S. state coming to American Truck Simulator, inviting players to guess the destination. The teaser includes a screenshot and a short video, along with descriptive clues.

The announcement describes a state known for "wide-open spaces, long-haul roads, and a landscape where the horizon seems to stretch on forever." It adds that the state is shaped by "hardworking industries, strong prairie winds, and a pioneering spirit that still runs deep today." The post also notes the clues "may seem a little fishy at first."

Players can drop their guesses in the comments on the official blog. SCS Software promises more details when the time is right. In the meantime, follow the studio on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for updates.

American Truck Simulator is available on Steam.

The upcoming South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator gets a detailed preview of Rapid City, the "Gateway to the Black Hills." Located near Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park, the city offers a mix of natural scenery, historic landmarks, and multiple delivery depots.

Rapid City marks its 150th anniversary this year, and the SCS team has recreated several signature buildings. Drivers will spot the historic downtown hotel dating back to the 1920s and a former fire station turned into a local winery. The large white "SMD" letters on the hillside above the city, a student tribute to South Dakota Mines, are visible from a distance. Other landmarks include the Memorial Park gateway entrance along Rapid Creek, city hall, administration buildings, a roadside windmill, and a downtown statue.

Players will find a variety of depots for job opportunities: a cement works, gas and chemical distribution facility, sawmill, warehouse, home store, waste management, and a custom‑made grain elevator depot.

The South Dakota DLC is available to wishlist on Steam. No release date has been announced yet.