Showing posts with label Missouri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Missouri. Show all posts

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Missouri - New Assets to Build the World With

We have another preview of the Missouri map expansion for our #BestCommunityEver! This time, we would like to show you some of the new models our asset makers are working on which you will find scattered across the map in this upcoming DLC. You will also read about how they prepare the models from scratch for their final design.

Keep in mind that these models showcased here are not the only new assets we have been working on, and that this DLC is still a work in progress. Among many other models, we are proud to show you these beauties inspired by the real-world locations in various parts of Missouri such as the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, the Joplin church, the statue in Kirksville, St. Joseph's water building or the pedestrian bridge in Rolla. But that's not all, in total, we have put together over 350 new models just for this map expansion!

Are you interested to know how these models are put together? Our talented asset makers work on them in Autodesk Maya from the first draft to the final design. As you can see in the first image below, first they put together a basic model with no details and textures, serving as a placeholder for more adjustments.

Once they have that done, they proceed to modify the geometry and add details. In this step, it is important to have an overview of the model structure, which allows them to modify the shape and detailed elements. In the image below, you can see the model in Shade mode without textures, with the wireframe view added. This shows how the model is structured and how the different parts of the model relate to each other.

The last step is to apply the textures and make final adjustments. Now, you can see the final look of the model, ready to be used in a variety of applications. On the very first picture of this blog, you can also see this model's final look in the game.

We hope you are looking forward to trucking in the Missouri DLC. If you do, make sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! And don't forget to follow us on our TwitterFacebookInstagram, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. Until next time, happy travels!

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Missouri - Truck Stops #2

Driving into Missouri? Well, don't forget to fill up your tank and enjoy the hospitality of the Show-Me State at one of its many truck stops! We already showed you some of the truck stops in our first blog, but now it is time to uncover the curtain more.

In this blog, we're giving you a sneak peek at six more rest stops waiting for you in Missouri, all meticulously designed by our team to faithfully replicate their real-world counterparts. These stops can be found along major routes such as I-29, U.S. Route 36, or U.S. Route 65, plus a completely brand-new one located just outside Jefferson City.

We're curious if any truckers from our #BestCommunityEver living in or frequently passing through Missouri will recognize these truck stops. Have you spotted a familiar location? Share with us in the comments - we'd love to hear from you!

So don't forget to visit these places when you are hauling cargo in the Show-Me State, grab yourself a coffee and a snack, rest through the night or just take a look around you when not in a rush! As a professional truck driver, we hope these stops will make you feel right at home.

We can't wait to explore Missouri once it is released in ATS! Want to show us that you are also looking forward to trucking in this map expansion? Then add it to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our TwitterFacebookInstagram, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news. Safe travels!

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Missouri: Joplin

Today we're truckin' into Joplin, and checking out what this area has on offer for drivers visiting this city in our upcoming Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a closer look, shall we? 


Established in 1873, this city certainly has a lot of history! The discovery of Zinc and Lead ores in the area brought prosperity to the town and since then it has continued to grow. When the mining industry collapsed in the 1900s, other unique industries were developed, which our team have represented in this DLC, which we will cover in a future blog! 


You will not only see history in Joplin, but you can drive on it too! Cruise along historic Route 66 as it winds its way through the heart of the city via Main Street downtown. Here you'll also find the iconic Route 66 mural park, which pays homage to that nostalgic era with two large tile murals: Cruisin’ into Joplin & The American Ribbon. Be sure to take a screenshot of the classic-era red sports car, located just below the murals! 


In 2011, Joplin unfortunatly experienced a large and devastating natural disaster, which destroyed much of the city. Since then, Joplin has rebuilt and restored many of the buildings, homes and roads which were lost. Today, this restoration project still continues, with part of the city still actively being under-construction and rebuilt. Parts of this project can be seen in this DLC. 



There's still plenty to explore, but we will leave that to you! We look forward to sharing more about the Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator in the near future. If you like what you see, you can support us by adding Missouri to your Steam Wishlist. A big thank you to everyone who has already, it really means a lot! Until next time, keep on truckin'.

Monday, July 29, 2024

ATS Missouri: Kirksville

Kirksville welcomes you! This charming small city located in the north of Missouri offers visitors a welcoming stop with its mix of historical architecture, charismatic main street and its surrounding natural beauty. Today we're happy to share with you more about this area, which our team has recreated in our upcoming Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator.

On your travels through the city, take a moment to admire the well-preserved Victorian-era buildings that dot the downtown area, showcasing the city’s rich architectural heritage. The County Courthouse stands as a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship and is a must-screenshot landmark! 

Other notable landmarks which our team have recreated include the local church, the bank, a monument to Dr Andrew Taylor Still, the Veterans Memorial Plaza, and more. Be sure to take a moment to appreciate and enjoy them as you travel into, or through, Kirksville. 

Of course, there will also be plenty of job contracts available for drivers looking for work. Kirksville will feature several depots which players can deliver to and from, including a Supermarket, a Homestore, Warehouses, a Construction Garage and a Chemical Distribution Centre. 

Whilst it's not the biggest of cities in Missouri, it certainly has charm! We hope you'll enjoy visiting Kirksville, and much more in this upcoming DLC. If you like what you see, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist by clicking on the widget below. Until then, keep on truckin'! 

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Missouri - Rolla

Welcome to Rolla, Missouri, a vibrant city where history, innovation, and natural beauty converge. Today we are happy to share with you more about this area, which drivers will be able to visit on their journey in our upcoming Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator.

Home to students from the states and beyond, Rolla is a hub of innovation and education, anchored by the renowned Missouri University of Science and Technology, one of the leading technical universities in the US, known for its programs in engineering, science, and technology. Drivers delivering in Rolla may even route through some of the areas around the university, which our map team has recreated in this DLC. 

Located in the Ozarks, a region known for its beautiful landscapes and conservation areas, Rolla has a lot to offer for both visitors and residents alike. From nature, to landmarks such as a minimalist version of Stonehenge, we urge truckers to take the time to check it all out! One road drivers should not miss is the Historic Route 66, which Rolla is located along. You'll be sure to find references to this famous highway around the area. 

Looking for work? You'll find the usual city industries to deliver to, including supermarkets, warehouses and even to a heavy machinery service site. You'll also find two unique depots located near the city, a Quarry and Timber harvest site, both which are custom built. We are sure you'll enjoy these industries large and small. 

We hope you enjoyed taking a look at Rolla, and we look forward to highlighting more cities, industries and more from our upcoming Missouri DLC in the future. If you like what you see, be sure to add Missouri to your Steam Wishlist and thank you for your on-going support! Until next time, keep on truckin'. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Missouri - Nature in General

Welcome to the Show-Me State! The Missouri DLC is still under construction for American Truck Simulator, but we have another preview for our #BestCommunityEver of what the state will look like. This time, we want to show you the beautiful nature and landscape through which you will be hauling your cargo.

From the rugged hills of the Ozark Mountains to the rolling prairies of the Great Plains, the state offers a variety of stunning scenery. You will come across the "Ozarks" when driving through the southern part of Missouri, although this mountainous terrain, renowned for its deep valleys, clear streams, and picturesque hills, almost reaches the cities of Columbia or St. Louis, both situated closer to the middle of the state. The southern part of the state is also home to the Mark Twain National Forest, named after the renowned author born in Missouri.

The whole eastern border of the Show-Me State is made up of the Mississippi River, the second-longest river in North America. It separates Missouri from three states - mostly Illinois, but on a short part of the southeastern border also from Kentucky and Tennessee. Another important waterway is the Missouri River, which connects the west and east of the state as it runs through both Kansas City and St. Louis.

Northern and western Missouri feature rolling prairies and grasslands, as they are part of the larger Great Plains region. This area is almost the direct opposite of the southern mountainous landscape with lush oak-hickory forests. But that is not all. Missouri boasts plenty of other beautiful natural areas such as the Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park, and Roaring River State Park. As you traverse the state's highways and byways, you will discover how much it has to offer!

We hope you have enjoyed this preview of Missouri's beautiful and peaceful landscape. We surely cannot wait to explore it once the DLC is released! If you want to show us that you are also looking forward to trucking in this map expansion, don't forget to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Remember to follow us on our TwitterFacebookInstagram, and YouTube, so you won't miss out on any American Truck Simulator news.