(Image credit: SCS Software)
After nine years, two months, and one day, the moment has arrived: American Truck Simulator is finally venturing into Missouri. The developers have confirmed that the DLC pack for my home state is set to launch on April 3, 2025. I’m already prepared to crown it *Game of the Year* right now.
American Truck Simulator first hit the roads back in February 2016. While I haven’t spent as many hours as the game’s most devoted fans, it never fails to offer a relaxing escape, especially with each new state DLC release. Czech developer SCS Software started off creating budget hunting and trucking games, the kind you’d find at Walmart in the early 2000s. However, through titles like Euro Truck Simulator 2 and then ATS, the studio has demonstrated that it’s much more than just a creator of budget-friendly software.
Many video games depict real-world locations with meticulous detail, especially in the US, yet they often focus on major cities. The in-between spaces seldom receive the same level of attention. In my years of gaming, ATS stands out as the only game that truly attempts to capture the essence of rural America, which is such an integral part of the country’s landscape.
This is precisely why the Missouri DLC for ATS has been on my radar for so long. From the first trailer, the details were spot-on — even to the way the interstates curve through the hills and are lined by rugged rock formations. When the first screenshots of Cape Girardeau were revealed, akin to my hometown, I was amazed by their depiction of a 200-year-old champion beech tree that was significant to my university days. The newest trailer even features a nondescript parking lot where I’ve parked my car on numerous occasions.
It’s a magical feeling to see cherished parts of your home in a video game, especially when they come from areas the world tends to overlook. I’ve been waiting 3,348 days for ATS to capture this moment. This wait has surpassed the anticipation for Hollow Knight: Silksong and even the much-awaited reveal of The Elder Scrolls 6. We all have those special games that mean a little extra to us, and for me, it’s this particular piece of American Truck Simulator DLC.
Excuse me while I champion a campaign in the office to get ATS included in our list of the best simulator games. For more community stories and weekly digests, stay tuned!