LAUNCHPAD UPDATE

One of the first things you may notice when you launch American Truck Simulator with the 1.39 Experimental Open Beta is a redesign of the current launchpad. The main reason why we are introducing this change is to pave the way for future additions; which will introduce new features to our games, that will be accessed through the launchpad.

Until then however, you can see that the design has changed quite significantly, especially as user profiles are now accessed via drop down option from the top of the launchpad. You will also find that the DLC Browser, Mod Manager, and Profile Manager have been placed together for easier access, along with a new addition to the launchpad, Game Options. 
This allows you to change your game settings without even having to load the game. So if you're just looking to tweak your game before streaming on Twitch or adjusting a few options before heading into your truck, it can all be done from the launchpad screen. 
This is just the first iteration of the Launchpad design which is subject to changes and tuning throughout the Open Beta period. If you have any feedback to give about this design, please let us know at our official forum thread.

LOWBOY TRAILERS

As we previously announced in a recent blog, new Lowboy Trailers will be arriving to American Truck Simulator. These trailers have been reworked from the ground up, offering drivers the option to purchase them and use them in an array of different jobs including Special Transport, Forest Machinery, and the Heavy Cargo DLC's.

Owners of these trailers will benefit from a wide array of options to customize them in the upgrade shop, such as color, trailer accessories, beacons, chassis options, lengths, articulated axles, and more!

You will also be able to spot them being hauled around by other truckers on the road, so make sure to give them plenty of space if you pass by one.

VIEWPOINTS

The release of Idaho for American Truck Simulator saw the introduction of a brand new feature that has not been placed in any other previous map release. Viewpoints allow drivers to activate a special in-game "cutscene" with a short showcase of a near location or place of interest such as an industry.  
After Idaho's release, it was evident from the community's response that this was a popular feature and one that many of you would like to see expanded upon. While we continue to improve this new addition, we are excited to announce that viewpoints will be arriving in Washington and Utah. Each state will receive 10 new cut-scenes to discover, which can be found nearby famous landmarks, national parks, and industries. 

That is not all, however, as viewpoints will now feature a few new functionalities for drivers. You will now have the new options to either skip the viewpoint or replay it if you wish to watch it again. Viewpoints will now also show as undiscovered grey '?' icons on your map until you have visited them for the first time. Also, there are more improvements for this cool new feature still in development, as we've gathered them through the amazing and most valuable feedback from our #BestCommunityEver!

This is just the first iteration of the viewpoints, which are subject to changes and tuning throughout the Experimental Open Beta period. If you encounter any bugs or have any feedback about this feature, please let us know at our official forum thread.


 





 

FIXES/SOUND CHANGES

1.39 also features various bug fixes, improvements, and an update to sounds. This includes, but is not limited to, improved interior cab sound mixing, Western Star 49X truck bug fixes, and improvements, and other changes in preparation for new and upcoming content.While a majority of the changes in 1.39 are not seen visually in this version, we look forward to bringing you more content and changes in the near future. 

So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It's only an experimental open beta, not a stable public version - so you may encounter bugs, instability, kinks, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to move there faster, we'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in this section.
Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.

If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → experimental_public_beta → 1.39. No password required.