A few weeks ago, we introduced the Route 66 Rework, which will focus on key stretches in Northern Arizona and parts of New Mexico, particularly along I-40. Before we can show you glimpses of the team's work, we would like you to meet our colleagues working on this project!
After completing the California Rework Project, Janek and his team turned their attention to Route 66 and its surroundings. With the upcoming Illinois DLC already in development, this legendary American highway will at last be completed, but since parts of it no longer meet today's map design standards, the Route 66 Rework Project has begun. The rework team consists of 16 members, including a few external collaborators - and today, you'll get to meet some of them.
Janek - Project Lead
"I've been with SCS for almost seven years, working on several projects as a map designer and leading the third and fourth phases of the California rework. My main role is to support the team, coordinate with other departments, and oversee rework projects to make sure they come out as they should. Reworking is so fulfilling that it has become my full focus lately - and even in my personal life, I've started renovating my apartment. At the moment, that's pretty much what my life revolves around. Can you guess which rework will be finished first? Or maybe which rework project will come next?"
Ella
"Working as a game developer has been a dream job for me. Designing maps for American Truck Simulator utilizes my passion for learning about American urbanism, infrastructure, geography, and culture, but also functions as my artistic outlet. I'm able to find much joy in what I do even today, nearly 6 years after joining the company. Since I've gained plenty of experience working on large cities over the years, my task here is rebuilding New Mexico's largest city: Albuquerque. As the naming of the project suggests, our goal is to also put emphasis on the historic parts of the Route 66. Therefore, I'm intending to prominently feature it in my work on Albuquerque as well. For example, players will be able to drive through the city's rich downtown, which was previously not possible. I hope that players will have a great time exploring the redesigned city along with all the other parts of and around the legendary Route 66."
Johny
Hi, I'm Johny! I've been at SCS for about 5 years now. I actually joined during Covid, which was a pretty crazy time for everyone. After finishing my degree in Civil Engineering at CTU, I wanted a job where I could put what I learned to use - and that path led me to map design here at SCS. It's definitely not as technical as real civil engineering, but honestly, it's a lot less stressful and way more fun. Right now, I'm working on the Grand Canyon, and my goal is to create something our players will really enjoy. I've had the chance to see the Grand Canyon in person, and I’ll do my best to bring that experience into the game as faithfully as I can.
Terez
"Hi, my name is Terez, and I joined SCS in 2022 as a map designer. In my free time, I enjoy playing World of Warcraft, painting, and working out. I am also a big fan of the manga Berserk. I am currently working on two cities - Kingman and Flagstaff - and part of the Route 66, with a small settlement called Seligman. I really enjoy doing depot areas, truck stops, and city downtowns. I hope that players will find the Route 66 Rework exciting as much as I do. See ya in the next upcoming projects."
Filip
"After gaining experience during the 4th phase of the California rework, I was given the opportunity to create a fresh new look for Page and US-191. Both locations come with their own challenges, but that’s exactly what makes this project so exciting. I hope you'll enjoy many memorable journeys here and experience the authentic Arizona atmosphere we strive to deliver."
Roman
"September of this year marks my third year at SCS. In that time, I gained new friends and a lot of new experiences. The greatest thing about SCS is the people I get to work with every day. Not only do we teach each other new things, but we also gain mutual understanding. As for what I am currently working on: a rework project has its unique set of challenges. Sometimes, you need to completely remove the old map and start working from the ground up while keeping the gameplay and functions the same; other times, the layout might stay the same, but all the other things change. But there are also opportunities to expand the map and add new interesting areas, and that includes some of the work I did, so I am excited to see what players will think of those. So far, working for SCS has been quite a journey, and I am looking forward to what the future holds."
Margo
"My responsibilities on this project were bringing to life Camp Verde and the surrounding area of I-17 and US 260. Semi-arid Arizona plains might seem repetitive after a while, so making them fun to explore can be a tricky task. I think I handled them well, adding a variety of biomes and sculpting techniques for the players to enjoy the mountainous views in the distance. Camp Verde was a smaller but no less complex project of mine. My intention was to create a cozy place worth a visit when you're around. Don't let it wait too long on your journeys, it's worth your while."
Tomáš
"In Arizona, I'm working on the roads away from the big cities, which is my preferred kind of task. I like open landscapes, forests, hills, mountains, and rocks. Even though an ATS rework wasn't always in the spotlight, it offered a big part of these interesting biomes, which was nice to work on. I really appreciate reworks, because from what I have experienced, not many DLC-based titles rework their base game locations up to current standard."
Mykyta
"Hi! I'm Mykyta, the vegetation specialist on the Route 66 Rework project. Right now, I’m focused on bringing the landscapes around Tucumcari to life. My work is all about shaping environments that reflect the atmosphere of this legendary road - dusty, sun-soaked, and framed by canyons. From weathered motels to wide desert plains, I want the scenery I create to feel alive and carry the spirit of Route 66."
Rob
"I loved playing PC games even as a little boy, when I played Prehistorik on a DOS computer. This passion never left me and eventually led me to SCS Software. After my hectic corporate career, I am extremely happy to be part of a wonderful team of gamers and to be able to participate in the creative process of map creation. Together with Barb, Kuba, and Miya, we are the newest additions to the map designers' team. My first job is to rework the states that the iconic Route 66 passes through. Long open roads, endless plains, neon motels, old gas stations, and a road trip across America. Route 66 – here we go!"
Barbara
"Hi, my name is Barbara. I joined SCS just a few months ago as a map designer, and I really enjoy this work. I've always played games and always will, so I'm really glad I can now also take part in creating them. I'm currently working on the rework of Arizona and Nevada. I enjoy shaping the atmosphere of the dry, sun-scorched desert that you experience while driving through it, and one day I'd love to visit these places in real life."
Jakub
"I am new to SCS, but as a long-time fan and ATS player, I am familiar with the game and am happy to finally be able to participate in map creation. I wanted to go to America mainly because of the beautiful and diverse nature and the wonderful cities. Unlike the monotonous green-gray Europe, I enjoy how the different scenery in America creates unique color palettes that are always a joy to discover and then incorporate into the game. Hopefully, the result of my work will be true and beautiful landscapes."
And that's it for today! We hope you've enjoyed meeting the map designers working on this rework project. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates from ATS by following us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok, or by subscribing to our newsletter! Until then, we wish you safe travels!