South Dakota:
Building South Dakota with Evgeny

Behind the Map: Designing South Dakota for American Truck Simulator

Ever wondered how the vast landscapes of American Truck Simulator come to life? In this special behind-the-scenes look, we sit down with Map Designer Evgeny to discuss the creative process behind the upcoming South Dakota map expansion. From deep-dive research to artistic challenges, discover how the team captures the soul of the Mount Rushmore State.

Map Designer Evgeny from SCS Software working on the South Dakota DLC — Map Designer Evgeny: “We’re constantly hunting for the little things that make South Dakota feel like South Dakota.”

The Art of a Map Designer

A map designer’s role at SCS Software is multifaceted. For the South Dakota map expansion, Evgeny’s responsibilities range from core design—building roads, shaping terrain, and constructing towns—to more specialized tasks.

“I focus on designing large, complex industrial sites and depots,” Evgeny explains. “I also manage asset lists and create small decorative scenes for depots across all our projects.” This holistic approach ensures that every element, from a major highway to a depot detail, feels cohesive and authentic.

Capturing the Soul of South Dakota: The Research Phase

Authenticity starts with extensive research. Before any design work began, the team immersed itself in South Dakota.

On-the-Ground Reconnaissance: Team members embarked on a road trip, bringing back thousands of photos and firsthand stories to capture the state’s atmosphere.
Cultural & Historical Analysis: The research department provided deep layers of information on local industry, history, and culture.
Personal Immersion: “I watch local news, read articles by South Dakotans, and follow community discussions,” says Evgeny. “It helps me understand what people value and what makes their environment special.”

This process fascinated Evgeny with the landscape’s “calmness, the wilderness, the open horizon,” and the blend of Indigenous spirit and classic Western vibe.

Early development scene of South Dakota terrain in the editor — Building the terrain: The first steps in translating research into a virtual landscape.

Iconic Landscapes and Creative Challenges

The South Dakota DLC will feature iconic locations that offer a fresh experience for players. Evgeny highlights the Black Hills and the Badlands as standout areas, promising views “like nothing we’ve ever had in ATS before.” Players can also look forward to delivering to cities like Sioux Falls and exploring smaller towns around the Black Hills.

However, creating this world comes with creative challenges. The primary task is balancing detail, development time, and player enjoyment. “There’s always a temptation to add ‘just one more detail’,” Evgeny notes. Another key challenge is conveying South Dakota’s vastness within a compressed game world, pushing the team to find innovative solutions to create an immersive sense of scale.

A Message to the Community

“It’s an honor to work on a project like this,” Evgeny shares. “South Dakota has a special atmosphere, and we hope players will feel that same sense of wonder that inspired us during development.” He also hints at rewards for explorers: “For players who enjoy a little adventure, there are a few hidden roads waiting to be discovered.”

Prepare to Explore the Mount Rushmore State

The South Dakota map expansion is currently in development, with its release date “To be announced.” The team behind it has valuable experience from creating the Texas, Nebraska, and Iowa DLCs, which will help in delivering a believable and detailed environment.

To be notified upon release, make sure to add the South Dakota DLC to your Steam wishlist.

For more exclusive insights and the latest news, follow SCS Software on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or subscribe to the official newsletter.