We spoke with Saimon, the DLC Lead more about this trip. "In the summer of 2023, we embarked on a Research Trip that took us across the states of Nebraska and Iowa." Saimon tells us "we combined these two destinations because the same team members who worked on the Nebraska DLC were also responsible for the development of Iowa. This makes perfect sense since both states are geographically connected, share a similar culture and environment, and are close to each other in many ways."
"Our map designers involved in this trip were Petra (Draky), Antonín (Tony), Jan (Vacky), and Saimon. Over five days, they travelled approximately 1,000 miles, visiting various large and small towns, driving on highways and back roads, and exploring different landmarks and logistical areas."
"Our goal was to thoroughly understand how the state looks and functions. We were interested in what might catch our attention and surprise us, as well as what differences we could find compared to neighbouring states that we would want to portray authentically. Let's take a look at some of these interesting discoveries together."
Saimon goes on to explain "The first thing that caught our attention when traveling from Nebraska to Iowa were the expansive hills with terraced fields, picturesque farms with round silos, and countless wind turbines on the horizon. The way the highway rise and fell with the terrain, and wildflowers bloomed on the side of the road. Later, we learnt that the state of Iowa takes special care to protect native flowers and grasses as part of its environmental program."
"As we travelled through Iowa, its nickname "The Corn State" was fully on display. Cornfields alternated with soybeans, and vast plains and terraced fields stretched out in every direction. Agriculture plays a crucial role here, evident not only from the endless fields but also from the abundance of farming equipment, dealers, and agricultural machinery factories we encountered at every turn."
"When we arrived from the vast meadows and plains into the towns, we were pleasantly surprised by their charm and rich culture. Many of these towns are situated along rivers, giving us the opportunity to admire majestic bridges, charming harbors, and interesting landmarks. We were struck by how varied the towns are, with historic buildings often adorned with red brick facades. At night, some of these structures are beautifully illuminated, and combined with the water features, they create truly breathtaking scenes."
"The vast logistics parks and industrial areas reminded us of the key role industry plays in Iowa and were a great source of inspiration for us. We also had the opportunity to visit a variety of trucks stop, both large and small! These stops not only provided our team with a break, but also a source of inspiration when it comes to trucking culture in America."
"The entire trip proved to be extremely beneficial for our development team. By personally visiting and exploring the state of Iowa, we now have a much clearer idea of how to authentically capture its character in the game."
"We gained valuable insights that will allow us to convey the atmosphere of this region not only visually but also through gameplay mechanics and details that will immerse players in a world inspired by a real place. This experience provided us with the essential context that we could never fully grasp from maps and photos, and we're excited to bring this into our game."
We hope you've found this insight on the team's trip to Iowa interesting. Don't forget to follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so you won't miss out on news about the development of the Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator. Until next time, keep on truckin'!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025440/American_Truck_Simulator__Iowa/
