American Truck Simulator (ATS) has become a popular driving simulation game, with a dedicated fanbase that is always looking for ways to enhance their gaming experience. Luckily, the developers of ATS have made it easy for players to customize their game through the use of mods. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best ATS mods available, ranging from graphics enhancements to realistic vehicle features and more. So, buckle up and get ready to take your trucking adventures to the next level!
How to Install ATS Mods
Before we dive into the exciting world of ATS mods, let’s quickly go over the installation process. Follow these steps to install mods on your game:
- Visit a trusted modding platform such as Steam Workshop or other ATS mod sites.
- Find the desired mod and download the mod file (formats may include .scs, .zip, or .rar).
- Windows – For .rar and .zip files, extract the contents and move them to the “My Documents\American Truck Simulator\mod” folder.
- Windows – For .scs files, simply copy and paste them into the same directory as mentioned in the previous step.
- Mac – Copy and paste the zip file (without unpacking) to the “/Library/Application” folder.
- Linux – Copy and paste the zip file (without unpacking) to the “~/”.local/share/American Truck Simulator/mod” folder.
- Enable the newly installed mod in the game’s mod manager and start playing!
Now that you know how to install mods let’s explore some of the best ATS mods available to enhance your gaming experience.
Enhance Visual Realism
One of the first areas players often look to improve in ATS is the graphics. If you want to make your game look more realistic, the Realistic Graphics mod is a must-have. This mod enhances the visual fidelity of the game by upgrading skyboxes, terrain textures, and weather effects. With this mod, you’ll experience stunning landscapes, detailed environments, and more immersive weather conditions.
To further enhance the visuals, consider installing the Enhanced Vegetation mod. This mod replaces the vegetation textures throughout the game’s map, making them appear sharper and more saturated. Trees also receive new color adjustments and textures, making them stand out even while driving at higher speeds.
Improve Vegetation
In addition to enhancing the overall visuals, the Enhanced Vegetation mod provides a more realistic and vibrant vegetation experience. The mod replaces the default vegetation textures with higher-quality ones, resulting in a more immersive and detailed environment. Trees, grass, and other plants are more vivid and realistic, creating a more visually appealing landscape as you traverse the roads of ATS.
Enhance Rain Effects
ATS mods at their peak performance 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/0TmKT4OM34
— Jackass (@onlytruejackass) December 10, 2020
To make rainy days in ATS more immersive and realistic, the Realistic Rain mod is a must-have. This mod improves the raindrop texture, color, transparency, and sound effects, giving you a more authentic rain experience. When it rains, you’ll notice increased raindrop density on your windshield and windows, adding to the overall ambiance of the game.
Upgrade Vehicle Lights
If you want to improve the visibility and realism of vehicle lights in ATS, the Realistic Vehicle Lights mod is essential. This mod enhances the details of vehicle lights, making them more visible at long distances. Not only does it affect your own vehicle’s lights, but it also enhances AI-controlled vehicles’ lights and other light sources throughout the game. With this mod, driving at night becomes more immersive and safer.
Revamp Road Realism
To ensure that the roads in ATS reflect real-world conditions, consider installing the Realistic Roads mod. This mod replaces road textures and adjusts road lines to create a more realistic driving experience. You’ll encounter roads with small imperfections, such as bumps, cracks, and tire tracks, adding to the authenticity of the game. Whether you’re driving on asphalt, pavement, or gravel roads, you’ll appreciate the increased realism that this mod brings.
Increase Yellow Light Duration
Navigating traffic signals can sometimes be challenging, especially with heavy loads. To provide a more forgiving experience, the Longer Yellow Lights mod extends the duration of yellow lights in ATS. With this mod, you’ll have more time to safely cross intersections when the light turns yellow, reducing the risk of receiving fines for running red lights. Enjoy a smoother and less stressful driving experience with this helpful mod.
Add Real Company Branding
To make your ATS experience feel more authentic, consider installing the Real Companies, Gas Stations & Billboards mod. This mod replaces the in-game fictional brands with real-world brands for shops, gas stations, and billboards. You’ll see familiar logos and names as you drive across the virtual American landscape, adding another layer of realism to your trucking adventures.
Personalize License Plates
If you want to add a personal touch to your truck, the License Plates – Accessory Pack mod is a great option. This mod offers a wide selection of high-resolution license plates based on all 50 states, allowing you to represent your home state or choose a novelty plate for added flair. The license plates can be attached to various accessory slots on your truck, such as bumpers or bull bars, providing a customizable and unique look.
Customize Your Steering Wheel
To further personalize your truck’s interior, consider installing the Customize Your Steering Wheel: Choose The Parts mod. This mod allows you to customize various aspects of your steering wheel, including color and parts. You can choose from pre-configured wheel designs or create your own unique combination. With this mod, you can make your truck’s interior truly reflect your style and preferences.
Diversify AI Traffic
To make the roads feel more alive and realistic, the AI Traffic Pack mod is a must-have. This mod adds a wide variety of new AI-controlled vehicles to the game, increasing the diversity of traffic on the roads. You’ll encounter over 325 new cars, including popular brands and models, making the roads feel more realistic and dynamic. With this mod, every journey becomes more interesting and immersive.
Drive AI Vehicles
I haven't played with ATS mods in a while so I am enjoying some cab over action. 👌🚛 #ATS #AmericanTruckSimulator pic.twitter.com/JRyjOXz7vC
— Bolt Railway Dog 🚂 (@B_railway_dog) September 29, 2021
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drive an AI-controlled vehicle in ATS, the Driveable AI mod allows you to do just that. This mod lets you take control of a limited number of NPC-operated vehicles, giving you a fresh perspective on the game. Whether you want to experience the roads from a different vehicle’s point of view or simply want to try something new, this mod adds an exciting element to your trucking adventures.
Additional ATS Mods
While we’ve covered some of the top ATS mods in this guide, there are countless other mods available to enhance your gaming experience. From trailer packs and realistic engine sounds to custom cabin accessories and additional map expansions, the ATS modding community offers a wide range of options to suit every player’s preferences.
To find more mods, we recommend exploring trusted modding platforms such as Steam Workshop, ATS mod sites, and online forums. Take the time to read user reviews and check compatibility with your game version to ensure a smooth and enjoyable modding experience.
American Truck Simulator offers a captivating and immersive trucking experience, but with the addition of mods, you can take your gameplay to new heights. Whether you’re looking to enhance the visuals, improve vehicle features, or add a personal touch to your truck, there’s a mod out there for you. With this comprehensive guide, you now have a solid foundation to start exploring the world of ATS mods and tailor your gaming experience to your liking. So, hit the virtual road and enjoy the thrill of trucking in the most realistic way possible with ATS mods!
