PHOTOS: New Video Game Lets You Drive a Truck Through Various Iowa Cities

When video games first captured mainstream attention decades ago, I don’t think any developer or programmer at the time would’ve envisioned that consumer appetites would eventually start to drift towards simulators of the banal to the downright absurd.

If you haven’t heard of American Truck Simulator, I assure you it’s a pretty fun game to play. I downloaded it in the thick of the pandemic when I was starved for something new to do. That something new was driving an eighteen-wheeler around realistically rendered cities, dropping off goods, and trying to make it back to the warehouse in time so I could start the process all over again.

READ MORE: New Show to Explore Iowa Historic Sites and Unique Attractions, Including Dubuque

American Truck Simulator Comes to Iowa:

American Truck Simulator has been a slam-dunk hit since its release in 2013, and has resulted in a plethora of downloadable content packages (DLC) that have other states, cities, and locales in which players can drive. At last, the game is seeing an extension package that features the state of Iowa.

Gamers will be able to drive their big-rig around recognizable Iowa cities, such as Cedar Rapids, Clear Lake, Burlington, and even Dubuque!

Various Landmarks Will Be Included:

The DLC, released today, July 10th, features immaculately designed recreations of these various cities, and includes a plethora of Iowa landmarks:

• Iowa State Capitol
• Historic Cedar Covered Bridge
• Tree in the Middle of the Road
• The world’s largest grain bins

READ MORE: A Tree in the Middle of an Iowa Country Road is Over 100-Years-Old

Everything the American Truck Simulator‘s Iowa DLC Offers:

The “Iowa DLC” of American Truck Simulator is chockful of scenic hot-spots and lovingly detailed hallmarks of the Hawkeye State, as well as objectives for the player:

• Truck through 12 cities including Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Burlington, Iowa City, and more!
• Deliver cargo to or from new depots – the agricultural factory and agricultural dealer.
• Visit the biggest truck stop we have ever built in ATS on Interstate 80!
• Become a vital part in transporting farm produce from the Hawkeye State all over the USA.
• Explore 18 scenic towns (settlements) on your travels such as Spencer, Clear Lake, Dyersville, Oskaloosa, or Traer!
• Admire the state’s stunning expansive hills with terraced fields and picturesque farms.
• Keep goods flowing in and out of Iowa’s huge ethanol plant depots, supporting its lead in U.S. ethanol production.
• Uncover Iowa’s hidden gems, find hidden roads, viewpoints, and more! – per Steam’s website

How is American Truck Simulator Different from Grand Theft Auto?:

For those unaware, who might be wondering, the difference between Grand Theft Auto and American Truck Simulator boils down to interactivity. In American Truck Simulator, you are essentially the truck. The driver of the vehicle is unseen. You’re controlling an entity as opposed to another person, so to speak. Furthermore, that removes the sandbox element integral to GTA games. There are many buildings and sights to be seen in American Truck Simulator, but you can’t interact with them like you can in Rockstar’s massive franchise.

American Truck Simulator‘s “Iowa DLC” is now available on Steam. Read more about it on American Truck Simulator‘s website.