Euro Truck Simulator 2 News

On Sunday night, we officially ended two running World of Trucks events. Now, it is time to take a look at how successful they were. Our #BestCommunityEver managed to complete both the #HappyHauloween and #CruisingArkansas events on time and thus earned their community rewards!


We always celebrate the release of a new DLC with a World of Trucks event, and Arkansas could not have been an exemption. The #CruisingArkansas event started on the 16th of September with a community goal of driving 125,000,000 miles (201,168,000 km) while delivering cargo to or from any city in Arkansas. We were happy to see that our #BestCommunityEver reached this impressive number on the 1st of November with more than two weeks to spare!


As you can see in this infographic, you have overcome the goal by more than 22 million miles and completed over 450 thousand deliveries!


Along with this event, we have also hosted the annual #HappyHauloween event which started on the 25th of October - this year's theme being ghosts. The community goal of collectively completing 1,300,000 deliveries of Halloween Treats (which is almost double from two years ago) was completed in just two weeks on the 7th of November so everyone who completed this event can now treat themselves to spooktacular rewards!


The numbers for the Hauloween event are even more impressive. The total job count was overcome by a stunning 469 thousand! And while doing that, you drove over 460 thousand miles. Impressive!


We hope you thoroughly enjoyed both events and are now ready to claim your exclusive rewards! For the #CruisingArkansas event, participants earned the White-tailed Watch ATS truck paint job as a personal reward, while the community unlocked the beautiful Diamond Apple Blossom hanging pendant.


Meanwhile, completing the #HappyHauloween event means you can now decorate your cabin with the spooky Booing Ghost as a personal reward, along with the fun Grumpy Ghost hanging toy as a community reward.


We also appreciate all the photos, videos, and other content you shared with us on social media. It really makes our teams happy to see how much you enjoy participating in these events.

If you couldn't fully complete these events, we hope you still enjoyed taking part! And don't worry, more will come in the future. Make sure not to miss any upcoming event by following us on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube where we always share the latest news and updates. Until then, keep on trucking!

Are you ready to ride through the land of legends, heroes, gods, and myths? Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the road, because we're excited to announce that the...

[h3]Greece DLC will be releasing on December 4th 2024[/h3]


We're just as excited as you are, and to keep the anticipation going, we've released the official video trailer for the Greece DLC on our YouTube channel! Created by our talented Video Team, this trailer will give you a preview of the beautiful landscapes, natural gems, cities, islands, historic landmarks, industries and more that await you in this map expansion. Have a watch of it below!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
We cannot wait for you to embark on your first journey into Greece. Our team are working in top gear to ensure everything is running smoothly for its release. From bug smashing to putting in additional polish on the map, we're on the final stretch!


There is so much to discover in this beautiful part of the world. If you missed out on any of our previous blogs showcasing the Greece DLC, we highly recommend checking them out! You can catch up with them all here!


Ready to get trucking? There's not long to wait! In the meantime, be sure to add the Greece DLC to your Steam Wishlist! It really helps support our work and notifies you of its release. We thank you for all your support! We look forward to releasing Greece on December 4th, until then, keep on Truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604420/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Greece/

Since the release of Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, the processing power of personal computers has made some serious advancements. In turn, we've continually brought updates to both our titles to introduce new technology and techniques, which has allowed us to introduce higher levels of visual fidelity to our content.


One such rework that has been happening over the last couple of years is the 'reimaging of legacy assets', which aims at enhancing the quality and optimization of game models that have started to look outdated and inconsistent with newer additions. The project team consists of two people, Pavel C and Robert P, both of whom we've had the pleasure to talk to about this project to share with you today. We will let them introduce themselves!


"My name is Pavel C. I've been working at SCS Software for about three years as a 3D Graphics Designer, and I am involved in reimagining legacy assets for our title American Truck Simulator and its DLCs."


"My name is Robert P, and I've been working as a 3D Artist at SCS Software for over three years. I've contributed to several DLCs, including Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Arkansas."

So, what is the goal behind this project? "Our goal is to create models that not only look realistic but are also well-optimized," Robert explains. "Many of the assets, although well-made, have started to show their age—especially those in use for nearly a decade. As technology advances, there’s an increasing demand for optimized assets with higher levels of visual fidelity."


Beginning a project like this can be quite challenging, especially on such a large scale, Pavel adds. "Initially, we faced many challenges as we realized we couldn’t rely on our current tools and technology for this project. We therefore had to take a different approach and develop a new workflow, often involving multiple programs and new techniques. Our focus was on finding the shortest path to the best results."

"The initiative to give our older assets a ‘facelift’ began about two years ago. Since then, we’ve organized the project and started creating newer versions of assets commonly used throughout the game world," Robert shares.


So, what is the process behind reworking older assets, and which programs are involved? "We start by analyzing the current models and planning each rework. Each asset needs to be recreated with high visual fidelity while being optimized for performance," Pavel says. "First, we analyze the assets we have and consider what can be reused." Robert adds, "Though most assets need to be remade from scratch."

The next step is gathering references, which we either handle ourselves or, if the task is large, assign to our Research Department. We then design a new logic for the asset, focusing on how it will be used and how convenient it will be for Map Designers to incorporate. Pavel explains further, "We prioritize based on each DLC’s needs and the current state of existing assets, actively collaborating with other teams to ensure consistency across projects."


"We have a list of assets in need of replacement, with priority given to those required for each new DLC. Many custom depots themed for various industries are being created, and during discussions on populating them, we often identify assets in need of a remake. We work with the Map Designers since they are the ones who will place the assets into the game world. They have valuable insights on which assets are effective and easy to use versus those starting to show their age.

We work closely with the Research Department, which helps us gain insights into real-world functionality to enhance the player experience and make it even more immersive," Robert explains. "We also collaborate with external partners, like our friends at 60FPS, to manage the workload of creating numerous new assets for each DLC".


So, what challenges do you often encounter on this project? Pavel responds, "A common challenge is achieving high visual quality while keeping hardware requirements low. We aim to strike a balance between quality and optimization, which involves many iterations and testing various techniques. This is simply part of game development." Robert adds, "Primarily, it’s dealing with outdated technologies. Many workflows that were standard just a few years ago are becoming obsolete, so it's up to us to find an optimal workflow for each asset."

As mentioned earlier, multiple programs are used for this project, and Robert goes on to share more about them. "Our primary software is Autodesk Maya, which we use for most of our modelling, organization, and exporting to the engine. We also use a variety of other tools, such as ZBrush for virtual sculpting, Marmoset Toolbag for mesh baking, and the Adobe Substance suite (Painter and Designer) along with Adobe Photoshop for texturing."


"Modern tools and fewer limitations allow us to make new assets more detailed and varied, avoiding repetition while staying faithful to real-life references. This enhances the overall immersive experience for the player." Pavel adds, "Better quality and optimization mean that players can enjoy a smoother and more visually appealing experience. Details such as refined textures, optimized geometry, and LODs (Levels of Detail) contribute to a more realistic environment."

"It's an interesting learning experience to work with both traditional and up-to-date workflows simultaneously." Robert shares "We compare the strengths and weaknesses of each and leverage the best aspects of both. It’s never the same; each asset feels unique and requires individual attention, bringing new challenges with each DLC. These assets are also used in reskins and redesigns of older areas of the map, so even if you don’t play the newest DLC, there’s a little something for everyone".


So next time you drive by some bales of hay or a stack of pallets, we hope you can appreciate a little more the work behind that asset. We'd like to thank both Robert and Pavel for taking the time to share their work with us, and for providing detailed information for this Under the Hood Blog! If you enjoyed today's blog, be sure to leave a comment in the replies or on our social media channels, we'd love to read about it! Until next time, keep on truckin'.

Our upcoming Greece DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2 will feature both coastal cities and islands, and today we're excited to share a preview of some of them with you! From popular tourist destinations to key economic centres, you'll find a variety of industries, natural gems, and landmarks along the way.


With numerous islands surrounding the Greek mainland, ports and ferries are essential for transportation, especially for moving goods by truck. This DLC brings this vital network to life with new, larger, and more realistic ferry models, as well as meticulously detailed ports.


Let's take a closer look at some of the cities you'll be able to visit and deliver to on your travels in Greece.

Kalamata

Situated on the sun-soaked Peloponnese and famous worldwide for its olives, Kalamata offers visitors a perfect blend of history, stunning coastal scenery, landmarks and vibrant local culture. With its lively waterfront and charming old town, truckers will have a hard time leaving! We hope you agree with us when we say our team has beautifully recreated this area, including its narrow streets and architecture.


Kalamata is also home to a variety of industries, including the marina, olive farms, and the supermarket, offering plenty of delivery destinations and job contracts for truckers. Drivers can also take advantage of the ferry connection to travel onward to Crete, one of the largest and most populous Greek islands.

Kavala

Founded in the seventh century BC, Kavala was chosen by settlers for its strategic coastal position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Today, Kavala remains an important economic centre of Northern Greece. Among other industries, you'll find ones unique to the area, including a Marble processing plant, which Kavala is famous for producing.


While Kavala may not be the largest city, it is certainly picturesque! Built on a hillside, the city's most prominent feature is the Kavala Fortress, also known as the Acropolis of Kavala, which overlooks the city and harbour and has been beautifully recreated in this DLC. Drivers can also take a ferry from here to several islands in the northern Aegean Sea!

Mytilene

As one of Greece's oldest cities, dating back to ancient times, Mytilene is rich in history, from its scenic coastline to its unique architecture and historical landmarks such as the Fortress of Mytilene. As one the largest castles in the Mediterranean, this incredible landmark covers an area of 60 acres!


You can read more about this city and the industries you can find there in detail in a previous blog post, which you can find here.

Argostoli

Located in the Ionian Sea, Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia Island. Whilst it is not the biggest city, with just a population of 10,000 residents, it is rich in beauty and history! On this island, you'll find a variety of industries, as well as landmarks like the De Bosset Bridge, which is the largest stone bridge in seawater and has existed since 1813.


On the Island of Kefalonia, you'll also find the town of Lixouri, which has become an increasingly popular spot for visitors who are looking to get away from the more popular destinations. We hope you take the time to check out this area when passing through!

Chios

This is a city you might already be familiar with! As featured in our recent Greece - Gameplay Preview video on our official YouTube channel, Chios offers a charming blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Drivers can cruise along its picturesque seafront and navigate the city’s narrow streets, taking in the stunning views that draw so many visitors.


You'll find plenty of other natural gems, as well as industries to deliver to and from on the island! We encourage you to explore it all and discover what's around the corner!

Rhodes

Arguably one of the top tourist destinations in Europe, Rhodes is home to ancient and medieval sites, including The Medieval Old Town, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whilst trucks are certainly not allowed near the old town, you will certainly see it from a distance! Drivers can also enjoy views of the Zefyros Beach on their travels.


On the Island, you'll also come across other towns and settlements, including Faliraki, known for its long sandy beach and lively nightlife. Be sure to check it out as you explore Rhodes!

Heraklion and Chania

Located on the westernmost side of Crete, Chania is known for its blend of Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek influences. Here, truckers can find historical landmarks, beautiful coastal views and a strong local economy! Due to its long history and rich culture, the region of Chania has maintained its traditional architecture, which is evident throughout the city. Truckers looking to visit this city can arrive via Ferry through the Port of Souda.


Drivers can also discover the capital city of Crete, Heraklion. As a major tourist destination in Greece, it is known for historical landmarks, museums and archaeological sites. Drivers travelling to Heraklion via Ferry will arrive at the Heraklion Port Passenger Station, which has been recreated in detail. Truckers looking for work in the area can also find several depots to deliver to and from.


There is so much more to discover on your journey through Greece, and we can’t wait for you to explore the upcoming DLC yourself. Our team has worked hard to authentically capture Greece's diversity, beauty, landmarks, vegetation, and industries. Show your support for this exciting expansion by adding it to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604420/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Greece/