Euro Truck Simulator 2 News

In today's blog, we're taking you to Finland - often called the Land of a Thousand Lakes, as it has around 187,000 of them! So let us showcase some of the areas we're recreating for the Nordic Horizons DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2.


Finland is a truly beautiful country, with unique and breathtaking landscapes that our map designers are meticulously recreating for ETS2. Did you know that 10% of Finland's landscape is covered by water, while nearly two-thirds is blanketed by forests?


Now let's move on to specific locations. The first one we would like to show you today is Lake Inari (Inarijärvi in Finnish) which is nestled in the Finnish Lapland in the northernmost part of the country. It is the third largest and the second deepest lake in Finland. It features over 3,300 islands and in colder years, it can stay frozen from November to June.


The second location is the Finnish Lakeland, which is Europe's largest lake district and adored by Finns as a wonderful recreational spot that offers so many things to do all year round. This region is so densely packed with lakes that they make up roughly 25% of its total area.


Finnish Lakeland is vast, stretching across the eastern and central parts of the country and covering a significant portion of Finland. It's also home to Lake Saimaa - Finland's largest lake and the third-largest in Europe. As you truck through this scenic region, you'll pass through the cities of Jyväskylä, Kuopio, and Mikkeli, all ready for your cargo deliveries. So don't wait - be sure to add the Nordic Horizons DLC to your Steam wishlist!


Stay tuned for more updates by following us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. And be safe on the road!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2780810/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Nordic_Horizons/

The transport and logistics industry relies on a strong, skilled workforce, and in the Netherlands, Sectorinstituut Transport en Logistiek (STL) plays a key role in making this possible. Today, we're happy to share with you more detail about the work that goes on at STL, and how Euro Truck Simulator 2 is also utilized within their company as a tool for students and current drivers. Let's dive in!


STL was founded in 2014 through the merger of various organizations with a shared goal: securing the recruitment and long-term employability of skilled professionals in the transport and logistics sector. Established by sectoral employers' organizations and trade unions, STL works to create a balanced labor market and provide a strong foundation for individuals to thrive in the industry. To learn more about their work, we had the pleasure of chatting with Robin.


"My name is Robin Maes, I'm a Communications Strategist for Sectorinstituut Transport en Logistiek. We have multiple strategists at STL, all focusing on different areas of Transport and Logistics. I focus solely on making sure that there are enough new students starting and finishing their education in Transport and Logistics. I work in the marketing department and within a multitude of multidisciplinary project groups, ensuring that our goals are met."

Robin explains that their mission at STL goes beyond simply bringing new talent into the workforce. "Our goal is to ensure a balanced labor market in the transport and logistics sector. We want employees to work safely, healthily, and with pride." STL’s objectives include attracting and training new professionals, supporting career development, improving working conditions, and promoting innovation and sustainability within the industry. However, challenges such as an aging workforce, misconceptions about the sector, and work-life balance concerns remain key issues that STL is determined to address.


Despite these challenges, STL has seen significant success in bringing fresh talent into transport and logistics. "Every year, we take on almost 1,000 new students," Robin shares. "These students will become mostly truck drivers but also forklift drivers and future management." STL's efforts extend beyond direct recruitment, through initiatives like school roadshows which consist of visiting around 150 schools annually, engaging with approximately 10,000 students from ages 12-17 to showcase the diverse career opportunities in the sector.


STL’s support doesn't end at recruitment. The organization plays a crucial role in guiding students and jobseekers in their career journeys. "We have local advisors in schools across the country," Robin says. "They help students explore career paths, choose educational programs, and connect with companies for hands-on learning experiences." For adults looking to switch careers, STL provides job coaching and connections with potential employers, ensuring a smooth transition into the transport industry. Additionally, STL helps subsidize essential training, such as obtaining truck and forklift licences, reducing financial barriers for those eager to enter the field.


For those already working in logistics, STL continues to provide valuable support. "The Stichting Opleidings en Ontwikkelingsfonds Beroepsgoederenvervoer, or SOOB for short, creates the funds we work with and determines the subsidies STL can offer," Robin explains. "Currently, there are multiple ways to benefit from this, like progressing from a forklift driver to a fully licensed CE-truck driver. We also offer other support programmes, such as subsidized (or free) health programs for losing weight or to quit smoking."

The transportation industry still faces some challenges, but it is steadily evolving to address them. The sector has made significant progress over the past 20 years. However, not everyone is aware of these changes, which can affect how people perceive careers in transportation and logistics. As the industry seeks new talent, it is actively adapting to become more attractive to young professionals and secure a strong future workforce.


One innovative way STL engages with aspiring truck drivers is through Euro Truck Simulator 2. " Having our student play Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a big plus" Robin tells us. "First, it allows students to get a fun, safe introduction to truck driving, and it serves as a valuable practice tool during downtime or the holidays." To keep students engaged during formal training, STL in cooperation with us (SCS Software), provides a free copy of the game. This offers a practical way for students to develop an early feel for truck driving. "We have three USPs in most of our communication: get 100% off on your driver’s license, get paid on schooldays (they work four days a week and study one), and get a truck simulator gift. This mix of fun and value works well for us."

The impact of ETS2 goes beyond just entertainment. Robin notes that many students who are serious about pursuing a truck-driving career use the game for both practice and enjoyment. "Our advisors often hear how excited students are to play the game. It helps bridge the gap between registration and the start of their education, giving them a meaningful way to stay engaged."


Since STL primarily focuses on guiding students through their education rather than conducting direct training, ETS2 is not integrated into formal courses. However, students who register with STL receive their Steam code and are free to use the game as they wish. The organization’s role is to connect students with the right schools and companies while providing personalized guidance throughout their two-year education and work program.

For those interested in joining STL and exploring opportunities in transport and logistics, getting in touch is simple. "The best way to start is by emailing [email protected]," Robin says. "We’ll make sure your question reaches the right department."

STL welcomes a broad range of individuals, from students seeking vocational training to professionals looking to upskill. Employers searching for workforce development support can also benefit from STL’s resources. For more information, you can visit their website at www.stl.nl.


With a strong commitment to fostering new talent and supporting industry professionals, STL continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of transport and logistics. Whether through hands-on training, career guidance, or even a virtual introduction to trucking via ETS2, their mission remains clear: to ensure a thriving, skilled workforce for years to come.

A huge thank you goes out to Robin Maes and the team at STL for taking the time to speak with us and share more about Sectorinstituut Transport en Logistiek. We hope you enjoyed learning about their mission and encourage you to visit their website to find out more.

Has Euro Truck Simulator 2 or American Truck Simulator played a significant role in your life or career? If so, we'd love for you to share your story with our community! Feel free to reach out to us on X/Twitter, Instagram, or BlueSky.

Today, we have an update regarding Driving Academy. Our teams are currently working on a new set of scenarios for Driving Academy for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator which are really going to test your trucker skills when it arrives in the future!


We released Driving Academy as a free update in October last year where we introduced sets of scenarios in 5 chapters from truck driving basics to more advanced challenges. We were inspired by many of our players who have used our games to get a sense of handling a truck and trailer, and learning how to maneuver and reverse. Now, after a few months, we wanted to take it a step further with a set of much more challenging scenarios which will be a part of the upcoming module called Truck Driving Proficiency and will test even the most skilled drivers to the limit. Please keep in mind that everything you see in this blog can change as the Truck Driving Proficiency for Driving Academy is still a work in progress.


For this new module and set of scenarios, we will also introduce a new reward system. The most important thing is still to precisely complete a scenario by driving along the designated path and avoiding any collision. For proficiency level, there may be additional conditions you will have to meet to successfully pass the scenario.



New in this upcoming module, players will be able to achieve up to 3 collectable stars, which can be earned by meeting additional conditions such as only using the interior camera, limiting gear shifts between drive and reverse, or completing the scenario in the set time.


Our goal is to test the players' skills and let them prove themselves as top-tier drivers, solving each scenario on their own without step-by-step guidance. That's why in this module you won't find any pre-recorded video tutorials, and you will have to use all the knowledge we taught you in our first module of Driving Academy.



But there is more. As we already mentioned in the 1.54 Open Beta blog, Driving Academy will also get new content in the upcoming 1.54 update. Everyone who has completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use in the base game - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. And that's not all - more rewards will be available for completing the upcoming Truck Driving Proficiency!

Make sure to follow us on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and YouTube). We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Until next time, drive safe!

On the 26th of February, this year's Valentine's Event "Cupid's Express" came to a close. So let's officially wrap it up together, look back at what it was about and what rewards our truckers earned!


First, a huge thank you to everyone who took part! We are so happy seeing you on the road hauling, especially when you share those moments with us on social media through photos, videos and other content. A special thanks also goes to the team behind it all!

As always, we set two challenges - one for individual players and one for the entire trucking community. The personal goal that every player had to accomplish to get the rewards was to complete 14 deliveries of Valentine's Presents. Our whole #BestCommunityEver then had to collectively finish 600,000 deliveries to accomplish the community goal.

So how did you do? Over 62,000 truckers completed all 14 deliveries for this event. Congratulations! And you have crushed the community milestone in just one week, that is incredible! In total, players completed 1,234,037 deliveries, double of what was the set goal. While hauling Valentine's Presents, you have travelled a distance of over 496,000,000 kilometres in both games!


And now let's take a look at the rewards. Those who completed their deliveries were awarded a unique World of Trucks Achievement as well as a Neon Heart dashboard item for both ETS2 and ATS. Because the collective target was reached as well, they will also get the Cupid's Dice hanging item!


We hope you are as excited as we are for the next event to come, but we won't tell you now what it is! Make sure to stay connected with us for all the updates by following our Twitter, Facebook. Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Until next time, we will see you on the road.

Today, we are excited to reveal that the 1.54 Open Beta branch for Euro Truck Simulator 2 is now available to try and test out. If you plan on participating in this Open Beta, we ask that you please help us by reporting any bugs you may encounter in the appropriate section(s) of our official forums.


Your feedback and reports are truly valuable to our team and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. Now, without further ado, let's take a look at what the 1.54 Open Beta has in store.

[h3]Cargo System Redefined
[/h3]Until now, what seemed like the game combining a trailer with cargo, such as a piece of machinery, was actually a manually created model, with each trailer-cargo pair stored separately on disk. This approach required an enormous number of unique models, making it harder to add new content efficiently and taking up disk space.


In the redefined cargo system, the code automatically merges cargo and trailers based on simplified rules. This means that each cargo will define its own model, loading methodology, and lashing method. This will make the work of our vehicle team much easier as it no longer requires our 3D artists to manually create pre-baked trailer-cargo pairs.


While there may be issues in the first iteration, it's a worthwhile goal to refine the system, as it not only improves efficiency but also saves disk space and memory by eliminating the need to store countless pre-made combinations. This project may also lead to other possibilities for both of our games, especially with dynamic cargo (un)loading and more. You can read about how this project was executed in our recent Under the Hood blog.

[h3]Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign[/h3]
The Truck Adjustment Menu has been completely redesigned to provide a more user-friendly experience. Previously, each option for adjusting your driver's FOV, seat, mirrors etc had separate menus with different layouts. Now, they share a cohesive interface, making adjustments much more intuitive and easier. The new design also takes on a similar design from our previous UI overhaul and is optimized for both a mouse and a controller, ensuring accessibility for all users.


For keyboard and mouse users, adjustments are now more streamlined with the use of the WASD keys for navigation, along with sliders and buttons for finer tuning. Meanwhile, controller users will find the new system much smoother, with the left stick controlling adjustments, the right stick handling camera movement for mirror positioning, and the D-pad or shoulder buttons navigating the menu.

The addition of shoulder button support makes menu navigation more fluid for controller players. This update makes adjusting mirrors and seats much easier, particularly for those using controllers, ensuring a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience. Accessing the Truck Adjustment Menu remains the same. You can use the F4 by default, a custom-assigned key of your choice, or through the adviser services menu.


We hope you enjoy this redesign, and that you find it easy to use and navigate through. If you have any feedback, we'd love to hear from you. You can share your comments and ideas through our official forum.

[h3]PhysX System Implementation[/h3]
As part of the 1.54 Open Beta, we are adopting the NVIDIA PhysX physics engine as an alternative to our current Bullet physics engine for low-level simulation of physics in the game world that players interact with. This shift allows players to experience more precise collision detection results and more robust behaviour during scenarios involving collisions between vehicles and obstacles or other vehicles. PhysX also offers our teams better debugging tools, which indirectly benefits players by helping resolve bugs more efficiently.

One of the most noticeable improvements brought by PhysX can already be experienced in our recently introduced Driving Academy game mode. For example, collisions with cones and obstacles are now more accurate and objects no longer appear to "levitate" slightly above the ground after interaction, a flaw that occurred with Bullet. While players may not see drastic changes, certain interactions should exhibit slightly improved behaviour.

With the release of version 1.54, PhysX is now the default physics engine for all gameplay. Players who prefer the previous Bullet physics engine can switch back by using the "-bullet" command line argument in their Steam launch options.

[h3]Driving Academy - Volvo FH Series 5, Volvo FH Series 6, and Iveco S-Way[/h3]
In the 1.54 update, we will implement both the Volvo FH Series 5 and Volvo FH Series 6, as well as the Iveco S-Way into Driving Academy. These beautiful trucks were added to Euro Truck Simulator 2 in December, and now you will have the option to try them out in various challenging scenarios in Driving Academy!


[h3]Driving Academy Rewards[/h3]
Everyone who has already completed or will complete the entire first module of Driving Academy will receive special rewards to use in the base game - a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for your truck. So make sure to complete your scenarios and grab your rewards, there will be more to come!


[h3]Changelog[/h3]

Gameplay

• Cargo System Redefined
  
• Driving Academy Rewards
  

Vehicles

• Volvo FH Series 5, Volvo FH Series 6, and Iveco S-Way added to Driving Academy
  

Visual

• Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
  

Other

• PhysX Implementation
  

The 1.54 Open Beta is currently unavailable for Mac OS users, but it is expected to be released for the platform in the near future. So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It's only an open beta, not a stable public version - so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It's completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you're interested in helping us to get there faster, we'd appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in the dedicated section.

Please check our modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.

If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2 → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.54. No password is required. Sometimes you have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/227300/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2/