Euro Truck Simulator 2 News

[p]Our work on the Scandinavia Refresh project for Euro Truck Simulator 2 continues, and today we’re excited to share another location that you can look forward to - the city of Karlstad![/p][p][/p][p]Located in central Sweden, Karlstad plays an important role in connecting various regions of the country. As part of the Scandinavia Refresh project, Karlstad has been newly added to the game, with the city built entirely from scratch and its surrounding areas reworked to match the quality and standards of our newer map regions.[/p][p][/p][p]While we don’t want to give away too much, Karlstad is home to a variety of recognizable landmarks and interesting spots that add to its local charm. You may find yourself passing by a busy train station, cultural and sporting venues, cozy accommodation options, and several public facilities that give the city its distinctive atmosphere. The nearby countryside also offers some beautiful driving routes for those who enjoy scenic deliveries off the main roads.[/p][p][/p][p]In addition to these sights, there are a number of depots and service locations across the area, from fuel stations and farms to logistics centers, and more. Truckers can also look forward to a local garage where they can expand their operations in this part of Sweden. Our ETS2 Map Designer, Lukas, who worked on Karlstad, shared a few words about his experience: [/p][p][/p][p]“Karlstad was my first proper city, and I really hope I did it justice. I spent many late nights working on it, my girlfriend even started to get a little jealous, but I wanted to make sure the city feels alive, detailed, and full of little stories around every corner.”[/p][p][/p][p]Lukas also hinted that Karlstad may hold a few secrets for those who like to explore: “There are four gas stations, three are functional, one is hidden, and around three and a half secret roads to discover. I won’t say exactly where, but let’s just say there might even be a certain jumping ramp out there somewhere. Maybe you could start a little ‘how far can you jump’ competition!” [/p][p][/p][p]We look forward to sharing more updates with you soon as work on the Scandinavia Refresh project continues. Until then, keep your eyes on the road and enjoy exploring Denmark’s newest connections! We hope you liked this preview! Make sure to stay tuned for more updates from this map expansion by following us on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, or by signing up for our newsletter. Safe travels! [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]The Nordic countries are known for their breathtaking landscapes, rugged coastlines, and industrious spirit, and today, we’re excited to give you a closer look at some of the custom-made depots coming to our upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2![/p][p][/p][p]On your future journeys across Sweden, Finland, and Norway, you’ll find yourself delivering to a diverse selection of unique industrial sites, from sprawling crop farms and livestock facilities to expansive timber harvest areas and even an underground quarry deep within the Nordic bedrock. Each of these depots has been handcrafted by our talented team to capture the essence of northern industries while offering fresh gameplay experiences for every driver.[/p][p][/p][p]Creating these custom depots begins during the early planning stages of development. Our research and map design teams work together to identify industries that represent the Nordic region authentically. Each chosen location goes through a detailed design phase, outlining how the facility operates in real life, what it produces, what kind of cargoes are transported, and what makes it visually distinct. This foundation allows our designers to build depots that not only look realistic but also provide engaging gameplay opportunities.[/p][p][/p][p]Many of the new depots in Nordic Horizons are inspired by real-world industries across Scandinavia. Vast grain farms with golden fields, modern gas stations tucked along remote highways, timber yards filled with freshly cut logs, and an underground quarry hidden beneath the surface have all been crafted to reflect the challenges and beauty of Nordic logistics.[/p][p][/p][p]“We’ve tried to recreate the idyllic atmosphere of Scandinavian farms - peaceful and self-sufficient, simple and functional, while still capturing the details authentic to the farms and farmlands,” shares Anis, one of our map designers.[/p][p][/p][p]“I’m very pleased that after developing custom hotels, farms, and other facilities in the Greece DLC (where this technology first debuted in ETS2), a few more map designers have now joined me to further diversify the range of custom depots for the Nordic Horizons DLC. My main focus was to create the underground depot in Kiruna and to support other designers in implementing and refining their own custom locations. I also tried to do my best to make the underground depot sufficiently distinct from those featured in ATS. I’m looking forward to seeing how players will fare in the underground!” adds Edrush, Depot Senior Map Designer.[/p][p][/p][p]We hope you’ve enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at the custom depots being created for Nordic Horizons. This is just one of many exciting aspects of this upcoming DLC![/p][p]If you are looking forward to exploring these depots yourself, make sure to add the Nordic Horizons map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Stay tuned for more updates from this map expansion by following us on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, or by signing up for our newsletter. Until next time, keep on truckin'![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]We trust you’ve prepared a proper cup of tea and perhaps a biscuit or two, for it is with the greatest pleasure that we announce the Project UK Rework for Euro Truck Simulator 2! We’re ever so pleased to share a little more about our forthcoming plans, let’s proceed, shall we?


First and foremost, we must commend those of you who rather cleverly put two and tea together. Our Proper Cup of Tea teaser was indeed a subtle nod to what was brewing, though we daresay the Yorkshire Tea and the delightfully British voice-over may have given the game away. 

Before we get into the details, please note: This project is still in its very early stages, and many of the screenshots in this blog post showcase areas of the rework that are still being worked on and are incomplete.

[/p][p]The rework of the United Kingdom in Euro Truck Simulator 2 delivers a long-anticipated refresh to one of the earliest regions included at launch. We spoke with Abbe, Lead of the UK Rework project, to learn more about his team and their work.[/p][p][/p][p]“Right now, there are over twenty map designers working on the early stages of the UK Rework,” Abbe tells us. “And of course, a lot of other people are involved too, from our research department and asset department to the road team and programmers.” The project brings together a wide range of teams within SCS Software, each contributing their expertise to what is set to be one of our most ambitious reworks yet.


The UK rework has been one of the most frequently requested projects from our community over the years, and it’s something the team has had in mind for quite some time. “We've had the UK rework in sight for a long time, since around the period when I was working on the Austria rework,” Abbe says. “But there were other projects we needed to focus on beforehand, such as Benelux.”[/p][p]Abbe goes on to share his passion for the project at hand too, "I personally wanted to do the UK rework. I love reading Napoleonic navy novels like Hornblower or the Aubrey & Maturin saga, and British history in general, from the War of the Roses to the Age of Sail. It’s very much a passion project for me.”


Given the age of the existing map and the many changes that have taken place in real life, the decision was made to completely rework the region from scratch. However, reworking the UK does present some unique challenges when compared to our current map of Europe. “The UK is currently made at a different scale than mainland Europe” Abbe explains. “We are changing it to make it consistent across the game. Which means we’ll be including more detail in a smaller area, which is a challenge in itself. Left-hand traffic also adds another layer of complexity. And for me personally, the biggest challenge is resisting the urge to add niche things that I love about the UK"


As for what you can expect to see and experience, Abbe prefers to keep some details under wraps for now. “I would like to keep as many additions and changes as a surprise,” he says. “But I can tell you that we are adding some legendary landmarks, such as Stonehenge. I can also share that Leeds will be a new city featured on the map. Our design philosophy also includes considerations for our upcoming Coaches DLC as well, so perhaps some tourist destinations may appear, too. We’re also adding new towns and locations across Scotland. And of course, I can’t forget to mention that the new Eurotunnel will look fantastic.”


Before concluding, Abbe shared a few words for the community. “I hope the community will love our vision of the UK. There may have to be a few compromises along the way as we completely rebuild the UK, and we ask for patience, development is still in the early stages, and the UK is a large area of our map that will take time to complete. I’m looking forward to future developer diaries where we can share more about the progress and go deeper into the details of the UK rework.”[/p][p][/p][p]We look forward to sharing more news and preview about this project in the near future. Until then, be sure to keep up to date with the latest by following our socials on X, Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram, and by subscribing to our Newsletter! Til' next time, cheerio and keep on truckin mate!

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[p]In today's blog, we would like to show our #BestCommunityEver a sneak peek at another stunning creation from our assets and map designers for the upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC - the breathtaking fjords and majestic mountains that define this iconic region![/p][p][/p][p]A fjord is a long, deep, and narrow body of water that stretches far inland - formed by massive glaciers that carved deep U-shaped valleys into the mountains, which were later filled with seawater. While fjords can be found in many parts of the world, Norway is particularly famous for them, boasting over 1,000 fjords, especially along its western and northern coastlines.[/p][p][/p][p]The fjords are closely linked to the Scandinavian Mountains, which are also most prominent in Norway, stretching along nearly the entire border with Sweden and extending to the Arctic Ocean. The steep mountain slopes and the deep waters of the fjords create some of Norway's most dramatic and breathtaking scenery, a combination that defines much of the country's natural beauty.[/p][p][/p][p]The Scandinavian Mountains themselves are vast and rugged, with over 141,000 named summits. The range's tallest and most renowned peak is Galdhøpiggen, which rises to 2,469 metres, standing as a striking landmark amid the landscapes of mountains and fjords. Although this mountain range is large and tall, its climate is usually harsh only in winter. During the summer months, snow is relatively rare, even on the highest peaks. [/p][p][/p][p]In the Nordic Horizons map expansion, players will have the opportunity to explore a stunning variety of breathtaking locations, including Romsdalsfjorden, Innfjorden, Saltdalsfjorden, Skjerstadfjorden, and the majestic Trondheimsfjord - home to the city of Trondheim - and more.[/p][p][/p][p]Truckers can look forward to navigating more challenging routes that wind through mountainous terrain. These narrow, twisting roads often pass through quiet, sparsely populated areas dotted with small houses or campsites, offering unforgettable panoramic views over the fjords.[/p][p][/p][p]The towns and cities nestled along the fjords are truly unique, often situated right at the water's edge and providing picturesque scenery. This dramatic landscape also brings a level of logistical challenge: to cross waterways and mountains, truckers will rely on bridges, short ferry crossings, and tunnels, which are all very common in this region.[/p][p][/p][p]Examples of these include Skutvik, a charming coastal town with a scenic road leading to a ferry terminal; Tresfjordbrua, where the impressive Tresfjord Bridge spans the fjord; or Torrfjorden, featuring the 800-metre Tennfloget Tunnel that runs along the water beneath a hillside. And that's just the beginning - many more breathtaking destinations await![/p][p][/p][p]If you liked this preview, make sure to add the Nordic Horizons DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Stay tuned for more updates from this map expansion by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube, or by signing up for our newsletter. Happy haulin'![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]From 24th to 26th October, we're heading to Poland to join the Poznań Game Arena! We can't wait to meet our #BestCommunityEver in person. We'll be taking part in a special panel, giving a short speech on the main stage, where we'll be sharing some exciting insights, and giving our fans the chance to try exclusive demos of the upcoming Nordic Horizons and Louisiana DLCs![/p][p][/p][p]At this year's Poznań Game Arena, you will be able to find our booth in pavilion 5, stand 55. There, we will feature two of our 4D motion simulators and six additional gaming stations, all powered by Thrustmaster. Our fans will have an exclusive opportunity to play special demo versions of our upcoming Louisiana and Nordic Horizons DLCs there, experiencing these highly anticipated map expansions hands-on.[/p][p][/p][p]A huge thank-you to Thrustmaster for partnering with us and making this immersive setup possible. Our stations will be equipped with their quality sim-driving gear, including the T248 steering wheel and the SimTask steering kit, giving everyone a taste of just how great it feels to play our games with this setup.

On top of that, thanks to the kind cooperation with Scania Poland, we'll also have a real truck on display at our booth, a Scania 460R, giving visitors a unique look at one of the vehicles that inspire our games.

We're also excited to join forces with some very popular Polish influencers. Iwona Blecharczyk, a real truck driver, Wujek Bohun, and Janusz0821 will be visiting our booth for a meet-and-greet session on Saturday, giving fans the chance to meet them in person, so don't miss out!

If you are interested in hearing some interesting developer insights from our side, we'll be taking part in a special panel called Building Local Communities: From Passion to Presence alongside Bethesda and Warhorse on Friday, discussing how to build a community around your games. This panel is part of the Games Marketing Summit, held during the Game Industry Conference, which runs simultaneously with the PGA in nearby halls. We'll also have a short speech on the main stage of PGA, where fans might even catch a first glimpse of some of our new projects.

Finally, some members of our team will be present at the booth, including Petr, Beny, Nemiro, Bartosz, Annie, Mrazík, Oscar, Davido, and others, who cannot wait to meet with you!

We are excited to get in touch with you in Poznań! But if you won't be able to attend, don't worry, and make sure to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok a follow as we plan to share updates from PGA and maybe even record an SCS On The Road episode from the venue. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed. See you in Poznań![/p]