Euro Truck Simulator 2 News

Today marks the beginning of Czech & Slovak Games Week, an annual event that celebrates games created by studios based in the countries of Czechia and Slovakia. Our studio has been around for over 25 years, witnessing the major growth of the local games industry. During our humble beginnings, there were less than than a hundred individuals creating games on a professional basis in our countries. These days, well over 2,000 people in the region are making a living creating games, and making quite an impact on the global gaming scene. What a ride it has been!

We may not be the oldest studio, but we are proud to be a part of this growth from the early years, and we are honoured to partner up with so many fantastic and creative studios during this week-long celebration.


Many of the games participating will be celebrating by offering cool discounts on Steam and any platforms where players can find them. Unfortunately, we used up our available discount slot recently on the launch of the West Balkans DLC, and we will only be able to do a promotional sale around the time of the Kansas DLC launch (wink wink). Still, we wanted to support the CZ & SK Games week in some way on Steam and give the people exploring the vast offering of locally produced games a bargain to try our titles as well; Or to catch up, in case they already own one of our flagship truck simulators, but were looking for an excuse to try the other one. We have found a working solution on Steam - a dedicated bundle may do just the trick! We are aware that most of our readers probably know our games in and out, but it may still be a good way of growing our fanbase.

[Check out the Czech & Slovak Games Week Bundle here]

One part of Czech & Slovak Games Week that always stands out is the unique and beautiful artwork that accompanies it. Anna Voříšková, one of our talented 2D artists, continues to be the main driving force behind the creation of these wonderful designs. We spoke with her to learn more about the process on creating artwork for such an event.

"This is the fourth year I've volunteered to create artwork for the event, and I feel like with each year I continue to challenge myself more and more in terms of the art's vision and composition." Annie explains "It's always my job to design everything, from start to finish, which is a very challenging job and a huge responsibility, but to see it done, see the event up and running, is such a rewarding feeling. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished together with my teammates at GDACZ."


"The theme I've chosen for this year's event is "togetherness". Czechia and Slovakia have a very warm relationship and I wanted to represent it in the artwork. The two characters - a Czech girl and a Slovak boy - play through a platformer together to reach a common goal, while munching on some popular local snacks. The platformer itself also pictures various landmarks from both Czechia and Slovakia. I really wanted the artwork to have an educational impact as well - it tells you a little about the culture of both countries."

"The cover art took around 30 hours to design, sketch, outline, colour, and polish. The details and clean, intricate lines are mostly to blame. I did most of the work on my iPad, which I like to take to cafés for a little change of scenery. And no, I really don't wanna think about the cost of all the large Starbucks coffees I had to consume to get it done!"

We are proud of the work Anna undertakes in her own time for this special event! The Czech & Slovak Games Week takes place between November 13th and November 20th and features a number of discounts for locally created games across a multitude of platforms, along with digital events and online streams. We urge you to check it out for yourself! You can find the Czech & Slovak Games Week Steam page right here.

In this episode of SCS on the Road, our journey took us to Burtenbach, Germany, where we met Kevin - a living testament to the seamless blend of virtual passion and professional reality. Kevin, an avid Euro Truck Simulator 2 player, now serves as an IT professional at Kögel Trailer, and his story unfolds as a testament to the unexpected turns life can take.


Our primary aim during this visit was to capture the essence of Kögel Trailer so we could accurately transfer them to the world of Euro Truck Simulator 2. Kevin showed us around and walked us through his remarkable transformation from enthusiast to professional. His transition from navigating digital landscapes to optimizing real-world IT solutions for trailers is a great example of the unexpected turns life can take within the gaming industry.

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We hope you've enjoyed this episode of SCS on the Road! Let us know how you liked it in the comments below. Stay tuned for the next episode! Until then, make sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

As we bid farewell to the month of October, it's time to conclude the #Pinktober2023 campaign for this year. Let's take a look at its impact and success.


Over the entire month, we were dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. Whether through our live streams on Twitch or the reminders on our social media, we aimed to keep our community informed. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year's campaign, whether by tuning in to our broadcasts or sharing kind messages on social media using the special paint jobs from the DLCs. These seemingly small steps play a crucial role in the ongoing battle against this dangerous disease.

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Thanks to the incredible support from the #BestCommunityEver, the total amount raised from the sales of the Pink Ribbon paint job packs is a staggering 55,000 USD! This sum is truly remarkable, and we extend our gratitude to each and every one of you. We believe that contributing the entire amount to the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer will make a significant difference to those in need.


However, let's not forget that supporting such causes can be a year-round commitment. While donations are crucial, there are various ways to join the fight. Spreading awareness and reminding your loved ones about the importance of regular health checks matter the most. Our health should always be a top priority, and these are messages we should all keep in mind.

A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering effort and support!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1068290/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Pink_Ribbon_Charity_Pack/

Today, we are happy to share with you that the 1.49 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 extremely valuable to our team and we thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. So, without further ado, let's take a look at what the 1.49 Open Beta has in store.

[h3]HDR Skyboxes, Moon and New Weather Effects[/h3]
First and foremost, after many requests, we've added the Moon (back) to our night sky! It's a subtle but remarkable touch that adds an extra layer of realism and wonder to your virtual trucking adventures. Curiously, it's worth mentioning that what might appear as a simple addition – the Moon – has posed some significant challenges for some time. Integrating the Moon into the night sky has required casting, rendering, and calculating lunar light, managing reflections in water bodies, dealing with wet roads, and addressing mirror effects, among other things.


In addition to that, we've also reimagined the night sky, introducing dynamic stars that gently twinkle, enhancing the overall authenticity of the night-time experience.


We are also happy to share that skyboxes will now be High Dynamic Range (HDR), which means that there will be richer, more vibrant colors in the skies and our weather visual effects have also received an upgrade. Thunderstorms now include visible lightning, offering a more immersive experience. And make sure to keep an eye on the night sky in certain regions, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you will notice.


To sum it all up, we’ve also prepared a special video for you showcasing all of these changes. It’s definitely worth checking it out along with the dedicated blog post we published previously!

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[h3]Used Truck Dealers[/h3]
We're also happy to introduce another highly requested feature. Used Trucks will be now available immediately in the main menu taking you to a selection of trucks that are more budget-friendly compared to brand new vehicles. However, these used trucks come with some mileage and wear, which is indicated by their star rating and a separate window that provides a detailed breakdown of the damage to various parts.


One of the most significant changes coming along with this feature is the enhanced damage and repair system. In the past, our approach was very simplistic - individual parts would accumulate damage, represented as a percentage, and you could repair them, resetting the percentage to zero. However, with the 1.49 update, parts will accumulate three types of damage

• Damage: This type of damage can be fixed by standard repairs, just as before.
  
• Parts Wear: When components accumulate significant wear and tear, you'll want to replace them.
  
• Permanent Wear: The permanent wear represents systemic aging and wear across the whole vehicle. It can only be nullified by Total Restoration of the entire vehicle. This is a more expensive procedure, but it's the only way to bring your truck and trailer back to pristine condition.
  

With the improved damage system comes enhanced control over vehicle maintenance. You can now make informed choices about which parts to repair or replace based on your judgment. Alternatively, you have the option to seek professional advice for the best repair strategy for your truck or trailer.

We'd love to hear your feedback about this new addition on our official forums. Happy (used) trucking!

[h3]Keybind Modifiers[/h3]
Another highly requested feature coming with 1.49 is the introduction of Keybind Modifiers! When previously creating a new bind in the menu, you could only assign a single key for an action. With the 1.49 update, you will now have the option to use a combination of the key and modifiers to bind an action. For example, you can now assign Shift + L to turn your lights if you so wish!


This opens up a whole new world of key bind combinations for you to use, allowing for more binding options, but that's not all! You will also now have the options to bind short press and long press key. Holding the key down will be recognised as a long press, and pressing a button as normal will be seen as a short press.


Keyboards aren't the only peripheral taking advantage of this change. Controllers will also be able use this new feature! We look forward to hearing your feedback on this new change!

[h3]Changelog [/h3] [h3]Visual[/h3]

• HDR Skyboxes, Moon and New Weather Effects

[h3]Other[/h3]

• Used Truck Dealers
  
• Keybind Modifiers

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'll appreciate all of your feedback on our forum and your bug reports in this 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 → 1.49. No password is required. Sometimes you have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

We bet a few of you have been wondering over the past couple of days about the next move in our Euro Truck Simulator 2 adventure. Well, the suspense is over because today, we're thrilled to declare the official kickoff of our upcoming DLC endeavour. Brace yourselves, as this time, the routes will guide you through the captivating landscapes of Greece!


Get ready for the breathtaking beauty of Greece, as the DLC not only unveils the captivating landscapes of inland Greece but also invites truckers to explore the charm of some islands, with approximately 14 cities waiting to be discovered. Imagine cruising through picturesque villages, winding roads, and iconic landmarks that mirror the rich tapestry of Greek culture. The allure doesn't end there - Greece introduces a fresh dimension to your trucking adventures with the addition of hotel complexes and vibrant cotton farms as new depots. As a trucker, get ready to be captivated by the allure of Greece, a destination that transcends the ordinary and promises an unforgettable journey through the sun-kissed coastline and cultural wonders of this Mediterranean gem.

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Unlike the conventional timeline, where pre-production typically takes almost a year prior to actual production, Greece is shaking things up by embracing a faster pre-production phase. This fills the development process with a boost of speed and excitement.


Get ready for a bunch of exciting new stuff that this country has in store. Be it in terms of industry, nature, landmarks, road networks, or loads of other intriguing content!

If you're pumped up about this fresh addition to the Euro Truck Simulator 2, swing by the Steam page and add it to your Steam Wishlist. It would mean the world to us, and we'd be incredibly grateful! Also, stay tuned for any updates on this upcoming DLC, whether it's here on the blog, on our social media profiles (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok), or by subscribing to our newsletter. We've got a bunch of exciting topics in the works, and we're eager to share them with you as soon as possible. Until then, catch you on the road!

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