Another blog on the Nordic Horizons DLC is here! Today, we will show you some of the stunning city landmarks that can be found in this upcoming map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2.

Along your journey through the northernmost part of Europe, you will come across plenty of historical buildings, beautiful sculptures, and other stunning structures. One of them is the Gävle Theater, a hallmark of Swedish theater architecture. Located in the heart of Gävle, a charming port town on Sweden's east coast, this historic building was completed in 1878 and remains a testament to the city's cultural heritage.

On the shores of the vast lake of Storsjön in Sweden's midlands, you can come across the picturesque city of Östersund and its rådhus, or as we would call it, its city hall. The construction of this beautiful building, which was built in a national romantic style, began in 1909 and was finished three years later.

If you venture further north, you can spot the Akkats Hydroelectric Power Station, which is said to be the gateway to the "Great Lakes" and Laponia. This small dam is also a popular tourist destination as it is adorned with monumental paintings that symbolize the Sami lifestyle and culture.

Moving on to Finland, you can discover the Sea Eagle - Finnish Aviation Monument in the city of Vaasa on the west coast. This impressive statue symbolizes freedom and the spirit of flight and stands as a testament to the country's rich aviation history.

In the Käpylä field alongside the National Highway 5, you can find roughly a thousand peat-headed characters standing still. The Silent People were created in 1988. What do you think is the meaning behind this art project? Well, you will have to figure it out yourself as the creator refuses to provide any answer, but it is a captivating sight nonetheless.

Another city landmark can be found in the middle of a roundabout in the Finnish city of Kuusamo which is located near the country's eastern border. This sculpture is called The Surge and depicts a powerful wave.

Let's go back to Sweden for a bit. Our talented map designers have also recreated the beautiful Umeå City Church. It can be found in the center of the city. The church was inaugurated in 1894 in a place where two other churches were destroyed previously in history.

We hope you have enjoyed this little sneak peek into the making of our upcoming map expansion for ETS2. If you are as excited about the Nordic Horizons DLC, make sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Stay tuned for more updates by following us on our Twitter, Facebook[www.facebook.com], Instagram[www.instagram.com], and YouTube.

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

We are excited to share with our community that the 1.53 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2 is now officially released! Packed with new content, reworked content, quality of life improvements and more, let's dive in and take a look at what's in store.

Before that, we have to give a huge shoutout to everyone who participated in the Open Beta phase, shared feedback, and reported bugs. Your invaluable contributions have allowed us to fine-tune content and eliminate bugs that slipped through the cracks initially. We hope that you will enjoy the new features, changes, and more that come with this update!


As part of our Germany Rework project, we are excited to present the cities of München, Mannheim, Leipzig, Dresden and Germany's largest city and capital, Berlin. Each of these cities has been completely reworked from the ground up and is included for free as part of the 1.53 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2.

With the help of advanced map techniques and technologies, our team has been able to rework each city and its surrounding area in great detail, including accurately represented industries in the area, new and improved road networks, and famous local landmarks!

We encourage you to explore each of these cities yourself, and discover what each one has to offer; you'll never know what you may find! If you're interested in learning more in more detail about each specific city, be sure to check out our dedicated blogs on the Germany rework, which you can find here[blog.scssoft.com].


We're excited to announce that the Volvo FH Series 4 has undergone a complete rework in the 1.53 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2! We know the community has been eagerly awaiting news on this highly requested update, so without further ado, let's take a closer look at the changes made to this iconic truck.

Let's start with the cabin, which has been completely reworked both inside and out. Thanks to newly provided CAD data, we have been able to accurately improve details and the accuracy of external parts including front and rear fenders, bumpers, roof deflectors, and more.

The same goes for the interior too, which now features more accurate textures and materials that meet the new Volvo standard. Drivers will also have the option of choosing between different interior trims, customisable seats, and steering wheel.

The chassis of the Volvo FH Series 4 has also been completely remodelled and improved in terms of details, including new textures for a better overall appearance.

However, that isn't all! The Volvo FH Tuning Pack has also received a rework as a result of the Volvo FH Series 4 being overhauled. Owners of this DLC Pack can expect reworked tuning parts, including the front and rear fenders, bumpers, roof deflectors, and more.

Drivers can also find an option to paint their cabin in the special 25 Years of Volvo FH paint livery! It's the perfect way to celebrate the rework of the Volvo FH Series 4 in style.

We look forward to hearing your initial reactions on the rework of this iconic truck, which our team has worked hard to enhance with new details and improvements. Be sure to share your comments, screenshots, and videos with us across our social media channels!


We're happy to introduce a feature that we believe many players will find helpful, especially those who often adjust their settings to fine-tune what is best to their liking and setup. When changing an option with a default value, players will now have a visual indication of when a setting has been moved or changed from its default state.

Settings that have been adjusted from their default value will now appear with a small visual indicator alongside that setting. We hope this helps users find which settings have been altered from default.


Another new feature that we are happy to include with this update is Smooth and Auto Camera Centring! Players can now enable this new option to return their camera to the central position automatically after moving it. When activated by the player or by moving forward, the smooth centring feature becomes noticeable as it gently transitions the camera to the central position.

This addition comes with a range of personal preference options, including three options for speed, which controls how fast or slow the camera returns to the centre; as well as the option to set how many seconds of delay there should be before re-centring occurs.

For players who use a third-party head-tracking solution or prefer to adjust the position of the camera manually, there is also an option to disable this feature altogether. Happy trucking!


Map

• Germany Rework project - München, Mannheim, Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin

Vehicle

• Volvo FH Series 4 Rework

UI

• Visualization of changed options in the settings
  
• Smooth and Auto camera centring

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

Today we're excited to share with you our final topic on our upcoming Greece DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2! Let us tell you more about some of the new unique Depots and Special Transport routes coming with this highly anticipated expansion.

Travel and tourism play a prominent role in supporting the Greek economy. In 2023, Greece welcomed over 32 million visitors. As you can imagine, this creates a phenomenal demand for accommodation, including larger hotel resorts, one of the new and unique depots you can deliver to in this DLC!


You can deliver to 5 custom hotel depots on your travels across the Greece DLC. We spoke with Adrien, who was responsible for creating them, to learn more about their development process. "All of the hotels in this DLC are based on real-life locations, and each one of them is unique," Adrien tells us "I look forward to seeing the community find their real-life counterparts as they discover them in-game, however, one of our hotel references located in Rhodes had to be relocated to Lesbos due to size limitations"

"The biggest challenge with this project was that custom depots as a new technology was relatively new to ETS2, so we didn’t have the advanced procedures we use today; we learnt a lot along the way!"

"Researching hotels and choosing specific locations was particularly difficult, as some locations lacked the space needed for gameplay. To address this, I had to adjust the designs to ensure there was enough space for parking spots of varying difficulties while preserving the picturesque charm of Greek hotels."

"When designing the hotels, I focused on making the hard parking spots more challenging than in other depots. These spots are really meant for skilled players, and I can’t wait to see how players handle them!"


Special Transport operations are expanding! Drivers looking for speciality work in the Greece DLC will be pleased to know that oversized loads will be on offer in the Job Market.

Truckers who are ready to take on these mighty loads will find several new Special Transport routes. Whilst our dispatchers have carefully pre-planned these routes, you can expect to have some challenging manoeuvres on the road to your final destination. As always, trained escort teams and local police will assist in guiding you along the correct route, and where necessary, help block traffic to allow safe passage.

Think you got what it takes? Special Transport DLC owners will find contracts on offer between the following cities:

• Athens to Athens
  
• Thessaloniki to Trikala
  
• Ioannina to Vlore (West Balkans DLC required)

So whether you are delivering Special Transport loads or supporting the tourism economy, we truly hope you enjoy all that Greece has to offer in Euro Truck Simulator 2 on December 4th! If you'd like to be notified and reminded of its release, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604420/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Greece/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/558245/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Special_Transport/

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[www.facebook.com], Instagram[www.instagram.com], 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...


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!

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[blog.scssoft.com].

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[blog.scssoft.com], 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/

Let us take you on a trip to some of Greece's most important cities featured in our upcoming map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Today, we’re excited to give you a preview of Thessaloniki, Patras, and the capital city, Athens - each featuring a player-ownable garage!

The capital city of Greece is generally considered to be the birthplace of Western civilization with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. Athens occupies a wide coastal plain that slopes down towards the Aegean, surrounded by the mountainous reliefs of Parnitha Penteli and Mount Hymettus.

Its port Piraeus is the 2nd busiest passenger port in Europe and at the same time the 13th largest container port in the world which is why it will be a centerpiece in our representation of Athens in the game along with the Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy building. You will get there through a major intersection we recreated including tollgates in the northwestern part of the city where four major routes meet.

Of course, you can look forward to plenty of industries such as a car dealership, a marble quarry, an oil refinery, a food logistics warehouse, a port logistics warehouse, and a gas station. If you want to find out more about how Athens is being developed, you can read an interview with our map designer Aartee[blog.scssoft.com], who is in charge of putting together the capital city.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. It lies in the northern part of the country but is still located on the coast in the Thermaic Gulf. Its founding has been dated all the way back to the 4th century BCE.

Truckers will enter the city close to the huge Thessaloniki KTEL Intercity Bus Station with its atypical and iconic round roof. Naturally, you will be able to deliver in and out of multiple industries in this city. We already showed you the huge cement plant in Thessaloniki[blog.scssoft.com], but you can also haul cargo to a local gas station, cotton processing depot, logistics warehouse, container port, metal steelworks, a few construction sites, and a big oil refinery in the northern part of town.

The third largest city in Greece is located in the northern part of Peloponnese, not far south of the iconic Rio-Antirrio Bridge, which is the largest bridge in this map expansion and will feature tollgates. Accompanying this bridge are historical fortresses on both sides of the coast - Antirrio Castle and Rio Fortress.

As with the previous cities, truckers will be able to drive to the port which plays an important part in the economy of the city. Regarding industries, you can deliver in and out of a supermarket, car dealership, logistic warehouse, building materials market storage, and a nursery.

If you want to show us how excited you are for this map expansion, make sure to add the Greece DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Remember that the content you see in this blog is still a work in progress and may change until this DLC's release. Don't forget to stay tuned and follow us on our X/Twitter, Instagram[www.instagram.com], Facebook[www.facebook.com], and TikTok[www.tiktok.com] for all the latest updates. We will see you on the road!

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

With October already behind us, we wanted to share with you an update on our Pinktober 2024 campaign. Since 2019, we are proud to have continued to raise awareness and support for this important topic. If you missed our previous blog post all about this special month, we recommend that you read about it here. [blog.scssoft.com]

First off, we'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our community for actively supporting Pinktober. Whether that be through sharing #Pinktober screenshots, tuning into our live streams or hosting your own charity convoys, these seemingly small gestures play an important role in the fight against this widespread disease.

We'd also like to thank you, our #BestCommunityEver, who have helped us raise donations through the sales of our Pink Ribbon Charity Packs for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. We're happy to share that the amount raised from this year's sales of this special Paint Job Pack is a staggering 54,000 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 in supporting those who need it most.

Although Pinktober has ended for another year, we encourage you to continue to prioritise your health by practising self-checks, seeing your doctor regularly, and promoting healthy habits with those around you all year round! We once would like to extend our heartfelt thank you for your unwavering effort and support!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1162160/American_Truck_Simulator__Pink_Ribbon_Charity_Pack/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1068290/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Pink_Ribbon_Charity_Pack/