Thursday, September 21, 2023

West Balkans - New Cargoes to Haul

With new roads and countries comes new cargoes to haul too! Our team has created these new loads in connection with some of the new industries you'll find in our upcoming West Balkans DLC. However, these won't be limited to just the DLC area, as all Euro Truck Simulator 2 players will be able to enjoy these new options too.

The West Balkan region is home to many automakers, from where drivers can haul deliveries of new vehicles across Europe! These include cars and vans, all which are hauled on a variety of specialty trailers designed for the safe transport of multiple vehicles.

You may find that some of the van chassis you haul will be delivered to a factory where caravans are assembled, which is one of the newer industries you can find in the West Balkans. From here you can haul completed caravans from the factory line across Europe!  

The aluminium sector also plays an important role for the local economy, with the production of ingots and profiles. Drivers will be able to haul these unique cargo from their point of production onwards to other industries around Europe. 

We're excited to bring these new cargoes to haul into Euro Truck Simulator 2, and that they bring a new variety of contracts to your job market list! We look forward to sharing more news on the West Balkans DLC in the near future, so be sure to keep tabs on the blog and our social media channels for the latest. Until next time, keep on truckin'! 

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

1.48.5 Maintenance Update Open Beta

Our West Balkans team is gearing up for the highly anticipated map expansion's release. To pave the way for it, we will be rolling out the 1.48.5 Maintenance Update. We haven’t bumped the game version all the way up by a whole number, as this is mostly really about tidying up some data.

With the West Balkans DLC on the horizon, we are hard at work behind the scenes, bug fixing and polishing; making sure everything is in place for a smooth release. This includes tirelessly iterating over multiple databases with the world economy and route access topology, and sometimes implementing related code changes and cleanups.

In addition to under-the-hood data changes, there are still some visible highlights of this update - the inclusion of new map content! Players can look forward to exploring the newly added city of Trieste, along with the updated cities of Ancona and Bari. These changes were previously described on our blog, so for more details, check out the dedicated articles here (Ancona + Bari) and here (Trieste).

We need to ensure that all the hard work and dedication poured into the new data is ready to go public, setting the stage for the map expansion's release. As you can tell, the ETS2 1.48.5 Maintenance Update is an important step in preparing for the West Balkans release, as it brings with it not only bug fixes but also exciting new map content that will allow better connection to the new part of the game’s universe.

Our seasoned players are welcome to help us out again in beta testing the changes. For mod creators, checking their mods against the changes to make sure there are as few compatibility issues as possible would be useful, too. 

Participate in the open beta, explore the new cities, and provide feedback at the dedicated section on our forum to help the development team fine-tune the experience. Together, we can ensure that the upcoming West Balkans DLC release is a memorable and enjoyable journey for all ETS2 fans. 

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 → 1.48.5. No password is required. Sometimes you have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Kansas - Water Bodies

The beauty of Kansas goes beyond the endless plains and charming cities, as within its borders lies a number of aquatic wonders waiting to be discovered. So, fasten your seatbelt, and join us today on a journey to see what bodies of water you can expect in the upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator.

In the heart of this landlocked state, you'll find a network of rivers that conveniently flow through the region. The mighty Missouri River flows majestically through the northeastern part of the state, while the Kansas River, also known as the Kaw River, meanders from Kansas City to Topeka, offering natural serenity amid the towns and farmlands. Further west, near Hutchinson and Wichita, the Arkansas River adds character to these urban landscapes, blending the natural world with the urban environment.

One of the highlights is definitely El Dorado Lake, located not far from Wichita. While it may not be as expansive as some of the lakes in other states, El Dorado Lake covers a hefty area of 8,000 acres, with the deepest point reaching 60 feet. This reservoir plays a vital role in water resource management and flood control for the region, contributing to the economic and ecological well-being of the area.

In addition to these notable water bodies, Kansas DLC features several smaller dams scattered throughout the state. These dams, along with other reservoirs, though not massive, play essential roles in supporting agricultural activities and offering recreational opportunities. They represent the subtle yet significant part that water bodies play in the state's landscape.

We hope today’s blog post was enough for you to test the waters of the Kansas DLC once it is available. If so, make sure to add the map expansion to your Steam Wishlist to show us your excitement and if you wish to stay in touch with all the latest news, follow us on social media (X/TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok) for instant alerts!

Friday, September 15, 2023

West Balkans - Water Bodies

In the upcoming West Balkans map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2, you'll come across various water bodies that add to the region's scenic beauty. Let's take a deep dive into what these new digital landscapes have in store for you.

As you explore the West Balkans DLC, you'll notice a diverse range of water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, that really amp up the overall experience of driving through the region. Take the legendary Danube River, for instance. This iconic waterway flows right through the heart of the West Balkans, passing by cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad.

Then there's the charming Neretva River, passing through the city of Mostar. While its banks will offer a number of exciting views that will leave a lasting impression, make sure to not forget to keep an eye out for the Neretva hydroelectric power plant nearby - a subtle yet fascinating landmark.

In addition to other smaller hydroelectric power plants, there's another cool detail to make it all feel even more real: bridge signage. As you drive across those impressive bridges, you'll spot signs displaying the names of the rivers you're crossing. While truly a minor feature, we believe it's these little touches that add a bit of authenticity to the game, making the connection with the region even stronger.


To sum it up, the West Balkans DLC will provide a captivating lineup of water bodies, from rivers and lakes to details like bridge signage. So, get your trucks ready and add the map expansion to your Steam Wishlist to show us how excited you are. And don’t forget to give our social media profiles a follow (X/TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok) to always stay in touch with all the latest news!