Thursday, October 31, 2024

Nordic Horizons: Forests

The Nordic forests of Norway, Sweden, and Finland are some of Europe's most beautiful and ecologically rich areas. Today we're happy to share with you a look at some of the forests that have been virtually implemented in our upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2! Be-leaf us, you're going to enjoy this blog. 

The northern regions of Finland, Sweden, and Norway all share similar forest biomes. However, when traveling from the south to the most northern areas of these regions, you'll be able to spot some differences in how these forests have grown.

In the northernmost areas of the region, the forests are characterized by their sparse, open landscapes. The colder temperatures and shorter growing seasons limit tree height and density, resulting in trees that grow more slowly and can often live for many years. 


Whereas in the south, you can find denser, taller forests, benefiting from the milder temperatures and longer growing seasons. In these areas, the tree species are more diverse, resulting in more vibrant, green, and lush forests. 

Together, these forests represent a beautiful tapestry of nature, showcasing the resilience and diversity of the boreal biome. From the majestic northern taiga to the thriving southern woodlands, they are essential for local wildlife and biodiversity and provide a way of life and work for those who live in very remote areas of this part of the world. 

We look forward to sharing more previews from this upcoming DLC. If you like what you've seen today, consider adding the Nordic Horizons DLC to your Steam Wishlist. It really helps support our future releases. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

1.53: California Rework - Los Angeles & San Diego

Another two cities will be getting a brand-new look in our upcoming 1.53 update for American Truck Simulator. The California Rework project just doesn't stop, so let's take a look at how our map designers and assets teams remade Los Angeles and San Diego!

San Diego

"America's Finest City" was rebuilt from the ground up. We managed to use the best areas from the original version while also adding new locations which have been highly requested by our community.

Truckers can look forward to cruising through San Diego on I-5, almost reaching the Mexican border, or taking in the views of the Snapdragon Stadium as they drive along I-8. CA-905 will take you right to the border, passing through a sprawling warehouse district. And for a fresh perspective, you'll now be able to cross the iconic Coronado Bridge, offering stunning views of San Diego from a whole new angle.

Los Angeles

Like San Diego, the City of Angels was completely revamped. Some places from the original L.A. remain (although rebuilt as well) like Santa Monica, the beginning of I-10, and the major intersection of routes I-10, I-5, and US-101.

On top of that, we added some iconic Los Angeles areas such as the L.A. airport, the L.A. River, Port of Long Beach, and one of the busiest roads in the U.S., the I-405, plus many other places. Thanks to the great work of our asset makers and map designers, truckers will discover plenty of landmarks and depots in the reworked city of Los Angeles.

We hope you are excited about the release of the next phase of the California Rework project and to visit the reimagined cities of San Diego and Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more updates on the world in American Truck Simulator on our social media (X/TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok). We'll see you on the road!

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Greece: Nature to Admire

Greece boasts an immensely diverse amount of nature and landscapes, from rugged mountains and lush forests to serene islands and sparkling coastlines. In our upcoming Greece DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2, you'll have the opportunity to admire some of the gems that this country has to offer. 

With a majority of the country's climate being predominantly Mediterranean, much of Greece is quite dry. However, Greece also has a wide range of micro-climates and local variations, due to its mountainous terrain. This in turn allows a wide range of vegetation to flourish in Greece, which our team has worked hard to represent in this DLC, including cypress, palm, and oleander trees and, of course, large olive orchards that exist throughout the country. 

Throughout your travel across several islands, you'll come across a variety of natural landmarks, such as the Meteora Monasteries, a series of rock formations that were formed some 60 million years ago. Their distinctive and varied shapes have been sculpted over time by the weathering effects of water, wind, and extremes of temperature. Atop these formations are a prominent complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, which are protected and listed as a World Heritage Site. 

One natural landmark we could not miss is Mount Olympus, regarded as the abode of the gods and the site of the throne of Zeus in Greek Mythology. Over the years, the seeping weather conditions have sculptured Mount Olympus, forming deep gorges, elevated plateaus, and smooth slopes with jagged peaks, giving it a uniquely shaped peak. 

That's not all! There will be many other natural areas and landmarks to admire, including Lake Polifitou, one of the largest artificial lakes in Greece. You can also expect stunning coastal and island views as you travel across the country. Additionally, drivers traveling from Albania via the West Balkans DLC can take advantage of traveling to Greece through the scenic Llogara Pass.

We won't spoil it all today, there is still lots to discover in our upcoming Greece DLC, which we look forward to sharing more with you about. If you'd like to support the development of this upcoming expansion, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, keep on truckin'.