Nordic Horizons: Tornio and Haparanda

One border, two countries, and a seamless connection! In our upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2, you’ll experience one of Europe’s most successful examples of cross-border cooperation. Join us as we take a closer look at this unique area!

Welcome to Tornio, a Finnish city located directly on the Swedish border and closely tied to its twin town, Haparanda. While in the real world these are two distinct municipalities, in ETS2 they will appear together under the single in-game name of Tornio due to scale limitations. However, players can expect to see and experience defining elements from both sides of this shared region.

When travelling through these cities, you’ll be able to drive across a bridge that connects Finland and Sweden, which also offers views of the river and the town plaza. Not far from this bridge, players will also encounter a special landmark, appropriately named the “Engagement Rings”, a sculpture positioned on a small roundabout. This artwork symbolizes the unity between the two towns and stands as a tribute to their ongoing cooperation and shared identity. It is one of three small roundabouts in the area that we’ve recreated to reflect the local road network.

Looking for work? Tornio will feature a logistics hub with a depot, fuel station, and service station for truck maintenance. To the south, drivers can travel to a large industrial zone that includes a steelworks facility, a river port depot, and a wind farm! Across the border in the Haparanda-inspired part of town, players will find a large Ika depot to deliver to and from. So no matter which city you're in, there'll be no shortage of job contracts.

Beyond the roads and depots, this part of the map also comes with a bit of charm and trivia. Tornio and Haparanda sit in different time zones, with Finland an hour ahead of Sweden. This has led to fun cultural quirks, such as people crossing the border on New Year’s Eve to celebrate midnight twice, once in Sweden, then again an hour later in Finland, just a short walk away.

We hope you enjoyed this look at Tornio and Haparanda, an we look forward to you exploring them both for yourself in the future. If you're excited for the Nordic Horizons DLC, then be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist. And don't forget to stay up to date with all the latest development news, previews and more by following us on our social media channels, or by subscribing to our newsletter! Until next time, keep on truckin'.

Iowa: Gameplay Preview

We hope to make you happy today if you are eager to see more from Iowa. The first gameplay preview from this upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator has just dropped, so let's watch it together!

Before we start, keep in mind that this DLC is still not completely finished, so anything you see in the video may be changed before release.

In one of our previous blogs, we talked about the Hawkeye State being one of the largest agricultural producing states of the U.S. This is why we selected a route from a feedmill depot near Waterloo to a new depot our teams have developed for this map expansion - an Agricultural Facility - close to Iowa City. Now, without further ado, we hope you will enjoy the gameplay video!

So, how did you like what you saw? Make sure to tell us in the comments below! If you are excited to be trucking in the Hawkeye State, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Also, remember to follow us on our social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube) or sign up for our newsletter for more news from the world of American Truck Simulator. Until next time, drive safe!

ATS: Reaching the middle

Some say that our next American Truck Simulator expansion is bringing us closer to the middle of the United States, others argue that it's a bit of a stretch. Think you know where we're headed to? Let us know your guesses...

American Truck Simulator: 2025 Video Trailer

It’s incredible to think how far American Truck Simulator has come since its original release in 2016. From its humble beginnings in California with just a handful of trucks and states, the game has grown into a vast, immersive virtual world enjoyed by millions of players across the globe.

Over the years, we’ve introduced a wide range of features and improvements, both big and small, that have helped shape American Truck Simulator into what it is today. With updates including a complete UI overhaul and a new weather and lighting system, an updated gallery, the introduction of city intros, viewpoints, new cargoes, loads of new trucks, the Convoy multiplayer mode and more; ATS has continued to evolve with every update.

To celebrate this progress and the recent complete rework of California, our talented video team have found the time recently to create a brand-new video trailer for American Truck Simulator. More than just a replacement for the original, this trailer is a showcase of everything ATS has become. It captures the atmosphere, beauty, and depth of a game that has grown immensely over the years. We truly believe it represents the spirit of ATS far better than the original ever did, and we’re proud to have it serve as the first impression for those discovering the game on the Steam Store page.



So whether you're a seasoned long-hauler or just setting out on your first journey, we invite you to watch the new trailer! Let us know what you think, and if you enjoy it, don’t forget to leave a comment and a like. Our video team will love reading your comments. Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to many more miles on the road with you!

Iowa: Agriculture

Welcome back to Iowa! In today's blog, we're giving you a quick look at Iowa's farming industry and introducing new agricultural depots across the state. Get ready to haul cargo through the heart of the Hawkeye State in American Truck Simulator!

Farming is a big part of life in Iowa, with nearly 90,000 farms across the state, and more than 85 percent of its land being farmed. Iowa is also ranked number one in the USA in corn, pigs, and egg production. But that is not all, as local farmers also focus on a wide range of other produce, such as soybeans, oatmeal, cattle, and more.

And because this industry is so huge, it makes sense that Iowa is also one of the largest and most well-known manufacturers of farming equipment. That's why we are introducing two new types of custom depots - the Agricultural Factory, which manufactures the machinery, and the Agriculture Dealer, which sells it to customers. Both can be found at multiple locations in Iowa.

Along with the two new depots, truckers will also come across custom farms specializing in wheat, cattle, and pigs, as well as a grain elevator depot, where they will surely be able to find a job. When cruising through this state, keep your eyes peeled for neatly-terraced corn fields along the roads, often found in Iowa, that were recreated by our map designers for more immersion.

If you are excited to visit Iowa, don't forget to support us by adding this map expansion to your Steam Wishlist! Until then, make sure to stay up to date on any other news by following us on our social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) or signing up for our newsletter. Until next time, happy travels!

Illinois: Marion

Welcome to Marion! In today's blog, we take you on a brief tour of this picturesque city located in the south of Illinois, our upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator. Let's take a look!

The original town included just a public square and one row of blocks around it, accounting for forty-one lots. Now, Marion is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in southern Illinois, with more than 17,000 citizens. Visitors can also find some beautiful nature spots in the surrounding area, such as Crab Orchard Lake with its national wildlife refuge full of diverse flora and fauna.

As always, our Assets and Map teams have recreated various landmarks. Before your arrival into the city, you will be greeted by the "Welcome to Marion" sign adorned with an effigy of the city's clock tower from its town square.

Once you enter, you will be able to spot many local buildings meticulously recreated to represent their real-world counterparts, such as the Marion bank, hotel, water tower, or the laborers' training centre. If you are familiar with the area, we are sure you will also recognize some parts of the faithfully recreated road network in and around the town.

If you are looking for a job, you will find plenty there in the local establishments such as the warehouse, RV dealer, country store, truck and trailer service, farm, timber harvest site, and marina depots to keep you and your truck busy!

We hope you like this early preview of the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. If you do, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist! Just don't forget that this DLC is still a work in progress, so anything you see here may be adjusted.

Remember to stay tuned for more American Truck Simulator updates by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We would also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter. Until next time, keep on truckin'.

Community Stories: The Sim Simma

We’re excited to bring you another edition of our Community Stories series, where we highlight passionate members of our community and their unique journeys. Today, we’re featuring The Sim Simma, a talented content creator, live streamer and simulation enthusiast with a passion for immersive experiences and creative projects!

Born and raised in Romania, The Sim Simma’s early life was shaped by creativity and imagination. Despite growing up with limited access to entertainment and material possessions, his inventive spirit flourished. Painting and drawing became his window to the world, a way to transport himself to amazing places, imagining and creating what reality could not offer.

"My childhood wasn’t very different from that of any other child. I always did my best to have fun, to play, to invent, and to build things! Since we didn’t have a TV while I was growing up, I spent a lot of time painting and drawing. It was my way of imagining and transporting myself to different places. I loved cars and trucks as a kid, and sometimes just drawing them made me feel like I actually owned one."

Later in life, he moved to the United States, where his perspective expanded as he discovered video games. “Every time I played a video game, I felt like I was being transported somewhere else. It wasn’t necessarily the gameplay or objectives that captivated me, it was the feeling of being in a completely different place,” he shares. "I was never drawn to action or first-person shooter games. Instead, I was fascinated by simulations, anything that let me do things I couldn’t do in real life, like driving fast or flying a plane. For me, those were incredible opportunities to explore and imagine."

Art remained a central theme in The Sim Simma’s life, eventually leading him to a career in automotive design and a decade spent teaching industrial design. "This lifelong passion led me to pursue a career in automotive design. I also spent 10 years teaching industrial design at a university, where I helped students learn how to draw and bring cars and products to life from their imagination. For me, art was more than just expression, it was a tool for communicating ideas clearly and effectively."

"Like any hobby that truly draws you in, my focus has been on enhancing the realism of the simulation experience. Whether through software or hardware, everything I do is aimed at adding more real-life immersion to the simulation. It’s true that this kind of game can be equally enjoyed by a beginner with a basic setup or a dedicated enthusiast who has invested thousands of dollars. But if it’s something you're truly passionate about, it feels only natural to pursue the best and most immersive version of the experience."

From this passion, he also started DSS Sim Racing Innovations, a venture born from his desire to enhance his own immersion. “I build gear for my sim rig that enhances my experience. If I enjoy it, I build more of them to list on my website so others can enjoy it too. The fact that it grew into a successful business was never the goal, just a rewarding outcome of doing what I love.”

DSS Sim Racing Innovations creates custom displays and dashboards designed for simmers who demand the best. One of the projects The Sim Simma is most proud of is his Triple Screen Dash, a key piece in many sim rigs within the community. "While I’m not the inventor of the round digital display, I was the first to market with a solution that brought true immersion to a wider audience. Knowing that something I created brings joy and realism to so many users is incredibly rewarding."

"One of my popular products is the Shift Plate, which serves a dual purpose: it blocks off unused shift gates and clearly marks gear positions. This helps new drivers learn how to split gears more accurately. I offer Shift Plates tailored to replicate the most common trucking transmission patterns, making them ideal for serious sim truckers. Another successful product is the HornPad, a simple yet immersive add-on that mounts to any standard 70mm wheel rim. Many sim racers upgrade to real-world truck steering wheels for authenticity, but these often lack a proper center cap. The HornPad completes the look with a modern truck-style 'faux airbag' design, complete with stitching for realism."

For new users checking out The Sim Simma's content or live streams, one standout feature is his incredibly detailed simulation rig. "It all begins with a powerhouse PC, featuring an RTX 4090 GPU and the latest Intel CPU, built to experience every game exactly as intended. I switch between a MOZA and Fanatec direct drive system depending on the mood, full-on racing or a laid-back trucking session. The experience is elevated by a motion simulator from E-Motion Labs and a range of modern accessories to maximize immersion. When off-the-shelf solutions fall short, I create my own, from custom triple-screen gauge clusters to detailed shifter plates that match the exact pattern of the vehicle I’m driving. If it enhances realism, I build it."

The inspiration to create such an elaborate simulation rig came from the game itself, Simma tells us. "Modern sims offer incredible immersion, but no matter how realistic, they remain trapped behind the screen. That’s where the journey begins. By creating custom accessories, I bring that virtual world into my physical space, blurring the lines between digital and reality."

"Through my streams, I've met so many like-minded people, many of whom have become friends. When they return to the streams or videos, it reinforces that we’re all having fun together. The best part is when they end up joining us in convoys regularly. That’s where the real fun happens, and that’s where lasting memories are truly made."

One of the most memorable moments was when his dog, Uno, who usually appears in pre-recorded segments, unexpectedly joined an SCS Software live stream. It was a delightful surprise, reminding him that the community’s support and shared enjoyment make the experience special.

“I always remind my viewers that it’s not about likes or subscriptions, it’s about having fun together. That’s what makes it worth doing.” Through his streams, The Sim Simma has met amazing people, many of whom have become friends, joining convoys and sharing unforgettable experiences. He has also been inspired by others.

"There are a few familiar faces we all follow or aspire to match in terms of simulation quality, but Armstrong Gaming has been a staple in my YouTube journey for years. I suspect he may have influenced just how deep I’ve dived into this hobby. Another creator I truly appreciate is Silent Scotty, known for his amazing attitude and chill vibe. Watching guys like this feels like hanging out with friends, and that’s what makes the experience so special."

Looking ahead, The Sim Simma’s goal is simple, to keep enjoying the hobby, share his passion with others, and inspire fellow sim enthusiasts to dive deeper into the immersive world of simulation. He leaves us with these words of wisdom: "You hear this all the time, so it must be true: FOCUS ON HAVING FUN, JUST BE YOURSELF!"

We’re grateful to The Sim Simma for sharing his story with us and being an inspiration in our #BestCommunityEver. Be sure to check out his content on YouTube, and stay tuned for more Community Stories coming soon! Until next time, keep on truckin'.