Louisiana: Community Spotlight

Hello #BestCommunityEver! Since the release of the Louisiana DLC for American Truck Simulator, we've been thrilled to see all the amazing feedback you've shared - from photos and videos to reviews. Watching you explore this newest map expansion has been incredibly rewarding, and your positive responses truly warm our hearts. That's why we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of our favorite Louisiana content created by you!

In case you didn't see any content from Louisiana or couldn't play it yourself, here is a little peek at various content creators' journey through the Pelican State. We hope these will make you want to explore this DLC yourself!

And there are a lot of you sharing some beautiful screenshots with us on social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok) using the hashtag #CruisingLouisiana when participating in this World of Trucks Event. Thank you for that! Make sure to take part as well to earn unique rewards for your truck! You can read more about the event here.

Source: RedTiger98_

Source: Aedeni0n

Source: Christian

Source: Jennywisegames

We're incredibly excited to hear what you think about our game! Reviews, whether from the media or directly from you on Steam, mean so much to us. Positive feedback not only motivates our team but also helps us grow and reach more players who might enjoy the game as much as you do.

If you want to, you can still write a review for the Louisiana DLC on its Steam page. We would really appreciate it! You can find the review section if you scroll to the bottom of the Louisiana Steam page.

We have also reached out to a few content creators who got the opportunity to try out this DLC in early access to give us their opinion on the Louisiana map expansion. It's safe to say they enjoyed it too! We also recommend checking out their channels for more content.

WildAnnie

“One thing that always amazes me about SCS Software is how well they capture the vibe of each state, and Louisiana feels like a wonderful and unique place to drive around. From the river-ferry crossings with their tailored cutscenes to the wildlife hiding in the swampy areas, the detail is really nice. Driving through New Orleans is a whole experience in itself! I’ve never been there in real life, but even at night the game makes it feel alive. One thing I love to look out for are the landmarks you can always discover, and in this case, you find murals scattered all over the map; they’re really solid representations of the real thing. It’s pretty cool how perfectly they nailed the mood.” - WildAnnie.

Creepyhorseman

"SCS Software has blown me away with the Louisiana DLC. Crossing that state line, it was clear that they did their research on the state. Capturing everything from the wetlands to the city landscapes. Driving through the winding bayous and across the bridges really brought out the overall feel for Louisiana. Cities like New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge are amazing. They put in so much detail. And the smaller towns made it feel like I was there. The industrial ports are massive! Crossing the river on the ferry alone is a super cool feature for this DLC. The sounds of Louisiana were not forgotten either. You can hear the wildlife in the background. I even heard a guitar coming out of an old shed, giving out some Louisiana vibes as I drove by. If you're a fan of ATS, you will absolutely love this DLC!" - Creepyhorseman.

Mr. GermanTruck

"SCS has done a fantastic job with the Louisiana DLC. The Louisiana DLC is a great addition that perfectly captures the unique atmosphere of the American South. With an impressive 11 breathtaking cities, it offers a wide variety of environments – from historic towns to vibrant industrial hubs. The amazing secret roads are especially exciting, taking you off the main highways and through fascinating landscapes that spark a real sense of exploration. The new dynamic unloading areas are excellent, adding more variety, realism, and depth to every delivery. Overall, it’s an absolute highlight for every ATS fan." - Mr. GermanTruck.

Jamesdgaming

"I think Louisiana was really well done, loved the scenery, the countryside, and also the city. They felt alive. I've never been to the US IRL, and driving through Louisiana in American Truck Simulator makes me want to visit. Well done to the team, and SCS has smashed it again. Looking forward to the upcoming DLCs, #BestCommunityEver. Keep up the awesome work! ;)." - Jamesdgaming.

We would like to thank you for your continued support! If you don't have this map expansion yet, don't forget that you can get the Louisiana DLC on Steam. And don't forget to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok a follow, as you'll receive updates from ATS straight to your feed, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed! Happy haulin'.

Woven Wonders of Winterland Event 2025

The cold winds return to Winterland once again, carrying whispers of joy and echoes of seasons past. But something is different this year. The realm, once quiet and still, now hums with new life, warmth, and cosiness, not just of fire and festive light, but of memory, pattern, and tradition.

Each of the five magical depots, from the mountain glow of Snowy Peaks to the sweet halls of Marigold’s, have begun to weave their warm spirit into the fabric of the land. Their stories now ride with you, stitched into the trailers you haul: woollen patterns of festive charm, echoing the heart of each place and delivery made.

These aren't just cargo trailers, they’re moving tapestries, motifs of magic, crafted with love. They speak of chocolate and crafts, letters and laughter, snow and song, energy and life.

So, we welcome our #BestCommunityEver back to Winterland and invite you to take the wheel and help carry Winterland’s wonders, woven in joy, across the frost-kissed roads of this living, breathing realm in our Woven Wonders of Winterland event for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator!

Prepare to embark on a heart-warming Winterland journey! As the magical depots awaken and their woven motifs spread across the land, we’re calling on the community to help carry this newfound spirit far and wide. Your task is to gather 200 Snowflakes for cities across the map in each of the 5 tiers, 1,000 Snowflakes in total.

Every completed tier will reward you with a unique cabin item, each one inspired by the warm patterns and traditions of Winterland’s five enchanted depots. Step into the season, take the wheel, and let the tapestry of Winterland grow with every delivery you make!

This year, you'll notice far more activity along the roads than before. Local traffic glides past in festively painted vehicles, their colours and patterns echoing the magic of the depots themselves. Each encounter offers a spark of warmth to the frosted landscape, making the whole realm feel more alive than it has in seasons past.

You’ll be able to track the community progress on World of Trucks or directly in the game using the updated External Contracts interface.

Christmas Winterland Directions

A portal to Winterland appears once you accept event cargo bound for Winterland. Find it on the map and navigate to it. Look for the sparkles!

Leaving Winterland with cargo takes you to its destination; without cargo, you’ll be sent to a random city for a new job.

In preparation for your travels, we've also added a new Winterland Desktop Background Theme to your main menu, bringing the realm’s warmer glow straight to your screen. Soft, cosy lighting now fills the world, a cabin radiates life and warmth from the hearth, and a parked vehicle rests beneath a blanket of snow, adding to the seasonal charm. These touches deepen the seasonal atmosphere and set the stage for the adventures ahead.

Return to Winterland Event Rules:

Using External Contracts with a World of Trucks-connected profile in Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator or both, the community is to deliver supplies and gift packs to and from Christmas Winterland using as many cities as possible.

There are 5 different depots in Winterland for all deliveries, to and from. They are:

1. Christmas Market...a town square market
2. Marigold's...a chocolate factory
3. Northstar...a post office
4. Rudolph's Crafts...an arts workshop
5. Snowy Peaks...a mountain resort market

Your personal goal is to complete 15 deliveries for them including at least 1 delivery to or from each depot, using Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator or both games combined.

Snowflakes are gained for those cities that have delivered to or received from Winterland. For a city to receive 1 Snowflake, the community needs to complete 1000 deliveries between it and Winterland. Each city can receive up to 5 Snowflakes!

The community goal is to reach at least 1000 Snowflakes for cities across all trucking territories. A unique community reward will be unlocked for each tier of 200 Snowflakes accomplished, with 5 tiers in total.

Rewards

• Personal: Your contribution of 15 or more deliveries to or from the 5 Christmas Winterland depots will gain you:

• A special World of Trucks Achievement.
• A wonderful Winter Woollies truck paint job
• A bonus reward, for those that don't already have it, of last year's collection of 6 festive arrays of decorative exterior cab lighting, designed as truck accessories for each game. This collection is compatible with the top-tier trucks from all brands.

• Community: There will be 5 tiers to unlock. Each tier will bring a special cabin item reward for both games, based on the 5 unique depots within Christmas Winterland, so let's hit the road!

The event will be concluded on Sunday, the 11th of January at 23:59 UTC.

We will also be hosting a special livestream with the devs, where we’ll explore how this year’s Christmas event was designed and created, in a relaxed conversation with our colleagues from the World of Trucks team, while also playing and contributing toward the community goal. Join us Tuesday the 16th of December from 18:00 CET on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook, and explore the Woven Wonders of Winterland with us!

Also, pencil in the 18th of December, from 18:00 CET, for our annual Christmas Stream featuring Pavel Šebor! There will be plenty of interesting updates as usual, some teasers for upcoming content, but for sure, there will be loads of fun with a touch of SCS magic! The stream will take place on our Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, so don't miss it!

We await your stories from your journey back to Christmas Winterland, of the wonders and joy you’ve shared and discovered. We’d be thrilled to see more photos as you reach your goals and enjoy the rewards of this season of giving. Share your screenshots and videos with us using the hashtag #WovenWondersOfWinterland on our Facebook ATS / ETS2, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram profiles and we will share our favourite ones.

SCS On The Road Interview: Iwona Blecharczyk - Trucking Girl

We’re back with a brand-new episode of our SCS On The Road series! This time, we’re bringing you an interview with a very special guest who visited our booth at the Poznań Game Arena 2025 in Poland. Introducing Iwona Blecharczyk, a passionate truck driver, influencer, and owner/operator of her own transport company, Imagination Transport.

With 15 years of experience behind the wheel, she has handled a wide range of cargo and trucks throughout her career, from delivering wind turbine blades to driving across Canada and the USA. She is also a pioneer in the trucking industry, becoming the first Polish lady to drive on the Ice Roads. As one of the very few drivers trusted to haul off-road B-train rigs on oil fields, with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 63 tons, Iwona continues to serve as an incredible inspiration to drivers around the world.

She is best known for her social media presence and her established YouTube channel, Trucking Girl! Since 2013, she has shared countless vlogs documenting her life on the road and continues to do so to this day, with over 1 million subscribers and more than 1,200 videos uploaded!

It was an absolute pleasure having Iwona visit us at PGA, and we truly appreciate her taking the time to meet with us, share her story, and pass on her passion to all of you. Make sure to give Iwona a follow on her socials (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook). 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to give it a like! We’d love to create more interview-style episodes in the future, so if you have any suggestions for who we should chat with next, feel free to leave a comment on our video. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with all our latest SCS On The Road episodes and more. Until next time, keep on truckin’!

Project Benelux Rework: Luxembourg City

As development on the Project Benelux Rework progresses, we are delighted to bring you a new preview from the heart of Europe. Today, we take a closer look at Luxembourg City, the compact yet remarkably multi-layered capital that will soon receive a significant overhaul in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Famous for its dramatic terrain, preserved fortifications, and striking modern districts, Luxembourg City offers some truly exceptional driving experiences that our team has worked hard to recreate.

Luxembourg City sits high above the winding Alzette River, its quarters arranged across clifftops, plateaus, and deep valleys. This unique geography makes the city a rewarding challenge for truck drivers, and nowhere is this more apparent than when approaching the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge. From here, players will enjoy a sweeping view towards the historic centre and the Casemates du Bock, the partially preserved medieval defence system carved into the rock face. It is a view that showcases the city’s layered history and the impressive verticality that sets Luxembourg apart.

“Luxembourg City is the capital of the small state of Luxembourg. It is nestled in a unique landscape above the meandering Alzette River. It offers beautiful views from the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge of the partially preserved medieval city walls. We will also take a look at the modern administrative district of Kirchberg (home to the philharmonic orchestra and congress centre, among other things) as we pass by a construction site,” says Jan Hrdina, Map Lead for Euro Truck Simulator 2.

As players continue across the bridge, the skyline of Kirchberg unfolds, a district known for its European institutions, cultural venues, and clean, contemporary architecture. The Kirchberg construction site, with the congress centre rising behind it, adds life and motion to the route, reminding drivers that Luxembourg is a city constantly evolving and expanding. Eventually, the road dips beneath the towering structure of the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge itself, offering a view from the underpass that highlights just how high the city’s upper quarters stand.

Descending into the northern valley, the atmosphere shifts as drivers enter Luxembourg’s industrial zone. Here, the steelworks factory serves as one of the central delivery hubs, accompanied by a supermarket, a truck dealer, and other depots that reflect the city’s working backbone. This area stands in vivid contrast to the elegant districts above, but it forms an essential part of Luxembourg’s character and economy. Further exploration will bring players near the iconic Three Towers, a landmark that adds yet another layer of architectural history to the map.

Luxembourg City may be one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but in terms of atmosphere, variety, and depth, it offers an experience that is anything but small. We are excited to bring this reworked city to ETS2 and raise it to the quality standard our players expect.

Hopefully, you enjoyed this preview of Luxembourg's capital, but please keep in mind that this project is still a work in progress. Until next time, be sure to keep up to date with the latest updates by following us on X/Twitter, Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, and Instagram, and by subscribing to our newsletter. Safe travels and happy haulin'!

Community Spotlight: Nordic Horizons DLC

Since the release of Nordic Horizons for Euro Truck Simulator 2, we’ve been overwhelmed with screenshots, videos, comments and reviews all shared by you, our #BestCommunityEver. From scenic fjord drives to hauls under the aurora, it’s been fantastic to see how much you’ve all been enjoying your journeys across the far north in our newest DLC.

Our team truly enjoys seeing them all and reading your positive reactions as well as constructive criticism. As with previous map expansion releases, we’re excited to share some of the content and reviews found across the internet. 

Want to share your comments or content with us? The best way to do so is by tagging us on X, BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, or by sharing your impressions on our official SCS Forum. We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who has already shared their reviews, screenshots, and more with us, and we look forward to seeing more!

We’ve also received a wave of positive reviews on the Nordic Horizons Steam store page. Reading your kind comments genuinely makes our day and inspires us to continue pushing forward with exciting new content and projects. 

We also couldn't ignore the fact that with the release of Nordic Horizons, and our Forest Machinery DLC, we surpassed our all-time concurrent player record on Steam. 72,678 of you were trucking at the same time in Euro Truck Simulator 2, how awesome is that?! We cannot thank you all enough for your support, and we're so happy you've enjoyed this DLC so far.

If you’ve been #CruisingNordicHorizons, we’d really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Steam. Your feedback not only supports our work but also helps guide future development. A huge thank you to everyone who has already shared their thoughts, whether through praise or constructive criticism.

We also reached out to a number of our amazing content creators from around the community to hear their impressions of Nordic Horizons, and you can find some of their thoughts below! We’re incredibly grateful for their feedback and the time they put into creating content around our games. Be sure to visit their channels and give them a follow to support their work.

SWE_BeforeWeFall

"I’ve been eagerly waiting for the Nordic Horizons DLC, and I’m happy to say it absolutely delivers. As a Swede, it’s an amazing experience to drive through roads I’ve travelled countless times in real life - and the attention to detail is incredible. There’s still a lot left for me to explore, but everywhere I’ve been so far has been packed with beautiful viewpoints, well-crafted landmarks, and scenery that feels authentic. One of my favourite surprises was being able to actually drive down into the Kiruna mine - such a unique addition! The landscapes in northern Norway are breathtaking as well. The developers captured the dramatic mountains and coastal views perfectly. Nordic Horizons is an outstanding DLC! I love it!!"

Check out SWE_BeforeWeFall's channel here! 


Prime Simulation

"Simply put, the Nordic Horizons DLC for Euro Truck Simulator 2 does not disappoint! SCS Software has once again raised the bar by recreating the natural beauty, landmarks, and logistic networks of the region with exceptional accuracy. I had the pleasure of exploring the Nordic Horizons DLC during its early access phase, logging hundreds of kilometres across Norway, Sweden, and Finland - experiencing the incredible level of detail firsthand. After completing additional deliveries post-release, I can confidently say that Nordic Horizons is my favourite map expansion to date for ETS2, and I've only scratched the surface of what the DLC offers! I look forward to exploring the Nordic Horizons DLC further, and the future of ETS2 is looking very bright!"

Check out Prime Simulation's channel here!

Nightmare_SE

 
"When you see breathtaking and spectacular in the same sentence that pertains to Euro Truck Simulator 2, it can only mean one thing; it must be referring to the Nordic Horizons DLC. It delivers a massive expansion across northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland with meticulously recreated cities, scenic towns, and depots that seamlessly blend with the refreshed Scandinavia map. 

As a resident of Sweden, I was in awe at the level of detail put into landmarks and unique structures that make cities easily recognizable. Featuring fjords, Arctic coastlines, Northern Lights, winding roads, iconic landmarks like the Arctic Cathedral, and unique industries such as the underground mines in Kiruna, it has inspired me to take that final step into planning an actual road trip through the real-life counterpart to the Nordic Horizons region. Something that I have had on my bucket list for a few years now. 

My hats off to SCS Software and the team responsible for creating such a masterpiece that myself and thousands of others can explore and enjoy for years to come!"

Check out Nightmare_SE's channel here!

DaSimSimma

"Even all the way up near Honningsvåg, I was blown away by how different everything looks compared to the rest of the ETS2 map, the small coastal homes, the tight mountain passes, the fishing boats, the docks, all of it feels handcrafted. Nothing here feels recycled. As someone who films a ton of trucking content, this DLC had me spinning my head nonstop because every few minutes the world completely changes. One moment it's a wide tundra, the next it’s a tiny village squeezed between cliffs, and then suddenly you’re staring at a lake so clear it looks unreal. Nordic Horizons feels fresh, alive, and full of surprises. Huge thanks to SCS Software for letting me dive into it early, they absolutely nailed this one!"

Check out DaSimSimma's channel here! 

We’d like to take a moment to express how amazed we are by the incredible efforts of our community in the #CruisingNordicHorizons World of Trucks Event. The community goal was to drive 300,000,000 km while delivering cargo to or from any city in the Nordic Horizons, a milestone you achieved in under two weeks. Wow! For those with a busy schedule over the holiday season, don’t worry, you still have until February 1st, 2026, at 23:59 UTC to complete your personal goals. You can read the full event rules in our dedicated blog post.

To wrap things up, we want to thank you once again for your unwavering support, kind reviews, and constructive comments. Our developers continually work hard to deliver great content, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it reflected in your positive feedback. Thank you all so much!

South Dakota: Building South Dakota with Evgeny

In today's blog, we would like you to take a look behind the scenes of how we build the upcoming South Dakota map expansion for American Truck Simulator. We interviewed one of our map designers working on this DLC, Evgeny, who told us more about his work.

If you are wondering what a map designer working on an American Truck Simulator map expansion has to do, Evgeny gave us a great summary of his job. 

"I started my work on South Dakota with a pretty wide range of responsibilities. Besides the usual map design - building roads, shaping terrain, building towns - I also focus on several more specialized areas. For example, I work on the design of big, complex industrial sites and depots. Another part of my job is managing the asset list and giving feedback on anything related to depots or more generic (non-vegetation) assets. I also get the chance to create environments and small decorative scenes for depots across all of our projects," he says.

Map designers need to cooperate a lot with other colleagues on a daily basis. They share reference materials, discuss ideas. "We keep pushing toward a common goal: creating something beautiful, meaningful, and fun at the same time," Evgeny shares with us.

Before the start of the actual map design, our departments need to do a lot of research to get the map as close to the real world as possible. "Some of my teammates went on a road trip to the state. They spent several days there, collecting as much information, atmosphere, and emotion as they could. They brought back thousands of photos and stories about the places they visited," Evgeny told us.

Meanwhile, our research department provided layers and layers of valuable information - cultural, industrial, and historical. 

"It's like putting together a giant puzzle where every piece reveals something new about the region. Then there's my personal favorite research method: digging on my own. I watch local news, read articles written by South Dakotans, and follow community discussions. It helps me understand how people there think, what they value, and what makes their environment special."

"During all this research, I became fascinated by the landscape - the calmness, the wilderness, the open horizon. It reminded me of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, one of my all-time favorite stories. I love how the spirit of Indigenous peoples still lives in the region, mixed with a raw, classic Western vibe. And I really appreciate how much of the farming industry is still run by small, family-owned businesses," Evgeny shared with us.

All these layers of discovery help the map design team bring color and flavor to the experience of trucking through South Dakota. "That's one of my favorite parts of the job. As an artist, I always want to capture the soul of the region - its uniqueness, its special characteristics. So we're constantly hunting for the little things that make South Dakota feel like South Dakota."

The team working on South Dakota already has experience from designing the Texas, Nebraska, and Iowa DLCs, so Evgeny believes they will be able to capture the beauty of nature and build believable, detailed environments. 

And what does Evgeny feel like is going to be the best place to visit there? "From my perspective, the Black Hills and the Badlands are going to be an outstanding experience - especially for players who love beautiful nature and the feel of Western culture. South Dakota is full of wide-open landscapes where you can see fields stretch all the way to the horizon. Some of the views here are like nothing we've ever had in ATS before. I'm personally looking forward to seeing Sioux Falls in the game, as well as some of the smaller towns around the Black Hills," Evgeny told us.

Because of the scale, not everything we wish for could make it into the map. "But I truly believe we do our best to depict the region in the most authentic and enjoyable way possible. Oh, and for players who enjoy a little adventure, there are a few hidden roads waiting to be discovered," he hints.

Apart from scale, there are also some other challenges that Evgeny describes here. "First is finding the right balance between the level of detail, the development time, and the amount of fun we want the player to have. There's always a temptation to add "just one more detail", but we also have to keep our pace. Second, I really wanted to create an immersive sense of scale - that feeling that the world extends all the way to the horizon. South Dakota is huge, and capturing that vastness inside a compressed game world is a creative challenge. But I believe every limitation is actually an opportunity for a creative solution. It pushes us to think differently, and sometimes that leads to even better results."

At the end of this blog, Evgeny has a short message for our #BestCommunityEver. "It's an honor to work on a project like this - to try to depict the beauty and uniqueness of American nature and culture. South Dakota has a special atmosphere, and we hope players will feel that same sense of wonder that inspired us during development."

If Evgeny got you excited about this map expansion, make sure to add the South Dakota DLC to your Steam wishlist! 

Also, remember to follow us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube for all the latest news from this map expansion and American Truck Simulator, or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed. Until next time, we wish you happy haulin'!