Benelux Rework: Amsterdam + IJmuiden Ferry

Amsterdam, best known for its iconic canals, historic architecture, and vibrant cycling culture, is one of the Netherlands’ most recognisable and visited cities. Today, we’re excited to share a closer look at the work of our talented Benelux Rework team, as they bring this famous destination up to modern DLC standards with improved detail, updated road networks, and refreshed landmarks. Let's take a closer look!

Dating back to the 12th century as a small fishing settlement on the Amstel River, Amsterdam grew into one of the most important trading hubs of the world during the Dutch Golden Age. Its famous canal ring, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in the 17th century and remains one of the city’s defining features. Today, Amsterdam is a modern European capital, blending historic charm with contemporary infrastructure, something our team aimed to reflect throughout this rework.

So what work has taken place? Amsterdam has been completely rebuilt from the ground up! Recreating such a dense and iconic destination was no small task, especially within the limits of the game’s scale. Through careful decisions, the team were able to preserve Amsterdam’s unique character and looks. We think they have done an excellent job! Wouldn't you agree?

One of the more unique challenges the team encountered was surrounding part of the A10 Zuid ring road, located south of Amsterdam. In real life, this section is currently being moved into an underground tunnel as part of an ongoing infrastructure project. However, during our research trip at the beginning of the Benelux rework, the highway was still above ground. This led to an important decision, whether to recreate the real-world layout as we experienced it, or attempt to represent a future version that is not yet complete. 

After careful consideration, we chose to keep the highway above ground. This allowed us to work with real-world references while also creating a unique driving experience. It gives players the opportunity to travel through one of the few places in Europe where highways pass beneath towering skyscrapers, offering a memorable and visually striking perspective of the city.

As with most reworks, rebuilding the city from the ground up gave the team the opportunity to introduce new landmarks and bring older ones up to date with our newer modelling standards. Whilst it won't be possible to travel through the historic inner city itself, the team has carefully selected locations and viewpoints that we believe best represent Amsterdam.

We would also like to give a special thanks to our asset team, whose work on the city’s landmarks and architecture has played a huge role in bringing Amsterdam to life. Their attention to detail helps make each location feel authentic and memorable. We can't wait for you to explore it all for yourself! 

IJmuiden Ferry

Not far from Amsterdam lies the coastal town of IJmuiden, home to an important ferry connection between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. As part of the Benelux rework, this location has also been revisited and refreshed.

While IJmuiden was already present in the original map as a landmark ferry location, it has now been updated to better match the quality and detail of the surrounding reworked areas. Although the scale of changes here is not as extensive as what you'll find in Amsterdam, you'll still certainly notice some big changes!

The ferry terminal continues to serve as a key gateway for drivers travelling between mainland Europe and the UK, offering an important connection for long-distance routes. Its updated design aims to provide a more immersive experience while maintaining its recognisable identity. We hope this connection will be used a lot more often with the arrival of the UK rework in the future! 

Interestingly, this location became a personal favourite for one of two map designers who worked on it, thanks to its unique atmosphere and role within the wider transport network.

We look forward to sharing more news on the Benelux Rework, which will arrive as a free update for all Euro Truck Simulator 2 owners in the future. Until then, be sure to follow us on our official social media channels so you can stay up to date with the latest news, even whilst on the move. Until next time, keep on truckin’.