With the West Balkans DLC just around the corner, we are releasing the 1.48.5 Update for Euro Truck Simulator 2. We haven’t bumped the game version all the way up by a whole number, as this update is focused on some specific content additions as well as some under the hood maintenance with code-based improvements.



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).




As you can tell, the ETS2 1.48.5 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 games universe.




However that isn't all, as there are some changes coming in this release that were not originally a part of the 1.48.5 Open Beta, including the fact that American Truck Simulator will also be receiving the 1.48.5 update later in the month too. This is because we are introducing 2 new changes which we believe players will benefit from. These are Faster Loading Times and an FPS Limiter.

Faster Loading Times

After an update, it has historically taken our titles a while to re-cache and update navigation data. Recently we were able to optimise this data and speed up the process considerably. Thanks to this update, the loading process is around 6 times faster! This also includes loading times for the company directory, which is loaded each time you start the game, which is 23 times faster than previous builds. We hope that you enjoy this small quality of life change.

Frame Rate Limiter

This was a feature that was quite highly requested by our community. This limiter is aimed mostly at those with a more powerful GPU. It was reported that when alt-tabbed outside the sim, GPUs would run at 100% since it was still trying to render the maximum number of frames possible. Because of this, we have placed a cap of 300 FPS to limit GPU usage, while not limiting most monitors. While this is still a bit experimental, we look forward to hearing your feedback.

We hope you enjoy the little features and updates that 1.48.5 offers! We'd like to thank all those who participated in the Open Beta and helped us tweak and provided feedback. Your time and reports helped our team make changes that will benefit all players. We look forward to sharing more updates and changes in the future. Until then, keep on Truckin'!

Special Transport meets West Balkans! You can look forward to hauling large cargos with your truck across Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as North Macedonia.


Embarking on a journey behind the wheel of a truck laden with colossal cargo is no small feat. The enormity of the task isn't just in the size of the vehicle; it's in the responsibility that comes with maneuvering such a colossal load through highways and byways. Driving a truck with especially large cargo is a skillful dance, a delicate balance between power and precision. Only the best truckers can take on these unique missions. Are you up for it?

The following special transport routes will be available:

• Kragujevac to Novi Sad
  
• Beograd to Kragujevac
  
• Koper to Novo Mesto
  
• Zenica to Karakaj
  
• Skopje to Bitola

Make sure to add West Balkans DLC to your Steam Wishlist or follow us on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to be notified of the exact time this latest addition to Euro Truck Simulator 2 becomes available. We can't wait for you to get your hands on the new map expansion and see for yourself everything that it has to offer!

After the initial wave of presenting to you different parts of the upcoming Switzerland Rework, we toned the hype down a little bit and went silent for a while. However, rest assured we are still working hard on bringing you the best experience possible while upgrading Switzerland to the current standards. And while there is still quite a lot of work to be done, today, we’ll show you something that will restart the hype train once again, as we tell you a bit about Mont Blanc!


Mont Blanc, the crown jewel of the Alps, is a breathtaking natural wonder that has captivated travelers and adventurers for centuries. Towering majestically over the border of France and Italy, it is the highest peak in Western Europe. While Mont Blanc itself is not part of Switzerland, you can see that the work of our dedicated team reaches beyond the borders and we couldn’t overlook the important gateway that is the Mont Blanc tunnel.






Speaking of the Mont Blanc tunnel - this virtual rendition of the iconic tunnel connects the Chamonix Valley on the French side with the Aosta Valley on the Italian side. But, most importantly, many of you have long been awaiting the addition of the A40 and E25 roads, and we can’t wait for you to travel to or from Switzerland through these new additions.





We hope to keep the hype train going in the future so keep an eye on the blog and on our social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) for any updates about the Switzerland Rework project. For now, make sure to let us know what you think about this addition. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Dear #BestCommunityEver! We've got some exciting news for those who are anticipating the arrival of the West Balkans DLC in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the virtual roads of this beautiful region.

The West Balkans DLC will be released on October 19th, 2023!

We're just as excited as you are, and to keep your anticipation high, we've released an official trailer for the West Balkans DLC. This video trailer will give you a sneak peek of the wonderful landscapes, vibrant cities, historical landmarks, and interesting new industries that await you in this map expansion. Make sure to check it out!


Rest assured, our team has been working really hard to make the entire West Balkans DLC a fantastic addition. We've been fixing any problems, whether that is in the new region or surrounding areas, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Our goal is to give you an amazing virtual trucking experience, and we're committed to making that happen.


Are you ready to take on any challenges in the new region? If so, make sure to add the map expansion to your Steam Wishlist in order to be instantly notified once the project becomes available for you to download.









We want to say a big thank you for supporting us throughout the entire development period and we hope you will enjoy everything that this challenging project has to offer. We’ll see you on the road!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2004210/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__West_Balkans/

October is a special month worldwide, marked by a collective effort to raise awareness about breast cancer, known as Pinktober. It's a time when pink ribbons make their appearance, symbolizing the solidarity in our fight against this devastating disease. Breast cancer affects countless lives, and Pinktober plays a crucial role in educating and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their health.



The heart of Pinktober lies in knowledge and awareness. Understanding the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial to early detection and better outcomes. Regular self-checks and consultations with healthcare professionals are essential practices that can save lives and by educating ourselves and sharing this knowledge with loved ones, we contribute to the larger mission of breast cancer awareness.

Pinktober reminds us that our health should always be our top priority. Prioritizing regular health check-ups, screenings, and promoting these practices among our friends and family is a fundamental message of the campaign.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1068290/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__Pink_Ribbon_Charity_Pack/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1162160/American_Truck_Simulator__Pink_Ribbon_Charity_Pack/

Every year, compassionate virtual truckers come together to support the battle against breast cancer. While many choose to make direct donations or raise awareness in creative ways, we offered an alternative a few years ago, as our team decided to join this noble cause with a Pink Ribbon Charity Event. In 2019, we introduced two special DLCs for American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 from which 100% of the income goes to charity every year.

If you're looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact and add some unique paint jobs to your trucks, now is the perfect time to grab these DLCs or gift them to friends. You can also spread awareness by decorating your trucks with these paint jobs and sharing your support on social media under #Pinktober2023.



Last year, we made a slight change in our charity approach - instead of dividing the funds, we decided to direct the entire sum raised from the DLCs to a local charity, the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer. This time we will keep the same approach, so, stay tuned to our blog at the end of the month as we'll provide an update on this year's Pinktober, including the final donation amount.

We’d like to extend our gratitude to all who have generously supported Pinktober throughout the years. Your contributions, whether through donations, raising awareness, or attending awareness seminars, make a significant difference in the fight against breast cancer. Together, we stand united in our mission to bring hope to countless lives!

On your travels in the West Balkans region, you will encounter a large variety of road signage featuring a range of different languages. Our signage, assets and research teams have been working together to create accurate and realistic signs; which we are happy to share some examples of with you today.


Each region has its own unique signage, which road users must understand and obey. These signs can indicate to drivers a range of information such as dangers on the road ahead to posted speed limits or alternative routes.







We spoke with our 'Road Sign Specialist' Voytek, and asked him if he had a rough idea of how many signs have been created for this upcoming DLC. "Over 1600 unique navigation signs have been created for the West Balkans and only a small part of them was altered to match the in-game situation, with almost all of them true to their real-life counterparts. It's again a record over our previous additions."







Along with the native languages spoken across the West Balkans, you'll also find some signs that feature bilingual texts, or two different alphabets. These can often be found on navigation signs or toll signage.








So when it comes to travelling to the West Balkans, be sure to take a good look at the signs when you pass them. They'll contain all the information you need for a safe drive on the road. If you like what you see, this is your sign to add the West Balkans DLC to your Steam Wishlist. We look forward to sharing more news in the near future, until then, keep on truckin'!

We're returning to Europe in the latest episode of our SCS On The Road series. Earlier this year, we had the privilege of taking a trip to Södertälje, Sweden, where we were able to visit the world-famous Scania Museum!



From its early beginnings on the rails, to making their way onto the roads, this is one episode you won't want to miss. Join us as we are given a guided tour by Raul Fernández, who taught us so much about the history, present and future of Scania.



We want to give a massive thank you to him and the team at Scania who made our visit possible and that we could share it with you. We hope you enjoy the wealth of knowledge that he shares with you throughout the video and that you learn a thing or two about Scania and its history.

So what are you waiting for? Make sure to give it a watch and let us know in the comments something you found interesting. Like did you know the origin of Scania's logo?

If you haven't already, make sure to give some of our previous episodes a view too, which can all be found on our official YouTube channel. See you on the road for the next episode!

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'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2004210/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2__West_Balkans/

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.




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.

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 (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to always stay in touch with all the latest news!