Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2
Developer(s)	SCS Software
Publisher(s)	SCS Software
Series	Truck Simulator
Platform(s)	Linux Microsoft Windows OS X
Release	Microsoft Windows WW: 16 January 2013 Linux WW: 16 April 2013 (beta) OS X WW: 29 January 2015
Genre(s)	Vehicle simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player

Euro Truck Simulator 2 (commonly abbreviated as ETS2) is a vehicle simulation game developed and published by SCS Software for Microsoft Windows, Linux and OS X and was initially released as open development on 19 October 2012. The game is a direct sequel to the 2008 game Euro Truck Simulator and it is the second video game in the Truck Simulator series. The player can drive one of a choice of articulated trucks across a depiction of Europe, picking up cargo from various locations and delivering it. As the game progresses, it is possible for the player to buy more vehicles, depots, and hire other drivers to work for them.

The game has sold over 3.9 million units on Steam as of June 2017, according to the metrics website Steam Spy.^[1]

Gameplay

Driver's view from a DAF XF during game play

Players choose their HQ's location in any of the game map's cities. At first, the player can only take what are known as Quick jobs—these jobs involve making hired driver deliveries while employed by a delivery company, with a provided truck and all expenses (fuel, road tolls, ferry crossings) covered. As the player earns money or takes bank loans, they can eventually afford to buy themselves a truck, acquire a home garage, and start making more money by delivering cargo using their own truck instead of just being a driver for hire. Money earned in the game can be spent on upgrading or purchasing new trucks, hiring NPC drivers to take on deliveries, buying more garages and expanding the home garage to accommodate more trucks and drivers.

The player gains experience points after each delivery. A skill point is awarded after each level-up. Skill points can be used to unlock deliveries that require different ADR classes, longer distance deliveries, special cargo loads, fragile cargo loads, deliveries that are urgent and eco-driving. This progression allows the player to take on better paid jobs.

The game features 77 cities in thirteen different countries, over twenty different types of cargo and over fifteen fictional European companies.

The game also features a "Radio" feature, which allows players to play MP3 and OGG files. It also allows the player to listen to Internet radio.

Version 2 includes two new truck companies, Scania and Renault, with MAN returning from the original game. DAF, Iveco, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo trucks were not officially licensed and had their names changed to DAV, Ivedo, Majestic and Valiant respectively. Later updates included the official branding for the DAF XF,^[2] Volvo FH, Iveco Stralis^[3] and Mercedes-Benz Actros.

Development

Expanding beyond the Windows version, SCS announced in March 2013 that they were developing a Mac version of the game.^[4][5] One month later they released a Linux beta version of the game to the public through Steam.^[6] On 27 February, they stated "the Mac OS port of ETS2 is taking longer than anybody would like, but trust us, we are still working hard on it."^[7] Finally, on 19 December 2014, they announced on their blog that the OS X version of the game is ready for a public beta available on Steam. On 21 January 2015 a 64 bit version of Euro Truck Simulator 2 was released, which allows for more memory to be used by the game.

In July 2013 a large update was released, fixing various graphical glitches, improving the toll booths and included the ability to switch off the trucks' speed limiter from within the gameplay options.^[8]

In October 2013, SCS announced support for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset which became available in the beta 1.9 update released in March 2014.^[9][10]

In May 2014, ETS 2 was updated out of beta with patch 1.10.^[11] In July 2014, ETS 2 released an open beta of patch 1.11 on Steam. The full patch contains 3 new cities in Austria and Italy, along with an improved layout and UI, a way to adjust your seating in the cabin, and a feature that allows you to sell/trade your garages. In January 2015, ETS 2 was updated with support for 64 bit, and officially released for OS X.^[12] On 8 September 2015, SCS Blog announced the completion of 5 years of their blog as well as the upcoming feature in v1.21 (Cabin Accessories DLC).^[13]

Downloadable content

Going East!

In January 2013 SCS Software announced a downloadable content (DLC) package — Going East!, expanding the game map into Eastern Europe.^[14] The DLC saw the introduction of thirteen new cities across Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary and was released in September 2013.^[15] In July 2015 (version 1.19), Hungary gained 2 more cities: Pécs and Szeged along with some roads in Austria and Hungary.^[16]

Paint Jobs

A set of Halloween-themed paint jobs was released exclusively on Valve's Steam store on 24 October 2013.^[17][18] On 10 December 2013, a set of winter themed paint jobs^[19][20] called Ice Cold were released. These themes can be applied to any truck in the game. On 4 April 2014, SCS Software released six more paint jobs in a DLC pack called "Force of Nature" and all paint jobs are still Steam DLC only. The Going East! DLC however, is both Steam and Non-Steam DLC. Finally, in the 1.10/1.11 update there are 5 new paint schemes with the UK flag, the Irish flag, the Scottish flag, the American flag and the Canadian flag. On 3 October 2014, SCS Software released some colorschemes based on the German flag, prior to the 24th anniversary of the reunion of Germany. During December 2014 and January 2015 on World of Trucks only, there was an exclusive paint skin that many players still have today called the Ravens Paint Pack. It included only two Raven style paints (1 blue, 1 gold), and was only unlocked if you delivered Christmas trailers the approximate distance from Praha, Czech Republic to the Geographic North Pole which in the end came down to 2,760 miles (4,443 km). The Ravens Paint Pack DLC was originally not available for purchase; however on 6 March 2017 SCS Software released it as a paid-DLC, with some additional content, through Steam for US$1.99.^[21][22]

High Power Cargo Pack

High Power Cargo Pack DLC expands the cargo range in the game by adding custom cargoes. The new cargoes are usually large, long and heavy and include a helicopter, various tractors and drillers, air conditioners and even a yacht. An extra bonus included with the pack is a special Heavy Duty customizable paint job. Unlike the Going East! DLC (geographic) and the Paint Jobs Packs (aesthetic), this is currently the only expansion pack that actually changes the in-game experience.

Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack

On 16 September 2016 SCS released the first officially licensed Trailer pack for the game. The Schwarzmüller Trailer pack add five new and original modeled Semi-Trailers of the Austrian based semi-trailer conductor Schwarzmüller into the game.^[23]

Scandinavia

On 7 May 2015 SCS released a second DLC similar to Going East!, called Scandinavia. As the name suggests, it features a map extension to Scandinavia and features Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The DLC also contains 2 new types of trailers: a livestock trailer and a trailer for transporting trucks. The latter can be picked up at the Volvo Trucks and Scania factories in Sweden, which have been reconstructed in the game.

Cabin Accessories

The Cabin Accessories DLC adds various items to customize the cabin of your truck, such as banners, pennants, bobbleheads, a portable navigator and even fuzzy dice which will respond to the cabin's movements. It was released on 30 September 2015.^[24]

Steam Workshop Integration

In the 1.23 beta, SCS Software integrated Valve's Steam Workshop into the game, allowing mod authors to upload their creations onto the Euro Truck Simulator 2 Steam Workshop page. This lets players subscribe to a mod and Steam will download and install it to their game. These mods range from trailers and companies to new trucks and sound packs. Mod authors use a tool named SCS Workshop Uploader to get their mods published on the Workshop Page.^[25]

Vive la France !

In 2016, SCS Software officially announced a new DLC named Vive la France !. It adds 15 new cities from France, 20,000 km of new roads, famous landmarks, enhanced vegetation, new cargoes to haul, new industries and new companies. It was released on 5 December 2016.^[26]

Heavy Cargo Pack

On 12 May 2017, SCS released the Heavy Cargo Pack DLC which added 8 new cargo types. Each cargo is large and very heavy in weight, and is transported on a special trailer with steerable rear axles.

Italia

On 11 August 2017, SCS announced the Italia DLC which will be released in late 2017, consisting of new cities being greatly expanded in mainland Italy, including new cargo companies and will also feature Italy's island Sicily.

Reception

The game was generally well received by critics, holding a score of 79/100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[27]

In a review for Destructoid, Jim Sterling praised the game's accessibility, noting how easy the GPS and map features were to use, as well as the option to stream European internet radio, and the multitude of control options available. He also praised the graphics, stating that "[f]rom the shape of the traffic lights to the atmosphere of the backdrops, there's a sense of individuality to each new territory you uncover, and the trucks themselves are lovingly recreated with an intricate level of detail", although he did criticise the AI of the other vehicles on the road.^[28] In a similarly favourable review, Tim Stone of PC Gamer called it "unexpectedly engrossing", praising the size of the map and the variation of the roads and scenery available. He did however have reservations about the accuracy of the surroundings, commenting "no one seems to have told SCS’s countryside crafters that rural Britain features long green things called hedges. Cities are often depicted with the shortest of visual shorthand – a few warehouses, the odd landmark if you’re lucky."^[29]

Awards

PC Gamer awarded the game "Sim of the Year 2012" in its end-of-year awards.^[30] Rock, Paper, Shotgun listed Euro Truck Simulator 2 ninth on their list of "The 25 Best Simulation Games Ever Made".^[31]

Users of the Steam distribution platform voted Euro Truck Simulator 2 to win “I Thought This Game Was Cool Before It Won An Award” and the “Sit Back and Relax”-award in Steam Awards 2016.^[32]

See also

• 18 Wheels of Steel
• Spintires

References

External links

• Official website