5 Years Trucksim Channel Anniversary
Earlier this month, trucksim.top celebrated 6 years online.
But today is another important milestone for me personally —
5 years ago, on May 13, I decided to move away from my personal YouTube channel and fully focus on a dedicated TruckSim channel.
Looking back now, it was absolutely the right decision.
📊 5 years later
- 6.22K subscribers
- 2+ million views
- 50.6K watch hours
- 695 videos published
Honestly, seeing those numbers still feels unreal sometimes.
The channel started with simple gameplay videos, experiments, and updates around Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator.
🚛 What matters most
The biggest thing wasn’t the numbers.
It was building a community of people who enjoy the same weirdly specific things:
- hidden roads
- map combinations
- game mechanics
- optimization
- exploration
Some videos took days of preparation for just a few minutes of content.
Some completely failed.
Some unexpectedly exploded.
That’s just part of the journey.
🙌 Thank you
If you ever watched a video, left a comment or subscribed — thank you.
You helped turn a small experiment from 2021 into something real.
The road continues. 🚚
The Illinois DLC is now released
The wait is over — the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator is officially out now! 🚛
The Prairie State expansion brings players to iconic locations including Chicago, Springfield, Quincy, Effingham and many more, while also completing the legendary Route 66 journey across ATS from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica.
Illinois delivers a strong mix of dense urban areas, industrial zones, rural highways and classic Midwest scenery, making it one of the most anticipated ATS map expansions so far.
Alongside the DLC release, SCS Software also introduced two new trucks — the Volvo VNL and the fully electric Volvo VNR Electric – making ATS 1.59 one of the biggest updates in recent months.
One notable surprise however is the absence of the traditional World of Trucks Cruising event that usually accompanies new state releases.
The DLC released on May 14 alongside ATS 1.59 update.
4 new achievements also added to Steam
#AmericanTruckSimulator #ATS #IllinoisDLC #SCSsoftware #TruckSim
Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.59 Released
SCS Software just released ETS2 1.59. If you tried beta don’t forget to disable it – go to Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → None.
And if you tuned up buffer settings before this version it is time to disable it in config file.
ETS2 1.59 brings us reworked Benelux Rework. Below you can find couple videos with my discovery of new areas.
Changelog
Map
- Benelux Rework Release
- Volvo Trucks Experience Center
Vehicles
- Thermo King Update
Gameplay
- Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
- Advisor Update – Finances & Damage Widgets
- Skills UX Redesign
- QoL UI/UX Changes
- Improved News Banner Readability
- World Map Pin Enhancements
- Save Icon Update
- Garage Cutscene Skipping
- D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
- Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
- Traffic Sound Rework
Other
- Detour Feature Maintenance
American Truck Simulator 1.59 Released
SCS Software just released ATS 1.59. If you tried beta don’t forget to disable it – go to Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → None.
And if you tuned up buffer settings before this version it is time to disable it in config file.
Changelog
Gameplay
- Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
- Advisor Update – Finances & Damage Widgets
- Skills UX Redesign
- QoL UI/UX Changes
- Improved News Banner Readability
- World Map Pin Enhancements
- Save Icon Update
- Garage Cutscene Skipping
- D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
- Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
- Traffic Sound Rework
Other
- Detour Feature Maintenance
Trucksim.top Turns 6: From First Posts to Thousands of Miles
Today marks 6 years since I started trucksim.top.
What began as a simple idea — sharing tips, discoveries, and experiments in American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 — turned into something much bigger than I expected.
🚛 What happened over these 6 years
- Dozens of guides on profiles, map discovery, and game mechanics
- Experiments with save editing and optimization
- Coverage of new DLCs, updates, and features
- YouTube content alongside the blog
- A growing audience of people who actually care about the details
Some posts were simple. Some took hours (or days) of testing.
But the goal stayed the same: make useful, practical content for truck sim players.
🔧 What makes this blog different
There are a lot of ATS/ETS2 blogs and videos out there.
Most repeat the same info.
Here, I try to go deeper:
- Not just what works, but why it works
- Not just guides, but real experiments
- Not just news, but context
If you’ve ever used one of my profiles, strings, or guides — you know what I mean.
📈 What changed
A lot.
The games evolved.
The map got bigger.
Tools and mods became more advanced.
And honestly — the expectations are higher now.
People want faster, better, more detailed content.
🔮 What’s next
I’m not planning to stop.
In fact, I want to push further:
- More advanced guides (especially around map data & automation)
- Better tools and reusable templates
- More structured content instead of one-off posts
- Deeper integration between blog and YouTube
🙌 Thanks
If you’ve been reading, watching, or using anything from trucksim.top — thank you.
Even if you just stopped by once to grab a guide — that still counts.
ATS Upcoming Illinois DLC release on May, 14
American Truck Simulator continues its expansion into the American Midwest, and one of the most anticipated upcoming map expansions is the Illinois DLC. This new state will bring players to the heart of the U.S. transportation network, featuring major cities, iconic highways, and a diverse economy centered around agriculture, industry, and logistics.
SCS Software revealed official date of release – May, 14 – 2026 as well as official video trailer.
Welcome to the Prairie State
The Illinois DLC was officially announced in February 2025. The state is often called the Prairie State, known for its vast farmland, historic towns, and one of the most important transportation hubs in the United States.
In ATS, Illinois will allow players to:
- Drive along historic routes such as Route 66
- Explore the state capital Springfield
- Visit the massive metropolitan area of Chicago
- Travel through agricultural regions and industrial corridors
The state sits in a key geographic position connecting the Midwest with the rest of the country, which makes it an important logistics hub both in real life and in the game.
Cities Expected in the Illinois DLC
According to teasers and previews, Illinois will include a mix of major cities and smaller towns. The currently known or expected cities include:
- Chicago
- Springfield
- Peoria
- Champaign
- Bloomington
- Rockford
- Quincy
- Effingham
- Marion
- East St. Louis
- Moline
These locations will allow players to experience a mix of large metropolitan areas, mid-sized industrial cities, and smaller agricultural communities.
Detailed City Previews
Peoria
One of the cities already showcased by SCS is Peoria, located along the Illinois River.
In ATS, the city will include:
- Industrial depots related to heavy equipment manufacturing
- A custom river port depot
- Scenic riverfront driving routes
- Connections via Interstate 74 and US Route 24
Peoria’s strong manufacturing heritage and river logistics will play an important role in the cargo economy of the region.
Champaign
Another previewed city is Champaign, part of the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area.
Highlights expected in ATS include:
- University-inspired landmarks and buildings
- A recognizable downtown skyline
- Agricultural industries such as corn and soybean farming
- Depots like food processing plants, warehouses, and retail stores
The region will represent the agricultural heart of Illinois, providing a variety of cargo opportunities for players.
Smaller Towns and Settlements
In addition to the main cities, the Illinois DLC will feature at least 11 smaller settlements. These towns help make the map feel more realistic and provide additional road connections and scenery.
One example shown by the developers is Monmouth, a historic agricultural town in western Illinois near the Iowa border.
These settlements will likely include:
- Small agricultural communities
- Scenic rural roads
- Truck stops and service areas
Industries and Cargo
Illinois is one of the most economically diverse states in the U.S., and the DLC will reflect that with a wide range of industries.
Expected cargo sectors include:
- Agriculture (corn, soybeans, farm supplies)
- Food processing
- Manufacturing and heavy equipment
- Logistics and warehousing
- River and rail transportation
The state is also known for its role in national exports and manufacturing, making it a natural fit for ATS freight operations.
Roads and Truck Stops
Developers have already teased several truck stops and highway facilities located across the state, including rest areas near:
- Peoria
- Rockford
- Effingham
- Rend Lake
These locations will provide realistic rest areas for long-distance trucking routes through the Midwest.
Illinois is expected to feature major interstate connections, including corridors linking the state with neighboring DLC regions.
Final Thoughts
The Illinois DLC represents an important step in the eastward expansion of American Truck Simulator. With major logistics hubs like Chicago, historic highways like Route 66, and a mix of industry and agriculture, the Prairie State has the potential to become one of the most interesting regions in the game.
Illinois looks like a promising addition to the growing ATS map.
Trucksim Showcase 04.25.2026
Trucksim is on hold right now. I’m reading news and even did couple videos but rarely open games. It is still some reasons for that – luck of free time and motivation. I’m trying to balance my personal life with this hobby project, and that naturally slows things down.
The channel is no longer growing the way I once expected. To be honest, I feel somewhat dependent on YouTube’s algorithms and the uncertainty of ad revenue. Income from YouTube and the blog is quite small, and Patreon is still at $0.
Because of that, I’ve decided to dedicate more time to my personal life and reduce the amount of high-effort editing and complex guide scripting.
About the Guide Series
For those who follow the channel for guides, I currently have three main series:
I don’t have specific plans yet for the first two. I tried 1.59 open beta for ATS but not on 100% there and waiting for Illinois DLC. Hidden roads is also on pause despite I have numerous new roads in ATS but not consolidated them all. Map Combos are obviously are waiting for the final releases of both games and mods update so they will not return very fast. Ans since I plan to reduce the number of setups (and therefore videos), I will probably start with something bigger and more comprehensive than other parties. I don’t plan to rush out a combo setup just to be first. I’m not interested in clickbait or quick tricks to gain views. Instead, I will release a combination setup that I personally enjoy and would actually use myself — even if that means it comes out later and gets fewer views.
So for now:
No dates.
No commitments.
And no answers to questions like, “When will the 500-map combo be available?”
When it’s ready — and when I’m truly satisfied with it — I’ll share it.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Soul of Anatolia DLC – Türkiye will come to ETS2
The mystery is over. After teasing us last week with a cryptic post called “Bridge Between Communities” — featuring a single shot of the iconic 1915 Çanakkale Bridge — SCS Software has officially pulled back the curtain today. The next map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2 is called Soul of Anatolia, and it’s taking us deep into Türkiye.
What Is Soul of Anatolia?
Soul of Anatolia is an upcoming paid DLC for ETS2 that covers Anatolia — the vast Asian heartland of Türkiye that has never been in the game before. SCS describes it as a land of stunning contrasts: sunlit coasts, towering mountains, open plains, olive groves, and the glittering Mediterranean. The expansion runs from Istanbul all the way east to Aksaray.
The confirmed locations and highlights from the reveal include:
- 1915 Çanakkale Bridge — the world’s longest suspension bridge, crossing the Dardanelles strait, serving as your gateway into Anatolia
- Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and Osmangazi Bridge — two more engineering landmarks you’ll cross on your routes
- Ankara — the capital city, positioned as a central logistics hub of the expansion
- Tuz Gölü — the massive salt lake in central Anatolia
- Antalya and Alanya — major Mediterranean tourist cities with hotel cargo delivery routes
- Challenging coastal roads along both the northern and southern shores, plus steep mountain routes with tight turns and big views
The Steam page is already live, and you can wishlist it now at store.steampowered.com/app/4400930.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Türkiye is already partially in ETS2 — the Road to the Black Sea DLC (2019) added the European side of the country: Edirne, Istanbul with Bosphorus views, and the Kapikule border crossing. Istanbul is still one of the largest and most detailed cities in the game. But everything beyond the Bosphorus — Ankara, Izmir, the entire coastline, Central Anatolia — has been missing for over six years.
Soul of Anatolia fills that gap, and then some. More importantly, this DLC marks a historic first: ETS2 stepping outside of Europe and into Asia. That’s not just a geographical expansion — it’s a signal of where the game can go next. The Caucasus, the Middle East, Central Asia — none of that is confirmed, but it’s now a realistic conversation for the first time.
What About the Mods?
While the official DLC has been in the community’s wishlist for years, modders never waited around. The most well-known community effort is the Roextended updated up to ETS2 1.58.
There’s also Road to Heavy: Türkiye, a more niche mod focused on heavy haulage simulation across Turkish highways.
Worth noting: once Soul of Anatolia releases officially, these mods will almost certainly become incompatible. They’re great for right now, but treat them as a placeholder — the real thing is coming.
When Can We Expect It?
SCS has been clear that Soul of Anatolia is still early in development — everything shown is work-in-progress and subject to change. There’s no release date, and given SCS’s typical pace of roughly one major map DLC per year, with Iceland and Ireland both still in the queue, a realistic window is no earlier than 2028, with 2029 being equally possible.
That wait will be long, but the announcement itself is the milestone. Soul of Anatolia is happening, it’s confirmed, and the Steam page is live. Add it to your wishlist and settle in.
American Truck Simulator: 1.59 Open Beta
SCS Software released beta version of ATS 1.59 and as always you can read about all changes of the official blog. To try beta go to Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.
Changelog
Gameplay
- Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
- Advisor Update – Finances & Damage Widgets
- Skills UX Redesign
- QoL UI/UX Changes
- Improved News Banner Readability
- World Map Pin Enhancements
- Save Icon Update
- Garage Cutscene Skipping
- D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
- Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
- Traffic Sound Rework
Other
- Detour Feature Maintenance
ETS2 Benelux Rework: Everything We Know So Far
If you’ve been waiting for SCS Software to finally modernize one of Euro Truck Simulator 2’s oldest regions — your time is coming. Project Benelux is well underway, and based on everything revealed so far, it’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious base-map overhauls in the game’s history.
What Is Project Benelux?
Announced in February 2025, Project Benelux covers a complete ground-up rebuild of all three Benelux countries — Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. SCS Software It follows directly from the Germany city rework completed in update 1.53. The region had remained almost completely unchanged since ETS2’s initial release back in 2012.
The project is a major team effort. Lead designer Jan H. confirmed that 10 map designers are working on the project, alongside contributors from the Research, QA, Assets, and Programming departments.
New Cities and Roads
Among the headline additions are brand-new cities like Antwerp and Eindhoven, plus major road routes including the A2 motorway, a large portion of the E40 highway, and the scenic N57 road in the Netherlands.
Here’s a breakdown of every location confirmed so far:
Brussels, Belgium — the Belgian capital’s road network has been reworked, connecting major industrial areas like Forest and Anderlecht to strategic logistics districts such as Schaerbeek.
Antwerp, Belgium — previewed in December 2025 as one of the new cities being added as part of the rework.
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg — SCS promises the city will be elevated to the quality standard players expect from modern ETS2, delivering an experience that is far from small despite the country’s size.
Eindhoven + DAF Trucks Facility, Netherlands — Eindhoven is being introduced as a completely new city, with recognizable landmarks including the Lichtnaald sculpture and the iconic UFO-shaped Evoluon building. The DAF Trucks manufacturing facility in Eindhoven is also included.
Groningen, Netherlands — the city has been fully rebuilt from the ground up. A major highlight is the accurate recreation of the N7 ring road, including its real-life underground section. Industrial areas include furniture stores, logistics depots, grocery warehouses, and a large modern sugar factory. Closer to the city center, drivers will pass the Verbindingkanaal canal, the main railway station, the bus terminal, and the architecturally striking Groningen Museum.
New Gameplay Features
Players can look forward to delivering to reworked depots and entirely new industries, including a sugar beet processing factory, as well as new landmarks scattered across the region.
The team has been open about the unique challenges of the region: the Benelux countries are rich in complex highway infrastructure, waterways, canals, dams, locks, and drawbridges, with terrain ranging from flat northern plains criss-crossed by canals to the dramatic scenery of the Ardennes in Belgium and Luxembourg.
One notable first for the ETS2 base map: the Benelux rework will introduce custom depots to Europe — a feature that had previously only been available in American Truck Simulator.
When Does It Release?
No official release date has been announced. SCS head Pavel suggested during a Christmas 2025 stream that Benelux was targeting update 1.58 SCS Software, though the rework did not ship with 1.58 when it released in February 2026. Given the increasing frequency of devblogs through early 2026, a release in the first half of the year seems likely.
Project Benelux isn’t a visual touch-up — it’s a full reconstruction of one of the game’s oldest map sections. New cities, reworked capitals, hundreds of kilometers of new roads, canals, drawbridges, custom depots, and new industries, all built from scratch by a dedicated team of over 10 map designers. It’s going to be a big one.
Keep an eye on the official SCS blog at blog.scssoft.com for the latest updates.