Nordic Horizons Release Date 11.27.2015
It is only couple weeks we have to wait for brand new ETS2 DLC. That also means that final release of 1.57 will be even earlier. Prepare your money, prepare profile without mods, get ready for new event (Cruising Nordic Horizons:))
And how can I keep silence – the biggest surprise on the picture above is the truck. FH16 780. It’s not announced yet but pictures on the internet doesn’t lie;)
Scania 770 in Open beta of ETS2 1.57
Nordic Horizons DLC is around the corner, after ETS2 1.57 release
We still have no release date of new DLC Nordic Horizons for ETS2, but most likely it will be available in Steam after the release of 1.57 version of the game. This new big DLC will expand new roads in Nordic Countries – Sweden, Norway and Finland.
SCS is teasing new updates as never before, so in below video I collected not only footages and trailer but also 2 gameplay sessions.
Nordic Horizons DLC will come soon, after ETS2 1.57 release
We still have no release date of new DLC for ETS2 – Nordic Horizons, but we have good signals that the expansion will be released soon in 2025. Early trailer and gameplay preview from SCS usually means that the DLC is in final pre-release stage and since we never have open betas for chargeable content we get Nordic Horizon instantly. First time beta gameplay of new DLC was available for visitors of PoznaĹ„ Game Arena in PoznaĹ„, in Poland.
It is most likely will be released after the release of 1.57 version of the game.
It will be probably challenge for map mod community – they have to adapt to new DLC or even merge with their content if the new area with collide with existing mod structure (e.g Promods). The mods locked on the game version can also loose compatibility but it usually resolvable faster than maps rebuilds or merges.
We are waiting for new big DLC of expanded new roads in Nordic Countries – Sweden, Norway and Finland and also waiting for Scandinavia rebuild which will be good update for this DLC.
In video below I collected first gameplay timelaps, trailer, available teaser footages provided by SCS on their media channels.
Guide How to Download and Setup Promods 2.76
New Promods 2.76 includes new content we were waiting in 2.75 (when below video captured). Since the procedure of download and setup map mod is the same as for previous version you can watch it in video I shared on ETS2 1.55.
On the video below I installed new Promods and in podcast style talked about changes we got in 2.76.
Louisiana DLC is coming soon
Upcoming DLC for American Truck Simulator of Louisiana State is probably will be released in the end of 2025. I collected official SCS Software footages and pics. You can follow details of the new DLC on official SCS blog and in social media.
The RoadKings: A New Challenger Enters the Truck Simulation Arena
The truck simulation genre is about to get significantly more competitive. Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have announced Road Kings, a next-generation truck simulator that’s setting its sights squarely on the established dominance of American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2. With a closed beta coming in the coming months and a full release planned for 2026, this new contender promises to shake up the trucking game landscape.
What is Road Kings?
Road Kings is an ambitious new truck simulation game that puts players behind the wheel of a 40-ton semi, hauling cargo across the coastal plains of the American South. Starting from Jacksonville to the historic streets of Savannah, players will navigate through a story-driven experience that goes beyond the traditional point-A-to-point-B delivery model.
Developed by Saber Interactive Porto—the studio behind SnowRunner—and published by Focus Entertainment, Road Kings is being marketed as a “next-gen truck simulation” designed specifically for modern hardware including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Closed Beta Registration Now Open
Eager truckers can already sign up for the closed beta test at Focus Entertainment’s TestZone website (https://testzone.focus-entmt.com/). While registration doesn’t guarantee access, it’s your best shot at getting an early look at what could be the genre’s next big thing. The beta is expected to launch within the coming months, giving players their first hands-on experience before the 2026 release.
How Does Road Kings Compare to ATS and ETS2?
The most significant departure from the SCS Software formula is Road Kings’ emphasis on storytelling. While ATS and ETS2 excel at providing a zen-like, meditative driving experience where you’re free to build your trucking empire at your own pace, Road Kings introduces a story-driven campaign. You’ll encounter rivals, allies, dangerous weather, and treacherous road conditions as you build your reputation from rookie driver to veteran owner-operator.
This narrative focus could appeal to players who found ATS and ETS2 too open-ended or lacking in structured progression. However, it remains to be seen whether traditional sim-trucking fans will embrace this more game-like approach or prefer the pure simulation experience they’ve come to love.
Regional Focus vs. Continental Scale
ATS and ETS2 have spent years building massive, continent-spanning road networks. Euro Truck Simulator 2, launched in 2012, now covers most of Europe through its base game and numerous map expansions. American Truck Simulator, since its 2016 launch, has been steadily expanding across the United States with detailed state recreations.
Road Kings is taking a different approach by focusing initially on the American South, specifically the coastal plains between Jacksonville and Savannah. This narrower geographic scope could allow for greater detail and more handcrafted environments, but it also means less variety at launch compared to the sprawling maps ATS and ETS2 players have come to expect.
Next-Gen Technology
Being built from the ground up for current-generation hardware, Road Kings promises graphical fidelity and technical features that older engines simply can’t match. SCS Software has done admirable work updating their engine over the years—adding features like ray-traced reflections and improved lighting—but they’re fundamentally working with a framework that dates back over a decade.
Saber Interactive’s experience with demanding titles like SnowRunner suggests Road Kings could deliver impressive physics simulation, weather effects, and environmental detail. The question is whether this visual and technical leap will be enough to overcome the deep gameplay systems and massive content libraries that ATS and ETS2 have built over nearly a decade of continuous development.
The Business Model Question
One advantage SCS Software has cultivated is player trust through their DLC model. Regular map expansions, truck packs, and cosmetic items have kept ATS and ETS2 fresh without feeling exploitative. How Focus Entertainment and Saber approach post-launch content for Road Kings will be crucial to its long-term success.
Can Road Kings Compete?
The truck simulation market has proven surprisingly robust, with both ATS and ETS2 maintaining active player bases years after launch. There’s clearly room for multiple games in this space, especially if they offer different experiences. Road Kings isn’t trying to be a direct clone of the SCS formula—it’s attempting to blend truck simulation with narrative adventure and modern production values.
Road Kings’ Competitive Advantages:
- Fresh start with modern technology: Built for current-gen hardware without legacy engine limitations
- Story-driven experience: Appeals to players who want more structure and narrative in their trucking
- Saber’s simulation expertise: The SnowRunner team knows how to make vehicles feel authentic
- Console focus: True next-gen console versions from day one, not ports of older PC games
Challenges Facing Road Kings:
- Competing with a decade of content: ATS and ETS2 have hundreds of hours of content and thousands of miles of roads
- Established community: SCS Software has built a massive, loyal fanbase with extensive mod support
- Simulation depth: Matching the nuanced truck handling, realistic traffic AI, and authentic trucking experience will be difficult
- Map size at launch: Starting with just the American South means less variety than established competitors
- Unproven formula: The story-driven approach might alienate sim-trucking purists
The Verdict: A Welcome Addition to the Genre
Rather than viewing Road Kings as a direct threat to ATS and ETS2, it’s better understood as an expansion of the truck simulation genre. Just as racing games range from hardcore sims like iRacing to arcade experiences like Forza Horizon, there’s room for different approaches to trucking games.
For players who love the pure, meditative experience of ATS and ETS2, Road Kings probably won’t replace their favorite games. But for those interested in a more structured, story-driven trucking adventure with cutting-edge graphics, it could be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
The closed beta will be crucial in determining whether Saber Interactive has successfully balanced simulation authenticity with narrative engagement. If they can deliver the physics and vehicle handling that sim fans expect while wrapping it in an compelling story, Road Kings could carve out its own successful niche.
The best-case scenario for truck simulation fans? Road Kings succeeds and pushes SCS Software to continue innovating, creating healthy competition that benefits everyone. The worst case? Even if Road Kings doesn’t quite hit the mark, it will have shown there’s enough interest in the genre to support new AAA entries, which bodes well for future truck sims.
One thing is certain: 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for virtual truckers. Whether you’re team SCS or ready to try something new, the road ahead looks promising.
Stay tuned to trucksim.top for more updates on Road Kings, including our hands-on impressions once the closed beta launches.
Illinois DLC Sneak Peek
Upcoming DLC for American Truck Simulator of Illinois State is probably will be released in 2026. I collected official SCS Software footages and pics to date.
Before Illinois we most probably will see another state DLC in 2025 – Louisiana
UK Possible Rework Announced in creative manner
Britain in ETS2 is the oldest area in the game, featuring incorrect scale, outdated materials, ancient assets, and a road network that hasn’t aged well. Along with the early Eastern European regions, it stands in stark contrast to the newly added expansions such as West Balkans or Greece, not to mention the stunning quality we’ve seen in recent map updates in Germany and Switzerland.
The Teaser That Started It All
Recently, SCS Software released an intriguing teaser video that’s got the community buzzing. On the surface, it appears to be a charming guide on how to make English tea correctly, complete with proper BBC-style British pronunciation. No trucks, no roads, no explicit mention of any rework—just tea, spoken in the Queen’s English.
But longtime fans of SCS know that the studio rarely does anything without purpose. Why would a Czech game developer suddenly release a video about British tea culture with such attention to authentic pronunciation and cultural detail? The answer seems obvious: Britain might finally be getting the rework it desperately deserves.
Why Britain Needs a Rework
The United Kingdom was one of the first regions added to Euro Truck Simulator 2, and while it was impressive at the time, the game has evolved tremendously since then. Modern expansions showcase:
- Accurate scaling that makes cities feel properly sized
- High-quality materials and textures that bring roads and landscapes to life
- Detailed assets from buildings to vegetation
- Realistic road networks that mirror real-world infrastructure
- Atmospheric lighting and weather effects
Drive through the UK today, then hop over to any recently updated region, and the difference is striking. Britain feels cramped, simplified, and lacking in the character that makes exploring new territories so enjoyable in modern ETS2.
The Big Question: Free or Paid?
This brings us to the inevitable question: if SCS does rework the UK, will it be a free update or a paid DLC?
There’s precedent for both approaches. SCS has historically provided significant free updates to existing map areas, continuously improving the base game. However, the scale of work required to completely rebuild Britain from scratch, essentially would be enormous. We’re talking about:
- Completely remodeling every city
- Rebuilding the entire road network with proper scaling
- Creating new assets for British landmarks and architecture
- Updating materials and textures throughout
- Potentially expanding the map to include more of the UK (Ireland would be a good candidate for DLC)
Given the scope, a paid DLC wouldn’t be unreasonable. Many in the community would gladly pay for a “UK Refresh” or “Britain Reworked” DLC that brings the region up to modern standards. After all, SCS has earned tremendous goodwill with their consistent support and quality improvements over the years.
Alternatively, SCS might surprise us with a free major update, continuing their tradition of supporting the base game while funding development through new expansion sales.
Looking Forward
Whether that tea-making video is a clever hint or just SCS having some fun, one thing is certain: Britain deserves the same love and attention that recent expansions have received. The UK was there at the beginning of ETS2’s journey, and it would be wonderful to see it brought up to the standard that reflects how far the game has come.
What do you think? Is a UK rework on the horizon? And more importantly, what would you most want to see in a reworked Britain?
Complete evolution of ETS2. All DLC Trailers & Releases (2012-2027)
Louisiana DLC in 2025? Sneak Peek
Upcoming DLC for American Truck Simulator of Louisiana State is probably will be released in the end of 2025. I collected official SCS Software footages and pics. You can follow details of the new DLC on official SCS blog and in social media.
How to Download and Setup Promods 2.76
New Promods 2.76 released last week and includes new content we were waiting in 2.75. Since the procedure of download and setup map mod is the same as for previous version you can watch it in video I shared on ETS2 1.55.
On the video below I installed new Promods and in podcast style talked about changes we got in 2.76.