What’s the best way to capture the spirit of Ireland? Hit the road, of course! In June, members of our Euro Truck Simulator 2 map team traveled across the Emerald Isle on an Ireland research trip for our upcoming DLC. With cameras in hand and thousands of kilometres ahead, they explored lively cities, picturesque villages, and rugged coastlines. They collected important references that will help shape this exciting expansion. Here are some highlights from their journey.
The Team Behind the Adventure
Five members of the SCS Software team participated in this trip, including Ivan, our World Map Design QA Lead, Josef from the Road Department, Kristian and Libor, Map Designers, and Honza, the Project Lead for the Isle of Ireland DLC.
Apart from them, Alex, one of our Community Managers, and Cenda, a talented Videomaker, joined the research trip in Ireland to document the journey. We can’t wait to share more from this incredible adventure in a special future episode of SCS On The Road.
Journey Through Ireland
Their journey began in Dublin, where the team gathered before setting off on an exciting road trip around much of Ireland. Their route included Dublin, Rosslare Harbour, Waterford, Cork, Killarney, Limerick, Galway, Westport, Sligo, Benbulbin, Londonderry, Bushmills, the Giant’s Causeway, Belfast, and back to Dublin. As you can imagine, the team witnessed a diverse array of landscapes!
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without our friends at Škoda Ireland. A huge thank you to Raymond Leddy and the team for supplying two Škoda Octavias, which comfortably carried our crew across thousands of kilometres of Ireland’s roads.
Special Visits and Valuable Insights
We also extend our sincere thanks to JUDr. Pavel Vošalík and his team at the Czech Embassy in Ireland. They helped arrange several unique visits for our team, including a tour of a cement plant in Limerick. This provided invaluable insight into the industry’s daily operations and the vital role truck drivers play in transporting materials every day.
As the team traveled, they discovered many details and experiences that simply can’t be observed online. For instance, once you’re on the ground, you realize how much public art exists everywhere—from murals on walls to local artwork decorating electrical boxes. Such small touches add character and authenticity to the map.
Valuable Experiences from the Road Trip
Here are some reflections from our team about the journey. Honza mentioned, “This trip was essential for understanding the landscape better. No amount of photos can replicate the feeling of being there. I now have a clearer picture of the final outcome of our work. The grass really is greener in Ireland, and that definitely needs to come through in our map!”
Kristian shared, “I’ve visited many locations I’m designing, and seeing them in person gives me a better perspective. I’ve collected essential reference material that will help us create a more believable Ireland in Euro Truck Simulator 2.”
Final Thoughts
The Ireland research trip gave our team substantial insights into the unique atmosphere of the region. We hope players will feel the authenticity of Ireland through every detail when they experience our upcoming DLC.
If you’re as excited as we are about the upcoming Isle of Ireland DLC, don’t forget to add it to your Steam Wishlist! Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch the forthcoming episode of SCS On The Road: Isle of Ireland Research Trip, where we’ll dive even deeper into the journey.