SCS Software Completes Field Research for Euro Truck Simulator 2 Isle of Ireland DLC

Fieldwork Begins for Irish Expansion

The development cycle for the Euro Truck Simulator 2 Isle of Ireland DLC has entered a critical phase following the completion of on-site field research. In June, members of SCS Software’s map team traveled across the island to collect the visual and structural data necessary to build the expansion. This trip marks the transition from conceptual planning to active reference gathering, providing the developers with first-hand material to inform the digital recreation of the region.

For simulation users, this announcement confirms that the underlying geometry, road networks, and industrial facilities in the upcoming DLC will be based on direct observation rather than secondary data alone. The team’s objective was explicit: to capture the spirit of Ireland by hitting the road. They explored a diverse range of environments, from lively cities and picturesque villages to rugged coastlines and scenic landscapes. These collected references are intended to shape the final product, ensuring that the virtual environment reflects the specific character of the locations visited.

Route and Team Composition

The research expedition was a substantial logistical undertaking. The journey began in Dublin, where the team assembled before embarking on an ambitious road trip covering much of the island. The route was extensive, taking them from Dublin to Rosslare Harbour, Waterford, Cork, Killarney, Limerick, Galway, Westport, Sligo, Benbulbin, Londonderry, Bushmills, Giant’s Causeway, and Belfast, before finally returning to Dublin.

Five core members of the SCS Software team participated in the mapping aspects of the trip. The group included Ivan, the World Map Design QA Lead; Josef from the Road Department; Kristian and Libor, both Map Designers; and Honza, the Project Lead for the Isle of Ireland DLC. To document the process for the community, Alex, a Community Manager, and Cenda, a Videomaker, also joined the expedition. Their presence ensures that behind-the-scenes footage will be available to players in a future special episode of SCS On The Road.

Industrial Access and Operational Insight

A significant component of the research trip involved gaining access to private industrial sites, which are typically difficult for developers to observe directly. The team received assistance from JUDr. Pavel Vošalík and his team at the Czech Embassy in Ireland, who helped arrange several special visits.

One such visit included a tour of a cement plant in Limerick. This access provided invaluable first-hand insight into the industry’s day-to-day operations. According to SCS Software, this experience helped the team better understand how such facilities function and the vital role truck drivers play in loading, unloading, and transporting materials every day. For simulation enthusiasts, this suggests that industrial hubs in the DLC may feature a higher degree of operational accuracy regarding logistics workflows and facility layouts.

Logistical Support

The physical execution of the trip relied on external logistical support. Škoda Ireland facilitated the travel by supplying two Škoda Octavia vehicles. Raymond Leddy and his team at Škoda Ireland provided these cars, which carried the crew across thousands of kilometers of Irish roads. The vehicles served as the primary means of transport for collecting references throughout the journey.

Implications for Simulation Users

The completion of this research trip indicates that the Isle of Ireland DLC is moving forward in its development pipeline. By physically traversing the route from Dublin to Belfast and beyond, the map designers have gathered specific visual data on road conditions, signage, terrain, and urban density.

While no release date or technical specifications were provided in this announcement, the scope of the trip suggests a comprehensive coverage of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The inclusion of locations such as Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills alongside major hubs like Cork and Limerick implies that the map will likely feature a mix of tourist-heavy scenic routes and critical industrial corridors.

Players should note that this announcement serves primarily to document the research phase. It does not confirm performance metrics, system requirements, or final content lists beyond what has been visited. However, it does validate SCS Software’s continued commitment to field-based map creation for Euro Truck Simulator 2. The team stated they are eager to share more from this adventure in upcoming communications, indicating that further details regarding the DLC’s features will likely follow as development progresses.