Amsterdam, widely recognized for its canals, historic buildings, and cycling culture, is receiving a complete overhaul as part of the upcoming Benelux rework in Euro Truck Simulator 2. The development team has focused on bringing the city up to modern DLC standards, delivering improved environmental detail, updated road layouts, and refreshed landmarks that better reflect the real-world location.
Originally founded in the 12th century as a fishing settlement along the Amstel River, Amsterdam evolved into a major global trading hub during the Dutch Golden Age. Its iconic canal ring, constructed in the 17th century and now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains central to the city’s identity. The rework aims to capture this balance between historic charm and modern infrastructure within the game’s scale limitations.
Built from the Ground Up
Rather than applying minor updates, the developers chose to completely rebuild Amsterdam from scratch. Recreating such a dense and globally recognizable city posed significant challenges, especially when adapting it to the compressed scale of the game world. Despite these constraints, the team focused on preserving Amsterdam’s unique layout and atmosphere while enhancing visual fidelity and driving immersion.
A10 Zuid: Realism vs. Future Design
One of the most complex decisions involved the A10 Zuid ring road, located south of the city. In reality, this section is undergoing a transformation into an underground tunnel as part of an ongoing infrastructure project.
However, during the team’s research phase, the highway was still above ground. This created a dilemma: represent the future design or recreate the current real-world state.
The developers ultimately chose to keep the highway above ground. This decision not only ensured accuracy based on available references but also introduced a distinctive gameplay experience. Players will be able to drive through a rare urban setting where highways run beneath towering skyscrapers, offering a striking visual perspective.
Landmarks and City Representation
Due to scale limitations, players will not be able to drive directly through Amsterdam’s historic inner city. Instead, the team has carefully selected key viewpoints and landmark locations that best represent the city’s identity.
The rebuild also allowed for the introduction of new landmarks while updating existing ones to meet current modeling standards. Special attention was given to architectural detail, ensuring that the city feels authentic and visually engaging throughout.
IJmuiden Ferry Receives an Upgrade
Alongside Amsterdam, the coastal town of IJmuiden has also been revisited. Known for its ferry connection between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, this location plays an important role in long-distance transport routes within the game.
While IJmuiden already existed in the original map, it has now been updated to match the quality of the surrounding reworked areas. The improvements may not be as extensive as those in Amsterdam, but players can still expect noticeable visual and structural upgrades.
The ferry terminal continues to serve as a key gateway for travel between mainland Europe and the UK. With future updates planned for the UK region, this connection is expected to become even more relevant.
Looking Ahead
The Benelux rework is planned as a free update for all Euro Truck Simulator 2 owners. With Amsterdam and IJmuiden receiving significant improvements, the update aims to modernize one of the game’s older regions while maintaining its recognizable identity.
More details are expected to be revealed as development continues, giving players a closer look at how the Benelux region is evolving within the game.
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