Iceland Research Expedition

A few weeks ago, members of our development crew embarked on an immersive scouting expedition across Iceland, seeking authentic reference material and inspiration for our upcoming DLC. Here is an inside look at their journey through the dramatic landscapes of the North.

The scouting party included Map DLC Lead Ivo alongside map designers Ashley and Johana. They were accompanied by colleagues from our marketing division, who seized their very first opportunity to document a field research excursion from start to finish. This footage will be featured in an extensive upcoming episode of SCS On The Road, showcasing the expedition in greater depth.

“Experiencing Iceland in person was extraordinary. Being on the ground engages all your senses simultaneously, offering a depth of perspective that satellite imagery and digital references simply cannot replicate. It was surreal to navigate a terrain we already knew intimately through our digital editor, yet were seeing in reality for the very first time.” — Ivo

Although map construction is already well underway, this on-site expedition proved invaluable for capturing nuanced details, fine-tuning visual fidelity, and uncovering the authentic character of the Land of Fire and Ice.

“Right after touching down, we immediately began recognizing prominent landmarks we had previously built inside the game engine. Beholding the raw Icelandic terrain firsthand was breathtaking. The sheer scale and architectural diversity of the mountain ranges were almost impossible to take in all at once. Some of my fondest memories were brief strolls along footpaths during rest stops, surrounded on all sides by towering peaks.” — Ashley

The entire group was captivated by the island’s natural majesty, noting that being there in the flesh completely changed their perception of proportion and environmental scale.

“Online research and satellite maps give you a fair conceptual idea of the geography, but the reality hits entirely differently. Virtual street views fail to convey the overwhelming verticality of the terrain. We were genuinely startled by the sheer monumentality of the mountains and the immense volume of the cascading waterfalls.” — Johana

Throughout the seven-day trek, the designers covered substantial mileage, balancing long driving stretches with frequent stops to record critical architectural and geographical references.

“We traversed the entire western corridor of the Ring Road, spanning roughly from Lake Mývatn in the north down to Vík in the south, cataloging notable waypoints along the route. Every turn revealed something distinct—rugged fjords, expansive volcanic lava fields, hidden torrents carving through narrow chasms, and free-roaming livestock. We also closely documented road infrastructure and metropolitan layouts, particularly in Akureyri and Reykjavík.” — Ivo

With an ecosystem distinct from any territory previously adapted into ETS2, observing the island’s dramatic geology firsthand proved essential for the design pipeline.

“The pristine, primordial character of the landscape was awe-inspiring. Iceland serves as a living open-air exhibition of active geology. As an avid history enthusiast, my absolute highlight was visiting Thingvellir National Park; standing upon the historical assembly grounds of the ancient Viking Althing was unforgettable.” — Ivo

Another fascinating adaptation for the team was contending with the Midnight Sun. With the sun dipping below the horizon for fewer than three hours each night, the extended daylight provided ample working hours despite disrupting conventional sleep patterns.

A very special word of gratitude goes out to Volvo Trucks, who invited our crew to collaborate during one of their exclusive video shoots. While details remain under wraps for now, we are currently producing a dedicated SCS On The Road behind-the-scenes feature covering the event. This collaboration granted our designers the rare chance to ride shotgun in a modern heavy-duty truck, evaluating road sightlines from the authentic vantage point of a professional driver.

“Thanks to Volvo, we spent a leg of the expedition in the passenger seat alongside a seasoned local trucker, which gave us an invaluable operational perspective.” — Ivo

“The elevated cabin viewpoint surprised me; you perceive elevation changes and broad vistas in a completely different way compared to a standard passenger car. An incredible experience overall.” — Ashley

“I never anticipated cruising through Icelandic mountain passes inside a professional haulage rig. It was an unforgettable journey that will stick with me for a long time.” — Johana

Upon returning to the studio, the team immediately cross-referenced their real-world findings with our in-development digital map.

“I was thrilled by how faithful our virtual environment already felt. Traversing the real terrain felt as though we had stepped directly into our own simulation.” — Ashley

“I had the chance to visit Ólafsvík—a settlement I am directly shaping for the map—and thoroughly survey its harbor area, where online visual references were scarce. Reviewing the project in our editor back at our Prague headquarters filled me with genuine pride. This expansion is shaping up to be truly remarkable.” — Johana

To follow the development and be among the first to explore the rugged beauty of the subarctic in Euro Truck Simulator 2, make sure to add the Iceland DLC to your Steam Wishlist.

Stay connected with us across X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok for regular development previews, or subscribe to our official newsletter. Until next time, keep on truckin’!

 

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