It’s funny how life throws curveballs. If you had told me even a month ago that I’d be hooked on Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) and writing about the joys of Euro Trucking, I would have laughed. ETS2 was one of the first games I ever grabbed on Steam, almost ten years ago according to my purchase history. Back then, it was a cheap sale grab, one of those “Overwhelmingly Positive” rated games that seemed like a safe bet. Truth be told, in the year prior, I’d been in a car accident and developed some serious driving anxiety. Playing ETS2, even clumsily with a controller on my laptop, was surprisingly therapeutic. However, like many games in my library, its novelty wore off quickly, overshadowed by newer, shinier digital distractions. Hero Siege came out the same week, and that quickly became a gaming staple for me.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 gameplay showing a truck driving on a road at night
Fast forward three years, after joining the Squad, I’d occasionally revisit ETS2, maybe once or twice a year. For SuperToast, though, ETS2 is a main game. He’s been streaming his euro trucking adventures on our Twitch channel almost every Thursday since 2017. Every now and then, we’d jump in for some chaotic multiplayer sessions, which usually devolved into spectacular crashes and general mayhem.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 multiplayer gameplay with multiple trucks
Last Christmas, I was visiting Blades for the holidays. We dug out his old racing wheel setup, dusted off the PS3, and dove into Gran Turismo 3. It was a revelation! Playing a racing game with a proper wheel for the first time was incredibly immersive and engaging. I was instantly hooked. Back home, I immediately ordered my own wheel and stand, plunging headfirst into Assetto Corsa and Automobilista for a few months. Predictably, my hyper-fixation waned, and the wheel ended up becoming a slightly cumbersome desk ornament.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 gameplay showing in-cab view with dashboard and steering wheel
More recently, my interest in maps and geography has been rekindled. Contributing to OpenStreetMap, after realizing my own neighborhood was missing while playing MissionChief, sparked a new fascination. OpenStreetMap, like Wikipedia but for maps, allows anyone to contribute and edit, creating open spatial data for everyone. This deep dive into mapmaking and geography has unexpectedly looped back to ETS2.
Suddenly, ETS2 makes perfect sense. It bridges my renewed interest in maps with the immersive experience of a racing wheel. While I didn’t initially invest in a gear shifter, driving these massive trucks with paddle shifters, like some kind of oversized race car, adds a quirky charm.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised by my current obsession with euro trucking in ETS2. The last few Decembers have typically seen me returning to Elite: Dangerous, a game often described as “space trucking.” Flying spaceships might sound inherently more thrilling than driving a truck, but there’s a unique appeal to ETS2. It’s surprisingly relaxing, almost meditative, and it’s become the perfect game to play while listening to podcasts. Who knew the digital world of euro trucking could be so captivating?
