You Reckon Trucks Are Boring? Think Again, Mate – ATS & ETS2 Are Hauling Ass To Consoles!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Jeff reports on the surprising news that American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 are finally cruising onto PS5 and Xbox, urging even truck-averse gamers to give these meditative, progression-rich titles a spin. He delves into the unexpected appeal of their ASMR-like calm and accidental tycoon mechanics, while also gently questioning the lack of specific details on how years of DLC will be handled for console players.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this news all morning, and bloody hell, it's wilder than it first appeared. Apparently, American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 – yes, *truck* simulators – are finally making their way to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. And if your brain just defaulted to a snore-emoji, well, mate, I'm here to tell you that you might be missing out on some genuine, unexpected magic.
Now, fair dinkum, if you'd asked me five years ago about my interest in articulated lorries, I'd probably have just stared blankly, maybe mumbled something about needing more mana. But a funny thing happens when you accidentally blow a hole through reality – you stumble across things you never expected to love. And for a surprising number of gamers, that's exactly what SCS Software's Truck Simulator series has become: a digital zen garden on wheels, utterly captivating despite its seemingly mundane premise.
The original article from Eurogamer (cheers, Matt Wales, for kicking off this revelation!) pretty much sums up the initial apathy, but then dives headfirst into the obsession. And honestly, I get it. For many, the appeal isn't about knowing your backhaul from your bill of lading – though for the true aficionados, that's all there. No, for a lot of us, it's the pure, unadulterated ASMR pleasure of it all. Hours melt away with nothing but the gentle hum of the engine, the tick of an indicator, the swoosh of passing scenery, and the rhythmic rumble of rubber on the road. It's a proper analogue antidote to the frantic pace of modern life, a place where the only boss is the open road and your next delivery.
But let's not be too reductive, eh? These games aren't *just* glorified digital relaxation tapes. There's a surprisingly robust progression system baked into them, like a hidden enchantment in a dusty old grimoire. You start out doing odd jobs in borrowed rigs, scraping together XP and cash, slowly climbing that tech tree until you can buy your very own monster – a proper sense of achievement, that. Then you start customising it, scattering virtual pizza boxes and tatty souvenirs around your cabin (honestly, I love this kind of pointless-but-brilliant nonsense). Before you know it, you're not just a driver, you're a trucking magnate, building your own business and headquarters. It's an accidental tycoon simulator, wrapped in a calming driving game, and it bloody works.
And then there's the multiplayer. Imagine eight mates, all driving colossal trucks in convoy across a digital approximation of America or Europe. Sounds chill, right? Well, it can be. Or, with the right (or wrong, depending on your perspective) people, it can descend into wonderfully, surprisingly hilarious chaos. There's something inherently funny about watching your mate accidentally jack-knife their trailer into a petrol station sign, or trying to navigate a tight roundabout with seven other lorries breathing down your neck. It’s the kind of spontaneous, unscripted fun that often gets lost in the pursuit of shiny graphics and massive budgets.
So, what does this mean for console players? Well, it's a massive win, obviously. For years, these gems have been primarily a PC affair. Bringing them to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S opens up this unique, calming, and surprisingly deep experience to a whole new legion of potential fans. SCS Software has reportedly done a fair bit of work on controller support and interface improvements over time for the PC versions, so one would hope the console ports are pretty slick straight out of the gate.
Now, for the *cautious skepticism* bit – because you know me, I can't let a major announcement go by without a healthy dose of good-natured doubt. SCS's announcement, as Eurogamer noted, is almost completely devoid of specifics. Classic dev move, eh? Drop the bomb but leave us guessing. The big question swirling in my mind, and probably yours, is: how are they going to handle the years and years of paid cosmetic, truck, and *especially* map expansion DLC? We're talking vast swathes of new territory, dozens of new trucks. Will console players get a few free starter packs to help them catch up? Will there be bundles? Or will it be a case of buying everything piecemeal? Time will reveal all, I reckon, but it's a crucial detail for potential new players jumping in.
Regardless of the DLC strategy, this is still a bloody exciting development. Whether you prefer the big skies and breathtaking wilderness of American Truck Simulator (personally, I found ETS2's deeply unconvincing UK expansion a bit… uncanny valley for my taste), or the narrower roads of Europe, the fundamental experience is the same: a unique blend of meditative driving and satisfying progression. So, if the thought of swapping your magic wand for a gear stick, or your ray gun for a rearview mirror, stirs even the faintest twinge of latent yearning for the open road, do yourself a favour and lean in. You might just discover your next digital obsession. Don't let an apathy towards trucks drive you away from a genuinely compelling gaming experience.
Tags: Simulation, Console Gaming, Sleeper Hit, Indie Devs, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer