Trucking simulator shelves Russia-themed expansion after Ukraine invasion

Image: SCS Software

The expansion pack for Euro Truck Simulator 2 was put on hold after the country's invasion of Ukraine. The developer of the Heart of Russia DLC pack said in a post that it has canceled the release because it is not seen as being in support of or tolerance of the aggression.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 has become a cult hit since it was released in 2012 and its developer has supported it with over half a dozen major pieces of DLC in the years since. New countries have been added for players to drive through. The Heart of Russia expansion wouldn't allow players to drive through the entire country, but it would allow them to reach the upper Volga river.

The Heart of Russia expansion was close to being complete when the invasion began. The Ukrainian Paint Jobs Pack DLC sold over 85,000 copies and the company donated all of the proceeds to charity. It had to make a decision about the DLC itself.

The developer writes that they try to be as political as possible, in a way shielding the global player audience from everyday controversies. We decided to refrain from releasing the DLC because it concerns Russia and has so many people suffering.

When the time comes for Ukraine to rebuild and heal, we will try to find a way for our Heart of Russia DLC to play that part.