Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Euro Truck Simulator 2 developer SCS Software has canceled an upcoming Russia-themed expansion pack. The Czech Republic-based developer announced in a blog post that it has canceled the upcoming release of the Heart of Russia DLC pack “so that it is not perceived in any way as being in support of or tolerance of the aggression.”
Since its release in 2012, Euro Truck Simulator 2 has become a cult hit, prompting its developer to support it with over a half-dozen major pieces of DLC. These expansion packs have expanded the game’s map and added new countries for players to explore. SCS stated in March 2021 that the Heart of Russia expansion would not allow players to drive through the entire country, but would instead allow them to reach the “upper Volga river.” Due to the game’s previous Beyond the Baltic Sea expansion, limited areas of Russia are already available to drive through.
“When developing our games we try to be as apolitical as possible, in a way shielding the global player audience from everyday controversies,” the developer writes. “We quite like the idea that our shared passion, for a truck simulation, allows people to connect, to pay a virtual visit to a neighboring country in peace, and to enjoy a hobby that we commonly share, rather than allowing anything divisive to set us apart. But since our DLC, Heart of Russia directly concerns Russia, and with so many people suffering, we decided to refrain from releasing the DLC.”
The Heart of Russia expansion was six to eight weeks away from completion when the invasion began on February 24th, according to the developer. Initially, the company stated that it donated to humanitarian aid charities, but it later stated that it donated all proceeds from the sale of its Ukrainian Paint Jobs Pack DLC, which has now sold over 85,000 copies. However, it was eventually forced to make a decision regarding the map expansion DLC itself.
