SCS Software officially revealed Soul of Anatolia, a new Euro Truck Simulator 2 DLC spanning from Istanbul to Aksaray. The expansion features the world's longest suspension bridge, Ankara, Mediterranean coastal roads, and much more.
SCS Software officially announced Soul of Anatolia on April 15, 2026, the next major map expansion for Euro Truck Simulator 2. The DLC takes players from the streets of Istanbul across the Bosphorus and deep into the heart of Türkiye, stretching all the way to Aksaray. With ETS 2 still pulling nearly 47,000 concurrent players on Steam and an all-time peak of 73,887 reached in February 2026, this announcement marks one of the most anticipated expansions in the game’s history.
What Does Soul of Anatolia Include?
According to SCS Software’s official blog post and the Steam store page, Soul of Anatolia covers the culturally rich central region of Türkiye. The expansion is described as “a land of stunning contrasts, where sunlit coasts meet towering mountains and open plains.” Players will transport cargo from Istanbul all the way to Aksaray, the easternmost point of the DLC, passing through olive groves in the west, glittering Mediterranean waters, and the vast Anatolian plateau.
SCS explicitly noted that everything shown so far is still “work-in-progress” and subject to change before release. No release date has been set; the Steam page simply reads “To be announced.”
Which Cities and Landmarks Are Confirmed?
The official announcement and Steam description directly reference several key locations:
- Istanbul: The starting point. The European side was previously included via the Road to the Black Sea DLC; Soul of Anatolia extends into the Asian side of the city.
- Ankara: Described as “the capital city and a vital crossroads of the region,” Ankara sits at the strategic centre of the DLC’s road network.
- Antalya and Alanya: Mediterranean tourist cities where “grand hotels rely on your cargo deliveries,” adding a new economic layer.
- Aksaray: The confirmed eastern boundary of the expansion.
- Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake): Referenced as a scenic landmark along the route, with its “shimmering expanse” visible from the road.
While not officially confirmed, community speculation from SCS forums suggests cities like Bursa, Balıkesir, and İzmir may also appear given their geographic positioning along the western Anatolian corridor.
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and Engineering Marvels
One of the headline features of Soul of Anatolia is the inclusion of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which SCS describes as “the longest suspension bridge in the world.” The bridge spans the Dardanelles strait and physically connects Europe to Asia in the game world, serving as a powerful symbol of the expansion’s theme.
Alongside it, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and Osmangazi Bridge are also confirmed. SCS calls each of these structures “a gateway into Anatolia.” These three mega-bridges give players multiple route options when crossing from the European side into the heart of Türkiye, adding real strategic variety to long-haul deliveries.
Coastal Roads and Mountain Routes
SCS Software specifically highlights two types of driving experiences in Soul of Anatolia. First, “epic coastal roads in both the north and south, where the sea sparkles just beyond the guardrails.” This points to routes along the Mediterranean and possibly the Black Sea coast, offering scenic open-road driving.
Second, the DLC promises “challenging mountain routes with steep climbs, tight turns, and breathtaking views.” Given Türkiye’s mountainous interior, particularly the Taurus mountain range between the coast and the central plateau, these sections should provide some of the most demanding terrain in ETS 2 to date.
How Soul of Anatolia Fits Into ETS 2’s Map
Euro Truck Simulator 2’s relationship with Türkiye began with the Road to the Black Sea DLC, which added Istanbul’s European side, Edirne, and Tekirdağ to the game map. That expansion only covered the Thrace region, leaving Anatolia entirely untouched.
Soul of Anatolia changes this completely. The game now crosses from Europe into Asia for the first time in an official DLC. SCS Software has previously stated that “Euro Truck is not necessarily EU only” and that they have “the ambition to go beyond the borders of continental Europe.” This DLC is the clearest demonstration of that vision, pushing ETS 2’s map into a transcontinental territory.
The expansion connects naturally to the existing Road to the Black Sea content through Istanbul, creating a seamless route from southeastern Europe into central Türkiye.
The Coaches DLC Connection
An important companion to Soul of Anatolia is the separately developed ETS 2 Coaches DLC, which adds bus driving to the game. According to Turkish gaming outlets, the Turkey map will feature intercity bus terminals (otogars) where players can operate coaches for passenger transport between cities. This integration means Soul of Anatolia will offer both freight trucking and passenger coach services, a dual-mode experience that no previous ETS 2 map DLC has offered.
When Will Soul of Anatolia Release?
SCS Software has not announced a release date. The Steam store page lists it as “To be announced.” Given SCS’s current development pipeline (Iceland DLC expected in 2026, Ireland in 2027), community consensus and industry analysis point to a 2028 release as the most realistic estimate. SCS themselves acknowledged “there is a long way ahead to bring this big map to you.”
Players can add Soul of Anatolia to their Steam wishlist now to receive notifications when pricing and release details are announced.
What About Pricing?
No official price has been revealed. For context, SCS’s recent map expansions like West Balkans and Iberia have typically launched in the 15 to 20 USD range. Regional pricing on Steam often adjusts these figures for different markets. Given the apparent scale of the Soul of Anatolia map, pricing is likely to fall within or slightly above this established range.
Community Impact and Why This DLC Matters
Türkiye has one of the largest ETS 2 player communities in the world. For years, Turkish players have been among the most vocal in requesting official Türkiye content on SCS forums, Reddit, and community hubs. Independent Turkish map mods have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times, demonstrating the immense demand.
Beyond the Turkish community, Soul of Anatolia is significant for the global ETS 2 player base because it represents the game’s first proper step outside continental Europe. This expansion opens the door for future DLCs covering regions further east, potentially including the Caucasus, the Middle East, or North Africa. For trucking sim enthusiasts worldwide, this is a pivotal moment in the franchise’s trajectory.
Things Worth Knowing Before It Launches
Will Soul of Anatolia cover all of Türkiye?
No. The DLC covers western and central Anatolia, from Istanbul to Aksaray. Eastern Türkiye, the southeast, and much of the Black Sea interior are not included. Future expansions may extend the map further east, but nothing has been confirmed.
Do I need Road to the Black Sea to play this DLC?
SCS has not confirmed DLC dependencies yet. However, since Road to the Black Sea contains Istanbul’s European side, which logically connects to Soul of Anatolia’s starting routes, there is a strong possibility it could be required or at least recommended.
Will existing Turkey mods conflict with this DLC?
Most likely, yes. Popular community-made Turkey maps such as BXP SCS Turkey will likely need compatibility updates once Soul of Anatolia releases. Mod creators typically release patches after official DLC launches to resolve conflicts.
What are the system requirements?
The Steam page lists minimum specs of Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 8 GB RAM, and a GTX 660 or RX 460 with 2 GB VRAM. Recommended specs call for an i5-9600 or Ryzen 5 3600, 12 GB RAM, and a GTX 1660 or RX 590. Storage requires 25 GB of available space for the base game.
The Road Ahead
Soul of Anatolia is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious map expansions in Euro Truck Simulator 2’s 13-year history. The world’s longest suspension bridge, a transcontinental route from Europe to Asia, Mediterranean coastlines, mountain passes, and the Anatolian heartland: the scope is enormous. While the wait until an estimated 2028 release may feel long, SCS Software’s track record of detailed, high-quality map work suggests the result will be worth it. Add it to your wishlist, keep your eyes on the SCS blog for development updates, and start planning your route from Istanbul to Aksaray.
