one dataset · paper, tables, graph, wiki
simgrammar the grammar of simulation

parts

11 mechanics, as Euro Truck Simulator 2 does them

core · 2

economy & finance

Contracts and orders

Jobs specify cargo, destination, and a time limit; less damage earns more money and experience, while fuel, tolls, and repairs are paid from earnings.

physics & materials

Vehicle dynamics

Licensed trucks with modeled engines and gearboxes pull trailers whose cargo changes acceleration and braking; collisions damage truck, trailer, and cargo.

supporting · 9

agents & behavior

Agent skills

Skill points from experience unlock ADR, long-distance, valuable, fragile, urgent, and eco-driving jobs.

environment & ecology

Day-night cycle

economy & finance

Loans and debt

A bank loan is the alternative to saving 100,000 euros for the first truck.

multiplayer & persistence

Modding API

logistics & networks

Road networks

A continuous road map linking European cities sets route distance, tolls, and travel time.

economy & finance

Staff hiring and rosters

Recruitment agencies supply AI drivers who work from owned garages and return income.

economy & finance

Treasury and budget

risk & failure

Wear and breakdown

Damage requires paid maintenance at service shops.

environment & ecology

Weather

core loop

take a cargo job -> couple the trailer -> drive the route paying fuel and tolls -> deliver on time with little damage -> earn money and experience -> spend skill points and buy trucks, garages, and drivers -> longer and riskier jobs

design notes

The pleasure is long-haul driving through a compressed map (71 cities in 12 countries in the base game), with economic pressure from delivery deadlines, fuel, tolls, and repair costs and with damage deducted from pay. Progression is a skill-point tree that unlocks cargo classes (ADR hazardous, long distance, valuable, fragile, urgent, eco driving), plus a company layer in which owned garages host hired AI drivers who earn money off-screen. Multiplayer began as the fan mod TruckersMP in 2013 before official support in 2021.

appears in

the paper, 2 sections · 1 chapter
paper

5. The structure of the design space

linked in this section of the paper

paper
paper

Appendix A. Game catalog

linked in this section of the paper

paper
catalog

The catalog

listed with its year, developer, subgenre, and number of mechanics

book
ch 4

Chapter 4. Families

linked from the text

book

sources

3
Wikipedia contributors (2026). Euro Truck Simulator 2. Wikipedia
Truck Simulator Wiki contributors (2026). Euro Truck Simulator 2 (Truck Simulator Wiki). Truck Simulator Wiki (wiki.gg)

provenance

runs in log/runs
2026-10-24
created2026-10-24-catalog-gfcatalog