Mods on PS5 in ETS2 and ATS? Why console players will probably not get the same freedom as on PC!

When Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator come to console, one question will come up pretty quickly: What about mods? PS5 and Xbox players in particular naturally do not only want the base game, but also the many expansions that have made ETS2 and ATS so strong on PC for years. Better engine sounds, more realistic truck sounds, new trailers, map mods, real companies, small improvements to the driving feel – all of this has long been part of everyday life for many PC players. And yes, the wish is completely understandable. Anyone who has waited a long time for a console version naturally does not want to end up feeling like they are only getting half the experience.

But very importantly, really clearly: This is not official information from SCS Software. This is an assumption, a classification, and my personal assessment based on how consoles, mods, and platform rules normally work. There is currently no reliable official statement that a free mod system for PS5 or Xbox will be available at launch. So one should not act as if anything has already been decided.

My assumption is pretty clear: At launch, I would rather not expect mods on console. And if mods should come later, then probably not in the same free form as on PC. That sounds harsh at first, but unfortunately it is quite realistic. On PC, you can download files, move them into folders, install them via external mod sites, or use the Steam Workshop. Exactly this openness is a huge part of the PC version. But on console, it does not work that simply. There, content is much more tied to platform rules, checks, rights issues, and technical requirements.

And that is exactly why I find the comparison “mods are just like DLCs” difficult. Mods and DLCs are not the same. A DLC is an official product by SCS or an official partner. It is checked internally, technically adapted, legally secured, and distributed through the store. A mod, on the other hand, can come from anyone. That can be great, no question. Many mods are fantastic. But a mod can also be poorly optimized, cause errors, use third-party brands without permission, or contain content that is legally problematic in terms of licensing. On PC, this risk lies much more with the user. On console, it is significantly more complicated.

Especially with ETS2 and ATS, this is a major topic. Many popular mods work with real companies, real logos, real vehicle parts, real sounds, or brands that are not officially licensed at all. On PC, this has been running for years in a pretty free modding culture. But on PS5 or Xbox, you cannot simply wave everything through unfiltered. Sony and Microsoft have their own rules, and SCS would ultimately also have to stand behind what is offered through a possible console mod system. That is exactly why I do not believe console players would simply get the same open access as PC players.

But that does not mean mods on console are completely impossible. I could rather imagine that there might eventually be a controlled solution. So not: “Download everything you find somewhere on the internet,” but rather a checked area with selected content. Maybe an official mod hub. Maybe only certain categories. Maybe only mods that do not violate rights and work cleanly from a technical standpoint. But that too is currently pure speculation. It would be possible, yes. It is not confirmed.

For many PS5 players, that is of course sobering at first. Because sound mods in particular are a good example. Many rightly say: With good mods, trucks often sound much more powerful, more real, and more pleasant. Anyone who has driven with strong sound mods immediately notices the difference. That is exactly why many console players want this possibility. But this is exactly the point: The wish is justified, but the technical and legal reality on console is different from PC.

That is why I would set expectations carefully. Anyone who wants to play ETS2 or ATS on PS5 or Xbox should first expect the official game and the official DLCs. So what SCS brings cleanly to the platform. Everything beyond that would be a bonus, but nothing you should firmly rely on at the moment. And exactly this honesty is important so that false hopes do not arise again in the end.

But that does not mean the console version automatically becomes less exciting. On the contrary: If SCS brings ETS2 and ATS cleanly to console, with good performance, sensible controller support, stable gameplay, and a good package of official content, it can become a huge entry point for many players. Not everyone wants to play on PC. Not everyone wants to deal with mod folders, compatibility, and updates. For many, a stable console version with official DLCs would already be a big step.

Nevertheless, the difference remains clear: PC will very likely remain the more open platform. Anyone who wants maximum mod freedom will probably still be better off on PC. Anyone playing on PS5 or Xbox will instead get a more closed, more controlled environment. That is not necessarily worse, but it is different. And that is exactly why one should not expect both versions to work identically in the end.

In summary, my assessment is: Mods on console could come eventually, but I consider full PC mod freedom rather unlikely. I would not firmly plan for it at launch. Official DLCs are the safe route. Mods, if they come, would probably be more heavily checked, limited, and not comparable to the open PC system.

And yes, I absolutely understand that many console players say: “We deserve the same possibilities as PC players.” The wish is fair. But consoles do not work like PCs. That is why in the end it will probably not be about “equal rights,” but about a solution that is technically, legally, and practically feasible for SCS at all.

How do you see it: Would you play ETS2 or ATS on PS5 even without mods – or are mods so important to you that the console version would be uninteresting without them? Which mods would be most important to you on console? Are official DLCs from SCS generally enough for you?