(MST/Speedmaniacs.de) – After the experimental Beta V1.61 provided at the end of June, SCS Software officially launched the Open Beta V1.61 test for American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Tuesday, September 1 and Thursday, September 3, 2026.
The multifunction display and in-game menu tested in the experimental beta are surprisingly not part of the Open Beta. According to the developer, both features still require revisions and fine-tuning.
Instead, players get to test a new feature designed to help explore the map and discover more on the go. The environmental exploration is a new convenience feature that makes exploring the game world more intuitive without compromising the fun of individual exploration.
New Feature
When the feature is activated, a small area around your own truck is automatically revealed. This means you no longer have to drive every tiny road section to mark it as explored. Nearby roads and areas around rest stops, toll booths, border crossings, gas stations, and other locations are also revealed.
Regarding the map, there are further adjustments related to the upcoming release of the Roadtrip and Coach expansions. These concern a new type of road exploration in American Truck Simulator. In several states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the upcoming South Dakota DLC, inactive tourist information points have now been implemented for the time being.
Additionally, various smaller visual improvements and optimizations have been made to selected areas of the map, and a number of new gas stations have been added. These gas stations are not only available to truck drivers but will also be accessible to cars after the release of the Roadtrip project, thus offering players more refueling options during their travels.
Preparations for Project Roadtrip and Project Coaches
The biggest new feature in Euro Truck Simulator 2 is found in Nuremberg, where a brand-new bus station and several revised and newly created landmarks in the surrounding area have been added. The bus stations in Karlstad, Aarhus, and Thessaloniki have also been updated and are now compatible with the upcoming bus DLC. Furthermore, minor changes have been made, including improvements in navigation, access, and layout.
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The bus station in Karlstad has received a completely new station building, while Thessaloniki now features new signage and further updates. In Heraklion, a previously inaccessible road has been opened for the new bus station. Additionally, there are various changes at border crossings to ensure their smooth operation with coaches.
This includes the introduction of vehicle-specific navigation as well as the opening of border sections that were previously inaccessible to players. The border crossings on the map have also been adjusted slightly to facilitate correct routing for buses and to ensure navigation as usual. Furthermore, numerous minor optimizations have been made to bus stops and their surroundings.
Modern Livestock Trailers, Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack DLC, Improved Material System, and New Cargo Options
Other new features include modern livestock trailers and the refresh for the Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack DLC, all details of which have already been presented and can be read via the links here. Not yet playable in the Open Beta but recently announced for V1.61 is the Volvo FH Series 6 100 Year Edition.
Additionally, spread across American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2, three more trucks have been equipped with the improved material system and can be tested. For American Truck Simulator, new cargo options and improvements in display are also on the agenda. Players can now transport new types of cargo, including seed containers, trailers, and truss carriers. In addition to these new features, the existing rail cargo has been updated with a brand-new model and improved textures.
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These changes contribute both to making transport jobs more varied and to making deliveries appear even more realistic on the roads through more details and higher visual quality of the cargo.
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