Euro Truck Simulator 2: Open Beta 1.61 Update

We are thrilled to announce that the Open Beta for the Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.61 update is officially live and ready for testing. Should you choose to join us in evaluating this build, we would immensely value your insights, bug reports, and general feedback shared within the designated section of our official forums.

Your contributions remain vital to our development process, and we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone dedicating their time to help elevate the driving experience.

Drivers currently utilizing the Experimental Beta should manually transition to the Open Beta branch to ensure uninterrupted access to the latest 1.61 patches and adjustments. Rest assured, any progress saved during the Experimental Beta phase remains entirely compatible with this new Open Beta.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who tested the 1.61 Experimental Beta, particularly those who offered thoughtful critiques regarding the Multi-Function Display (MFD) and the overhauled In-Game Menu. Acting on your constructive feedback, we have chosen to postpone these particular elements from the 1.61 release. This extra window will empower our team to refine these mechanics thoroughly, guaranteeing they deliver an exceptional experience upon arrival. Now, without further delay, let’s dive into the core features debuting in the 1.61 Open Beta.

Proximity Exploration

The 1.61 update introduces a clever quality-of-life mechanism crafted to streamline world map navigation and enrich your journeys: Proximity Exploration. This addition makes uncovering uncharted territory far more intuitive while preserving the intrinsic joy of road discovery.

When activated, Proximity Exploration passively uncovers a compact radius around your cabin as you cruise along. Consequently, you no longer need to physically crawl over every microscopic stretch of tarmac to register it as explored—a massive boon for anyone pursuing that elusive 100% map completion badge! Furthermore, it effortlessly highlights nearby accessible routes surrounding intricate hubs like toll plazas, border checkpoints, refuelling stations, and rest areas where multiple pathways intersect tightly.

Rest assured, hidden roads retain their enigmatic allure! Proximity Exploration will expose the initial segment of a concealed path once you draw close enough, whispering a subtle hint that adventure awaits nearby. Beyond that threshold, however, the journey remains yours to conquer, as the remaining track must be uncovered the old-fashioned way—by driving it.

Whether you employ Proximity Exploration to track down those agonizing final completion percentages or simply wish for a smoother charting process, the highway is entirely yours to command.

Livestock Trailer Rework

Our vehicle design team has engineered a breathtaking, ground-up overhaul of the classic Livestock Trailer.

Drawing heavy inspiration from contemporary European livestock transporters, the department discarded the ageing legacy asset in favour of a pristine, highly detailed model. Most notably, the dated belly axle configuration has been retired, superseded by an ultra-modern lowered chassis setup resting on dual wheels.

For virtual haulers who prefer owning their fleet, this refreshed asset delivers an array of personalization choices, featuring dual chassis configurations—the Straight 3 Axle and the Lowered 3 Axle layouts. Operators can also alternate between a sleek aluminium finish or a fully customisable paintable shell.

An expansive suite of accessories accompanies the release, alongside newly structured paint job layouts for owned trailers. This permits you to independently tint up to four distinct colour zones across various sections of the rig for unprecedented visual expression. Freight Market assignments and AI traffic variants have likewise been upgraded to utilize the fresh asset, complete with corporate liveries redesigned to mirror authentic modern logistics operations more accurately.

Delve deeper into this magnificent vehicle overhaul over at our dedicated official blog.

Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack Update

We are delighted to commence refreshing the Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack DLC to mirror contemporary real-world manufacturing standards, beginning with a comprehensive reconstruction of their iconic low loader trailer and associated components.

Spearheading this update is the reimagined low loader, meticulously modelled after Schwarzmüller’s current heavy-haul specifications.

In tandem with the trailer itself, complementary hardware and modular accessories have received aesthetic and structural upgrades to accurately represent modern engineering standards. While cargo allocations remain untouched, this milestone represents the foundational step toward our ultimate objective: updating the entire Schwarzmüller lineup.

We look forward to spotting your refreshed rigs out on the open asphalt! Read further regarding this specific release via our dedicated official blog.

Map Adaptations for Coaches

In anticipation of the upcoming Coaches DLC, our environmental and asset teams have meticulously altered territories across the ETS2 continent to accommodate passenger transit networks. The most prominent transformation materializes in Nuremberg, which now hosts a sprawling central bus terminal alongside completely rebuilt and newly introduced regional landmarks. Our mapping specialists have poured immense dedication into injecting vibrant energy into this urban sector.

Furthermore, passenger hubs situated within Karlstad, Aarhus, and Thessaloniki have been modernized to achieve full operational compatibility with incoming coach schedules. Countless subtler environmental modifications have also been implemented, spanning optimised traffic routing, revised accessibility lanes, and spatial layout overhauls.

Karlstad’s terminal boasts an entirely custom station pavilion, whilst Thessaloniki proudly displays modernized signage and amenities. Down in Heraklion, urban planners have cleared previously restricted thoroughfares to accommodate the incoming influx of passenger transport.

International border crossings have undergone rigorous evaluations to ensure seamless clearance procedures for passenger buses. This entailed establishing vehicle-specific routing channels and expanding previously restricted boundary zones.

Among the most dramatic transformations is found at Kapıkule, nestled within the Edirne district along the dynamic frontier bridging Turkey and Bulgaria. As one of our largest in-game border points, it has undergone a total reconstruction to accurately reflect structural evolution witnessed in the real world over recent years. Numerous other frontier stations have similarly received fine-tuned adjustments, guaranteeing efficient navigation for coaches without disrupting existing traffic flow.

Countless minor roadside adjustments have been scattered across the globe. Though many may blend seamlessly into your peripheral vision, every microscopic tweak collectively prepares our virtual world for the grand arrival of passenger transit.

Changelog

Map

• Implementation of Proximity Exploration
• Environmental restructuring supporting the upcoming Coaches DLC

Vehicles

• Comprehensive Livestock Trailer Rework
• Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack Modernization

Enjoy exploring these additions, but please bear in mind: this is an experimental Open Beta build rather than a stable public release. Consequently, you may encounter occasional anomalies, instability, or unexpected crashes. Waiting for the final polished launch is completely fine if you prefer a seamless drive. However, should you wish to accelerate our journey toward release day, we deeply appreciate your constructive commentary on our forums and precise bug submissions within the dedicated tracker.

Please consult our official modding wiki for technical documentation concerning game modifications.

If you wish to opt into this Open Beta, the build resides within the experimental branch on Steam. Follow these steps to gain access: Open Steam Client → LIBRARY → Right-click Euro Truck Simulator 2 → Properties → Betas tab → Select public_beta from the Beta Participation drop-down menu. No password is required. Note that a quick restart of your Steam desktop client may occasionally be necessary to populate the branch selection.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/227300/Euro_Truck_Simulator_2/