We are thrilled to pull back the curtain on another exciting feature arriving with the 1.60 update for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. We’ve been listening to our #BestCommunityEver, and today, we’re proud to unveil the brand-new Improved Material System for selected truck interiors. Let’s dive into the details.
The upcoming 1.60 update brings a significant visual overhaul to your vehicle’s cabin. By refining how interior surfaces react to light, we have achieved a much higher level of clarity, detail, and immersion. You’ll notice that everything from textures to subtle lighting cues feels more lifelike than ever before.
This technical leap was born out of our “Project Road Trip” initiative. As we pushed the boundaries of our engine, we realized that our existing interior material rendering needed a modern update to meet the high standards our players expect. Consequently, we completely re-engineered these assets to provide a superior visual experience.
This evolution addresses long-standing feedback regarding interiors that previously appeared overly flat or dark, especially in shadowed zones. Now, you’ll easily distinguish between materials like grain-rich leather, soft fabrics, high-grade plastic, and brushed metal, even when sunlight isn’t hitting them directly.
“Our primary objective was to breathe life into those darker cabin areas that were previously losing detail due to limited lighting,” explains Daniel, our Vehicle Technical Leader. “By implementing a new system using dynamic cubemaps, we’ve allowed all interior materials to interact naturally with their surroundings. Environmental reflections are no longer exclusive to polished metal; everything now contributes to the overall depth and realism of the driving environment.”
We’ve also polished the global lighting, specifically tweaking contrast and exposure levels to ensure that, even during adverse weather, the game retains a consistent, premium aesthetic.
While the initial research began with Project Road Trip, the benefits apply beautifully to our heavy-duty trucks as well. Throughout development, we remained strictly committed to performance optimization, ensuring these visual upgrades remain accessible to players on a wide range of hardware configurations.
For the 1.60 update, the DAF NGD and MAN TG3 TGX will lead the way in Euro Truck Simulator 2, while the Mack Anthem and Western Star 49X will feature these updates in American Truck Simulator. You can expect us to roll out these cabin improvements to more vehicles in future updates.
We are incredibly excited for you to experience this improved depth from behind the wheel. Please note that the specific vehicles showcased in Project Road Trip will not be included in the 1.60 release.
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Available on Steam:
Euro Truck Simulator 2
American Truck Simulator