Trucking enthusiasts, get ready to rev your engines! The highly anticipated Euro Truck Simulator 2 Update 1.54 Open Beta is now live, offering a host of exciting new features and improvements designed to elevate your trucking experience. SCS Software, the developers behind Euro Truck Simulator, are inviting players to jump into the open beta and help shape the future of the game by providing valuable feedback and reporting any bugs encountered.
Your participation is crucial in ensuring the stability and polish of this update before its official release. So, if you’re eager to experience the latest advancements in Euro Truck Simulator 2, here’s a sneak peek into what the 1.54 Open Beta has to offer.
Revolutionizing the Cargo System in Euro Truck Simulator 2
One of the most significant overhauls in this update is the redefined cargo system. Previously, each cargo and trailer combination in Euro Truck Simulator 2 was treated as a unique, pre-made model. This old method led to a massive number of individual models, making content creation slower and consuming considerable disk space.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 new cargo system merging trailers and cargo
The new system introduces a smarter, more efficient approach. Now, Euro Truck Simulator 2 automatically combines cargo and trailers based on a set of streamlined rules. Each cargo type now defines its own 3D model, loading process, and securing methods. This shift significantly simplifies the development process for SCS Software’s vehicle team, freeing up their 3D artists from the laborious task of manually creating countless trailer-cargo pairings.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 trailer with cargo secured by chains in the updated system
While the initial beta version might have some minor kinks to iron out, this cargo system overhaul is a crucial step forward for Euro Truck Simulator 2. It not only boosts development efficiency but also optimizes disk space and memory usage by eliminating redundant pre-made combinations. Looking ahead, this foundational change opens exciting possibilities for dynamic cargo loading/unloading and other innovative features in both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. For a deeper dive into the development process, check out SCS Software’s recent Under the Hood blog.
Enhanced User Experience with Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
Navigating the truck adjustment menu in Euro Truck Simulator 2 just got smoother and more intuitive! The 1.54 Open Beta introduces a complete redesign of the Truck Adjustment Menu, aiming for a more user-friendly and unified experience.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 redesigned truck adjustment menu interface
Previously, adjusting your Field of View (FOV), seat position, mirrors, and other settings involved navigating through separate menus with inconsistent layouts. The revamped menu presents a cohesive interface, making adjustments simpler and more efficient. This redesign aligns with SCS Software’s recent UI overhaul and is optimized for both mouse and keyboard users, as well as controller players, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Keyboard and mouse users will appreciate the streamlined adjustments using WASD keys for navigation, complemented by sliders and buttons for fine-tuning. Controller users will find the new system particularly fluid, with the left stick controlling adjustments, the right stick managing camera movement for mirror positioning, and the D-pad or shoulder buttons for menu navigation. The addition of shoulder button support further enhances menu navigation for controller users.
Accessing the Truck Adjustment Menu remains unchanged – simply press F4 (default), use your custom-assigned key, or access it through the advisor services menu. SCS Software encourages players to experience this improved menu and share their feedback on the official forums.
PhysX Engine Implementation for Realistic Physics
Prepare for a more realistic and robust physics experience in Euro Truck Simulator 2! The 1.54 Open Beta incorporates the NVIDIA PhysX physics engine as an alternative to the previous Bullet engine. This upgrade focuses on enhancing low-level physics simulations that directly impact player interactions within the game world.
The transition to PhysX delivers more accurate collision detection and more stable behavior, especially in scenarios involving vehicle collisions with obstacles or other vehicles. Furthermore, PhysX provides SCS Software’s development team with superior debugging tools, indirectly benefiting players through faster and more effective bug resolution.
One immediate example of PhysX’s impact can be seen in the recently added Driving Academy game mode in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Collisions with cones and obstacles are now more precise, eliminating the “levitation” effect previously observed with the Bullet engine. While the changes might be subtle in everyday gameplay, certain interactions will exhibit noticeably improved and more realistic physics.
With the 1.54 update, PhysX becomes the default physics engine for all gameplay in Euro Truck Simulator 2. However, players who prefer the previous Bullet physics engine can easily revert by using the “-bullet” command line argument in their Steam launch options.
Driving Academy Expansion with New Trucks and Rewards
The Driving Academy in Euro Truck Simulator 2 continues to expand! Update 1.54 integrates the recently released Volvo FH Series 5, Volvo FH Series 6, and Iveco S-Way trucks into the Driving Academy mode.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 Driving Academy featuring Volvo FH and Iveco S-Way trucks
These stunning trucks, introduced to Euro Truck Simulator 2 in December, are now available for you to test drive and master in various challenging scenarios within the Driving Academy. This addition provides a fantastic opportunity to experience these new vehicles and hone your trucking skills.
Moreover, SCS Software is rewarding players who complete the Driving Academy! Players who have already finished or will complete the first module of the Driving Academy will receive exclusive in-game rewards: a hanging blue traffic cone cabin accessory and a customizable Driving Academy paint job for their trucks in Euro Truck Simulator 2.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 customizable Driving Academy paint job reward
Be sure to complete your Driving Academy scenarios to claim these rewards, and stay tuned for more to come in future updates!
Changelog Highlights:
- Gameplay: Redefined Cargo System, Driving Academy Rewards
- Vehicles: Volvo FH Series 5, Volvo FH Series 6, and Iveco S-Way added to Driving Academy
- Visual: Truck Adjustment Menu Redesign
- Other: PhysX Implementation
Participate in the Open Beta and Share Your Feedback
The Euro Truck Simulator 2 Update 1.54 Open Beta is your chance to experience these exciting new features firsthand and contribute to the game’s development. While currently unavailable for Mac OS users (with a release expected soon), Windows users can access the beta through the public_beta branch on Steam.
To join the open beta:
- Open your Steam client.
- Navigate to LIBRARY and right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2.
- Select Properties, then go to the Betas tab.
- In the dropdown menu, choose public_beta → 1.54.
- No password is required. You might need to restart your Steam client if the branch name doesn’t appear immediately.
Remember, this is an open beta, and you may encounter bugs or instability. If you prefer a stable experience, waiting for the final release is perfectly fine. However, if you’re willing to help SCS Software refine the update, your feedback and bug reports in the dedicated forum section are highly appreciated.
For modders, please consult the modding wiki for details regarding mod compatibility with this update.
Jump into the Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.54 Open Beta today and be a part of shaping the future of your favorite trucking simulator!
