SCS Software released an experimental beta for update 1.61 for both Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator.
We learn that since it’s an “experimental” beta, this is in an earlier and less polished state than the usual open beta.
The focus is on new menus, starting with a multi-function display that will appear both in the cabin view and in the external view, and display plenty of data and essential systems, including driving assists, lighting controls, vehicle adjustments, media functions, trip information, and more.
This is aimed at both reducing gameplay interruptions and helping players discover functions and controls that they may not know.
The second is a new in-game menu in the form of a top bar, which includes controls, photo mode, widget options, services, vehicle adjustments, and the quick info menu.
When you use it in single player, it’ll pause the game. For now, it won’t be available in multiplayer, but the developers are working on a solution to let you use some of its functions while driving.
Since the beta is experimental, the developers are expecting feedback from the American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 communities to shape the future of the features included.
If you’re unfamiliar with Euro Truck Simulator 2, it’s a truck-driving simulator available for PC, but PS5 and Xbox versions have been recently announced.
The Iceland DLC was revealed a few months ago, and you can enjoy additional screenshots, in addition to its churches, the Ring Road, the coastlines, Keflavík, the fjords, and Akureyri.
Further national DLCs announced focus on Ireland (of which we also saw a few screenshots and an iconic road) and on Turkey.
The development team is also hard at work updating relevant areas of the map, and the next rework focuses on the UK, including the Stonehenge area.
Last, but not least, there’s the Coaches DLC, and we recently saw its bus stations, the Scania Touring, passenger satisfaction, the MAN Lion’s Coach, and the Volvo 9700 Double Decker
American Truck Simulator is also available for PC, and it’s the sister game to Euro Truck Simulator 2. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are also coming.
South Dakota is likely the next DLC, and we already saw its Truck Stops, countryside, towns, cities, more Truck Stops, the road network, more settlements, even more towns, Hot Springs, and the Badlands National Park.
The game will soon cross the borders of the United States and go to Canada with the British Columbia DLC, of which we also saw some screenshots.
Then American Truck Simulator will return to the US with Indiana.
Another big project is the Road Trip feature, spearheaded by the Ford Car Pack (of which we also saw the Ford Crown Victoria, the Ford F-150, the Ford Mustang Fastback, and the Ford Bronco Badlands) and the Ram & Dodge Car Pack with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, which will expand the simulator’s experience from trucks to cars and pickup trucks, including pure exploration and the delivery of smaller packages.
