Euro Truck Simulator 2 has gotten a big patch in the form of Update 1.50. This update has just dropped Windows PC, Mac and Linux.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is coming up to 12 years old, but developers SCS Software are consistently delivering on improving the experience for virtual truck drivers from around the world.
While Update 1.50 doesn't include a DLC expansion like we saw with the West Balkans or Nordic Horizons, there's a lot to cover here that makes
Euro Truck Simulator 2 Update 1.50
The first change in Euro Truck Simulator 2 Update 1.50 is the improvements to the in-game renderer. These are visual improvements to make the world appear more detailed and more realistic.
For a start, shadows will look better than ever before, thanks to a cascaded shadow effect, allowing for smoother transitions between light and the shadow's edge.
TAA, or Temporal Anti-Aliasing, has been introduced and this will reduce jagged edges on images, making for a smoother shape. Soft particles and smoke have also been improved.
Long shadows produced by large objects such as skyscrapers are closer to reality than before, as well as dynamic and clustered lighting.
You can see some before and after shots in SCS's full patch notes.
User Interface Rework
The User Interface (UI) of Euro Truck Simulator 2 has also been revamped in Update 1.50. This redesign places an emphasis on player interaction and has a more minimalistic design.
The most notable alteration is on the Home screen, as there's now a new Status Bar sitting atop a lot of the UI screens. Lastly, there are new Quick Menu shortcuts, new fonts, icons, and more.
There are also now tooltips that display helpful information when you hover your mouse over options. This will help both experienced and new players grasp what each change to their rig will mean for the ride ahead.
Switzerland Rework
The Switzerland map has received a significant rework in Update 1.50. The major Swiss cities of Geneva, Bern and Zurich have all been updated. With this being Switzerland as well, you can now travel to a chocolate factory!
The roads themselves have been expanded as well, with the A9 motorway and the mountainous N19 pass both included. You can even head to Aosta in Italy via the A40/E25 that goes underneath Mont Blanc.
With those graphical improvements as well, what was already a beautiful part of the world in Euro Truck Sim 2 has gotten a whole lot better!
Germany Rework - Rhine
Switzerland isn't the only nation to receive a rework, as Germany's Rhine region gets a fresh coat of paint.
Dortmund, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Duisburg all get some love in this update, being rebuilt from the ground up.
A section of Germany's mighty Autobahn network from Cologne to Frankfurt (A3) has also been added.
Scania Demo Centre
If you're a fan of Scania big rigs, you're in luck with Update 1.50! You can now travel to the Scania Demo Center, located in Södertälje, Sweden. SCS teamed up with Scania themselves to develop this.
The facility allows drivers with a Category B license to try out Scania vehicles whenever they want.
You can try before you buy by navigating the center's test track with asphalt, forest and gravel roads that allow you to test out a truck in all conditions.
Wielton Trailer Pack DLC Update
SCS has also partnered with Wielton Trailers to add the Container Master trailer series to the Wielton Trailer Pack DLC.
The first of which is the Wielton Container Master NS3 P20 SL TANK, which was especially created for the safe transport of Chemical Tank Containers (ADR).
The second length is the Wielton Container Master NS3 P40 SL, which is designed for the transport of a 40 foot container or two 20 feet containers.
Lane Assistant
After SCS added driver aids to the game, the next step was always going to be Lane Assistant. Just like in real-life vehicles this aid will help keep you between the white lines on long highway journeys.
Lane assistance can be used with other aids such as adaptive cruise control, to effectively put the truck into autopilot. So, you can sit back and enjoy the journey.
Update 1.50 Changelog video
There's a lot to cover when it comes to Euro Truck Simulator Update 1.50, but SCS have handily produced a video on their YouTube channel covering the complete changelog:
The full changelog/ patch notes are listed below as well:
Map
- Switzerland Rework
- Germany Rework - Rhine region
- Scania Demo Centre
Vehicles
- MAN TGX Update
- Lane assistant feature added
- Wielton Trailer Pack DLC Update
UI
- Substantial UI design update (Home screen redesign, persistent Status Bar, Quick Menu, new fonts, icons and more)
- Settings options show information about what they do
Visual
- Improvements in the rendering system
- Temporal Anti-Aliasing feature added
- Cascaded shadow updates
- Soft particles
- Lit/shadowed smoke
- Far shadows
- Optimized light computation
- Frame rate limiter added
Sound
- Brake squeaking sounds added
Update 1.50 is available to download via the Steam Store now.
Are you happy with the 1.50 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2? Let us know in the comments below!
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