Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.61 Open Beta Brings Easier Map Discovery and Trailer Reworks
SCS Software also postponed the Multi-Function Display and In-Game Menu additions, while map work prepares several cities and borders for the Coaches DLC.
Euro Truck Simulator 2’s 1.61 Open Beta is now available for PC players, bringing easier map discovery, a rebuilt Livestock Trailer, an update for the Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack, and preparation work for the upcoming Coaches DLC. SCS Software outlined the test build in its Steam announcement and warned that the beta can still contain bugs, instability, and crashes.
The update also changes direction on two previously planned features. Feedback from the Experimental Beta led SCS to postpone the Multi-Function Display and In-Game Menu additions so the team can spend more time refining them. Saves created during the Experimental Beta remain compatible with the Open Beta.
Proximity Exploration makes map completion less tedious
Proximity Exploration reveals a small area around the truck as drivers travel. Instead of tracing every narrow piece of road to register it, players can uncover nearby sections automatically, which should make the final stages of a 100% map-discovery run less frustrating.
The feature can also reveal roads close to rest stops, toll gates, border crossings, gas stations, and other locations where several road segments sit close together. Secret roads still keep part of their mystery. Proximity Exploration may reveal the first section when a truck gets close, but the rest of the route must still be discovered by driving along it.
Players who want to test the feature can turn it on through the game’s settings. It is designed as an optional convenience rather than a replacement for finding the world on the road.
Coaches DLC preparation changes cities and border crossings
Several map edits are being added ahead of passenger transport in the Coaches DLC. Nuremberg receives a new bus station along with rebuilt and newly created landmarks nearby. Bus stations in Karlstad, Aarhus, and Thessaloniki are also being made functional for coaches, with changes to access, layouts, and navigation.
Karlstad now has a new station building, while Thessaloniki receives new signage and other adjustments. Heraklion also gains access to a street that was previously closed off, creating room for its new bus station. The wider Coaches plan will let players own coaches and operate scheduled passenger routes, as covered in our article on coach ownership and scheduled routes.
Border crossings are receiving vehicle-specific navigation and layout changes so coaches can use them correctly. Kapıkule, one of the game’s largest crossings, has been redesigned to reflect changes at the real-world site in Edirne province on the Turkey-Bulgaria border. Other crossings have smaller route and access adjustments, while bus stops around the map receive additional tweaks.
Livestock Trailer gets new chassis and paint options
The Livestock Trailer has been rebuilt around the proportions of current European livestock equipment. Its former belly axle option is gone, replaced by a lowered chassis with dual wheels.
Owners now have two chassis choices, Straight 3 Axle and Lowered 3 Axle, along with an Aluminium body or a fully paintable body. Additional accessories expand the customization options, and selected parts can use up to four separate color sections. Freight Market and AI traffic versions have been updated to match the new owned trailer, with company paint jobs receiving their own visual changes.
SCS Software has more details about the trailer work in its Livestock Trailer rework blog.
Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack starts a broader refresh
The Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack update begins with one of its low loader trailers and the accessories available for it. The trailer has been rebuilt to match the manufacturer’s latest real-world design, while the cargo selection remains unchanged.
Updated accessory designs bring the equipment closer to Schwarzmüller’s current lineup. SCS described this work as the first step toward refreshing the entire pack, with more trailer changes planned for the wider project.
The dedicated Schwarzmüller trailer update blog covers the refreshed low loader and its accessories.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.61 Open Beta Changelog
The official changelog groups the update’s main changes into map work and vehicle updates.
Map
- Proximity Exploration
- Map changes for the upcoming Coaches DLC
Vehicles
- Livestock Trailer Rework
- Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack Update
How to join the Open Beta
Players who tested the Experimental Beta should switch to the Open Beta branch in Steam. Right-click Euro Truck Simulator 2 in the Library, select Properties, open the Betas tab, and choose public_beta from the Beta Participation menu. No password is required, although restarting the Steam client may be necessary before the branch appears.
Because this is a test build rather than the final stable release, drivers should back up anything important and expect possible problems with mods or game stability. Feedback and bug reports can be sent to the dedicated SCS Software forum section.
Which part of the 1.61 Open Beta are you most interested in testing? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Developed by SCS Software
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a vehicle simulation game and a direct sequel to the 2008 game Euro Truck Simulator. Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore from the UK, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and many more, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits. If you’ve got what it takes to be part of an elite trucking force, get behind the wheel and prove it!
- Genre Racing, Simulator
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
- Perspective First person, Third person, Bird view / Isometric, Side view, Virtual Reality
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release October 19, 2012
- Publisher SCS Software
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Age Rating
-
Time to Beat
- Main
- 1h
- Main + Extras
- 53h
- Completionist
- 137h
