SCS Software has just released version 1.56 into open beta, allowing anyone to download the beta version of the update, and it’s a huge update for DLC owners.
Height Blend
First up is a new height blending technique. Height blending is used to create a realistic and visually appealing transition between terrain and surfaces. SCS goes on to explain that the team has converted, tweaked, and visually checked over 1,300 materials from the game to work with this new technique and the results do look good in the example images provided by SCS, which you can see below.
HS-Schoch Tuning Pack DLC Update
The HS-Schoch Tuning Pack released all the way back in March 2020 to mixed reviews, and it seems like SCS listened to those reviews, as the 1.56 update includes a substantial update to this DLC.
SCS noted the following updates that are coming with the DLC update:
Accessory finishes:
- Chrome
- Paintable (can now be customised in any colour of your choice)
- Matte paintable (also fully colour-selectable)
Grilles and Light Bars:
- Roof bars will have new LED and non-LED versions
- Front light bars will now feature LED, non-LED, and even strobe versions
- Bottom grilles will also be updated, with slot-based options as well as an LED version
SCS has also made sure to include bars for all the newly released trucks since the DLC’s release in 2020, as trucks released after the DLC’s release were not previously supported. They also announced that big auxiliary lights will be receiving improvements, and will be available to everyone as part of the base game update.
Additionally, SCS also announced that two new paint jobs will be included with the DLC, which are designed to give more freedom to match (or otherwise) the tuning parts with your truck’s paint scheme and overall look.
New Cargo and Special Transport DLC Update
Next up is yet another DLC update, but users without the special transport DLC will also see a benefit.
With the 1.56 update, SCS will introduce new cargo from CZ LOKO, a renowned manufacturer of locomotives, both in the Euro Truck Simulator 2 base game and Special Transport DLC. The new cargo loads will be some of the heaviest cargos SCS has ever introduced to the game.
In the base game, SCS has added the MUV 75 (14 tonnes) and EffiShunter 300 (36 tonnes) locomotives as cargo, which will be accessible to everyone, even those without the DLC. SCS notes that these particular locomotives will not be the heaviest or largest machines you’ll encounter, but not to underestimate them, as your truck will still need to be well-prepared to haul them.
As for Special Transport DLC owners, you’ll be able to haul the EffiShunter 1000, a massive locomotive. SCS points out that this load on a load bowed trailer will have a total height of an impressive 5.3 meters, with a length of 16 meters, and a width of 3.1 meters, requiring extreme precision when transporting.
They also note that you’ll need a powerful engine for the job, as the locomotive alone weights 80 tonnes, with another 10 tonnes on top for the trailer.
The EffiShunter 1000 will be available along three routes, Berlin to Szczecin, Kassel to Hamburg, and Bremen to Travemünde.
Schmitz Cargobull Trailer Pack DLC Update
That’s right. A third DLC update. This time it’s for the Schmitz Cargobull Trailer Pack. The update continues SCS’s collaboration with Schmitz Cargobull, and adds a brand-new trailer – The Schmitz S.CS High Capacity Transport trailer. This trailer makes Schmitz Cargobull the second brand in Euro Truck Simulator 2 to feature a 32m HCT trailer setup.
Also arriving in the update is the Schmitz S.KO City chassis, equipped with a steering axle, which provides greater manoeuvrability in tighter spaces. SCS notes that while in real life this feature is primarily aimed at navigating urban environments, in Euro Truck Simulator 2, you are free to take it anywhere you like.
Last but not least, they’ve introduced new lighting options across Schmitz Cargobull DLC trailers. The new lights display the Schmitz Cargobull logo, which better reflects their real life counterpart.
Camera Zoom – Hold/Toggle
Now for onto other features of the 1.56 update, SCS has added a new accessibility features. You can now choose whether the interior zoom function requires holding a key, or be switched to a toggle mode. This feature is primarily there to offer a more comfortable way for all players to have a closer look at details inside their cab.
DLC Browser
SCS has updated the design of the in-game DLC browser. The redesign aims to make browsing and discovering DLC easier and more enjoyable, while also giving you a better overview of what each DLC offers. Notably, SCS mentions that they have improved categorization with clearer sections, such as Featured, Bundles, Map, Cargo, Trailer, Accessories, and Paint Jobs.
New Profile Creation and Start-up Flow
Now onto an update feature for both new and existing players, the profile creation and startup flow. This update includes a new UI design, along with improved navigation. The old table-style list of profiles has now been replaced with larger, card-like slots, providing a cleaner and more modern look, as has been the theme with all the most recent UI updates to the game.
SCS notes that your active profile will always appear at the top, with your other careers sorted by most recent playtime. The first slot is reserved for starting a brand-new career, and switching between your profiles is now quicker, as all you have to do is simply double-click on a card to jump right in.
A new Truck Preference screen has also been added for when you select your truck preferences between selecting your headquarters and the opening cutscene when creating a new profile.
Last but not least for this feature area, they’ve also refreshed the edit profile screen to focus only on details that really matter for profile. Most of the older fields have been moved elsewhere, keeping the edit UI straight forward and clutter-free.
Management UI/UX Improvements
SCS has also taken the time to redesign the company sub-screen on the desktop, driver, trailer, truck, and garage manager screen. This refresh now shows the company name, logo, and key statistics including a 7-day profit graph.
They’ve also added a new quality-of-life improvement to the relocation screen. When both a driver and their truck can be placed in the same garage slot, a checkbox now allows relocating them together in one step. They also state that to improve accessibility, the garage manager and driver manager are now unlocked from the very start of the game, rather than only after purchasing a first truck.
And that’s all, folks!
And that wraps up the current changelog for the 1.56 beta. SCS does remind all users at the end of their blog post that this is only an open beta, and not yet a stable public version. If you switch to the open beta, you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes.
If you wish to participate in this Open Beta, you can find the 1.56 version in the Experimental Beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2 → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.
