SCS Software revealed in May that Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator will receive official multiplayer functionality in the form of Convoy Mode, which would allow up to eight players to share virtual roadways. After a few months of “experimental” open beta, it’s now time to join the big ol’ internet convoy: the multiplayer upgrade is now available.
Convoy mode allows participants to establish and host private online trucking sessions with synchronized traffic, time, and weather, as well as the option to take on the same assignments. As initially stated by SCS, it is limited to eight digital drivers, but the company intends to expand that number in the future: They’re keeping it modest for the time being since, while the mode is online, it’s still a work in progress.
Session hosts will have complete control over their online environment and the power to kick those who need it, while participants will be able to browse and filter sessions based on what they want to do. Naturally, rig-to-rig contact is possible via CB radio broadcasts, fast responses, or ordinary text chat. And, in what I believe is a wise decision, players who encounter problems during an online session will be able to return to a save file created prior to joining the session, ensuring that profile progress is not lost due to a server crash or griefer.
There are still some limitations and features that haven’t yet been implemented:
- Mods in Convoy mode are not supported in the initial release.
- AI vehicles might disappear when a player disconnects.
- Lifting bridges are not synchronized. They will be stationary for the initial release of Convoy.
- When using an owned trailer, there might be a company trailer spawned in the same location you are supposed to go to to load your cargo.
- Steam invites work only through the Steam overlay.
- CB radio broadcast (hotkey “X”) interferes with the text input line.
- The on-screen map in Convoy “M” zooms out together with chat scrolling in the Route Advisor.
“From friends to VTCs, we are thrilled to see how you will enjoy Convoy and look forward to receiving your critical comments on this new online feature,” stated SCS.
The 1.41 “Convoy” update for American Truck Simulator is now available. It is not yet available in Euro Truck Simulator 2, however, it should be accessible very soon: Tomorrow, July 15, SCS will webcast ETS2 Convoy action.
The update also includes the initial stages towards a planned to reskin of California, additional time and weather control settings for the photo mode, an expanded map legend, and other changes—full details are available on Steam.
And now, in typical truckin’ fashion, we’re celebrating the arrival of the major update with some CW McCall.
