The lighting engine changed. "High Dynamic Range" (HDR) now works differently. You may need to reduce bloom intensity via console (g_bloom 0.3) to match the look of 1.35.
Patch 1.36 introduced a new "Viewer Camera" system behind the scenes. This allowed for more realistic sunrise and sunset lighting. The orange, washed-out look of 1.35 was replaced with sharper contrasts and deeper night skies.
In 1.35, map sectors used an older prefab system. Version 1.36 rebuilt how road junctions and terrain collisions work. Consequently:
After spending 50 hours driving from Milan to Istanbul, here is the honest verdict on the ETS2 1.35 to 1.36 patch. ets2 1.35 to 1.36 patch
| Aspect | 1.35 (Old) | 1.36 (New) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Visuals | Acceptable, slightly gray/washed out. | Vibrant, realistic sunrises/sunsets. | | Performance | Stable on old hardware (DX9). | Better FPS on modern hardware. | | Sounds | Basic stereo loops. | Dynamic reverb & distance blending. | | Modding | Stable. Most maps worked. | Unstable for old maps. Requires updates. | | Gameplay | No trailer cables (for all). | Trailer cables mandatory (realism). |
The Verdict: 1.36 is superior for 95% of players. The only people who should stay on 1.35 are those with pre-2010 GPUs that don't support DX11, or modders waiting for a specific legacy map to be ported.
The transition from Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) version 1.35 to 1.36 represented a significant evolutionary step for the simulation platform. While 1.35 focused heavily on map expansions (Baltic Sea) and trailer ownership, version 1.36 shifted the focus toward under-the-hood engine upgrades, convoy experimentation, and technical modernization. This patch is widely regarded by the community as the bridge between the older DX11 implementation and the modern lighting and convolution technology that would define later updates. The lighting engine changed
The 1.36 patch was a foundational update. While it lacked the "flashiness" of a new country DLC, it laid the groundwork for the modern ETS2 experience. The audio improvements and the beta testing of Convoy mode were essential steps toward the high-fidelity simulation we see today. Players moving from 1.35 to 1.36 gained a more immersive soundscape and the first glimpse of official multiplayer functionality, making it a mandatory update for the active community.
Here’s a ready-to-use post for a forum, blog, or social media, depending on where you want to share it.
Title: From Oregon to Road to the Black Sea – What Changed in the ETS2 1.35 to 1.36 Update Title: From Oregon to Road to the Black
Hey truckers,
With all the focus on newer updates, it’s easy to forget that the jump from ETS2 1.35 to 1.36 was a major turning point for the game. If you’re wondering what actually changed back then (or why some mods broke), here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences between the two patches.