The transition from version 1.35 to 1.36 Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2)
was one of the most transformative updates in the game's history, primarily due to the foundational shift in its graphics engine The Core Upgrade: DirectX 11 The headline change of the 1.36 update was the move to full DirectX 11 support Performance Boost:
Players experienced a noticeable increase in FPS and overall smoother gameplay. Visual Fidelity:
The upgrade allowed for better long-range Level of Detail (LOD) and anti-aliasing improvements (SMAA). End of an Era: This patch marked the complete removal of DirectX 9 support
, meaning older hardware that couldn't handle DX11 could no longer run the game on the latest version. Major Feature Additions
Beyond the technical underpinnings, 1.36 introduced several highly requested features: Bringing a mechanic over from American Truck Simulator
, the game now generates random road closures and accidents that force you to improvise your route. Corsica Expansion: Owners of the Vive la France! DLC received the island of Corsica as a free map addition , accessible via ferry from Marseille or Sassari. Avoidance Navigation Pins:
Drivers gained the ability to set specific pins on the GPS to avoid certain roads or areas during route planning. Enhanced Manager Map:
For the first time, you could see your hired drivers, trucks, and trailers directly on the management map. Patch Highlights Summary Key Changes Full DX11 support (DX9 removed), SMAA anti-aliasing Corsica added (Free for Vive la France! Random detours, GPS avoidance pins UI/Management
Visual drivers/trucks on manager map, non-Latin character input Modding Impact
Because of the massive engine shift, many major mods—including
The transition from Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) version 1.35 to 1.36 was a significant milestone, primarily marking the game's permanent shift to DirectX 11. While version 1.35 introduced "experimental" DX11 support, the 1.36 patch fully implemented it and officially removed support for DirectX 9. Top Features in the 1.36 Patch
DirectX 11 Integration: The headline change was the full move to DX11. This provided improved performance (higher FPS) and better level of detail for most players, but it also meant that older hardware supporting only DX9 could no longer run the game.
Corsica Island (Free Expansion): A major map addition, the island of Corsica was added as a free update for owners of the Vive la France! DLC.
Random Detours: Originally a popular (and sometimes polarizing) feature from American Truck Simulator, detours were added to ETS2. This system forces players to improvise when road closures or accidents block their planned routes. ets2 135 to 136 patch top
Enhanced Manager Maps: A long-requested quality-of-life feature, players could finally see their hired drivers, trucks, and trailers displayed on the manager map.
GPS Avoidance Pins: The GPS system was updated to allow players to set "avoidance pins," ensuring the navigation system does not route them through specific areas they wish to avoid. Additional Changes & Improvements
New AI Traffic: Added various new AI vehicles to the road to increase variety.
Visual Enhancements: Improvements to anti-aliasing (SMAA) and better rendering of electrical wires.
Input Support: Added support for Chinese and other non-Latin character inputs (IME).
Modding Updates: Changes to sun profiles (HDR) and map editor history (undo/redo) were introduced to assist modders. Comparison at a Glance
Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) transitioned from version 1.35 to 1.36 in late 2019. While it may seem like a minor numerical bump, this update was a technical milestone that fundamentally changed how the game performs on modern hardware. 🚀 The Headline: DirectX 11 Arrival
The biggest shift in the 1.36 update was the full transition to DirectX 11.
Performance Boost: Significant FPS improvements for most players. Legacy Drop: Support for DirectX 9 was officially ended.
Visual Clarity: Improved texture handling and lighting stability.
Modern Foundation: Allowed SCS Software to implement more complex assets. 🗺️ New Territory: Corsica
1.36 expanded the "Vive la France !" DLC map by adding the beautiful island of Corsica.
Six New Cities: Ajaccio, Bastia, Bonifacio, Calvi, Corte, and Porto-Vecchio.
Island Logistics: Accessible via ferry from Marseille or Sardinia. The transition from version 1
Unique Terrain: Narrow, winding mountain roads that test driving precision. 🚛 Features and Quality of Life
Beyond the engine upgrade, 1.36 refined the daily trucking experience.
Detours System: Introduced random road closures and police diversions.
Avoidance Navigation: Ability to set "Avoid" regions in the GPS.
New Trailers: Introduction of grain hoppers and bulk tank trailers.
Driver Management: Better UI for managing your growing fleet of employees.
Chinese Symbols: Full support for Chinese and other non-Latin characters in input. 🛠️ The Modding Impact
Because 1.36 moved exclusively to DX11, the modding community faced a major hurdle. Many older truck and graphics mods broke.
Creators had to update shaders and textures to be DX11 compliant.
This "cleansing" of the mod list paved the way for the high-fidelity mods seen today. See a comparison of DX9 vs DX11 visuals. Find the best driving routes through the Corsica expansion.
Get a troubleshooting guide for running older versions of ETS2. How would you like to explore the history of the game?
Before diving into the specifics, let’s establish the context. Version 1.35 was a stable, content-rich update focusing on German reworks and trailer ownership. However, 1.36 was the "future-proofing" update. SCS Software used this patch to cut ties with legacy technology.
Key identifiers of the 1.36 patch:
For players moving from 135 to 136, the "top" priority was understanding why their old mods broke and how to optimize the new graphics engine. Version Overview: Why 1
| Feature | Description | |---------|-------------| | DirectX 11 only | No more DX9 support – better performance and visuals, but older hardware may struggle | | German rework – Part 1 | Cities rebuilt: Frankfurt, Cologne, Mannheim, Erfurt, etc. | | French rework | Updated road signs, textures, and new toll gates | | Lakeside, OR (Oregon DLC) | New logging depot in ATS, but in ETS2: new Scandinavian roads | | Sound improvements | Better tire, wind, and gear grinding sounds | | Physics updates | Truck and trailer stability adjustments | | Mod Manager updates | Better load order handling | | Map zoom improvements | No more flickering when zoomed out | | AI traffic fixes | Improved behavior at roundabouts and intersections |
While less flashy, patch 1.36 squashed dozens of lingering issues from 1.35, including:
.cache files) to DX11 format, map mods must be updated. Running a 1.35 map on 1.36 causes instant crashes or "terrain holes.".fx files will fail. Most weather mods needed a full re-compile.For fans of Euro Truck Simulator 2, the jump from update 1.35 to 1.36 wasn’t just another routine patch—it marked a significant leap in the game’s technical foundation. While 1.35 introduced crucial quality-of-life features like the trailer browser and improved GPS routing, version 1.36 arrived as a visual overhaul that set the stage for the future of SCS Software’s trucking simulator.
Here’s a breakdown of what made the transition from 1.35 to 1.36 a milestone for the community.
In 1.35, 200% scaling was standard. In 1.36, because of improved anti-aliasing (SMAA + TAA hybrid), you can drop scaling to 150% and gain 15-20 FPS without losing sharpness.
The most impactful change in patch 1.36 was the complete removal of DirectX 9 support. SCS Software fully committed to DirectX 11, leaving behind the aging DX9 renderer.
What this meant for players:
While some players with older systems initially mourned the loss of DX9, the move was widely praised as a necessary step forward.
Going from 1.35 to 1.36 didn’t add a huge new map DLC or revolutionary gameplay feature. Instead, it did something arguably more important: it modernized the engine and started the long process of bringing the base game up to current standards.
For players, it meant saying goodbye to older hardware but hello to a smoother, better-looking, and more immersive Europe. For SCS Software, it was proof that they were willing to leave the past behind to build a better future—one that would eventually welcome Iberia, Texas (for ATS), and beyond.
If 1.35 was about refining the gameplay loop, 1.36 was about redefining the visual backbone of the entire experience.
The most notable top feature in the ETS2 patch from 1.35 to 1.36 was the introduction of DirectX 11 as the exclusive graphics backend (dropping DirectX 9 support).
Key benefits that made it a top feature:
Other notable features in 1.36:
But overall, full DX11 support was the game-changing improvement for players upgrading from 1.35.
