For the player, this is not just a technical footnote; it changes the gameplay loop. Driving becomes more immersive. The golden hour before sunset becomes a breathtaking visual experience, and navigating a roundabout at night in the rain becomes a test of realistic visibility, rather than a simple contrast adjustment.
Since version 1.40 is an older update, current players on Steam typically have a newer version. To access 1.40 specifically: Open Steam : Go to your and right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2 Access Properties Properties from the menu. Select Betas : Navigate to the Choose Version : Open the dropdown menu and select temporary_1_40 - 1.40.x for incompatible mods
Released on March 24, 2021, Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) version 1.40 was a transformative update that shifted the game toward a more modern, physically-based rendering model
Choose the "Betas" tab from the side menu.
Good news: Because 1.40 is older, it runs better than the current build. However, the new lighting system is slightly more demanding than version 1.36 or 1.37.