Roadcraft dev promises to fix dozens of the biggest issues, teases Snowrunner 2

Since it was released in May, Saber Interactive's Roadcraft has become a firm simulation game favorite thanks to its realistic physics, huge sandbox maps, and intricate building tools. As with most new games, however, Roadcraft isn't without its issues. Some of the finer points of construction are still too difficult (in the wrong way) and there are questions about vehicle variety and missing features. Thankfully, Saber has a lot of fixes in mind - during a lengthy question-and-answer session, the team promises better road building, a companion for the overworked Mule, and also, perhaps, Snowrunner 2.

Roadcraft may have only been released a few months ago, but it's already become one of the best simulation games of the year. Much like Snowrunner, Roadcraft focuses on the nuances of delivering heavy goods over rough terrain, but rather than just plowing your way through snowy mountains, you use construction vehicles and machinery to restore sites devastated by natural disasters.

Realistic physics are crucial to Roadcraft, but they've also caused some pesky problems. For example, when you're transporting sand from a quarry, the dump truck's back shutter will often flap open and closed,  dropping your load all over the map and forcing you to make more resupply trips. In a new AMA, Roadcraft production lead Ivan Khomenko confirms the developer is working on a solution.

Khomenko explains that the issue is a result of Roadcraft's physics logic, which spreads the sand according to the dump truck's physical model and applied forces. Since quick fixes may lead to visual bugs, Saber is working on a longer-term resolution which "requires modifications to the sand dispersal logic in the dump body."

Khomenko also addresses fans' concerns over the frequency of rain. While rain adds to authenticity, and understandably makes everything more difficult, it rains a lot, and often, in Roadcraft. Khomenko says the developer is "currently exploring" adding a skip weather feature that you can use to fast forward to the next weather preset. If only that were available in reality…

In addition to frustrations over the game's physics, Saber responds to suggestions about the overall Roadcraft experience. Technical lead Segeir Kogut says the team wants to add a Snowrunner-like GPS system to the game, so you can see a precise navigation route on your minimap and don't have to continually check the pause menu. Kogut also says there are plans in place to make sand pouring more user friendly and more even, hinting that a "special truck" may be introduced that reduces the lumpiness you currently get when placing the first layer of a road.

One of the biggest problems in Roadcraft so far is that you can't strap vehicles to other vehicles - if you want to transport the (ultra-slow) asphalt paver from one location to another, if you load it onto the back of your carrier, there's a chance it could slip back off when you hit a tight corner. On this, Kogut is firm. When asked if players will get a proper method to secure vehicles to transporters, the technical lead simply says "yes."

Similarly, Kogut says that "alternatives" to Roadcraft's overworked Mule T1 - the only vehicle to boast both a crane and flatbed - will be added in future updates.

While Saber hasn't given dates for when these changes and additions may arrive, all of these plans sound promising. Game director Vitaliy Yaruta, however, leaves a much more tantalizing tease. Responding to a question regarding which elements of Roadcraft may inspire Snowrunner 2, the director drops a small hint: "We never said we have Snowrunner 2 in development! Or have we…?"

If Snowrunner 2 really is on the horizon, that's certainly good news. For now, though, let's hope Saber rolls out these chunky updates to Roadcraft in the next few months.

For more games like Roadcraft, check out our picks of the best sandbox games and best new PC games.

You can also follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides, or join our community Discord to stay in the know.