Road Kings Gamescom 2025 Q&A: Be the Hero of the Open Road

Unveiling Road Kings: The Next Step in Truck Simulation Gaming

At Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, Saber Interactive, in collaboration with Focus Entertainment, announced an exciting addition to its racing simulation portfolio: Road Kings. This latest installment follows the beloved series which includes titles such as MudRunner, SnowRunner, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, and Roadcraft.

Breaking away from its predecessors’ focus on off-road experiences, Road Kings aims to deliver an authentic trucking adventure. Players will step into the shoes of novice truck drivers, navigating a 40-ton semi while transporting cargo across the picturesque coastal plains of the American South, stretching from Jacksonville to Savannah. Realism is key as players will need to manage the same responsibilities as actual truck drivers, including adhering to regulations, monitoring fuel levels, and handling unpredictable weather. The addition of a narrative component enriches the gameplay, emphasizing the human stories behind the trucking industry.

Interviews and Insights with the Development Team

During the event, I had the chance to engage with Peter Mack, Game Director at Saber Interactive Porto, and Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits. The duo discussed the forthcoming Road Kings, which is slated for release in 2026 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X (with a Nintendo Switch 2 version currently under evaluation).

Peter, which game did you work on before this? Peter Mack: This is the first project I’ve worked on at Saber Porto. My experience before this was working with smaller LEGO games at another company, but I’ve now been with Saber Porto for many years.

How long have you been working on this game? Peter Mack: This project started production around three years ago and was in pre-production for a year before that.

Does this run on your proprietary engine? Peter Mack: No, it’s Unreal Engine 5.

Are you using any of the signature features, such as Lumen and Nanite? Peter Mack: Yes, we’re taking advantage of a lot of features that are now available.

The Role of Narrative in Trucking

Addressing the game’s story, Mack explained that the narrative revolves around the substantial impact trucks have on society. By engaging with real truck drivers and their experiences, the team crafted a storyline that players can either immerse themselves in or choose to focus solely on driving long-haul routes.

Can you talk about the story in Road Kings? Peter Mack: The story touches on important societal themes tied to trucking. If a player prefers the simulation aspect, they can drive without engaging in the narrative, but there are also enriching experiences for those who choose to delve into the storyline.

Tim Willits emphasized the uniqueness of American trucking culture due to the vastness of the country and the lack of a comprehensive rail system, distinguishing it from European norms. He highlighted that the human factors, including the impacts of technological advancements on drivers, serve as vital elements in the game’s narrative.

Endless Gameplay Potential

Regarding the game’s length, Mack shared that players can anticipate around 10 hours of story-related content, although the real allure lies in the endless opportunities for exploration and simulation.

How long will the Road Kings story be? Peter Mack: It peaks at about 10 hours of gameplay, if you focus solely on the story.

At the heart of Road Kings lies a truck simulator, but it’s the lives intertwined with trucking that truly enrich the experience.

Dynamic Features and Post-Launch Plans

Players will enjoy dynamic weather systems, although currently limited to the southern regions where snowstorms don’t apply. Plans for incorporating more extreme weather conditions are already being discussed.

The weather is dynamic, right? Peter Mack: Yes.Does it include icy conditions? Peter Mack: For now, we’re still identifying environments that experience snow, focusing primarily on the warmer southern states.

Furthermore, Mack revealed a unique online mode where players can customize and manage their own trucking companies, collaborating with friends to undertake various jobs that contribute to success and capital growth. This asynchronous gameplay includes leaderboards and cross-platform features.

Will there be a leaderboard for the player-created companies? Peter Mack: Yes.

Will you support post-launch content? Peter Mack: Absolutely. We have extensive plans for expansions, which include new trucks, geographies, and stories designed to enhance gameplay after the initial launch.

The team at Saber Interactive is committed to the game’s longevity, with plans for both premium and free downloadable content. Their vision for Road Kings is ambitious, promising a continuously evolving experience that blends gameplay with a profound narrative surrounding the trucking industry.

For further information and visuals from the event, visit the source.

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