Saber Interactive is back at it with Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, a title that takes terrain simulation to new levels. The Swerve Engine, the studio's proprietary engine, enables real-time physical deformation of mud and rock, offering high-resolution textures that make every rut and stone feel real. This is not a game for those seeking speed, but for those who enjoy the art of getting stuck.
Swerve Engine and Havok: the formula for realistic mud 🚜
The Swerve Engine, developed by Saber, combines with the Havok physics middleware to create a highly detailed terrain-vehicle interaction system. Mud behaves like a non-Newtonian fluid, tire pressure dynamically affects traction, and rocks have uneven surfaces that modify grip. Maya modeling programs are used to sculpt these environments, while Saber's proprietary tools optimize performance so the console doesn't struggle processing all that deformable geometry.
Getting stuck has never been so beautiful (and frustrating) 😅
The best part is that the game lets you recreate that feeling of a rainy Sunday in the countryside, when you drive your car into a puddle and spend three hours watching the wheel spin. Expeditions gives you the same experience, but with better graphics and without having to call a tow truck. The physics are so realistic that even the mud seems to laugh at you as your off-road vehicle slowly sinks. That said, at least the rock texture is impressive.