Compatible Addons

From my understanding Unlike previously where you could purchase a Compatible add-on and own it in a previous version of TSW this has now changed.

"When I purchase a TSW 6 bundle or add-on will that include access to compatible content for previous games in the series?
No, Train Sim World 6 Compatible bundles and add-ons will only be compatible with Train Sim World 6. This does not include access to add-ons in previous versions of the game even if the add-on was available in an older version of the game".

 

DTG-Chris Can you explain this please? Wondering if it just means TSW6 releases won't be backwards compatible, but say for example you bought the TSW6 version of NTP, you would still get the backwards entitlements.

 

This seems like something you should probably make much clearer in more places, many people opt to buy older versions as they’re often on better sales for older packs.

 

Don’t dispute that, but still if you wanted to be a little more community & communication oriented, would be a good idea to make it clear what’s happened - otherwise it’s just abit of a rug pull.

 

I bet this has had to be done because Caltrain, since without this change, someone could buy the unbranded tsw6 version, but then get the branded version too; which could have been construed by Caltrain as using/profiting on their branding/licensing without permission

 

But purchasing TSW1-TSW5 content will still work in TSW6?

 

So we are doomed for tsw 7?, since going off this we won’t have tsw 6 addon transfer over,

but this could mean we aren’t actually getting a tsw 7

 

No you didn't. Would do well to make that promise. TSW, just like TSC, is all about building up a collection. It's only fair people expect their investments to carry over to future iterations of what is basically the same game.

 

The gift of yearly re-release just keeps giving. lol

 

Well if this goes into the future game, I don’t think I could actually support it anymore

half the benefit of this game over others was having a huge collection that kept going with the new version, also I just don’t think the idea of keeping the most popular addons is good because we will miss out on having good stuff like NTP and TVL because of modern players, I don’t want to be stuck playing modern content because some people.

but that’s if you use the same thing as for the epic situation

also yes DTG has never said compatible was permanent but it was kinda implied at this point, it was kinda the whole reason people actually chose this game

 

Sounds like they are getting ready for the big Valve, Sony and MS clampdown following suite from Epic's decision.

Maybe it's time to start managing the behomoth file sizes some of these routes occupy as the storage and download situation is only going to get worse, the more content keeps churning out.

 

Im trying thin out my content but really not sure witch routes/locos uninstall without loosing layers. I mean I have got rid off cane creek, the French one, isle wight, and few others.

 

Am I understanding this correctly? Previously, we purchased DLC for TSW C (also current ver.), and it was also available in ≤ TSW P (also previous ver., i.e., ≤ TSW P-1, P-2, and so on). And now, unless otherwise specified, such DLC will only be available for TSW C, but not for ≤ TSW P? Will DLC purchased for ≤ TSW P be available in TSW C?
I understand that this may be due to licensing issues, including Caltrain, but I would like more clarity. The TSW series of games is really about “collecting,” but I see an unpleasant trend, including because of Caltrain and the additions to EGS.
Once again, DTG's strategy with their annual re-releases is “breaking” the game. I'm already considering discontinuing my support for the game by purchasing content if such problems continue to accumulate.

 

I'm really not appreciating the business speak coming out of DTG's official channels at the moment regarding the Epic Games issue and now this...

It does come across like the DTG community team think we're morons.

 

This is beyond disappointing. I've spent hundreds of pounds over the years collecting routes...and eventually I would like to get them all. I only buy the routes I don't consider favourites on sale, and they are becoming increasingly scarce at the moment. I refused to spend £30 on a route that will probably be on sale for TSW6 at some point for £10 or less, just so I have access to prior instalment variations.

I sincerely hope this is something that is reversed at some point down the line. Either that or you guys continue to discount routes for TSW5 which is backwards and (hopefully forwards) compatible. If you re-release all of them for TSW6 and these aren't backwards compatible, that is the most consumer unfriendly option you could ever make.

All of these technical enhancements and additions to an iteration that's going to fall flat when it comes to keeping the player base happy. Great!

 

Couldn't the TSW6 versions of DLC just have a warning like this at the top of the description?

"Please note that by buying this version of this add-on, you will only receive it for Train Sim World 6 and you will not gain access to the add-on in prior Train Sim World releases."

 

If I understand correctly, purchasing the TSW2-TSW5 versions of Northern TransPennine will give you the license for TSW2-TSW6, but purchasing the TSW6 version of Northern TransPennine will only grant you the license for TSW6. So if you want to use Northern TransPennine in an older version of TSW, you need to buy the older version. If you want to use it in TSW6, you can buy any version.

DTG-Chris did I understand this correctly?

As far as I understand, this is unrelated to licensing. It simply takes DTG too much time (and thus money) to set up backwards compatiblity; TSW6 DLC purchases granting you licenses for TSW2-TSW5 versions of the DLC. And personally I don't really see a problem with it, I assume most people play the most recent version of TSW, and for those who want to remain playing the older versions, there's still the option to buy the older versions of DLC.

The EGS issue is something entirely else though. I understand that upsets people.

 

I do understand that it probably does take an age to set it all up. I'm not actually against them doing this, but the way they've tried to backpedal the backwards compatibility promise is something I do not like.

And for those wondering, this is the TSW5 version:

And this is the TSW6 version:

 

Not sure this is such a big deal as I can't imagine why someone would buy a TSW6 version of an add-on to play it on TSW5 or earlier. There's no jeopardy to anyone's existing collection and it's too early to be speculating about TSW7.

 

Especially when the free starter pack exists. I've never played on an old TSW after a new one has come out. Forwards compatibility is all that matters to me.

 

Well now this is worrying. I think we've all taken it on faith that our collections will always be carried forward to each new iteration. I mean we're talking big bucks here, hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars invested.
Personally, I only want one version of TSW installed, containing all my dlc.
I hope we're not being set up for some major change in that direction. Today Epic, tomorrow Steam will be " curated " ( there's some business speak for yer ).

 

No one has said that old add ons wont work with new game, just new addons wont work with old versions. That actually makes sense if the routes contain stuff that the new platform announcements for example need/use. Its how most other software works. You don't buy a PS5 game and expect it to work on a PS3.

 

I do. For a long time I kept a TSW3 install and a separate TSW4 only for TSW4 routes, as I wasn't prepared to redownload everything and update every mod. The bundles and discounts can be different depending on the game, so there were times when I did buy TSW4 bundles to use in TSW3. Since Preston to Carlisle released I jumped ship to TSW5, but I won't be moving to TSW6 until a good route comes out.

 

That's exactly the possibility that was implied.

 

I think this needs additional clarification because I think there's a bit of misinformation going on from rather vague comments on the FAQ. From what I understand if you buy a "legacy" route like Northern Transpennine, that content will carry forward to TSW 6. But if you purchase the TSW 6 version of Northern Transpennine you don't get the TSW 5, 4, 3, 2 or 2020 version.

So If I bought the TSW 6 compatible version of Frankfurt S-Bahn, I wouldn't own it for TSW 5 but it would still carry forward to TSW 6, 7 and any future games.

 

That's apparently no longer guaranteed.

 

Idk, they already dropped the "we never guaranteed..." line on forward compatibility, too here in this thread. So it's all a bit of a dice roll from now on.

 

The game isn't even out yet and there are already some scary problems between that and the EGS issue, the future looks scary

 

Well yeah but that's true tho...the old NEC content from TSW 2020 isn't forward compatible. I think people are reading too much into it

 

Maybe. Who knows. The Epic debacle doesn't help. And that is way more than just one super-old route. Then posts like that. Just not a good look all together. More ppl will probably think twice to buy content. That's just logical consequence.

 

You'll still be able to do this as they will be forward compatible. Eg buy the TSW2 version of Brighton Mainline if its cheaper there and it will be available for you to play in TSW6

 

Yes, that is how it is.

Older DLC will still be backwards compatible, but TSW6 versions of said DLC will not be forwards compatible. The SteamDB screenshots I posted earlier show what is and isn't included.

 

Haven't you got forwards and backwards mixed up here? If a TSW2020 version of a dlc can be played on TSW6 then that TSW2020 dlc is forwards compatible. If a TSW6 version of a TSW2020 route can't be played in TSW2020 then that means the TSW6 version is not backwards compatible

 

No, forwards compatible. If I put a PS1 game disc in a PS2 or PS3 I can play it. It is backwards compatible. Putting a PS3 disc into a PS2 won't work, so it isn't forwards compatible.

Granted the use of backwards/forwards compatible doesn't work that well in this situation, but it's the best way of describing it that I can come up with.

 

Have I got this right?
1. The Epic Games issue is with forwards compatibility meaning there are some DLCs that Epic users can only use in TSW5 when TSW6 releases and the main issue here is that AI traffic on those TSW5 DLCs won't appear in TSW6 at release and to use those routes/locos you'll have to do it in TSW5.
2. Whereas the backwards compatibility issue means, for example, the new Voyager "loco" and any new TSW6 routes won't be added to your TSW5 installation.

Issue no.1 is a big problem, possibly one that Trading Standards should be alerted to. Issue no.2 kind of makes sense. I've never thought that routes in the new game would work in an older version. Each year I just delete the old version of TSW and use the new one, I'm not aware that I've lost any DLC in the process. I'm on Steam btw.

 

I get the impression that, maybe in a few years down the line, they are gearing up for a completely new game.
It'll have to come one day. Probably a good thing.

 

Lol…see you in August 2026 for TSW7 then!

 

….and when DTG transition to UE5 all our dlc will be obsolete anyway….

 

This year, if we want to play the branded version of Penn Corridor and its locos, we'll have to keep the unsupported TSW5 using valuable storage that could be used for new content.

 

Thanks, I assume deleting content in the TSW5 installation that transfers to TSW6 so long as it's not relevant to Penn Corridor would be fine.

 

This part you haven't got right (although what you're describing would never have happened anyway, as TSW6 content didn't exist in TSW5 or earlier).

The issue is that, in the past, if you bought the TSW5 version of, say, a TSW2 route, it would also grant entitlement to the TSW4, TSW3 and TSW2 versions as well. Going forward, buying the TSW6 version of an old route will no longer grant entitlement in the older games that it was released for.

 

Which is fine. Who would want that anyway?

What players want is an assurance that their entire collection will stay with them through TSW6,7 et al. We have always assumed that our personal catalog was safe.

Apparently, according to DTG that is not nor was ever guaranteed, which is worrying news to players, even those not on EGS.

 

The Epic Games situation is horrible and if that happened on PlayStation, I probably wouldn't play the game again. Hopefully Epic gets its act together

 

That would be helpful.