I'm still playing TSW 2020 (ported from XBox One to XBox One series X) with some additional dlc routes (Tees Valley and Trans Pennine). Which newer version of the game could I get that might have more UK themed content? Or should I just stay with 2020 and purchase the other UK dlc?
It depends on what you are looking for in a route and whether or not you want to take advantage of new features and new trains too. Several UK routed have released since TSW2020. Each iteration of TSW only contains 1 UK route and the others are extra content.
Sticking with TSW2020 will give the least number of UK DLC available. The latest version, TSW5 (or wait a week and get TSW6 when it releases), has the most UK DLC available. All content owned can be carried over to later versions of the game at no extra cost.
Even if you aren't particularly interested in the TSW6 content, you may as well claim the free starter pack since all your existing content carries over, and you will that way get access to all the existing UK content, as well as the future UK content; should it take your fancy. (Or at least till the inevitable tsw7)
Thanks all for your replies and suggestions. I would like to get the free TSW 6 starter pack. Will my 2020 content definitely play if I port it over to 6? I'm concerned (and don't really understand) about this Gen 8 compatibility thing that people are discussing.
Assuming you claim the free starter pack on the same xbox account, you'll automatically get the entitlements on the store to the previous content you own, you'll just have to download the tsw6 version of them in order to play them on tsw 6. The gen 8 compatibility thing means that gen 8 platforms may have some changes to playable and ai trains in order to provide acceptable levels of performance
Gen 8 compatibility is referring to new routes. Old routes from previous versions should generally play the same as they did before, albeit in the new core game. And even if an old route didn't play as well as it did before, you don't lose previous versions of the game - if you have the drive space, you can have both games installed. There's literally no downside to claiming the free starter pack, even if you wait before installing it (or never do!).
If you have a physical copy of TSW2020, you'll have to speak to DTG support to get your entitlements for TSW6. It shouldn't be a difficult process.
Not at all. The reason to wait until you've claimed the TSW6 free starter pack is that, until then, you don't have a new game to copy your content to! It's covered in the TSW6 FAQ, in the section 'What can I do if my add-ons were included on a disc?'.
Gen8 compatibility refers to the changes made to reduce the complexity of new content on the versions exclusively installable on the less powerful generation 8 consoles, the XBox One and PS4. You stated in your OP that you got the game on XBox One but moved to a generation 9 Series X so it is not relevant to you any longer, as XBox Smart Delivery will always download the Generation 9 version.
However, TSW6 is soon getting NEC NY-Stamford. Complete with much of the original TSW NEC route, as well as Metro North services out of GCT. In TSW6, you will also be able to use the TSW3 NEC NY-Trenton route which covers the line west of Penn and through New Jersey, with Amtrak and NJT services.
I doubt that'll be a free update like SEHS Extended was. So good to know for OP he won't be able to enjoy New York - New Rochelle in TSW6 without a seperate purchase.
I believe it's already confirmed it won't be. I was merely pointing out that the content that was lost from future editions with TSW2 is getting a form of replacement upcoming as of TSW6, so if that's something OP enjoyed, then it won't be too much of a wait, unlike the rest of us who had to wait half a decade.
