Rainbow Six Siege Enters a “New Era” – A Bold Gamble or a Return to Its Roots?

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The term “live-service game” has recently become synonymous with massive financial disasters. Over the past year, studios have collectively lost hundreds of millions—perhaps even billions—chasing the dream of endlessly engaging games that players will keep investing in for years. Yet, despite these high-profile failures, some live-service titles continue to thrive. One of the most remarkable success stories is Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege, which, nearly a decade after its launch, is gearing up for what’s being touted as “a new era.”

Ubisoft describes Rainbow Six Siege X as “the biggest transformation in the game’s history,” aiming to breathe new life into the aging multiplayer shooter. The update promises new game modes, “deepened tactical gameplay,” and likely a significant graphical overhaul. However, details remain scarce—modern gaming’s frustrating tendency to tease a teaser continues—with full revelations set for The Rainbow Six Siege X Showcase on March 13.

When Siege first launched in 2015, it struggled. The game was an uninspired Counter-Strike imitator with sluggish sales. But instead of abandoning ship, Ubisoft made a bold pivot to the live-service model. Through years of free updates, refinements, and sheer persistence, Siege evolved into a widely beloved and commercially successful title. A rare case of a publisher investing in a struggling game instead of scrapping it—a move that, in hindsight, seems almost shocking.

Now, nearly ten years later, Ubisoft is making another big gamble, tweaking a formula that has long worked. Such changes always risk upsetting the core player base, but the upcoming showcase appears designed to guide fans into the game’s second decade with reassurance. Of course, some players will resist any change, preferring stagnation over evolution, but that’s an inevitable reality in gaming.

One intriguing hint in the update’s description is the mention of “deepened tactical gameplay.” Could Ubisoft be looking to reconnect with Rainbow Six’s original roots? When the franchise debuted in 1998, it was vastly different from today’s Siege. Rather than controlling a single operator, players managed an entire squad, meticulously planning missions before execution. Ideally, combat was just the unfolding of a well-orchestrated plan, with room for on-the-fly adjustments when things went sideways.

If Siege were to reintroduce gameplay elements reminiscent of its strategic origins, it could be a fascinating evolution for the franchise. Whether that’s the direction Ubisoft is taking or if this is just another routine refresh remains to be seen.