Today marks the release of Rainbow Six: Siege X, transforming one of the most acclaimed tactical shooters into a free-to-play game.
Rainbow Six Siege X: A Brutal Tactical Shooter Goes Free-to-Play
Ubisoft is shaking things up with their popular tactical shooter, Rainbow Six Siege. This badass game, known for its intense teamwork and unique abilities, is now evolving into Rainbow Six Siege X and embracing the free-to-play model (...or as Ubisoft calls it, "free to access"). Alright, let's dive in and explore what this means for you and your squad of elite operators.
Take a trip down memory lane with the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in the UK, which served as the inspiration for Siege. This historic event marked the first time the SAS was on full display, storming the hostage-takers as the world watched on television. You can find thrilling footage and documentaries on YouTube, where you'll see all sorts of action like breach charges, door-smashing sledgehammers, and operatives rappelling down buildings. The game captures this authenticity and danger, setting it apart from other competitive shooters out there (with an operator named after Margaret Thatcher, PM at the time – now that's a choice!).
Now's your chance to test your skills in the battlefield, as the new business model brings fresh ways to monetize the game. But don't call it a sequel; even though certain parts have received a thorough overhaul, the core of the game remains the same.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of the "dual front" mode, featuring Siege's largest-ever map and teams of six fighting to seize enemy sectors while defending their own. The objective? Capture the enemy base to emerge victorious. This mode comes with exciting elements like a neutral sector for assignments and rewards, and the freedom to swap your operator when respawning.
Ubisoft's marketing gurus are on it too, with the publisher promoting Siege X as "the undisputed reference in tactical team shooters, where elite strategy and execution reign supreme." They're also hyping the new onboarding experience for new players, designed to help beginners learn the basics and build confidence before jumping into the heat of battle.
Now comes the axe-drop: in 2020, the developers were gunning for it to go free one day. According to the game's current director, Alex Karpazis, the upfront cost helped keep the smurf and cheater population in check. To maintain a healthy competitive scene, Karpazis insists that keeping Ranked behind the paywall is a good move.
Rainbow Six Siege X joins the ranks of Overwatch 2 and Hunt: Showdown, adding to the list of games making the transition from existing titles to new experiences. Along with the changes in gameplay, modes, and monetization comes a substantial visual upgrade, requiring more powerful hardware compared to the game's previous demands (but don't worry; the minimum specs are pretty generous).
The free-to-play version of Siege X gives you enough to see if this game is your cup of tea, featuring Quick Match, Unranked, and the new Dual Front mode. If you're ready to take your gameplay to the next level and tackle Ranked matches, you'll need the Elite Edition, set at £17.99/$20. And if you're serious about dominating the competitive scene, the Ultimate Edition offers more content for double the price.
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Rich StantonWith a 15-year career under his belt, Rich Stanton is a seasoned games journalist. He's written for numerous publications, including Edge, Eurogamer, and IGN, among others. He served as the editor of Kotaku UK for three years and has now joined the PC Gamer gang. He's the author of "A Brief History of Video Games" and is ready to help you take your gaming skills to the next level.
- As Rainbow Six Siege X transitions to a free-to-play model, tech-savvy players can now enjoy the game on their high-end gadgets, experiencing the improved visuals that technology offers.
- In the world of competitive tactical team shooters, Rainbow Six Siege X stands as a prominent name, relying on strategy and execution in every game, season after season.
- To level up and dominate the Ranked matches in Rainbow Six Siege X, players might consider investing in the Ultimate Edition, as its extra content could give them the edge they need in the competitive scene.
