Nearly a decade after its launch, Rainbow Six Siege (R6S) is getting its biggest upgrade yet. Ubisoft is shaking up the game with Siege X, a sweeping overhaul that promises to redefine the tactical shooter. But what exactly can players expect? And more importantly, how will it impact the future of R6S?
Here’s everything you need to know about Siege X, including its official release date, confirmed upgrades, and new features.
Rainbow Six Siege X
Rainbow Six Siege X Explained
Ubisoft first unveiled Siege X on Feb. 16 at the 2025 Six Invitational, calling it “the biggest transformation in the game’s history” and “one that sets the stage for the years to come.” More than just a routine update, Siege X was pegged as a complete overhaul of R6S (think Counter-Strike 2).
The developers promised “major upgrades across the board,” including improvements to graphics, audio, and gameplay—and they’ve delivered! Here’s an overview of all the core improvements coming with Siege X.
Huge Graphical Improvements
Ubisoft announced a series of visual upgrades for Siege X. One big change is that the game will exclusively support DirectX 12, ditching DirectX 11’s dated rendering techniques.
After the Siege X Showcase, the development team went a step further, introducing reworked versions of Clubhouse, Chalet, Border, Bank, and Kafe. These maps will feature double the texture resolution, improved shadows, and reworked lighting effects for a more realistic and immersive in-game experience.
PC players will have the option to enable 4K textures for even greater detail. Ubisoft has also committed to ongoing visual upgrades, promising to modernize three additional maps each season. This approach ensures that Siege X will continue to receive graphical improvements over time.
Better And Richer Audio
The game’s audio system is getting a full rework. Ubisoft has implemented a new audio propagation and reverberation system for crisper directional audio cues. This means footsteps will echo with greater clarity, while gunfire and explosions will carry richer and more layered depth.
All signs point to better spatial audio in Siege X, which will allow R6S players to pinpoint enemy positions with even more accuracy. In addition, a new communication wheel with non-verbal callouts and a novel pinging system means players will be able to strategize more efficiently.
Deeper Tactical Gameplay
During a speech at the 2025 Six Invitational, Ubisoft promised “new ways to play” and “deeper tactical gameplay.” Game director Joshua Mills emphasized there would be an expansion of the game’s core foundation, including tighter mechanics and a better “game feel” in Siege X—and he wasn’t kidding.
Along with the new weapon inspect feature, Siege X has an upgraded rappel system. This will provide smoother movement, horizontal sprinting, and better maneuverability around building corners. Ubisoft has added more destructible environmental elements, too, offering new tactical opportunities for teams.
For example, damaging red gas pipes will spit out fire and ultimately explode, injuring enemies and blocking pathways. Puncturing fire extinguishers will release thick smoke and concuss nearby players. Players can disable or destroy metal detectors with EMPs, giving you even more creative options for breaching and flanking.
New 6v6 Game Mode
Another huge addition is Dual Front, a permanent 6v6 game mode set on a new map called District. It will feature teams attacking enemy sectors while defending their own. Players will select from a rotating pool of 35 operators, assembling attackers and defenders on the same team.
Each match has two objective points (one in each team’s sector) that are live at all times. There’s also a neutral sector between the lanes through which players can flank and ambush enemies. This area also lets squads reposition or complete time-limited assignments for bonus rewards.
In Dual Front, teams must plant and defend a sabotage kit to capture sectors and advance toward the enemy base. The side that sabotages the enemy base first wins. Unlike classic Siege modes, Dual Front will allow respawning and encourage highly adaptive and aggressive players.
You can unlock early access to Dual Front via the open beta, running from Mar. 13-19, 2025 on PC via Ubisoft Connect, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X. And no, you don’t need to own R6S. Instead, you’ll need to connect your Twitch and Ubisoft Connect accounts and watch the Siege X Showcase on Twitch or other qualifying live streams.
New ShieldGuard Anti-Cheat
Ubisoft is stepping up its fight against cheating and toxicity with R6 ShieldGuard in Siege X. This unified new anti-cheat system amalgamates existing tools like Cheat Detection, Mousetrap, QB, and Binary Hardening, while also adding live security updates that require zero downtime.
In addition to creating a safe and fairer environment for R6 players, Siege X will feature a Reputation System to punish players with bad attitudes. Essentially, toxic players will be restricted from accessing certain playlists (at least until they meet community standards).
New Pick/Ban System
Siege X will ship with an updated Pick and Ban system so teams can react and adapt to enemy strategies. This feature will be rolled out for Ranked matches, with teams vetoing operators before each match and during the switch between attacking and defending sides.
Exclusive Premium Bundles
Before the game launches, Ubisoft is selling exclusive premium content known as the Siege X Pack. This bundle will be available for a limited time until June 2025.
The Siege X Pack will include:
- Ranked and Siege Cup playlists for Free Access players
- Siege X badge
- 2670 R6 credit pack
- Animated weapon for Thermite and Osa’s 556xi assault rifle
- 12 Operators (including Ace, Azami, Deimos, Fenrir, Flores, Grim, Melusi, Osa, Ram, Sens, Skopos, and Solis)
- A Legendary bundle for Ash and Siege X charm on launch
Pro Tip: If you logged into the game between 2015 and 2024, you’ll also get a free “Siege Veteran” emblem as a token of recognition for your loyalty.
New Operators Join The Fray
While not yet confirmed, Ubisoft is rumored to add two new operators.
A new operator named Hāpai “Rauora” Iwini (Codename: Curtain) from New Zealand’s SAS has already been added in Year 10 Season 1. Rauora joined the attackers with a Deployable Omnilink Mesh (D.O.M.) Launcher, firing bulletproof smart barriers that block doors with a trigger that attackers can toggle to control sightlines.
Unfortunately, not much is known about the second new operator. However, it’s speculated to be Phobos (Deimos’ twin brother), a character introduced during the Assault on Hereford event. According to leaks, this operator (Codename: Heist) will be a defender and is expected to be released with the Year 10 Season 3 update.
When Will Rainbow Six Siege X Be Released?
As initially speculated, Siege X is confirmed to launch on June 10, 2025, with the Year 10 Season 2 update. The game will also transition to a free-to-play model, meaning new players will experience R6S at no cost. To quell the learning curve, a new tutorial and skill training mode will help newbies master the basics.
These players will have access to 10 operators from the get-go, with the ability to unlock up to 26 operators through in-game progression. Free players will have access to Dual Front, Unranked, and Quick Play game modes. However, Ranked mode and Siege Cup will require Premium access and a minimum level of 50.
Note: Current R6S players will keep all previously unlocked content (e.g., operators, game modes, inventory, and progression) plus veteran rewards.
When Will Rainbow Six Siege X Be Released?
As of March 3, Siege X does not have a confirmed release date, but all signs suggest a possible mid-2025 launch. Given that R6S follows a three-month seasonal cycle, Siege X is expected to debut alongside Year 10 Season 2 sometime in June.
This timing aligns with the launch of Year 10 Season 1 (Operation Prep Phase) on March 5, as indicated by the Operation Collision Point battle pass. And the best part? Siege X is expected to be a free update for existing owners, not a new standalone title.
Want a closer look? Watch Ubisoft’s official teaser for Siege X below:
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