Dive into the latest update with Rainbow Six Siege X as it launches its Closed Beta, spotlighting the exciting new 6v6 game mode, Dual Front. Get all the details about this thrilling addition and what to expect during the closed beta test.
Rainbow Six Siege X Showcase Unveiled Exciting Updates
Closed Beta Kicks Off on March 13, 2025
Ubisoft has officially announced on their website that the Closed Beta for Rainbow Six Siege X (R6 Siege X) will commence on March 13, 2025, at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM CET, immediately following the R6 Siege X Showcase, and will run until March 19, 2025, at the same times.
Gamers eager to participate in the R6 Siege X Closed Beta can secure access by tuning into the R6 Siege X Showcase on the official Rainbow 6 Twitch channel or various Content Creators' Twitch streams to earn Closed Beta Twitch drops. This beta test will introduce the innovative Dual Front game mode and will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
However, some players are currently experiencing delays in receiving their access codes via email. Ubisoft Support has acknowledged this issue on Twitter (X) on March 14 and is actively working to resolve it.
It's worth clarifying that R6 Siege X isn't a new title but a significant update designed to elevate Siege with a range of graphical and technical enhancements.
Introducing the New 6v6 Game Mode: Dual Front
Ubisoft has unveiled Dual Front, a dynamic new 6v6 game mode that promises to "deliver foundational upgrades to the core game" including visual enhancements, an audio overhaul, rappel upgrades, and more. It also introduces revamped player protection systems and free access, enabling players to immerse themselves in Siege's unique tactical action without any cost.
Set on the new map, District, Dual Front pits two teams of six Operators against each other, each team tasked with attacking enemy sectors while safeguarding their own. This marks a first for R6, with simultaneous attacking and defending Operators, unlocking new strategic possibilities and tactical combinations.
While Dual Front takes the spotlight, the classic Siege mode remains intact, rebranded as "Core Siege" in the main menu. This mode will feature updated versions of five maps—Clubhouse, Chalet, Border, Bank, and Kafe—with double texture resolution, optional 4K textures on PC, and improved destructible materials. Although only five maps are currently modernized, future updates will roll out three maps at a time.
Free Access Coming with Season 2 of Year 10
Following a decade since its initial launch, Rainbow Six Siege will transition to a free-to-play model starting with Season 2 of Year 10. This shift aligns with the current industry trend, moving away from the paid multiplayer model that was prevalent at the time of its 2015 debut alongside titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Battlefield Hardline.
During the R6 Siege X Showcase event in Atlanta on March 13, Game Director Alexander Karpazis shared with PC Gamer the team's vision to attract new players. "We want people to invite their friends to try out Siege, and we want to give them the majority of the game so that they understand what makes this game so special," Karpazis explained. He emphasized the importance of community, saying, "That reduces the barrier [to entry], because honestly Siege is at its best when you've got friends playing with you."
The free access will include Unranked, Quick Play, and the new Dual Front modes. However, access to Ranked mode and the Siege Cup will require a paid premium subscription. In a 2020 interview with PC Gamer, former Game Director Leroy Athanassoff highlighted the rationale behind maintaining a paywall for Ranked mode as a measure against smurfs and cheaters. Karpazis added, "It is, in our opinion, the best of both worlds where you can bring in new players but also have this place where veterans feel super competitive and committed to the game."
No Plans for Siege 2
Despite reaching its 10-year milestone, Ubisoft has confirmed that a sequel, Siege 2, was never considered. Unlike competitors such as Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2, R6 Siege opted for significant updates over a new game release.
Karpazis elaborated, "Siege 2 was never on the table. A lot of live service games are starting to go through this process because a lot of them are hitting that 10-year mark." He added, "We just had to do what was right for Siege and what was right for players as well. When we go back in time three years ago, that was the main focus for us."
R6 Siege X has been in development for about three years, running parallel to Siege's ongoing seasonal updates. Karpazis shared the team's long-term vision: "Siege X, for us, is a moment where we want to make big, meaningful changes to the game. We want to show that, yes, we're here for another 10 years, and we want to respect the people who brought us here so far." He underscored the vital role of the community, stating, "You don't get to 10 years as a live service game without the community that built you up."
Mark your calendars for the full release of Rainbow Six Siege X on June 10, 2025, available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned to our Rainbow Six Siege articles for the latest updates and information!
