Get ready for an exciting update to Rainbow Six Siege with the launch of its Closed Beta, featuring the new 6v6 game mode, Dual Front. Dive into the details of this new mode and learn everything about the upcoming closed beta test.
Rainbow Six Siege X Showcase Revealed New Details for the Update
Closed Beta Begins March 13, 2025
Ubisoft has officially announced that the Closed Beta test for Rainbow Six Siege X (R6 Siege X) will kick off on March 13th at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM CET, right after the R6 Siege X Showcase concludes. The beta will run until March 19th at the same times.
Gamers eager to participate can secure access to the R6 Siege X Closed Beta by tuning into the R6 Siege X Showcase on the official Rainbow 6 Twitch channel or via selected Content Creators' Twitch livestreams to earn Closed Beta Twitch drops. The beta will be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
However, some players have reported not receiving the expected email containing their access code. Ubisoft Support acknowledged the issue on Twitter (X) on March 14 and is actively working to resolve it and send out the codes promptly.
It's worth clarifying that R6 Siege X is not a new game but a significant update designed to elevate the game with comprehensive graphical and technical enhancements.
New 6v6 Game Mode: Dual Front
Ubisoft has introduced Dual Front, an innovative 6v6 game mode that promises to bring "foundational upgrades to the core game," including visual enhancements, an audio overhaul, rappel upgrades, and more. This mode will also feature revamped player protection systems and free access, allowing players to experience Rainbow Six Siege's unique tactical action without any cost.
The action unfolds on a new map called District, where two teams of six Operators will engage in simultaneous attack and defense of enemy sectors. This marks a first for R6, introducing new strategic possibilities through gadget combinations and tactics.
While Dual Front brings fresh excitement, the classic Siege mode remains, now rebranded as "Core Siege" in the main menu. This mode includes modernized updates for five maps: Clubhouse, Chalet, Border, Bank, and Kafe, with double texture resolution, optional 4K textures on PC, and enhanced destructible materials. Ubisoft plans to modernize three more maps per season moving forward.
Free Access Starting Season 2 of Year 10
After a decade since its launch, Rainbow Six Siege will transition to a free-to-play model starting in Season 2 of Year 10. This move aligns with the industry trend seen among its competitors. Initially released in 2015, Siege was part of an era dominated by paid multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Battlefield Hardline.
At the R6 Siege X Showcase in Atlanta on March 13, Game Director Alexander Karpazis shared with PC Gamer that the team aims to introduce the game to 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," he explained. Karpazis emphasized that the free access model reduces the barrier to entry, enhancing the social aspect of the game.
Free access will include game modes such as Unranked, Quick Play, and the new Dual Front. However, Ranked mode and the Siege Cup will remain exclusive to players with premium access. This decision, as explained by former game director Leroy Athanassoff in a 2020 interview with PC Gamer, aims to deter 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."
Siege 2 Was Never On The Table
Despite reaching its 10-year milestone, Ubisoft never considered developing a sequel, Siege 2. Unlike competitors such as Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2, R6 Siege chose to focus on enhancing the existing game. Karpazis stated, "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 further explained that the focus was on doing what was right for Siege and its players. "When we go back in time three years ago, that was the main focus for us," Karpazis said. Siege X, which has been in development for about three years alongside regular seasonal updates, aims to ensure the game's longevity for another decade. "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 added.
Karpazis also highlighted the crucial role of the community in the game's success, stating, "You don't get to 10 years as a live service game without the community that built you up."
Rainbow Six Siege X is scheduled for release on June 10, 2025, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our Rainbow Six Siege article below!
