Get ready to dive into the action with Rainbow Six Siege X's Closed Beta, featuring the exciting new 6v6 game mode, Dual Front. Learn all about this thrilling addition and what to expect from the 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 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, and will run until March 19th at the same times.

Gamers eager to participate in the R6 Siege X Closed Beta can do so by tuning into the R6 Siege X Showcase on the official Rainbow 6 Twitch channel or via various Content Creators' Twitch livestreams to earn Closed Beta Twitch drops. The Closed Beta will showcase the new Dual Front game mode and will be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

However, some players have reported issues with not receiving the expected email containing the access code for the R6 Siege X Closed Beta. Ubisoft Support has acknowledged this issue on Twitter (X) on March 14 and is actively working to resolve it and send out the emails promptly.

It's crucial to understand that R6 Siege X isn't a new game but a major update designed to elevate Siege with comprehensive graphical and technical enhancements.

New 6v6 Game Mode: Dual Front

Ubisoft has unveiled Dual Front, a dynamic new 6v6 game mode that promises to bring "foundational upgrades to the core game," including visual enhancements, audio overhauls, rappel upgrades, and more. This mode will also introduce revamped player protection systems and offer free access, allowing players to experience the tactical action of Rainbow Six Siege without any cost.

Dual Front will take place on a brand-new map called District, where two teams of six Operators will engage in battles to attack enemy sectors while simultaneously defending their own. This unique setup marks the first time in R6 history for both attacking and defending Operators to be active simultaneously, opening up new strategic possibilities and gadget combinations.

While the new Dual Front mode takes center stage, the classic Siege mode remains, now rebranded as "Core Siege" in the main menu. This mode features updates to five iconic maps—Clubhouse, Chalet, Border, Bank, and Kafe—with double texture resolution, optional 4K textures on PC, and enhanced destructible materials. Initially, only these five maps will receive modernizations, with future seasons planning to update three maps at a time.

Free Access Starting Season 2 of Year 10

Following the trend set by its competitors, Rainbow Six Siege will become free-to-play starting in Season 2 of Year 10. This shift comes as the gaming industry has evolved significantly since Siege's launch in 2015, when paid multiplayer games were the norm and the live-service model was less prevalent.

At the R6 Siege X Showcase event in Atlanta on March 13, Siege Game Director Alexander Karpazis spoke with PC Gamer about the decision to make the game free-to-play. "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 that the free access model is designed to lower the barrier to entry, enhancing the experience when playing with friends.

The free access will include game modes such as Unranked, Quick Play, and the new Dual Front. However, access to Ranked mode and the Siege Cup will still require a paid premium subscription. This approach, as mentioned by former game director Leroy Athanassoff in a 2020 interview with PC Gamer, aims to deter smurfs and cheaters. "Having that barrier to Ranked or Siege Cup means you have to be committed to the game," Athanassoff stated, a sentiment echoed by Karpazis who believes this model offers "the best of both worlds" for new and veteran players alike.

Siege 2 Was Never On The Table

Despite celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Karpazis confirmed that the team never considered creating a sequel, Siege 2. Unlike competitors such as Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2, R6 Siege chose to enhance the existing game rather than start anew.

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 that the focus was always 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."

The development of Siege X has been ongoing for approximately three years, running parallel to Siege's regular seasonal updates. Karpazis described Siege X as a pivotal moment for the game, stating, "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 importance of the community, saying, "You don't get to 10 years as a live service game without the community that built you up."

Rainbow Six Siege X is slated for release on June 10, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news and developments by checking out our dedicated Rainbow Six Siege article below!