The Rainbow Six Siege X Closed Beta is now live, introducing a brand new 6v6 game mode called Dual Front. Learn all the details about this new mode and the closed beta test right here.
New Update Details Revealed in Rainbow Six Siege X Showcase
Closed Beta Kicks Off March 13, 2025
Ubisoft has announced on its official website that the Rainbow Six Siege X (R6 Siege X) Closed Beta will run from March 13 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM CET, starting right after the R6 Siege X Showcase concludes, until March 19 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM CET.
Players can gain access to the R6 Siege X Closed Beta by watching the R6 Siege X Showcase on the official Rainbow 6 Twitch channel or through various Content Creators' Twitch livestreams to earn Closed Beta Twitch drops. This closed beta will feature the new Dual Front game mode and be available 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's official support account acknowledged this problem on Twitter (X) on March 14 and confirmed they are working to resolve it and send out the emails promptly.
It is important to understand that R6 Siege X is not a new standalone game, but a major update designed to elevate Siege with comprehensive graphical and technical improvements.
Introducing Dual Front: The New 6v6 Experience
Ubisoft has unveiled Dual Front, a dynamic new 6v6 game mode. According to the official website, this update delivers "foundational upgrades to the core game—including visual enhancements, a complete audio overhaul, rappel improvements, and more—alongside revamped player protection systems and free access, allowing players to experience Rainbow Six Siege's unique tactical action at no cost."
The mode is set on a brand new map named District, where two teams of six Operators battle to attack enemy sectors while simultaneously defending their own. This introduces a first for the R6 series: having both attacking and defending Operators active at the same time, "unlocking new potential for gadget combinations and ingenious tactical plays."
Meanwhile, the classic Siege experience the game is famous for will remain. In the main menu, it will be labelled "Core Siege," featuring five modernized map updates for Clubhouse, Chalet, Border, Bank, and Kafe. These maps receive double texture resolution, optional 4K textures on PC, and enhanced destructible materials. Initially, five maps will be modernized, with three additional maps planned for modernization in each future season.
Free-to-Play Access Arrives in Year 10, Season 2
After a decade, Siege will transition to a free-to-play model, aligning with trends set by other major titles in the genre. At its original launch in 2015, premium paid multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Battlefield Hardline were the industry standard, and the live-service model was far less common than it is today.
At the R6 Siege X Showcase in Atlanta on March 13, Siege Game Director Alexander Karpazis told PC Gamer that the team aims to welcome new players. He stated, "We want people to be able to invite their friends to try Siege, and we want to give them the majority of the game so they can understand what makes it so special." Karpazis added, "This lowers the barrier to entry because, honestly, Siege is at its absolute best when you're playing with friends."
The free access tier includes modes like Unranked, Quick Play, and the new Dual Front. However, the Ranked mode and the Siege Cup will require a paid premium access pass. In a 2020 interview with PC Gamer, then-game director Leroy Athanassoff explained that the initial decision to keep the game as a paid product was partly to deter smurfs and cheaters.
He believes locking the Ranked mode behind a paywall helps maintain balance. "Having that barrier for Ranked or the Siege Cup means you have to be committed to the game. It helps us weed out smurf accounts and allows us to continue fully supporting the most competitive aspects of the game," he said. Karpazis continued this thought, stating, "In our view, this is the best of both worlds: you can welcome new players while maintaining a highly competitive space where veterans feel deeply invested."
Siege 2 Was Never Considered
Karpazis revealed that the development team never seriously considered creating a "Siege 2," even as the game reached its 10-year anniversary. Unlike other major FPS titles such as Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2, the R6 Siege team decided against a sequel, choosing instead to pursue what they felt was right for their game and community.
"Siege 2 was never on the table," Karpazis explained. "Many live service games are now facing this decision as they approach that 10-year milestone." He added, "We simply had to do what was right for Siege and, most importantly, for our players. That was our primary focus starting about three years ago."
Development on Siege X has been ongoing for roughly three years, running parallel to the game's regular seasonal content updates. Karpazis described Siege X as the foundation for the next decade of the Siege experience. He said, "For us, Siege X is a pivotal moment to make significant, meaningful changes to the game. We want to demonstrate that we are committed for another 10 years, and we want to honor the community that has supported us all this way."
Karpazis emphasized the critical role of the player base, stating, "A live service game cannot reach a 10-year anniversary without the community that built it up."
Rainbow Six Siege X is scheduled for full release on June 10, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest news and updates on the game, be sure to check out our dedicated Rainbow Six Siege article below!
