Rainbow Six Siege X, also known as Siege X, is the latest evolution of Tom Clancy’s modern combat franchise. It’s a classic title where a team of operators tries to break into a house or other structure and take out a defending team and perform a mission, like rescuing a hostage.
It launched on June 10, 2025, along with Operation Daybreak and includes a free-to-play version, modernized maps, new destructible elements, and the new Dual Front game mode.
Siege X also introduces a new pick and ban system for ranked matches and an audio overhaul. The latest update is the biggest the company has ever done, and I spoke with Alex Karpazis, creative director at Ubisoft Montreal for Rainbow Six Siege at the recent Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege came out in 2015, and the esports tournaments started in 2017. Now it’s one of the more sustainable esports competitions among games in the world, and it’s part of the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Every new season comes along every three months, with new operators, gadgets, maps and features. There are now more than 70 operators in the game.
Breaching in Rainbox Six Siege X.
Siege X also brings a brand-new 6v6 mode, gameplay changes that deepen its tactical core, a visual overhaul of classic maps and more. The aim is to create more excitement around the game and attract more new fans, while at the same time keeping the hardcore players satisfied. That’s always a tough balancing act to walk. Karpazis said this version has an improved onboarding process, and he noted that 6v6 takes off some of the pressure on each team member in the 5v5 matches.
The latest maps now also have destructible ingredients. Throughout the map there are fire extinguishers, gas pipes, metal detectors and more to disrupt enemy plans. Many of the new devices and ways for breaching will reward the teams that attack with moment-to-moment strategy in mind, Karpazis said.
Here’s an edited transcript of our interview.
Alex Karpazis is creative director for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X.
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