‘Rainbow 6 Siege’ Might Go Free-To-Play Permanently, States Developer

Launching back in 2015, Ubisoft has been able to transform Rainbow Six Siege into a tactical shooter an internationally esports phenomenon. We already understand that Siege will be readily available on next-gen consoles later this year, but it seems like the video game could open up to an even larger audience in the near future.

Speaking to PC Gamer, Siege director Leroy Athanassoff touched on the exciting possibility of making the video game totally free-to-play. Crucially, Ubisoft isn’t versus the concept. No doubt the publisher has seen the success of free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends, as well as CS: GO’s current transition into a free-to-play experience.

While possible, it’s still crucial to keep in mind that Athanassoff thinks there ‘d be a lot the group would require to work out prior to making Siege free.

“It’s a business choice,” he discussed. “I believe on the advancement team we want that at some time. We desire the game to be available to everyone. You require particular features all set to be a great and successful free-to-play video game.” Athanassoff argued that smurfing was something the group would require to find out before it ever made the switch.

If you’re not conscious, smurfing is a player-coined term. It includes a lot more experienced players producing completely new accounts so that they can be matched up with – and destroy – lower level gamers. The idea is that smurfers can get in a couple of easy video games before Siege identifies their ability level and takes them out of the kiddy swimming pool again.

“What’s important for us is that we discover out as quickly as possible that a player is extremely skilled in the things that matter. The issue right now is that you can play a specific amount of matches with Copper players while you’re a Diamond,” Athanassoff stated.

With this already being a recognized problem in Siege, you can see why Athanassoff would desire to sort it prior to going free-to-play. Imagine the carnage if creating a brand-new account cost absolutely nothing, and might be done by anybody, anywhere. Fortunately is that Ubisoft continues to deal with a smurfing option. Maybe when the matter is settled at last, the switch to free-to-play could start in earnest?

As Athanassoff says, it remains in the hands of Ubisoft … however, with Siege making the dive to next-gen, it could be the perfect time to reinvent the shooter yet once again.