Rainbow Six Siege X Goes Free-to-Play, But Locks Ranked Behind Paywall
Ubisoft has introduced a new era for one of its most beloved tactical shooters with the launch of Rainbow Six Siege X on June 10, 2025. Siege was originally released in 2015, and the game had its one-time purchase system in place. Now, the game has transitioned to a free-to-play model, which aims at both new and veteran players alike.
However, the move has been controversial due to the introduction of tiered access, most notably the decision to restrict ranked competitive play to paywalled premium tiers.
A New Era: Free and Premium Access Tiers
Ubisoft’s new update, Siege X, has brought out two primary access levels: Free Access and Premium Access. Under the Free Access tier, players get access to modes such as Quick Play and Dual Front, along with basic Unranked matches. They are also given 26 operators right off the bat, with more available for unlocking or purchase.
On the other hand, Premium Access provides Ranked Mode, participation in the new Siege Cup competitive event, and greater access to operators. Players who owned the game before June 10 will automatically receive Premium Access, and their inventory and progression will migrate without issues.
To access the premium features, Ubisoft has outlined two editions available on Steam:
The Elite Edition (£17.99), which unlocks 16 extra operators.
The Ultimate Edition (£74.99) includes 52 operators and four cosmetic bundles via the Disruptor Pack.
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Community Split Due to Paywall Functionality
The most controversial issue surrounding the Siege X update is the implementation of a paywall for the Ranked mode. For a good portion of the Rainbow Six community, accessing Ranked gameplay is essential, and monetising it has received a lot of backlash. Many long-term players argue that competitive integrity is something that should be available to everyone, especially in a title that has since marketed itself as free-to-play.
Ubisoft maintains that the change helps mitigate smurf and new account abuse within Ranked mode. There are also some exclusive rewards that will be provided during the Siege Cup tournament and other competitive seasons. This may encourage some players to purchase the upgrade.
With Siege X, Ubisoft is trying to revitalise the game by using the F2P model to draw in new players, but only time will tell if the competitive paywall strengthens the ranked experience or alienates the core player base.
