Rainbow Six Siege X makes Ranked Mode open to Premium users only

Ubisoft has revealed major details for Rainbow Six Siege X for its launch today (June 10th), including the introduction of a free and premium access tier system for the tactical shooter.

In an announcement online, the official Ubisoft support account went over the key differences between the two access tiers, including locking certain content behind the premium option.

Alongside maintenance time and patch sizes, both new and returning players will need to be aware of the access system that comes with the Siege X update.

Siege X marks a transition into a free-to-play model for the multiplayer game, abandoning the mandatory upfront cost it has required since the game’s initial release back in 2015.

With the free tier, or ‘Free Access’, players will have access to Quick Play, the new Dual Front mode, and other Unranked game modes. The free tier will also have 26 operators unlocked right out of the gate, with more available to be earned or purchased.

On the other hand, the premium tier offers additional bonuses for users who purchase it. This includes access to Ranked Mode and the in-game Siege Cup, alongside instant access to even more operators.

Making competitive modes a premium feature has sparked criticism online, with some users expressing outrage over certain content being locked behind a paywall.

In a post online, Ubisoft also explained: “If you bought Siege prior to June 10th, you have premium access already. Your operators, inventory, and progression will transfer over.”

There are two editions that will be available for new players that choose the premium access tier, as listed on Steam.

The Elite edition, which costs £17.99, will feature Free Access perks alongside competitive modes, and instant unlocks of 16 additional operators on top of the 26 already available.

The Ultimate edition, which costs £74.99, will grant you instant access to 52 additional operators, alongside four operator cosmetic bundles through the Disruptor Pack.