Rainbow Six Turn-Based Tactics Game in Development at Ubisoft

Summary

Ubisoft is reportedly developing a turn-based tactics game in the Rainbow Six universe, a departure from its first-person shooter roots.
Inspired by XCOM, players will control multiple operators with specific skills, aiming for a 25-30 hour gameplay length.
The game is anticipated to be released for current-gen consoles and PC, with a potential launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.

A new report has claimed that Ubisoft is working on a turn-based tactics title set in the Rainbow Six universe. The Rainbow Six franchise has typically been comprised of first-person shooters, so this rumored game would be a change in direction for the series.

Rainbow Six began in 1998 and has since established itself among the chief tactical shooter franchises in the industry. In recent years, the series has found massive success with Rainbow Six Siege. The 2015 shooter has been a great competitor to games like Counter-Strike, receiving almost a decade of updates from Ubisoft with no signs of slowing down. However, a new report indicates that the series could be about to dip its toes into a new genre altogether.

Interview: Rainbow Six Siege X Game Director Talks Laying the Groundwork for the Future

Game Rant chats with Rainbow Six Siege X game director Joshua Mills about the major update coming to the game, what inspired it, and where it’s going.

According to Insider Gaming‘s Tom Henderson, a Rainbow Six turn-based tactics game is currently in development at Ubisoft, and “is likely one or two years out, but is aiming to be released as a current-generation console title for the Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, PC, and possibly Nintendo Switch 2.” Henderson’s report claims the title will take a ton of inspiration from XCOM, with one source claiming, “just watch some XCOM gameplay if you want to get an idea, I’d say it’s an updated version of that with cinematic cutscenes and so on.”

Ubisoft is Reportedly Working on a Turn-Based Tactics Rainbow Six Game

Players will reportedly take control of multiple Rainbow Six Siege operators in the game, with a gameplay loop that forces players to choose based on each operator’s specific skills for the task ahead. The game is aiming for a length of “approximately 25-30 hours depending on player skill.” As with all rumors, this should be taken with a pinch of salt, but it would certainly represent a fascinating change in direction for the Rainbow Six series, one that actually makes a ton of sense.

Beyond the rumored turn-based tactics title, 2025 will still be a big year for Rainbow Six fans for one reason in particular. In June, Rainbow Six Siege will rebrand as Rainbow Six Siege X, arriving with massive gameplay overhauls intended to future-proof the game for the next decade. This will also coincide with its transition to a free-to-play model, making the game more accessible than ever. It’s an ambitious plan, and players only have to wait until June to see how it plays out.