Director of Rainbow Six Siege Details Future and New Dual Front Mode

During the competitive event RE:LO:AD, held in Rio de Janeiro, Joshua Mills, director of Rainbow Six Siege and now of Siege X, discussed the longevity of the game, the balance between casual and competitive experience, and the impact of innovations. Mills emphasized the systemic nature of Rainbow Six, where players' creativity drives the relevance of the title over time.

For Mills, what makes Rainbow Six unique is the gameplay system, which "allows creativity and expression." He added: "Our players bring this to every round. That's why each match is a new experience: different strategies, different teams, always something new. The heart of the game comes from the community adding their personal touch."

Balancing the complexity of the competitive scene with accessibility for new players is one of the challenges, according to Mills. Ubisoft's approach was not to simplify the game, but to make the path easier for beginners. "Siege is challenging by nature. We don't want to change that. But for casual players, we want to make the beginning less harsh," he explained. The Dual Front mode is seen as a "great entry point," allowing players to experience the "heart of the game with less pressure." The onboarding system was redesigned to be more friendly, without diminishing the "road to mastery," but helping players not get lost at the beginning.

Siege X in the Competitive Scene and the Genesis of Dual Front

The new version of the game, Siege X, debuted in the competitive scene during RE:LO:AD. Joshua Mills observed the performance of professional players with the new mechanics. "Seeing the players using the new mechanics, the new movements, is incredible. There was a moment when they shot the extinguisher, covered the flank with smoke, and advanced — it was exactly what we imagined when creating this."

He also highlighted the importance of the Pick & Ban system, which has influenced the community, and how the strategies developed on the competitive stage spread to normal gameplay. "Pro players show new strategies, and months later we see the same moves in ranked matches. It's a way to inspire the whole community," he said.

The Dual Front mode was conceived with the goal of making Siege lighter and more accessible without compromising its tactical essence. The initial idea was: "how to make a mode where you can play with friends and have a beer? Because playing ranked is sweaty, it's hard work. So we created something with respawns, reduced operators, and a focus on fun." Dual Front allows attacking or defending at will, observing destruction in real time, and understanding the unique dynamics of Siege with less risk of early elimination. "We want players to get a taste of what the full Siege is, but with a lighter atmosphere. If you enjoy attacking, great. Prefer defending? Go for it. The goal is to make the game more welcoming," Mills concluded.

Connection with the Brazilian Community

Joshua Mills also expressed his excitement at returning to Brazil for the event in Rio de Janeiro, with memories of his previous visit to São Paulo. "The crowd in São Paulo... man, it was chilling. I remember being in the stands, watching the two brothers running through the arena (laughs), and I thought: this is history in the making. You could feel the energy in your chest. It's surreal to be back in Brazil. The energy is in the air. It starts tomorrow, but today we're going to take a break to enjoy the city before the craziness. I'm super excited," he said.

Ubisoft's relationship with the Brazilian Rainbow Six Siege community has historically been strong, with the country hosting several competitive events and having an engaged fan base. The presence of directors like Joshua Mills at local events reinforces the recognition of the Brazilian market's importance for the franchise.

Have you tried Siege X or the new Dual Front mode? What is your opinion on the changes and the future of Rainbow Six Siege?