Key Takeaways
1. Rainbow Six Siege X is now free-to-play, but players face challenges in progressing without spending real money on in-game currency, Renown.
2. The introduction of new operator Fenrir brings unique gameplay features, but earning Renown through matches has become more difficult, leading to player dissatisfaction.
3. Ubisoft has released expensive premium skins, including the Valkyrie Paragon Elite bundle, costing up to $50, which can only be purchased with real money.
4. Community reaction is mixed; while some appreciate new graphics and sound enhancements, veterans worry that the game is becoming too casual, affecting its competitive balance.
5. Daily challenges are available to help players earn more Renown, but the overall sentiment about the changes remains negative among the player base.
On June 10th, the release of Rainbow Six Siege X marked a significant change as Ubisoft made the game free-to-play. Yet, like many free games, players find that progressing in this tactical shooter can be quite a hassle unless they spend real money. Earning Renown, the game’s currency, through match play has become much harder. Additionally, there is some backlash from the community regarding a premium skin priced at up to $50.
Renown and New Features
In Rainbow Six Siege X, players can use Renown to unlock weapon skins and various cosmetic items. The primary appeal of Renown, however, lies in unlocking operators, the playable characters in the game. The update introduced a new operator named Fenrir, who adds a unique tactical aspect with his bulletproof doors. Unfortunately, many players are noticing that the amount of currency earned from matches has significantly decreased. While there are daily challenges available to help players earn more, the general sentiment remains negative about the recent changes.
Premium Skins and Costs
Another strategy that game publishers often use after launching a free title is to introduce expensive premium skins. Ubisoft has taken this to the next level with the Valkyrie Paragon Elite bundle, which is the priciest cosmetic item ever released in the Rainbow Six Siege series. To buy this Norse mythology-themed collection, players need to spend 5,000 R6 credits. Unlike Renown, R6 credits are only obtainable through the Ubisoft Store and must be bought with real money. Some players are shelling out as much as $45-50 to add these Valkyrie Paragon cosmetics to their collection.
Community Reactions
Even games that require payment, like Diablo 4, encourage players to invest large sums of money on cosmetic items. However, some seasoned Rainbow Six players feel that the new skins do not match the realistic tone of the game.
The launch of Rainbow Six Siege X also included enhancements to graphics and sound. The new 6×6 mode, Dual Front, is designed to be more accessible for new players. Conversely, long-time veterans are concerned that the game may be shifting towards a more casual approach, which could impact the competitive nature of the shooter.
Source:
Link