Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Ubisoft’s tactical FPS, is a game that has defied the odds of time. Approaching its ninth anniversary, Siege has long been a staple of the gaming community, known for its intense gameplay, intricate strategies, and diverse cast of operators.
However, as the years go by, fans can’t help but wonder: is it time for a sequel? The answer might surprise you, as Creative Director Alexander Karpazis has some strong opinions on this matter that could change how you think about the future of the game.
Despite its age, Rainbow Six Siege still holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. But with recent player count numbers showing a decline, the question of whether a sequel could breathe new life into the franchise is now more pertinent than ever.
Karpazis has a clear stance on this: a sequel is not the answer. In a group interview held at the Six Invitational 2024 in Brazil, the director explained why switching to a new engine or creating a sequel would do more harm than good:
The idea of switching engines to something that can be off-the-shelf ready simply doesn’t answer the needs of a really competitive and demanding game like Siege.
I’m not going to name names, but you see games that did go through sequels and just completely drop the ball because they have to remake every single thing that they did in that first game.
This perspective emphasizes the challenges of starting from scratch with a new engine and the potential pitfalls of sequels in the competitive gaming market. It’s a bold stance, but one that underscores the commitment to maintaining the high standards of Rainbow Six Siege.
It appears that the decision to avoid a sequel is not taken lightly—especially considering the game’s current state. With player counts declining, some might argue that a sequel could be just what the game needs to attract new players and reinvigorate the community. However, Karpazis and his team believe that this approach would be counterproductive.
Siege‘s current engine has been finely tuned over the years to deliver a seamless and competitive experience. Switching to a new engine would mean starting from square one, which is a daunting task, especially for a game that has built such a strong foundation.
Rather than pursuing a full-fledged sequel, the Rainbow Six Siege team has spent the past nine years continuously overhauling and improving the game season after season. This approach has kept the game relevant—even if it hasn’t maintained its peak player numbers.
As Karpazis notes:
The team is incredible, and we have a huge engine pipeline team that every single month incrementally improves the way that we can deliver content faster, more robust, more stable, hopefully as much as possible.
This incremental improvement strategy has allowed Siege to maintain its competitive edge without the need for a full-fledged sequel. By focusing on continuous evolution, the team ensures that each map feels fresh and every update brings something new to the table.
It can be really frustrating, really costly, and in the end, it doesn’t even give you anything that was a benefit. If you know what you have to begin with, and you build it up, that is where we see success.
This approach not only keeps the game alive but also ensures that it remains a benchmark for live-service games.
By building on what they already have, the developers avoid the risks associated with starting anew and can focus on delivering high-quality content that meets the expectations of their loyal player base—what remains of it, at least.
What do you think about the decision to avoid a sequel for Rainbow Six Siege? Don’t you think a sequel could bring new life to the franchise? Let us know in the comments below!
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