Ubisoft is finally adding Rainbow Six Siege cross-play between PC and console. This development promises to enhance the gaming experience by allowing players from different platforms to team up or compete against each other. However, it also raises questions about balance and competitive integrity.
Support for cross-play on all platforms will launch in December with Rainbow Six Siege’s Year 9 Season 4 update, Operation Collision Point. This long-awaited feature aims to unify the player base, making it easier than ever for friends to connect regardless of their preferred gaming setup.
The new system will allow players to match with friends no matter what platform they’re playing on. However, there’s a catch: if a PC player joins a squad, the entire team will be placed into the PC matchmaking pool. This could create an imbalance, as mouse-and-keyboard users may have an advantage over controller players.
Cross-play and cross-progression for Rainbow Six Siege were first enabled for PC users alongside Amazon Luna and Stadia in June 2021. In late 2022, support was extended to Xbox and PlayStation consoles. This expansion speaks volumes about Ubisoft’s commitment to inclusivity within their community but also highlights ongoing challenges related to competitive fairness among differing control schemes.
“Player Protection advances this season include Mousetrap Penalty adjustments to account for crossplay, automatic match cancellation if a cheater is detected, an overhaul for the Reputation center, and AI text moderation,” Ubisoft said. These measures are crucial as they aim not only to improve gameplay experience but also to Make sure that fair play standards are maintained across diverse platforms.
This update will also introduce a special new variant of the ballistic shield for Blackbeard and balancing updates for Ying and Sens, among other features. It reflects Ubisoft’s continuous efforts to improve the game while keeping things fresh with new content.
Interestingly, despite being released in 2015, Rainbow Six Siege has generated over €3.5 billion since its debut, which puts it on par with some of the most successful franchises in gaming history.
