While Ubisoft has already outlined some of the gameplay changes planned for the Rainbow Six Siege Year 5 patch that will introduce Operation Void Edge, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as Ubisoft Montreal has major changes planned in how they tackle seasons and beyond.

The changes on how seasons are approached will start with a hybrid Year 5. While the two seasons will stay in the current format which includes two new Operators and a map rework, the second half of 2020 will see the introduction of Rainbow Six Siege Year 6, with its new format. In Year 6, each season will now only introduce one new Operator, but will include more in-game free content. Ubisoft lists these as map reworks, a limited-time event, major gameplay changes, and a Battle Pass that will be introduce in each season starting with Void Edge.

Here’s a look at how the calendar looks via the Rainbow Six Siege Year 5 roadmap, and what changes players should expect via the press release.

CORE GAMEPLAY CHANGES

For the future, the focus is on the core gameplay of Siege, fundamental elements that have a direct impact on every player. The following points will be the priority target:

• Get players more invested int the preparation and support phases
• Expand player agency
• Reinvest in existing content such as maps and operators
• Create content and rework existing content that effects the way players engage with the environment and other players

For example, a smart ping system will be implemented to smoothen gameplay by improving communication in the team, mostly for players who can’t or prefer not to use voice chat. There will also be more secondary gadgets available to all Operators, and many more updates are currently being tested and will release during Year 5 and Year 6.

OPERATORS REWORKS

Reworks are major changes that affect how Operators are utilized and redefine their entire gameplay. In Year 5, Tachanka will be the first Operator completely reworked, and others will follow in the upcoming seasons.

IN-GAME EVENTS

Year 4 was already rich in terms of in-game events with Rainbow is Magic, Showdown, Doktor’s Curse, and Road to SI. In both Year 5 and Year 6, there will, again, be one major in-game event during each season. These events propose a unique gameplay shift, offering a refreshing and innovative experience to all players. In addition, weekend-only Arcade Playlists are also coming to the game. The first Arcade Playlist, Golden Gun, will happen during Y5S1, and more are planned, starting Y5S3.

Other changes for Year 5 and 6 have already been announced:

• Map ban, to offer players a better control on the map they will play

• Reputation system, a transparent system where player can get rewards or sanctioned based on their behaviors in-game

Perhaps Ubisoft’s changes to how Rainbow Six Siege handles season is somehow connected to the game’s confirmed re-release on PS5 and Xbox Series X? Your guess is as good as mine.

Are you happy with this change or should Ubisoft Montreal stick to the way they’ve been doing it before?