So, everyone is buzzing about the Rainbow Six X closed beta, but honestly, a lot of the chatter online is a bit of a mess. If you've been scrolling through Discord or X lately, you’ve probably seen a hundred different dates and a lot of confusion about what this "X" thing even is. Is it a sequel? A mobile port? A weird spin-off?
Basically, Rainbow Six Siege X—often just called Siege X—is the massive overhaul of the original tactical shooter we've been playing since 2015. It isn't Siege 2, but it's the closest thing we’re getting. Ubisoft decided to go the Counter-Strike 2 route, essentially rebuilding the engine's core, upgrading the lighting, and adding a 6v6 mode called Dual Front.
The most recent Rainbow Six X closed beta just wrapped up its main testing phase, but the ripples are still hitting the community. If you missed out on the Twitch drops or the invite-only codes, you're likely wondering if it lived up to the hype or if it’s just the same old game with a fresh coat of paint.
Why the Rainbow Six X Closed Beta felt different
Testing a game you've already played for 4,000 hours feels strange. Most players jumped in expecting the same pixel-peeks and the same old meta. They were wrong.
The biggest shocker in the Rainbow Six X closed beta wasn't the graphics—though the new "Neural Rendering" stuff makes the maps look moody as hell. It was the movement. Ubisoft implemented new motion-capture-based rappel animations and a projectile trajectory system that actually shows you where your grenade is going to land. It feels... smoother. Less clunky.
Then there’s the Dual Front mode. This is where things get wild.
It’s a 6v6 setup on the biggest map Siege has ever seen. Think of it like a tug-of-war. You’re attacking and defending at the same time across different sectors. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. And it’s definitely not the slow, methodical 5v5 we’re used to. During the beta, seeing 12 operators on one map felt like a fever dream.
How people actually got in (and why it was annoying)
Accessing the Rainbow Six X closed beta wasn't as simple as clicking "download" on Steam. Ubisoft tied it heavily to the Siege X Showcase back in March 2025. You had to:
- Link your Ubisoft Connect account to Twitch.
- Watch specific partners (like jackfrags or the official R6 channel) for hours.
- Pray for a drop.
Once you got the drop, you had to pick a platform—PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S. If you were still on a base PS4 or Xbox One, you were mostly out of luck for the Dual Front testing, which is exclusive to current-gen hardware.
The "X" vs. The Mobile confusion
Here is where things get really confusing for the casual fan. While the PC and console crowd were testing the Siege X overhaul, there was also a huge push for Rainbow Six Mobile.
A lot of people accidentally signed up for the mobile tests thinking they were getting into the Rainbow Six X closed beta. They are two different beasts. Rainbow Six Mobile is a ground-up build for phones, set to launch globally on February 23, 2026. Siege X, on the other hand, is the "Year 10" evolution of the main game.
Kinda confusing, right?
Honestly, the stakes were higher for the Siege X test. With Ubisoft Halifax recently shutting down—which was a huge shock to the mobile dev side—players are looking at the main Siege X update as the "safe" future of the franchise.
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What we learned from the Dual Front testing
If you didn't get to play the beta, you missed a lot of the "growing pains" that Ubisoft is trying to fix before the June 10 launch.
The 6v6 mode had some serious balance issues. In the Rainbow Six X closed beta, the "Neutral Sector" assignments—these high-risk side objectives you can do mid-match—were way too rewarding. One team could basically ignore the main objective, finish a side task, and get enough buffs to steamroll the other side.
Ubisoft also tested the new "R6 ShieldGuard" anti-cheat during this window. It’s supposed to be a live-updating system that doesn't need downtime to patch out new cheats. Did it work? It’s hard to tell in a week-long beta, but the "data-ban" notifications in the kill feed were popping off more than usual.
The Operators: Who made the cut?
In the beta, you couldn't play everyone. Ubisoft limited the roster to 35 operators. Some fan favorites were missing, and the devs were pretty clear that they're re-tuning every gadget to fit the new engine's physics.
- Rauora: The newest operator was everywhere. Her ability to "prep" walls with a reinforced resin was a game-changer in the 6v6 chaos.
- Deimos: Still a beast for hunting down roamers in the larger map layouts.
- The Shield Overhaul: If you haven't played since they changed how shields work (where you can actually look around and use gadgets more fluidly), it's a totally different game.
The roadmap to the full release
The Rainbow Six X closed beta was just a pitstop. We know the full "Siege X" update is hitting the live servers on June 10.
But what happens between now and then?
Ubisoft is running "RELOAD," an esports competition in Rio de Janeiro this May. They’re basically using pro players as the final "live" testers for the Siege X build. If the pros find a game-breaking bug in Rio, expect the June launch to be a bit rocky.
Also, it's worth noting that "Free Access" is a big part of the new strategy. When the X update drops, the base version of the game becomes free. You'll get Quick Match and Dual Front for nothing, but you’ll have to pay or grind to unlock Ranked and the full operator list.
Actionable Next Steps for Players
If you missed the Rainbow Six X closed beta, don't stress. You can still prepare for the June 10 launch.
- Check your hardware: If you're on PC, make sure you have at least an RTX 2060 or an RX 6600. The new lighting in Siege X is significantly heavier than the old version.
- Clean your inventory: Ubisoft confirmed that all your skins and progression carry over to Siege X. Take some time to use the new "Locker" menu to organize your cosmetics now so you aren't lost in June.
- Watch the Rio RELOAD event: This is where you’ll see the "final" version of the 6v6 meta before it goes public. Pay attention to how the pros handle the Neutral Sectors.
- Link your accounts now: Don't wait until the next "open" weekend. Keep your Ubisoft Connect and Twitch accounts synced because they will do more drops before June.
The transition to Rainbow Six X is the biggest gamble Ubisoft has taken with the franchise since launch. It’s faster, it’s prettier, and it’s trying to be a bit more "modern" without losing that tactical tension. Whether you loved or hated the changes in the beta, one thing is certain: the old Siege is officially becoming a thing of the past.