Ubisoft have announced the full details behind the new update Operation Grim Sky for Rainbow Six Siege, which introduces two new operators and a reworked map.
Operation Grim Sky introduces new Attacker operator Maverick and Defender Clash, along with an overhauled version of classic map Hereford Base and some extra minor adjustments.
Issues with weapon sights misalignment have been addressed and tweaks have been made to operator Idle Pick, with the update set to roll out in September.
For PC players, youll be able to play the new update on the Rainbow Six Siege test servers which will go live on August 20.
Ubisoft also announced further plans to clamp down on hacking and toxicity within the community, with the ability to mute text chat rolling out with the update.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Theyre also introducing a new two-step verification system to protect accounts, which will soon be compulsory to enter ranked matches.
Ubisoft pulled the curtain back at the Rainbow Six Siege Paris Major esports tournament, where Metro GameCentral went hands-on with the new operators which introduce new tools and strategies for teams to contend with.
New American Attacker, Maverick, introduces a new method of hard-breaching via his Suri Torch – which allows players to burn through surfaces, including reinforced walls, in obscenely quiet fashion.
Its a move which encourages tactical stealth attacks, identifying the enemy, flanking them and burning a line in a wall which acts as the perfect subtle viewpoint to pick them off, instead of the usual, and equally satisfying, barrelling bullets through the landscape.
More: Gaming
British Defender Clash brings a new dynamic to shield-equipped operators with a Crowd Control Electro Shield, which has tasers to slow and damage nearby enemies to force a hasty retreat.
Its an effective way of rebalancing the odds against an aggressive assault, buying time for teams, finding intel, and also serving as an efficient way to defend in open areas like staircases and exteriors.
Hereford Base has also been reworked to make it more compatible for the competitive scene, with reworked spawn points, larger surface areas on all floors, new staircases to allow greater movement, and an improved visual overhaul too.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Its the first time Ubisoft has returned to an old map in Rainbow Six Siege, but according to game director Leroy Athanassoff, its the first step in a new direction to refine the core of Siege.
Asked by Metro GameCentral whether working on Hereford Base made them want to return to other maps, Leroy said: For sure. All the maps not in the competitive roster, we want to make them compatible.
There is some like Favela, Plane, House – were not sure if theyll ever be competitive compatible. So do we keep them? Do we redo them? Because if we do them competitively we lose the soul of the map.
There are multiple we are looking at [for the future]. The discussion is heavy as making a map is a big deal.
The games rise on the competitive scene has changed how the team approaches level design in their season updates, with more focus on older maps set to come in the future – drifting away from more experimental updates like the recent timed event, Outbreak.
I think doing the first two year we had an experimental approach where we tried different things, Leroy added. Favela with lots of destruction, Tower with the big verticality.
I think now the focus for this year and probably next year is bring an old map back or new maps which are esport compatible, so everything is balanced. Maybe well come back at some point to an experimental phase, but right now we want to refresh the roster.
Advertisement
Operation Grim Sky will release for Rainbow Six Siege in September.
MORE: Ubisoft considering Rainbow Six Siege World Cup tournament – reveal new pro team skins
MORE: Ubisoft says Rainbow Six Siege not possible on Nintendo Switch
Advertisement
Advertisement
