Rainbow Six Siege Creative Director Weighs In on Competing With GTA 6 and the Absence of a Siege 2

As Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6 prepares to launch this November, the gaming world is bracing for a massive shift in player attention, and Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege is squarely in the crosshairs. In a candid interview with The Game Business, Siege’s creative director Joshua Mills acknowledged that the blockbuster’s arrival will inevitably dent the franchise’s numbers, warning that “you’re going to take a hit when that drops.” Rather than panic, however, Mills framed the situation as a test of discipline, insisting that Ubisoft’s strategy hinges on managing expectations and staying focused on its dedicated fanbase even as a cultural juggernaut looms.

The timing is particularly tight: Siege‘s fourth season of year 11 is slated to release around the same window as GTA 6’s November 2026 debut. Mills teased that the update carries “some unannounced surprises” that Ubisoft is not disclosing yet, but promised they will “make a splash.” The question on many players’ minds is how the team plans to hold its own against a game of unprecedented scale and hype.

A Hit Is Expected, But the Fallout Is Temporary

Mills was unambiguous about the reality of a competitor’s release. “All of us are going to play it,” he said, noting that the entire team will be drawn to GTA 6’s launch. He cautioned that when developers see the game’s player numbers dip, “they can get anxious.” Yet he offered reassurance, observing that the effect of a major competitor’s release on player counts is “generally temporary.” The drop, in his view, is a natural consequence of the market rather than a sign of deeper trouble for the live-service title.

“The golden rule that we operate by is serving the players who stay like kings and queens. We don’t go on vacation just because a competitor is swelling the market. We double down and reward those spending their valuable time with us.”

Joshua Mills, Creative Director, Rainbow Six Siege

That philosophy underscores Ubisoft’s approach to the franchise. Rather than retreating or slowing development, the studio intends to invest in its core community during the window when casual interest may wane. The message to the player base is clear: the team will not abandon its work simply because a rival title is capturing headlines.

Why Siege X, and Not Siege 2

Alongside the GTA 6 discussion, Mills addressed a topic that has long intrigued the community: the decision to release Siege X—a new, improved version of the game—rather than a traditional Siege 2. The reasoning, he explained, comes down to the sheer scale of the undertaking. “Fundamentally rebuilding our entire system is a mountain of work,” he said.

According to Mills, what Ubisoft delivered in Siege X represents “nothing even close to the level of scale” that a full-fledged sequel would demand. A true Siege 2 would “rebuild the entire game,” and the studio simply does not see the need to do so at the current cost. “You can’t possibly run both at the same time,” he added, noting that rebuilding the game would require the expertise of the team currently running it. “It’d be really difficult to do.”

The decision reflects a pragmatic stance on resource allocation. Ubisoft appears satisfied with the direction of Siege X and sees no compelling reason to divert the team toward a ground-up overhaul. For now, the improved version stands as the franchise’s evolution, with the door to a full sequel left open but firmly closed for the foreseeable future.

Looking Ahead

While Siege remains Ubisoft’s flagship tactical shooter, the broader Rainbow Six universe is set to expand. In 2027, the franchise will welcome Rainbow Six Siege Tactics, a turn-based tactical game that transplants the series’ signature operators and environments into a new strategic format. This addition signals Ubisoft’s intent to grow the franchise beyond its core competitive shooter, appealing to players who prefer methodical, deliberate gameplay over fast-paced action.

As GTA 6 approaches its November 2026 release, Rainbow Six Siege faces its most significant competitive challenge in years. But according to Mills, the studio is well-prepared. With a strong fourth season on the horizon, a clear philosophy centered on its loyal player base, and a disciplined approach to development, Ubisoft hopes to weather the storm and emerge stronger. The coming months will reveal whether that confidence holds up against the biggest gaming event of the decade.