Get ready for a fresh take on the Rainbow Six universe! Ubisoft is diving deep into the tactical genre with Rainbow Six Tactics, a new single-player, turn-based strategy game inspired by the iconic Rainbow Six Siege. We sat down with Martial Potron to explore the making of this unique title, the challenges of reinventing a beloved franchise, and what makes R6 Tactics stand out. This isn’t just another reskin; it’s a bold evolution.
The Thrill of Permadeath
One of the most intriguing features announced for Rainbow Six Tactics is the optional “permadeath” mechanic, alongside an “Ironman Mode.” As Potron explained, “We know tactical game fans love that element. In R6T, we have an optional permadeath feature, and also Ironman mode. If an operator takes too much damage, they’re out for the rest of the campaign. Players can enable this on any difficulty, so even on easier settings, you experience the tension of losing operators. This significantly changes the gameplay because operators are unique and irreplaceable. Losing a favorite or powerful operator forces players to adapt their strategies and rethink team compositions.”
Honoring the Legacy
When we pointed out how other major action franchises have successfully transitioned into the tactics genre, like IGN’s example of Gears Tactics, Potron emphasized that “The most important thing is that the game has to stand on its own. Tactical game fans have very high expectations, so R6 Tactics first needs to be a strong tactical game and then succeed as a Rainbow Six game. Other games in our franchise have successfully transitioned into new genres because they were built on strong foundations, combined with great design, storytelling, and production values.”
“R6 Tactics first needs to be a strong tactical game and then succeed as a Rainbow Six game,” Potron reiterated.
The Art of Tactical Adaptation
Potron also highlighted the delicate balance of adapting an action franchise for turn-based gameplay: “It can be challenging to transform a game where much of the fun comes from aiming, reacting, and moving quickly. However, the Rainbow Six franchise has always been about ‘thinking before acting,’ so it was important to maintain that core philosophy. Our goal wasn’t to force tactics onto Rainbow Six, but rather to express that same tactical thinking in a new genre. The transition was surprisingly smooth because all the essential elements were already there: aiming, reconnaissance, breaching, equipment, and coordination – we just needed to ensure these felt intrinsically Rainbow Six, not generic tactics mechanics.”
A Tapestry of References
Potron detailed how the game draws inspiration from across the entire Rainbow Six timeline: “The planning phase of the original Rainbow Six was a source of inspiration for ‘Breaching,’ a key feature in our game. Players can plan an assault on a location, assigning operators to entry points (doors, windows, or destructible walls), and synchronizing explosives, grenades, and fire to take down enemies. This is a modern interpretation of that feature from the early games. Also, at the start of each mission, players choose entry points, which determine their approach and risk profile. On the story side, the reconstruction of Rainbow after its destruction in Siege’s 10th year allows us to connect with the broader narrative of the franchise, including characters like Paul Bishop. We worked closely with the Montreal Rainbow team to ensure everything was properly connected. Yes, we drew inspiration from every game in the Rainbow Six history, from the original Vegas to Siege, to create meaningful elements in both gameplay and storytelling.”
From Siege to Strategy: What Works, What Changes?
We asked about which features from Siege translated well into the tactics genre and which needed a complete overhaul. Potron focused on one of Siege’s most iconic features: destruction. “In many tactical games, players are forced to work with existing lines of sight. Here, they can create new paths and angles. However, enemies can do the same, so no position is ever truly safe. This fundamentally changes how players approach the battlefield.”
“A single plan, before a player hits ‘Execute,’ can involve twelve decisions,” Potron explained.
Finally, we discussed how the uncertainty of Siege was transformed into a turn-based format: “In Siege, danger often comes from not knowing what’s behind a wall, around a corner, or behind cover. In R6 Tactics, our dynamic and detailed line-of-sight system recreates that tension. Careful reconnaissance and drone usage are crucial before breaching. Our goal was to make hidden threats dangerous while avoiding frustrating players.”
Rainbow Six Tactics is slated for release next year on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Get ready to think your way to victory!
Source: IGN
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