Ubisoft Has Disappointed Rainbow Six Fans With New 'R6 Membership'
Is Ubisoft's New R6 Membership a Cash Grab?
At the BLAST R6 Manchester Major, Ubisoft announced the R6 Membership for Rainbow Six Siege, a premium subscription offering exclusive benefits for $10 a month. This reveal was met with significant disapproval from the audience, highlighting a community backlash against the perceived paywall for content. Despite this, Ubisoft also discussed new game features and improvements, such as new Operators and anti-cheat systems, which were received more positively.
How did the audience at the Manchester Major react to the announcement of the R6 Membership?
The audience at the Manchester Major reacted negatively to the announcement of the R6 Membership. During the showcase, when Ubisoft introduced the R6 Membership—a premium, paid-for offering that includes exclusive benefits and bonuses—the crowd expressed their disapproval audibly. The jeering and booing from the attendees indicated a strong opposition to this new subscription model, particularly when it was revealed that it would cost $10 a month and include items such as a premium battle pass and unique cosmetic items, effectively placing certain content behind a paywall2. This reaction demonstrates the community's resistance to perceived excessive monetization practices in gaming.
What is the R6 Membership that Ubisoft introduced, and what are the specific benefits it offers to players?
The R6 Membership is a premium, paid-for offering introduced by Ubisoft for Rainbow Six Siege players. For a monthly recurring payment of $10, players will receive exclusive benefits and bonuses. These include access to a premium battle pass, exclusive content drops, unique cosmetic items such as animated skins, and a monthly allotment of R6 Credits that can be saved or spent as the player chooses3. The R6 Membership aims to provide additional value to players who choose to subscribe, but it has faced criticism for locking content behind a paywall.