Ubisoft’s tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege X transitioned to a free-to-play model this week, a move celebrated as a potential renaissance for the aging franchise. Yet within hours, players erupted over two controversial decisions: a drastic reduction in free currency earnings and the debut of a $50 cosmetic skin—the most expensive in the game’s decade-long history.
Free Access, Costly Consequences
The shift to F2P means new players can download Siege X at no cost, joining its 70-million-strong player base. But veterans quickly noticed a stealth change: Ubisoft slashed "Renown" (earned via matches) by up to 80% for standard gameplay. Completing a Quick Match now nets just 100–150 Renown, down from 500–800. Earning a single operator (typically 10,000–25,000 Renown) could now take 100+ hours of grinding.
The backlash was instant. Reddit user u/TacticalKitten summarized the mood: "It’s a naked push to force players into buying premium currency. They’ve turned progression into a part-time job."
Read the Reddit thread exploding with 5K+ comments
The $50 "Dragon’s Wrath" Skin: Timing Is Everything
As criticism peaked, Ubisoft dropped the "Dragon’s Wrath" weapon skin bundle. Priced at 5,000 "R6 Credits" ($50), it features animated flames and dragon motifs. The release came just one day after the Renown nerf went live—a coincidence that incinerated community goodwill.
PC Gamer noted the irony: "Ubisoft throttles free currency, then unveils its priciest cosmetic ever." The skin costs more than Siege X’s original $40 launch price in 2015.
Ubisoft’s tweet unveiling the skin ignited fury
Developer Defense, Player Revolt
Ubisoft defended the Renown changes in a blog post, claiming adjustments aim to "balance the economy for new F2P players." They also hinted at "future engagement-based rewards" but provided no timeline.
Players aren’t buying it. Many cite a pattern of aggressive monetization since Siege X’s 2024 overhaul, including:
Battle passes requiring 30+ hours per season
"Elite" operator skins costing $20 each
R6 Credits becoming the only way to unlock new operators quickly
As tech site GSG noted, the F2P shift "prioritizes extracting value from loyal players over accessibility."
GSG’s breakdown of Ubisoft’s monetization strategy
What’s Next?
Content creators are organizing Renown boycott events, while review bombs tank Siege X’s Steam rating. With competitors like VALORANT offering clearer F2P economies, Ubisoft risks alienating its core audience. As one Twitter user lamented: "They gave us ‘free’ but took away respect."
Siege X’s future hinges on whether Ubisoft walks back these changes—or doubles down.
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