Rainbow Six Siege Unveils Operation Split Fire and New Original Operator

Ubisoft has revealed Operation Split Fire, the upcoming third season of Year 11 for tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege. In a game that has spent over a decade constantly rearranging its tactical furniture, the update promises a fresh round of gameplay changes, map updates, cosmetics, and a brand-new operator. It is a return to home-grown talent for a roster that has recently relied on external star power to fill its ranks.

According to the studio, this incoming operator represents the first fully original character added to the lineup since the release of crossover character Solid Snake. Following up on a legendary guest star is never easy, but the development team is shifting the spotlight back to its own universe.

The update arrives as Siege cruises through its eleventh year, an age that, in multiplayer gaming, makes it a seasoned veteran still managing to pull a crowd.

The details

• Season: Year 11, Season 3 (Operation Split Fire)
• Key features: Brand-new original operator, map updates, gameplay changes, cosmetics
• Significance: First original operator since crossover character Solid Snake

Pivoting back to original characters is a notable transition for a game that has increasingly played host to high-profile guests. For a community that treats patch notes like legal documents, a new face on the roster means a whole new set of angles to memorize and traps to fear. It remains to be seen how the new recruit will shake up the meta, but the tactical sandbox is about to get a little more crowded.