Rainbow Six Tactics director explains why turn-based gameplay fits the franchise's tactical roots
The game director for Rainbow Six Tactics, Martial Potron, said the decision to make the spin-off turn-based was a natural one given the series' emphasis on tactical planning. He cited the team's experience with Mario + Rabbids as helpful. Potron also mentioned that they had to convince Ubisoft and the Rainbow Six team to approve the format.
The spin-off is slated for a 2027 release across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Potron noted that the Paris studio's prior work on Mario + Rabbids provided turn-based experience, while their history with tactical shooters offered a foundation for the franchise's core mechanics. The director also confirmed some missions require lethal force, as certain enemies sit beyond the range of non-lethal takedowns.
Potron described the decision as emerging from a natural design process, where the team explored "what-if" scenarios for the franchise. The tactical elements of Rainbow Six — line of sight, cover, operator management, and destruction — translate directly into the turn-based format. Gaining approval required persuading both Ubisoft leadership and the Rainbow Six development team that the genre shift preserved the series' identity.
This genre shift could broaden Rainbow Six's audience by attracting strategy-game fans who may have avoided the fast-paced first-person shooter format. It may also signal a trend of established action franchises exploring turn-based adaptations, potentially influencing how publishers approach spin-offs. Existing Siege players could feel divided — some may welcome a slower, more deliberate experience, while others might see it as a departure from the series' core identity. The game's success could shape Ubisoft's future portfolio decisions.