The competitive Rainbow Six Siege scene recently concluded its annual Six Invitational tournament and with it came a reveal of what’s in store for the tactical shooter in the coming year. Ubisoft Montreal has outlined plans for Year 11, headlined by the arrival of a truly iconic character: Solid Snake. The collaboration with Konami will bring the legendary tactical espionage action hero to Rainbow Six Siege X as a playable Operator.
The addition of Solid Snake marks a significant crossover event for the franchise, injecting a dose of nostalgia and unique gameplay potential into the already diverse roster of Operators. Year 11 promises to be a substantial update for the game, with the first season, dubbed Operation Silent Hunt, launching on March 3rd. Snake will arrive equipped with his signature Tacit .45 semi-automatic pistol, complete with an integrated suppressor, offering gameplay centered around stealth, agility, and tactical intelligence – providing valuable reconnaissance capabilities for attacking players.
Adding to the authenticity, the legendary voice actor David Hayter will reprise his role as Solid Snake within Rainbow Six Siege. This commitment to character fidelity is likely to resonate strongly with fans of both franchises. Ubisoft detailed the upcoming changes on their official Rainbow Six Esports hub, confirming the March 3rd launch date for Operation Silent Hunt and highlighting Snake’s core gameplay focus. Ubisoft’s official esports page provides further details on the upcoming season.
Beyond Solid Snake’s debut, Season 1 will also introduce a new 1v1 Arcade mode as a limited-time event lasting two weeks. This will run alongside a “Redacted” event featuring a team-up between Snake and Sam Fisher (Zero) leading a specialized squad on a data recovery mission. However, Ubisoft also announced plans to remove the Dual Front mode during Season 1, allowing the development team to concentrate on refining the core 5v5 experience. Details on the competition are available on Ubisoft’s website.
Year 11 Roadmap: Beyond Operation Silent Hunt
Looking ahead, Seasons 2, 3, and 4 are each slated to bring additional content to Rainbow Six Siege. A detailed roadmap outlining the plans for Year 11 has been released, revealing several key updates. Season 2 will feature a rework of the Operator Dokkaebi. Season 3 will introduce a new Defender Operator and a map inspired by the Vegas setting, named Calypso Casino. Finally, Season 4 will focus on an enhanced Operator Progression system, offering players more ways to customize and develop their preferred Operators. Liquipedia’s Six Invitational page provides a comprehensive overview of the tournament and upcoming changes.
The Six Invitational, an annual world championship tournament for Rainbow Six Siege, serves as the culmination of the competitive season. The event, which concluded recently, gathers 20 teams competing for the title of world champion. FaZe Clan emerged victorious in the 2026 Six Invitational, securing their second consecutive championship. The tournament’s format includes a group stage followed by a double-elimination main event. The Six Invitational has evolved since its inception in 2015, expanding from 6 teams to the current 20-team format. The event has also moved from its original location in Montreal to rotating international venues, with the 2026 edition taking place in Paris. Wikipedia’s entry on the Six Invitational details the tournament’s history and format.
The addition of Solid Snake represents a bold move for Ubisoft, blending the worlds of tactical shooters and stealth action. The upcoming changes to the game, including the new map, Operator rework, and progression system, demonstrate a continued commitment to evolving the Rainbow Six Siege experience. As the game enters Year 11, players can anticipate a dynamic and engaging season filled with new content and challenges.
What are your thoughts on the addition of Solid Snake to Rainbow Six Siege X? Share your opinions in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with your fellow Operators!
