Reinventing Strategy: The Tactical Evolution of Rainbow Six Tactics

This article provides insight into a shift in approach for a highly anticipated tactical game. The director of the new game explains how the development team reexamined their methods to build an experience that is inherently tactical and refined.

The team took inspiration from a well-known turn-based series, incorporating elements from its design. The influence of a former level design group from that series was crucial in shaping the tactical structure, helping the team better understand crucial gameplay metrics.

Rather than continuing with the traditional first-person style of previous installments, the team embraced the turn-based tactics genre. This decision was made because the core identity of the series carries a tactical spirit that translates naturally into this format.

The director also discussed his guiding principles from earlier projects, where creating engaging scenarios and realistic enemy behaviors was key. In contrast to those experiences, the turn-based tactics focus requires every move to be deliberate and precise, evoking the strategic demands found in a classic board game.

This new approach represents a significant change after many years of established habits. The evolution in thinking reflects more than a simple adjustment—it marks a complete paradigm shift in how tactical experiences are designed.

Rainbow Six Tactics is slated for release in 2027. The upcoming release will be available on:

• PC
• PS5
• Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series S