Rainbow Six Siege Enters Year 11 with Dramatic Story Shift and Return of Beloved Character
Ubisoft’s tactical shooter, ’s Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, is entering its 11th year with a significant narrative overhaul and the long-awaited return of a fan-favorite character: Bishop. The announcement, made at the Six Invitational in Paris, signals a new chapter for the game following a complex storyline that culminated in the disbandment of Rainbow Six as players knew it.
For players unfamiliar with the evolving lore, the narrative has undergone substantial changes in recent years. The story moved from the competitive atmosphere of early Rainbow Six tournaments to a conflict involving internal strife and external threats. A key turning point involved the death of Harry, codename “Six,” at the hands of the villain Deimos, a moment that deeply impacted the game’s storyline.
Subsequent years saw a fracturing within Rainbow Six, with a split between traditional special forces and the private military organization Nighthaven. This division, stemming from disagreements over the Rainbow Six tournament, coincided with Deimos and his Keres Legion launching terrorist attacks. While Deimos was apprehended in Year 9, it was revealed to be a trap, exposing a deep infiltration within Rainbow Six itself. This led to the destruction of the Hereford Base, a pivotal event depicted in Year 9 and Year 10 content.
The narrative reached a critical juncture in Year 10, Season 3, with a decision made by the Global Security Alliance Council (GSAC) to dissolve Rainbow Six. The vote was prompted by a series of failures – the death of a leader, internal breaches, and a growing number of terrorist threats – leading the GSAC to conclude that the multinational counter-terrorism team had not achieved its objectives. With only 24 hours remaining before disbandment, the remaining operators embarked on one final mission.
That final mission, depicted in the opening cinematic for Year 11, saw the Rainbow Six team undertaking a desperate operation to eliminate Phobos, the mastermind behind Keres Legion. Nighthaven, previously at odds with Rainbow Six, joined the effort after being repeatedly framed by Keres Legion. The operation concluded with Dokkaebi successfully neutralizing Phobos, seemingly bringing an end to the immediate threat.
However, the story doesn’t end there. The Year 11 teaser reveals a world still facing threats, two years after the disbandment of Rainbow Six. The scene focuses on Bishop, watching news reports on a tablet, responding to a call with the line, “Things must be bad if you’re calling me.” This suggests a new crisis is unfolding, requiring the expertise of someone with Bishop’s experience.
Bishop originally served as the customizable protagonist in ’s Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2. Players could choose a male or female version of the character, shaping their own interpretation of Rainbow’s rising star during the events in Las Vegas. Following the events of Vegas 2, Bishop was promoted to Deputy Director of Rainbow, a significant position within the organization. His subsequent absence from the series has been a long-standing question for fans.
Ubisoft has not yet detailed Bishop’s role in Year 11, leaving players to speculate whether he will return as a playable Operator, a narrative figure, or a combination of both. Given his previous position as Deputy Director, it’s plausible he will assume a command role, potentially leading a new iteration of a counter-terrorism force. The teaser’s tone suggests a serious situation, hinting that Bishop’s return is not a routine request.
This narrative reset marks a symbolic end to the previous era of Rainbow Six Siege. The transition to Rainbow Six Siege X with the Year 10 update signals a fresh start for the game, and Year 11 is poised to be a period of significant development and evolution.
