By Oscar Dayus on Mar 15, 2018 02:30 am
Rainbow Six Siege has been around for more than two years now, and in that time, it's gone from a competent shooter that had problems to one of the biggest multiplayer games around. Following the release of the most recent expansion, Operation Chimera, Siege hit its highest-ever concurrent player count on Steam, and Ubisoft now says it wants to continue supporting the game until it reaches 100 Operators, rather than make a sequel. But how did we get to this stage? How did Ubisoft turn an innovative-but-flawed game into the behemoth it is today? Simply put, the company did so by persevering -- with free downloadable content, an appropriate microtransaction model, and continual improvements. Just recently, for example, all of Rainbow Six Siege's base Operators were made free, while a bunch of characters were buffed or nerfed. For more on the latest expansion, check out all the Rainbow Six Siege Outbreak pack weapon skins, uniforms, and cosmetics, or read how the newest Operators, Lion and Finka, affect Siege's metagame. For now though, let's look back at what Siege was, how it's evolved, and where it stands today.
Base Game
Rainbow Six Siege's launch did not go according to plan. It was, of course, originally intended to be the ill-fated Rainbow Six: Patriots, but even after that was canceled Siege suffered problems in its beta phase and an eventual delay. It finally came out in December 2015 to a positive critical reception but also a bunch of server issues, bugs, and balancing problems. Critics praised the game's strategic depth, cast of characters--who each come equipped with a unique ability that aids in the game's hook of 5v5, attack v defense--and its destructibility. However, players complained of slow matchmaking and inconsistent hit detection. While these problems eased in the months following Siege's launch, they did not get fully resolved for around 18 months. Some also didn't like the slow progression, as the full list of Operators is not available to standard edition players when they begin; instead, you must unlock each character using Renown (essentially experience points), which can take a while.
Year 1, Season 1: Black Ice
By the time Siege's first DLC dropped in February 2016, the game had improved enough that it had a solid playerbase that was satisfied (if not totally happy) with the game's state. Black Ice then introduced two new Canadian characters--Buck and Frost--as well as a new map named Yacht. Thankfully, all Rainbow Six Siege DLC is free: maps are available to everyone and new Operators are able to be unlocked with Renown. The latter are, however, expensive when bought using in-game currency, so it's easier for most to buy the season passes if you want swift access to all the characters.
Year 1, Season 2: Operation Dust Line
Operation Dust Line was the next batch of DLC to drop in May 2016, bringing another new map, Border, and two more American Operators, raising the then-total to 24. Blackbeard's weapon shield and Valkyrie's black eye cameras each changed the meta up and are still used in the pro leagues today. Dust Line also marked the first time Siege players could equip special headgears and charms to their Operators and weapons, lending the game a little more color and personality.
Year 1, Season 3: Operation Skull Rain
In July 2016, Ubisoft released Siege's Brazilian expansion, Operation Skull Rain. Like previous DLCs, the update was free, consisting of two Operators--Capitao and Caveira--and one map, Favela. While Capitao and his crossbow have still not been perfected and have been the subject of many tweaks since launch, Caveira is a well-balanced, distinctive character that made Siege simultaneously more stylish and more dynamic: as a dedicated roamer, Caveira meant you could no longer expect to get all the way to the objective room without seeing an enemy defender, effectively expanding the scope of each map. Operation Skull Rain also brought a new loadout screen to better emphasize each Operator's unique style and color.
Year 1, Season 4: Operation Red Crow
Year 1's final Season of DLC, titled Operation Red Crow and released in November 2016, was Japan-themed. The new map, Skyscraper, was set atop a Japanese tower, complete with a tea room and thin (and very destructible) shoji screens. The additional Operators, meanwhile, have experienced very different life cycles since their release. Echo and his concussion drone are rarely used and commonly considered underpowered in all but the most experienced hands, while Hibana quickly became a favorite among the community for her ranged X-Kairos pellets, which can penetrate reinforced walls in a similar way to Thermite. By the end of Year 1, Rainbow Six Siege was in a much healthier place than 12 months earlier. It still wasn't perfect, but Ubisoft had now ironed out the majority of issues the launch game carried, while also expanding it in terms of maps and its roster of characters. Additionally, that cast grew significantly more diverse in that year, with more female characters added and ethnic minorities now represented much more prominently than before. Finally, as an example of a number of small improvements Ubisoft has made since launch, Operation Red Crow heralded the introduction of caliber-based destruction for all weapons, meaning a hefty sniper rifle would now make a bigger hole in a wall than a single SMG bullet.
Year 2, Season 1: Operation Velvet Shell
Year 2 kicked off in February 2017 with a new season pass, another map, and another pair of Operators in Operation Velvet Shell. Originating from Spain, both new characters were excellent additions to Siege's roster: Jackal is a dedicated roamer tracker, while Mira allows the defending team to see through a reinforced wall and shoot through if needed. Both fighters, along with the new map, Coastline, are still community favorites today.
Year 2, Season 2: Operation Health
Year 2's Season 2, however, was a little different to past DLC drops. Most notably, no DLC actually dropped--or at least, no new Operators or maps. Instead, Ubisoft delayed its planned content drop in favor of a period of quality of life updates and more small improvements called Operation Health. Aside from loot boxes called Alpha Packs, the Season meant improved textures, more realistic skies, and vastly improved lighting--you could finally see in and out of buildings! Matchmaking was also among the list of improvements, and this has remained far quicker and more reliable since Operation Health. The delay of tangible content annoyed many at the time, but in hindsight, Siege would not be as successful as it is today if it weren't for the foundation work done throughout the middle of 2016. Unfortunately, Operation Health meant we never got a fourth map during Year 2, but with so many maps that Ubisoft routinely removes some from rotation in public playlists, perhaps it's not as huge a loss as it first seems.
Year 2, Season 3: Operation Blood Orchid
The delay of two Operators in the season before meant Operation Blood Orchid came in September 2017 with not two, but three Operators, in addition to a new map. Two of those Operators, Ying and Lesion, are Chinese; the third, Ela, is Polish. Ying and Lesion are fantastic (if not revolutionary), but Ela has gone on to become a staple pick among the Siege player base. She's received multiple nerfs, but she remains a very popular defender -- primarily because of her rapid-firing SMG. Blood Orchid's map, Theme Park, is divisive among the community, but its gaudy rides and overgrown vegetation undoubtedly add yet more flavor to the ever-expanding buffet that is Rainbow Six Siege.
Year 2, Season 4: Operation White Noise
Year 2 wrapped up in December 2017 with Operation White Noise. This season included another three Operators--the remaining Polish character, Zofia, as well as Dokkaebi and Vigil--and yet another map, Tower. Dokkaebi was the first Operator to come from Ubisoft's recent push for 'global Operators,' by which it means characters whose abilities affect the whole map. Her hacking ability allows her to ring the phones of every defender still alive, meaning it's much easier to track them down. This mantra has continued into Year 3 with Lion and Finka, but we'll get to those momentarily. This season also saw Rainbow Six Siege receive 60 Hz servers, as well as another of the game's big mid-season reinforcement patches that routinely address balance issues so well.
Year 3, Season 1: Operation Chimera
Siege's third year of DLC has now begun, but rather than add another map, Ubisoft has developed an entirely new mode for the now-huge shooter. Outbreak is completely different to traditional Siege, adding zombie aliens, more expansive levels, and a fully fledged PvE mode for the first time (no, Terrorist Hunt doesn't count). There's also the usual pair of additional Operators, this time consisting of Finka and Lion. The former comes equipped with a stim pen that applies a 20 HP boost to both herself and every teammate for 20 seconds, even reviving any downed allies, wherever they are on the map. Lion, meanwhile, carries a drone that reveals moving enemies' identities and locations around the map for four seconds, including their exact outlines. With a seemingly higher profile now than ever, Siege has also now made every weapon attachment and all 20 of its base Operators free, helping those only just jumping on board.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft has big plans for its multiplayer shooter. The publisher says it's not going to make a sequel anytime soon, instead aiming for 100 total Operators. This would mean continuing support for the current game for many more years to come, which makes a lot of sense. Siege is in its healthiest ever state, with a huge and well-balanced roster, a supportive and attentive development team, a dedicated community, and more satisfying mechanics than ever before. In Year 3 alone, six more Operators are coming, along with a new mode, a complete map rework, and two brand-new maps. And beyond that, who knows? Rainbow Six Siege is a game that springs constant surprises and is always changing, both within matches and across seasons. Let's hope that continues throughout Year 3, and for many years after.
By Kevin Wong on Mar 15, 2018 02:13 am
The path to redemption is as tough as the day is long.
Based solely on watching WWE television, a casual fan could get the impression that the wrestlers (nevermind the setup crew and the WWE personnel) work one day, maybe two days per week. But that's doesn't include non-televised house shows, press engagements, promotional events, non-profit work, pre-taped video segments, and other miscellaneous micro-tasks. It doesn't include workouts or rehearsals for the matches. It doesn't include travel; even midcard and main event stars are typically responsible for their own travel, and drive themselves from town to town. And while all this is happening, the wrestlers are taking a physical beating for their troubles. They have short careers, and if they don't save or invest their money, they could end up broke and up to their necks in medical bills. There's a reason professional wrestlers so frequently and sadly die young. But there are some standout survivors among the fallen. Even the most severe addict or the most dire medical case can recover with the right support system, the proper treatment, and a little bit of luck. Here are seven WWE Superstars who did just that.
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
The inventor of the DDT and one of the most psychologically intimidating wrestlers in the business, Jake "The Snake" Roberts had a lot of demons in his past. According to Roberts, he was born out of rape; his father, former wrestler Grizzly Smith, raped his mother, who was 13 years old at the time. Smith abused Roberts and molested his sister (former WWE wrestler Rockin' Robin, who has gone on record about her experience). Roberts has also claimed that his stepmother physically and sexually abused him, and he traces his drinking and substance abuse problems back to these formative traumas. His downward spiral was extensively documented. He was featured in the behind-the-scenes wrestling documentary Beyond the Mat (1999), which recounted his drug addiction, splintered family relationships, and desperation; the former title contender was reduced to wrestling in small-town venues instead of the massive arenas he once commanded. The same year, Roberts took part in a nostalgic Heroes of Wrestling pay-per-view, where Roberts visibly slurred his words and was too drunk to work a match. After several unsuccessful attempts at rehab, Roberts moved in with WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page, and undertook a 'DDP Yoga' regiment that helped him get healthy, this time for good. He made his triumphant return to Raw in 2014, and would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later that year.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper
In late 2006, WWE legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, after doctors found cancer on one of his spinal discs. Piper was receiving a checkup after Cyber Sunday, a PPV where fans voted online for the matchups they wanted to see. Had he not been voted as Ric Flair's tag partner (instead of Dusty Rhodes, who was favored), it is unlikely anyone would have found out about the cancer before it was too late. He underwent radiation therapy, which he completed in January 2007. At the 2008 Royal Rumble, Piper made his return to the ring, looking a little worse for the wear, but energetic, defiant, and alive. He reignited his decades-old feud with Jimmy Snuka as the fans roared their approval. He would live for seven more years before dying in his sleep of a heart attack in 2015.
X-Pac
Sean Waltman first gained prominence as the 1-2-3 Kid, who pinned Razor Ramon in a massive upset on Monday Night Raw in 1993. But Waltman's most memorable run was as X-Pac, the crass loudmouth of D-Generation X. After his WWE run, X-Pac never stayed in one place for too long; it seemed that every couple of years, he would move to another indie promotion. And part of the problem was that X-Pac, by his own admission, had a huge addiction to meth; bookers considered him too unreliable. X-Pac even admitted during a podcast with Steve Austin that he would shoot up before matches, such as before this particular match against AJ Styles. Today, X-Pac is off meth, and aside from cannabis (which he's always been open about using), he is off drink and drugs. He recently appeared at the Raw 25th Anniversary show, where he reunited with the rest of DX and performed his signature spots.
Lex Luger
Back in 1993, Lex Luger came very, very close to being WWE champion. He had a patriotic "Lex Express" tour of America in the build-up to his fight against WWE champion Yokozuna at SummerSlam. It was right out of the typical "Hero American" versus "Evil Foreigner" playbook. But for some reason, WWE didn't pull the trigger. And Luger's post-WWE years were a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol. The worst moment came in May 2003, when he got high with Miss Elizabeth (famous for being "Macho Man" Randy Savage's "lovely" valet), which led to Elizabeth's painkiller overdose and subsequent death. Luger was was charged with 13 counts of drug possession after more than 1,000 illegal pills were found in the home that Elizabeth and Luger shared. In 2007, Luger suffered a nerve impingement in his neck, which made him a quadriplegic for months and caused him to lose 70 pounds. Today, Luger has regained some mobility, and although he's frail, he's off of drugs, which he credits to his conversion to Christianity. Luger also served as a consultant to WWE in crafting their Wellness Policy.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart
When Bret Hart told Vince McMahon he was leaving WWE in 1997, it was to wrestle in WCW, which was offering him more money than McMahon could afford. What should have been a great ride, however, quickly became a disaster. Hart was "screwed" out of the WWE title, for real, at Survivor Series. Then, when he went to WCW, he was kicked in the head by Goldberg at Starrcade (1999), which led to an early retirement due to post-concussion syndrome. He suffered the premature losses of his brother, Owen Hart, and his cousin, Davey Boy Smith. He's also dealt with multiple, severe health issues. A bike accident in 2002 led to a stroke, which paralyzed him on half his body and required extensive rehabilitation. He was also diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016, though the surgery to remove it was successful. In 2010, Bret made his return to WWE, an event that many thought impossible due to his bad blood with Vince McMahon. He was greeted by the WWE audience as a hero, and since then, has made multiple appearances with the company.
Jeff Hardy
Throughout his wrestling career, Jeff Hardy struggled with drug addiction, partly due to partying too much, and partly due to self-medicating his injuries. And when the police raided his house in 2009, they found 262 Vicodin pills, 180 Soma pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, and residual cocaine. In 2011, Hardy hit rock bottom when he showed up to TNA's Victory Road PPV completely wasted. He was in no condition to fight Sting, and so Sting cinched up on Hardy for real and scored a pinfall to end the evening early. Afterwards, Hardy got clean. He attended a 120-day outpatient rehab, and the birth of his daughter became an additional motivation to stay on the wagon. He made a triumphant return to WWE at WrestleMania 33, where he tag teamed with his brother Matt to win the Raw Tag Team Championships. Unfortunately, on March 10, 2018, Hardy was arrested for driving under the influence in Concord, North Carolina after his car crashed on the Concord Parkway. At this time, it is unknown when Hardy will return to television.
Paige
This one is sort of bittersweet. From 2016 to late 2017, Paige underwent a series of personal challenges that would crush the average person. She underwent neck surgery for career-threatening injuries. She was suspended twice for Wellness Policy violations. She was involved in a tumultuous relationship with Alberto del Rio that, by all accounts, was toxic. Paige's brother claimed that del Rio was physically abusive. And most humiliatingly, hackers leaked personal photos and videos, which caused Paige to consider suicide. But against all odds, Paige returned to WWE in November 2017, backed by her very own stable: Absolution. Her first televised match was against Sasha Banks, which she won clean. It seemed that in spite of all the setbacks, Paige had finally left them behind, and WWE had given her another chance. Unfortunately, her neck couldn't hold up to WWE's rigorous schedule, and sources report that she is done as an in-ring competitor. Paige is now confined to the role of manager. And although she can no longer perform the way she wants to, WWE can hopefully transition her into a backstage role that will make her feel happy and fulfilled.
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