Masuk Free Press

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, a game that first launched in 2015, has accumulated much love and acclaim throughout the Masuk student body as of late. Whether they play on a console or computer, players cannot seem to get enough of the high-octane, fast-paced gameplay. 

Recently, many streamers have blown up by playing this game, notably the streamer Jynxzi, who was able to gain five million Twitch followers in under a year playing the game. While many gamers had probably heard of the title before, it had a meteoric rise in popularity after Jynxzi went viral in the streaming space. 

The game is heavily reliant on teamwork and quick reaction times, making it a much harder game than most first-person shooters currently being played. Due to this challenging nature, it is very surprising that a shooter with this harsh of a skill gap gained traction in such an explosive way. Shockingly, the casual player base has fallen in love with the immersive gameplay and intense strategy.

Although the game has been around for nine years, its lasting influence is remarkable. In fact, since its release, the game has only gained players. When it was first released, the game was in some regards considered a flop. Most players did not quite understand the gameplay or approach, treating it like a Call of Duty rip-off more than a tactical shooter. However, over time, some players came to prefer the quiet, slower-paced nature of the methodical strategy-based FPS, rather than a run and gun adrenaline rush.

Many have raved about the realistic and engaging gameplay; only one shot to the head can eliminate you from the round. The core gameplay consists of two teams containing five players. These teams take turns playing attack and defense, trying to infiltrate or lock down an objective. While this may seem foreign to some, it makes every single kill earned and satisfying, in turn making a multi-kill round or an exhilarating match even more exciting.

In addition, the game is structured around a vast array of operators, with new ones coming out every couple of months. These operators possess unique abilities which have varying game changing effects depending on the one you choose. These features range from being able to heal yourself and others to being able to place lethal bear traps. This gives the game a great sense of depth, choosing the right set of operators for your team can lead to greater success. Unlike other shooter games, you cannot play the game by yourself or carry your team to victory, if you do not work together you will most likely lose. 

Senior Sean Cammarano. a big fan of the game, said, “The game takes so much team communication. If you can’t communicate with your team you will get slammed… It is personally my favorite shooter game and I don’t think that’ll change.” 

This game has created swathes of great memories for all who have played it. The incentive of good communication and teamwork also creates a space in which funny moments and interactions with friends and squadmates are common. This is another large reason why the game continues to remain popular in the video game space. 

Junior Riyaan Kothari, who has a great deal of experience in the game, said, “The moment the match starts I try to strategize the best way to win… one great memory I have is when I dropped a 17 bomb and got match MVP as Montagne.” 

This is only one of the great experiences students have had in the game. Even those who are not the best at the game can have great times. This is in part because of the great skill based matchmaking algorithm which finds enemies of a very similar skill, keeping the battles consistent and competitive, adjusting to the player’s skill as they get better.

Recently, the almost decade old game reached a new peak in concurrent players. This is a landmark achievement and perfectly illustrates the staying power of the game. With updates, content and new features, players have come and stayed. Through the great memories and team dynamics formed, many have fallen in love with Rainbow Six Siege.