Ubisoft’s popular tactical shooter, Rainbow Six Siege, and its mobile adaptation, Rainbow Six Mobile, have officially been approved for release in China, with Tencent acting as the publisher. This marks a strategic expansion for Ubisoft in one of the world’s largest gaming markets, encompassing both the PC and mobile versions. It’s worth noting that there will be no crossplay between the two versions.
As per a recent tweet by hesketh2, it is expected that the Chinese versions will utilize a separate Tencent client, meaning progression from the global versions cannot be carried over to the Chinese ones.
Image Credits: Ubisoft
Although a PC version of Rainbow Six Siege has been available in China for some time, it had to undergo significant changes to comply with strict local regulations on media content. These changes typically involve censoring graphic content like blood, violence, and references to gambling. The latest approval indicates that additional content or features in the game have been adjusted to meet these regulatory standards.
Future Prospects of Rainbow 6 Release in China
Ubisoft’s entry into the Chinese market with Rainbow Six Mobile is a significant move, tapping into a highly popular and competitive mobile gaming landscape. The approval of the mobile version signals potential for great user acquisition and revenue from this new demographic.
International games must strictly adhere to content review standards to align with China’s social and cultural requirements. The simultaneous approval of Rainbow Six Siege and Rainbow Six Mobile suggests a changing regulatory environment, paving the way for smoother foreign game releases in China in the future.
When is Rainbow Six Mobile Releasing?
Initially set for a 2024 release, both Rainbow Six Mobile and The Division Resurgence are now expected to be delayed until 2025, as confirmed in a quarterly press conference. The delay is attributed to technical challenges with an outdated engine that hinders optimization, especially on medium to low-end devices.
Despite alpha and soft launch testing, performance issues necessitate engine updates and extensive troubleshooting to improve future game performance and support upcoming updates.
