Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is gearing up for a major update with Operation Twin Shells (Y9S3), launching on September 10. While the update promises exciting new content, including a new operator and improved graphics settings, it also marks the end of an era for Vulkan support.
Vulkan Support Discontinued
Introduced in January 2020, Vulkan has been a game-changer for players with lower-end hardware, offering substantial performance enhancements. However, with the new update, Vulkan will no longer be supported. Instead, players can look forward to official DirectX 12 integration, with the game remaining compatible with the older DirectX 11 API.
Community Backlash
The decision to discontinue Vulkan support has sparked resistance from players, who argue that Vulkan was a more stable option, resolving issues like game crashes. In contrast, DirectX 12 has been criticized for being less efficient and causing increased stuttering. Ubisoft’s own support page previously touted Vulkan as the key to smoother graphical performance, fueling the community’s frustration.
R6 Membership Controversy
This isn’t the first time Ubisoft has faced backlash from its community. In May, the introduction of R6 Membership, a paid subscription service, was met with disappointment. Players felt that the benefits, including access to the premium battle pass and exclusive cosmetics, didn’t justify the cost.
Operation Twin Shells Update Highlights
Despite the controversy, Operation Twin Shells promises a comprehensive overhaul with exciting additions and enhancements, including:
- Skopos, a new defending operator with advanced remote-controlled robots
- Revamped graphics settings
- Advanced anti-cheat measures
- Siege Cup, a fresh competitive playlist
- Gameplay refinements and bug fixes
The update aims to future-proof Rainbow Six Siege, aligning its technology with other Ubisoft titles and industry standards. With the game running on the AnvilNext 2.0 engine, also powering notable franchises like For Honor and Assassin’s Creed, players can expect a smoother and more engaging experience.
