Ubisoft has officially unveiled the first details of Year 11 of Rainbow Six Siege, confirming a collaboration with Konami to introduce Solid Snake, the iconic protagonist of Metal Gear Solid, as a playable operator. The addition, announced at the Six Invitationals esports tournament in Paris, marks the first time a character from outside the Tom Clancy universe has joined the Siege roster.
Season 1, titled “Operation Silent Hunt,” is scheduled to launch on March 3, 2026. Solid Snake will be a permanent addition to the game, available in all modes. David Hayter, the long-time voice actor for Solid Snake, will reprise his role for in-game cues, a detail celebrated by fans of the Metal Gear Solid series.
As an attacker, Snake will be equipped with the TACIT .45 semi-automatic pistol with an integrated suppressor, the F2 assault rifle, and the PMR90A2 sniper rifle. His unique gadget, the Soliton Radar Mk. III, allows him to detect nearby enemies using a tactical radar limited to the current floor, providing reconnaissance capabilities balanced by range restrictions. Snake possesses the “on-site procurement” ability, allowing him to collect supply pouches from fallen operators to replenish grenades and devices.
The collaboration between Ubisoft and Konami builds on a prior relationship, with the companies having previously collaborated to bring Assassin’s Creed outfits to Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Solid 4 clothing to Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, according to Konami producer Yuji Korekado. Ubisoft initiated the partnership, inspired by the successful integration of Sam Fisher from the Splinter Cell series as the operator Zero.
“It was honestly when we were bringing Zero to the game—the question came back up years ago, where, if we were able to do [a guest Operator] again, who would it be? Then everyone said ‘Snake!’” said Joshua Mills, creative director of Rainbow Six Siege. Mills recently took over the role from Alex Karpazis, who has moved to another position within Ubisoft.
Alongside the addition of Solid Snake, “Operation Silent Hunt” will feature a limited-time 4v4 infiltration event where Snake and Zero lead opposing teams in a mission to recover stolen data. Exclusive skins will also be available, including Jackal as Gray Fox and Ash as Meryl.
Ubisoft has also announced plans for the remainder of Year 11. Season 2 will include a complete remaster of Dokkaebi and the Calypso Casino map from Rainbow Six Vegas. Season 3 will introduce a new defender operator and the Operator Mastery progression system. Season 4 will conclude the year with the launch of the Social HUB, an in-game social space.
Further details regarding Operation Silent Hunt, including the full patch notes, are expected to be released closer to the March 3rd launch date.
