Ubisoft’s tactical shooter Rainbow Six: Siege has released the map Emerald Plains after 3 years without a new map. However, the map located in Ireland is rarely played as many players ban it in Ranked. What is the reason for this?
Why is the new map not being played? In Rainbow Six: Siege, the map ban system was introduced in 2020. Since then, it has become a problem that new maps or returning, revised maps are banned by players in Ranked or Unranked matches.
Some speculated reasons for banning new maps on social media include the lack of willingness to learn a new map in Ranked, as well as the fear of losing due to the unfamiliarity of the new map.
If both teams choose the same map, one of the two remaining maps is selected randomly and also banned.
The remaining, unbanned map is played by both teams.
Map Ban: “The whole system needs to be abolished.”
What does the community say about the problem? Players have also noticed that the new map is often banned in Ranked and Unranked. On Twitter and Reddit, some members of the “Rainbow Six” community expressed their displeasure with this behavior and hope that Ubisoft will remove the map ban system.
MeinMMO summarizes a few reactions from players:
- u/SiegeRewards via Reddit: “Map bans make it almost impossible for players to enjoy/play new and revised maps in Ranked.”
- @BikiniBodhi via Twitter: “Can we all agree not to ban Emerald Plains?”
- u/indicuh__via Reddit: “New maps will always be banned.”
- u/Bhizzle64 via Reddit: “As long as they are given this option, people will continue to ban newer maps. This whole system simply needs to be abolished at this point.”
- @LilGuch2 via Reddit: “The community is sometimes so strange. ‘We want new maps and operators!’ only to then ban new operators/maps.”
Piles of reworks instead of new maps
Why hasn’t there been a new map for a long time? Ubisoft released only revised versions of old maps, known as reworks, between the “Rainbow Six: Siege” seasons Burnt Horizon (March 2019) and Demon Veil, instead of new ones.
During this period, a total of 10 complete reworks and three additional minor ones were released. Some reasons for the reworks were mainly balancing aspects and bug fixes that apparently did not matter at the release of the respective maps.
The gameplay of Rainbow Six, however, changed steadily over the years, and factors such as new operators, weapons, and gadgets made a revision necessary.
Furthermore, Ubisoft stated at the announcement of the reworks that another reason for the revision was to avoid having too large a selection of maps, making it easier for new players to learn the existing maps.
Emerald Plains combines classic style with modern design
What do we know about the new map? The new map in Rainbow Six is called Emerald Plains. According to Ubisoft, it is located in a hilly landscape in Northern Ireland and includes a country club as well as a private ranch.
When designing the overall two floors, the developers took care, according to patch notes, to enable precise callouts through the different design. The upper floor is in a classic style, while the lower one has a modern design.
Where can you play Emerald Plains? The new map can currently be played in the following modes of Rainbow Six: Siege:
- Ranked
- Unranked
- Quick Match
- Team Deathmatch
- Newbie
- Lone Wolf PvE
Rainbow Six: Siege is characterized by its unique gameplay. This is mainly influenced by the design of the individual maps. The possibility of destruction and the adaptability of the maps are crucial for every round played.
Many players and even e-sports teams therefore prefer certain maps and intentionally avoid others. Can you understand why players ban a new map in Ranked because they are not familiar with it?
The strategy of Siege around reworks and new maps is well received by MeinMMO author Benedict Grothaus: This popular shooter doesn’t need a successor
