Ubisoft just rehired Rainbow Six Siege’s director — but he’s building a MOBA now

Why this move actually matters for multiplayer gamers

Ubisoft buying Amazon Games Montreal and bringing Xavier Marquis back into the fold isn’t just corporate reshuffling – it’s a deliberate push to weaponize Siege-era design chops into a fresh free-to-play MOBA. That changes expectations: this isn’t a dust-up over an old franchise, it’s Ubisoft betting on live-service competitive design to carve out space in one of the most brutal genres in gaming.

• Key people: Xavier Marquis (ex-Rainbow Six Siege creative director) and Alexandre Parizeau joined Ubisoft via the acquisition.
• Product: March of Giants – a free-to-play, lane-based tactical MOBA that held PC playtests in 2025.
• Current status: Post-closed-alpha, Ubisoft is funding the next major update; no release date or confirmed console ports yet.

Key takeaways

• This caught my attention because Marquis helped sculpt Siege’s long-term competitive backbone – that expertise is rare and highly relevant to live MOBAs.
• Ubisoft’s live-service muscle could accelerate development, but it also raises the usual red flags around monetization and seasons.
• Players can expect Siege-like tactical sensibilities (vision control, macro play) grafted onto lane-based MOBA mechanics.

Why this matters now

March of Giants arrived in closed alpha earlier in 2025 and showed signs of a thoughtful hybrid: lane-pushing MOBA structure blended with RTS-style objectives and destructible map elements. Ubisoft snapping up the team mid-development signals they want a running start into competitive multiplayer spaces where Riot and Valve dominate. Ubisoft’s timing makes sense — live-service catalogues are the backbone of modern revenue, and bringing someone who understands long-run balancing like Marquis is a strategic bet.

What March of Giants actually plays like

From alpha reports: 4v4/5v5 lane maps, large hero roster, ability-driven kits, and destructible environmental play that encourages flanking and objective control. Think Dota/LoL macro with Siege’s emphasis on information denial and environmental manipulation. Matches were longer than a typical MOBA round in alpha, with meaningful comeback mechanics and a live-service progression track layered on top.

What this means for players — the good and the ugly

Good: Marquis’s background suggests careful matchmaking, anti-smurf measures, and a design philosophy that rewards coordination over raw grind. Ubisoft’s backing should accelerate polish, broader marketing (Twitch/X integration thanks to Amazon ties) and likely a push for esports-ready systems.

Ugly: Free-to-play + Ubisoft = a commercial model to watch. Founder packs and cosmetic battle passes are probable, and early access monetization is a real risk. Ubisoft has the tools to build a healthy competitive ecosystem — but it also has incentives to monetize aggressively. Be skeptical of “no pay-to-win” claims until post-launch behavior proves otherwise.

How you can get involved now

• Join the official Discord and follow the studio on X for playtest invites — alpha testers reported Discord prioritization for slots.
• Wishlist the Steam page and sign up for future beta windows if you want early access and potential Founder Pack offers.
• Practice Siege-style tactics: games that reward intel, map control, and coordinated executes will help you acclimate.

Skepticism to keep in mind

Ubisoft has a mixed track record on live-service stewardship: they can sustain a game for years, but not always without controversial monetization or design shifts that favor retention over player experience. Also, console plans are unconfirmed — expect PC-first testing for at least a year. If Giants wants to compete in the MOBA space it needs depth, clear esports pipelines, and a monetization model that doesn’t undermine competitive integrity.

TL;DR — What gamers should remember

Ubisoft acquiring March of Giants and rehiring Xavier Marquis is a meaningful swerve: a Siege veteran is applying tactical, live-service thinking to a new MOBA. That could be exciting if Ubisoft leans into competitive fairness and smart progression. It could be problematic if monetization shortcuts the experience. If you care about competitive multiplayer, join the playtests and keep a close eye on how the studio balances monetization with gameplay depth.