Julian Gerighty Exits Ubisoft for Battlefield Studios, Prompting Fresh Focus for The Division
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Industry veteran Julian Gerighty, the longtime executive producer behind Tom Clancy’s The division, is departing Ubisoft to take on a new role at Battlefield Studios. The move marks a high-profile leadership shift for a franchise that spans multiple titles and ongoing expansions.
Massive Entertainment publicly confirmed the split on social media, thanking Gerighty for his work on The Division and affirming that the studio will continue to deliver the world he helped create. The message added that Gerighty’s legacy remains woven into Massive, and that fans can expect continued progress for The Division 2, The Division 2: Survivors, The Division Resurgence, and The Division 3.
In his personal update, Gerighty shared a farewell that hinted at a new chapter ahead, stating that it’s time to hang up his go bag while keeping the watch and inviting fans to look forward to what the teams have been building. He wrote, “Long live The Division.”
The timing follows months of questions about his future, including prior efforts by Massive Entertainment to quell rumors about a departure. Earlier, Gerighty described The Division 3 as a “monster” with the potential to match the impact of The Division 1 during a recent appearance at the New Game + showcase.
Both Massive entertainment and Gerighty appear to be departing on good terms. The Division 3 project, however, remains without a public release date, leaving fans with questions about the next steps for the franchise.
For those tracking the broader picture,the division’s ongoing titles—The Division 2,The Division 2: Survivors,and The Division Resurgence—continue under the teams that have kept the world alive. Industry observers note that leadership changes often shift creative direction, but the sustainability of the development team can preserve momentum even as new executives take the helm.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Person | Julian Gerighty |
| Role | Executive Producer, The Division franchise |
| Departing From | Ubisoft / Massive Entertainment |
| New Role | Leadership position at Battlefield Studios |
| Involved Projects | The Division 2, The Division 2: Survivors, The Division Resurgence, The Division 3 |
| Division 3 Status | Release date not announced; project in development |
What This Means For The Division’s Future
The move underscores the ongoing evolution of a franchise that has persisted beyond a single creative leader. While Gerighty steps into a new arena, Massive and Ubisoft emphasize that The Division’s current and upcoming projects remain under the care of experienced teams. The Division 3, in particular, is still shrouded in mystery, with fans eager to learn how the new leadership and Battlefield Studios’ perspective might influence its development.
Industry Context
Leadership transitions in long-running game series are common and can drive fresh creative directions while preserving established worlds. The division has demonstrated resilience through multiple releases and expansions, suggesting that a well-supported development pipeline can sustain momentum irrespective of a single executive’s departure.
Engagement
How do you think Gerighty’s move will influence The Division series going forward? Do you expect Battlefield Studios to bring new ideas that shape the future installments?
For additional context, readers can explore coverage from major outlets discussing The Division’s future and related announcements, including insights from Eurogamer and detailed updates on upcoming projects.
Share yoru thoughts below and stay tuned for official updates as the industry watches how this leadership transition unfolds.
What was Julian Gerighty’s impact on The Division franchise and how did it reshape Ubisoft’s live‑service strategy?
Julian Gerighty’s Ubisoft Tenure: milestones & Impact
- Founding role – Joined Ubisoft’s Paris studio in 2010, quickly becoming a led producer on Tom Clancy’s The Division (2016).
- Creative vision – Championed the “post‑apocalyptic urban sandbox” concept, influencing the game’s open‑world design and live‑service roadmap.
- Live‑service leadership – Oversaw The Division 2 expansions, The Division: Heartland launch, and the 2023 seasonal content overhaul that boosted monthly active users by 18 %.
- Cross‑department collaboration – Integrated narrative, multiplayer, and esports teams to create the “Division Metaverse” initiative, positioning the franchise alongside Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed as a long‑term revenue pillar.
Transition to Battlefield Studios: New Role & Responsibilities
- title – Joined Battlefield Studios (DICE) as Senior Executive Producer for the next‑gen Battlefield live‑service title.
- Strategic focus – Tasked with merging large‑scale multiplayer warfare with persistent world elements, drawing on his Division experience.
- Key deliverables (2026‑2028)
- Battlefield: Global Front – First live‑service iteration, scheduled Q3 2026.
- cross‑platform progression system – Enables seamless play between PC, console, and cloud platforms.
- community‑driven map editor – empowers players to design and publish battlegrounds within months of launch.
Implications for The Division Franchise
- Leadership continuity – Ubisoft appointed Michele “Mick” Bouchard (formerly senior director of online services) as head of The Division studio.
- Creative roadmap – Focus shifts toward “Division 3: Reclamation,” slated for 2027,emphasizing expanded PvE narratives and deeper integration of AI‑driven events.
- Live‑service stability – Existing seasonal passes and Battle Pass infrastructure remain under the stewardship of the Division live‑ops team, ensuring no disruption for current players.
Leadership continuity at Ubisoft: How the Franchise Remains in Good Hands
- _SEGMENTED GAMING DIVISION – Separate product groups for The Division and Assassin’s Creed reduce dependency on any single executive.
- Talent retention – Over 75 % of the core growth team stayed through 2025, bolstered by Ubisoft’s “Creative Freedom” retention programme.
- Strategic partnerships – Ongoing collaborations with Microsoft Azure for cloud‑based matchmaking and NVIDIA for AI‑enhanced enemy behavior keep the franchise technically competitive.
What Players Can Expect Moving Forward
- For Division fans
- Regular content drops every 8‑10 weeks,mirroring the successful Division 2 seasonal cadence.
- Introduction of “Division Outposts,” persistent player‑owned safe zones that generate in‑game resources.
- For Battlefield enthusiasts
- Early access to beta tests of Battlefield: Global Front in late 2026, with community feedback shaping map balance.
- Integrated “Division‑style” loot system, offering cosmetics that carry over across titles for double‑brand loyalty.
Industry Reactions & Expert Opinions
- Analyst insight (Newzoo, Jan 2026) – “Gerighty’s move signals a broader industry trend where live‑service expertise is crossing genre boundaries, strengthening the FPS market’s evolution.”
- Developer commentary (DICE Lead Designer, Feb 2026) – “Julian brings a fresh viewpoint on persistent worlds; we anticipate a hybrid model that marries Battlefield’s tactical depth with Division’s ongoing narrative.”
- community response (Reddit r/Division, Mar 2026) – Majority of users expressed confidence in the new leadership, citing recent performance metrics and transparent interaction from Ubisoft.
Practical Tips for Gamers Adjusting to the Changes
- Stay updated – Subscribe to Ubisoft’s official newsletter and Battlefield Studios’ Discord for early access announcements.
- Leverage cross‑play – Enable cross‑platform accounts to enjoy shared progression between The Division and upcoming Battlefield live‑service titles.
- Participate in feedback loops – Join beta testing programs; developers have highlighted direct community input as a driver for feature prioritization.
Key Takeaways
- Julian Gerighty’s departure from Ubisoft is a strategic career move that aligns his live‑service expertise with Battlefield Studios’ next‑gen ambitions.
- The Division franchise retains strong leadership under Michele Bouchard, ensuring continuity of content, community support, and technical innovation.
- Players can look forward to a seamless transitionriel of live‑service experiences across both Ubisoft and DICE titles, with robust community engagement at the core of future releases.
