Julian Gerighty, the long-standing creative force behind Ubisoft’s acclaimed The Division franchise, has announced his departure from Massive Entertainment to take on an unspecified role at DICE, part of EA’s Battlefield Studios. This significant move, confirmed recently via social media, marks a notable shift for one of the industry’s prominent developers.
Gerighty had been a pivotal figure, serving as Creative Director for The Division and The Division 2 before becoming Executive Producer overseeing the entire franchise. His recent work also included a stint as Creative Director on the highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws, showcasing his broad impact across major titles.
The announcement arrives amidst a period of significant change for Ubisoft, including recent layoffs at Massive and Ubisoft Stockholm, which followed voluntary redundancy programs last year. This broader industry trend of consolidation and restructuring underscores the strategic importance of such high-profile talent movements.
The division’s future and industry talent migration
Gerighty’s departure raises questions about the future trajectory of The Division, a franchise he famously promised would see The Division 3 make “as big an impact as The Division 1.” However, Massive Entertainment has been quick to reassure fans, emphasizing the robust creative leadership remaining within the series.
According to Thomas Andrén, Managing Director at Massive Entertainment, creative leadership for The Division franchise remains “exceptionally strong.” Veterans Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson continue as Creative Directors for The Division 2 and The Division 3, respectively, ensuring continuity for the popular series. This transition highlights the dynamic nature of talent within the competitive gaming sector, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz.
Andrén further noted the return of Magnus Jansen, a 21-year studio veteran and “one of the original creative voices,” to lead the upcoming extraction mode, The Division 2: Survivors. This strategic move aims to leverage deep institutional knowledge, providing a clear creative vision for the franchise’s ongoing development.
Swedish game development and ubisoft’s evolving strategy
Andrén framed Gerighty’s move as a testament to the “unique strength of Swedish game development, an industry built on collaboration, shared heritage, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences.” This cross-studio talent flow is a hallmark of the Nordic region’s thriving game industry, which has consistently produced global hits, as highlighted in a recent report on the Swedish game industry.
Ubisoft itself is undergoing significant internal transformation, with plans to announce details of its restructuring into “Creative Houses” later this month. This ongoing process has already led to substantial job losses and project cancellations, reflecting a broader industry trend towards efficiency and focused development efforts, detailed in Ubisoft’s official investor reports.
The company’s strategic realignment, including the establishment of entities like Vantage Studios, partially owned by Tencent, indicates a shift towards new operational models. Such changes are common in the volatile gaming market, where adapting to new paradigms is crucial for sustained growth and innovation, as explored by analysis of talent migration in the tech sector.
Julian Gerighty’s transition from Massive to DICE underscores the dynamic nature of the video game industry’s talent landscape. While his departure marks the end of an era for The Division under his direct creative guidance, the franchise’s established leadership and upcoming titles suggest a strong continuation.
His move to DICE promises fresh perspectives for the Battlefield universe, embodying the constant evolution and cross-pollination of expertise within global game development. This shift, coupled with Ubisoft’s ongoing restructuring, highlights a period of significant change and strategic recalibration across the industry.
