The Division boss Julian Gerighty just left Ubisoft for Battlefield

Creative Director Julian Gerighty departs Ubisoft Massive for EA's Battlefield Studios just a week after discussing The Division 3. Here is what it means for the franchise.

In a significant industry shake-up, Julian Gerighty has left Ubisoft Massive to join Electronic Arts. According to a report by Video Games Chronicle (VGC), the creative director known for The Division series and Star Wars Outlaws has moved to Battlefield Studios.

The timing is surprising for fans. This departure comes just a week after Gerighty publicly discussed the future of The Division 3, leading many to believe he would spearhead the project. For gamers in the UAE who have poured hundreds of hours into The Division 2, this raises questions about the direction of the franchise, though Ubisoft has moved quickly to reassure players.

Julian Gerighty leaves Ubisoft Massive for EA's Battlefield Studios.
Previously led creative direction for The Division 2 and Star Wars Outlaws.
Ubisoft confirms The Division 3 development continues under existing leadership.
Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson remain as Creative Directors.

A move to Battlefield

Gerighty confirmed his exit with a nod to his time as an agent. "It"s time for me to hang up my go bag as I go on another grand adventure," he said. While his specific role at Battlefield Studios hasn't been detailed yet, his experience with large-scale shooters makes him a logical fit for the franchise.

He joins the studio at a turbulent time following the reported passing of franchise boss Vince Zampella in December. EA seems to be bolstering its leadership to ensure the next Battlefield hits the mark after a rocky few years for the series.

What happens to The Division 3?

The immediate concern for players is the status of The Division 3. Ubisoft confirmed that the project remains a priority and that the team structure is solid. Veteran directors Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson will continue to lead creative direction for both The Division 2 and the upcoming sequel.

Additionally, Magnus Jansen has rejoined the team to lead the extraction mode, The Division 2: Survivors. If you are looking for other upcoming releases to get excited about, the Life is Strange reveal is also just around the corner.

The future of Massive

Ubisoft Massive has been one of the publisher's most important studios, recently delivering Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. While losing a figure like Gerighty is a blow, the studio appears to have a succession plan in place.

"His mark will live on at Massive and we'll continue to bring the world he's been part of creating to our players for years to come," Ubisoft said in its statement. For PC players wondering about hardware for these future titles, checking out Valve's Steam Machine plans might be worth your time as the hardware landscape evolves.

We will keep an eye on how this shift affects the UAE release schedules and localised support for both franchises moving forward.

FAQs

Why did Julian Gerighty leave Ubisoft?

Julian Gerighty left Ubisoft to join Electronic Arts' Battlefield Studios. In his statement, he mentioned it was time for "another grand adventure," though he did not provide specific reasons for the switch.

Is The Division 3 cancelled?

No, The Division 3 is not cancelled. Ubisoft confirmed that development continues with Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson serving as creative directors for the franchise.

What is Julian Gerighty's new role at EA?

Gerighty has joined Battlefield Studios, but his exact job title and responsibilities have not yet been made public.

Who is taking over The Division franchise?

The existing team remains in place. Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson are the creative directors for The Division 2 and 3, while Magnus Jansen leads the extraction mode, The Division 2: Survivors.