The Division Director Julian Gerighty Leaves Massive for DICE
▼ Summary
– Julian Gerighty, the longtime creative lead for The Division franchise, has announced his departure from Massive Entertainment to join EA’s Battlefield Studios and DICE.
– His departure coincides with recent layoffs at Massive and Ubisoft Stockholm, part of broader cutbacks and restructuring at Ubisoft.
– Massive’s leadership states the franchise’s future is secure, with veteran creative directors continuing to lead The Division 2 and the unannounced The Division 3.
– Magnus Jansen, a key original creator, has returned to lead development on the upcoming extraction mode, The Division 2: Survivors.
– Ubisoft is undergoing a major transformation into “Creative Houses,” a process involving significant job losses and project cancellations.
The gaming industry sees a significant shift as Julian Gerighty, the longtime creative force behind The Division franchise, announces his departure from Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment. In a social media statement, Gerighty signaled a move to “another grand adventure,” expressing confidence in the bright future of the series he helped build. His next destination is EA’s Battlefield Studios, where he will take on an unspecified role at the renowned Swedish developer DICE.
Gerighty’s exit marks the end of a substantial chapter for the tactical shooter series. He served as Creative Director for both The Division and The Division 2, later ascending to Executive Producer overseeing the entire franchise. His tenure also included a period as Creative Director on the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws. Just last week, he fueled anticipation by promising that the yet-to-be-formally-revealed The Division 3 would aim to have “as big an impact as The Division 1.”
This leadership change occurs amidst broader organizational shifts at Ubisoft. The announcement follows news of layoffs at Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm, part of ongoing cutbacks across the French publisher. These staff reductions come after a voluntary redundancy process initiated last year.
Massive Entertainment’s Managing Director, Thomas Andrén, publicly acknowledged Gerighty’s contributions. “We are incredibly proud of everything Julian has contributed to Massive,” Andrén stated. He framed the move as a reflection of the collaborative nature of Sweden’s game development scene, built on “shared heritage, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences.” Andrén added that the team looks forward to seeing how Gerighty continues to elevate the craft on a global stage.
Andrén was quick to assure fans that the creative future of The Division remains secure. He described the franchise’s leadership as “exceptionally strong,” highlighting the continued roles of series veterans Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson. Banchereau remains Creative Director on The Division 2, while Karlson continues in the same role for The Division 3. Furthermore, Magnus Jansen, a 21-year studio veteran described as “one of the original creative voices of the franchise,” has returned to lead development on the upcoming extraction mode, The Division 2: Survivors.
“Together, they bring deep continuity and a clear creative vision that will carry the franchise forward,” Andrén emphasized. He noted this vision will be executed by experienced teams blending seasoned leaders with newer talent, all focused on innovation and pushing the series into new territory.
Gerighty’s departure coincides with a major corporate restructuring at Ubisoft. The company is expected to detail its new “Creative Houses” model later this month. This transformation has already led to significant job losses and project cancellations over recent years. The first such entity, Vantage Studios, was announced last year and is partially owned by the Chinese conglomerate Tencent.
(Source: Games Industry)
