Division Boss Julian Gerighty Joins DICE After Ubisoft Exit

Julian Gerighty, the executive producer and franchise boss for The Division series, has announced his departure from Ubisoft. In a move that has sent ripples through the gaming community, Gerighty is transitioning to rival developer DICE, the studio behind the Battlefield franchise.

The timing of this announcement is particularly notable. It comes just one week after Gerighty appeared on a video game showcase livestream to promote The Division 3. During that appearance, he expressed immense confidence in the project's trajectory, setting high expectations for its future impact.

Gerighty confirmed his exit through a social media post, marking the end of his tenure at the French publisher. His move to DICE represents a significant shift in the competitive landscape of Swedish game development. The announcement followed a recent video game showcase where Gerighty was actively promoting the next installment in the popular franchise.

During the New Game+ Showcase 2026 earlier this month, Gerighty offered a glimpse into the project's development status. He stated:

"So, The Division 3 is in production, right? This is not a secret. It's been announced. It's shaping up to be a monster. I can't really say anything more than that."

He further emphasized the team's dedication at Massive Entertainment, noting that they were working "extremely hard on something that I think will be as big an impact as Division 1 was."

The transition highlights the interconnected nature of the gaming industry in Sweden. Gerighty is moving from Massive Entertainment to DICE, both prominent studios based in the country. In his farewell message, Gerighty hinted at a new chapter in his career.

"It's time for me to hang up my go bag (keeping the watch) as I go on another grand adventure," Gerighty said. "The Division future burns bright, and I can't wait for you to discover what the teams have been working on. Long live The Division and Godspeed!"

This move occurs against a backdrop of industry-wide challenges. Just two months prior, Massive Entertainment introduced a voluntary career transition program. This initiative asked staff to volunteer for layoffs as part of a restructuring effort to focus on The Division franchise and its proprietary Snowdrop game engine.

Ubisoft has faced significant operational hurdles recently. The restructuring includes multiple studio closures and rounds of layoffs across the company. These moves were partly driven by the commercial performance of Star Wars Outlaws, released in 2024, which was described as a "big sales disappointment" for the publisher despite substantial development and marketing costs. Gerighty served as the co-director for that title.

Earlier this week, Ubisoft announced that the voluntary redundancy scheme did not achieve the desired number of leavers. Consequently, the company expects 55 jobs to be impacted by layoffs at Massive Entertainment and fellow Swedish outfit Ubisoft Stockholm. This indicates a continued effort to reduce headcount and streamline operations within the region.

Meanwhile, Gerighty's new home, DICE, is currently focused on its own flagship series. EA recently delayed Battlefield 6 Season 2 to address and incorporate fan feedback, signaling a period of adjustment for the studio as well.

Despite the high-profile departure, the team at Massive Entertainment moved quickly to reassure the player base. The studio issued a statement emphasizing that the core development teams remain in place. They highlighted the continuity of the project, noting that the people who built the original game with Gerighty are still there.

The studio's message to fans was clear: Once an Agent, always an Agent. They expressed gratitude for Gerighty's contributions and wished him luck in his new role at EA DICE. This public support aims to stabilize morale and maintain confidence in the long-term vision for The Division universe.

The Division 3 was announced over two years ago, yet the publisher has not yet released gameplay footage or a detailed reveal. With Gerighty's exit, questions linger about the game's production timeline, though the studio insists the project is moving forward with its established team.

Julian Gerighty's move to DICE marks a significant personnel shift between two of Sweden's most influential game development studios. His departure from Ubisoft closes a chapter defined by the stewardship of The Division franchise and the recent challenges surrounding Star Wars Outlaws.

For Ubisoft, the focus now turns to executing its restructuring plans and delivering on the promise of The Division 3 without its former franchise lead. For Gerighty, the move to DICE presents an opportunity to influence the future of the Battlefield series. The gaming industry will be watching closely to see how both studios evolve in the wake of this transition.