The Division Boss Julian Gerighty Leaves Ubisoft for DICE Week After Calling Sequel a "Monster"

Well, that timing stings.

Julian Gerighty, the long-time executive producer behind The Division franchise, has left Ubisoft to join EA's Battlefield Studios . The departure came on 16th January 2026. Exactly one week prior, he'd appeared at the New Game Plus Showcase talking up how The Division 3 was progressing.

During that same showcase on 9th January, Gerighty described the sequel as something that's "shaping up to be a monster" . He suggested the game would have the same cultural impact as the original 2016 release. Those are bold words. Especially when you're about to walk out the door.

Over a Quarter-Century at Ubisoft

Gerighty joined Ubisoft back in 1999 and moved to Massive Entertainment in 2014 . There, he served as creative director on the first Division game before taking the same role on The Division 2. He was promoted to executive producer for the entire Division franchise in 2023 , overseeing everything from the mainline games to mobile spin-off The Division: Resurgence.

His fingerprints are all over Star Wars Outlaws too. That game arrived in 2024 with Gerighty serving as creative director, steering the first open-world Star Wars title Ubisoft had attempted.

But this exit isn't happening in a vacuum.

Layoffs Three Days Before Announcement

Just three days before Gerighty's departure was announced, Ubisoft revealed it would lay off approximately 55 roles at Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm . The publisher framed this as an "organizational restructure" following a voluntary redundancy programme that wrapped up in late 2025.

Timing? Questionable at best.

Back in October 2025, rumours circulated that Gerighty was leaving Ubisoft. Massive denied them at the time, calling them "far from true" . Whoops. Turns out those whispers had merit after all, they just came a few months early.

Battlefield Needs Fresh Blood

Gerighty's move to Battlefield Studios follows the tragic death of franchise head Vince Zampella, who was killed in a car crash on 21st December 2025 . Zampella, who co-founded Respawn Entertainment and previously led development at Infinity Ward, died at age 55 when his vehicle crashed on Southern California's Angeles Crest Highway.

Gerighty's exact role at Battlefield Studios hasn't been detailed yet , but his decades of experience with live-service shooters positions him well for the franchise. Battlefield 6 launched in 2025 to strong sales after the rocky reception of 2022's Battlefield 2042.

What About Division 3?

Naturally, fans are concerned.

Ubisoft issued a statement telling players "don't worry" and insisting the teams who built The Division world with Gerighty remain in place . The publisher stressed it has an "ambitious, unchanged commitment" to The Division 2, The Division 2: Survivors, The Division: Resurgence, and The Division 3.

Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson will continue as creative directors for The Division 2 and The Division 3, whilst Magnus Jansen has returned to lead the extraction mode for The Division 2: Survivors .

Still, losing the franchise's public face raises eyebrows. Gerighty wasn't just any producer. He was The Division for most players who followed development updates.

Pattern of Departures

Gerighty's exit recalls the departure of Assassin's Creed vice president Marc-Alexis Côté in October 2025, just seven months after Assassin's Creed Shadows launched successfully . Ubisoft praised Côté's contributions at the time. Later, Côté claimed he'd been forced out after refusing a reduced role.

Are we seeing a pattern here? Senior creatives leaving or being squeezed out whilst Ubisoft restructures?

The timing is particularly awkward given that The Division franchise celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The Division 3 was officially announced back in 2023, suggesting it was early in development at the time . Three years later, we've seen no trailer, no gameplay, no substantial details beyond Gerighty's now-hollow assurances that it would be massive.

Forward Through Turbulence

Gerighty signed off with a heartfelt message to fans. "It's time for me to hang up my go bag (keeping the watch) as I go on another grand adventure. 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" .

Massive Entertainment responded: "Once an Agent, always an Agent. We're thankful for everything you gave this universe. You'll always be part of it" .

Nice words. But words don't ship games.

Gerighty leaves behind a franchise at a crossroads. The Division 2 continues to receive updates and expansions, whilst the mobile game inches forward and The Division 3 simmers somewhere in production. Whether the remaining team delivers on that "monster" of a sequel without their long-time leader remains to be seen.

For Battlefield, acquiring someone with Gerighty's pedigree is a win. For Ubisoft and Division fans? The departure stings regardless of how many reassurances the publisher offers.

Time will tell if this was simply a career move or the latest sign of deeper troubles at Ubisoft.