The stealth-action genre isn’t the most expansive in gaming. Aside from Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell is usually the next biggest franchise gamers can name top-of-mind. Unfortunately for fans of Sam Fisher, the series has been on hiatus for twelve years, with Blacklist being the last game released in 2013. And while a remake was announced in 2021, it seems fans may be waiting a while longer.
The Second Director to Quit the Project
While official updates on the remake have been scarce, Tech4Gamers spotted a job posting indicating work is not going smoothly. Ubisoft Toronto is looking for a new Game Director, overseeing production of Splinter Cell and ensuring the game elements come together as a cohesive project. The job listing has now been taken down since it was first reported. Whether this means the position has been filled, or Ubisoft is afraid of the bad PR, is anyone’s guess.
Losing any staff during game development is bad enough, but losing a director signals broader trouble for Splinter Cell. And it’s not the first incident. In 2022, the initial director David Grivel, left the project after a decade at Ubisoft. Grivel contributed as a designer on projects like Far Cry 5 & 6, Assassin’s Creed Unity, and of course Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Losing such an experienced game developer seems to have left the project in limbo, and the job posting doesn’t bode well for the game’s targeted 2026 release date.
The Latest Ubisoft Departure
Of course, Splinter Cell isn’t the only project that may have been left in turbulence at Ubisoft. The company’s restructuring and establishment of Vantage Studios has led to major reorganization. And not everyone is onboard with the changes. Marc-Alexis Côté, the head of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, recently left after twenty years with the company. While initial reports say Côté left of his own accord, the Ubisoft vet clarified he was offered a new position at Vantage, which was a step down from his old role.
Ubisoft’s reorganizing has caused major shockwaves through the publisher and its studios. The question is, will they be able to right the ship without losing any more talent?
Sourced from Tech4Gamers and MSN. For more coverage, check out our other games section.
