Massive Entertainment, the Ubisoft studio known for Tom Clancy's The Division and Star Wars Outlaws, has been appointed the "global label" responsible for the Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon franchises. This move is part of an ongoing restructuring effort by Ubisoft, bolstered by a significant investment from Tencent earlier this year.
Massive Entertainment will now integrate development teams from Montréal, Paris, Sweden, and Toronto, which were previously responsible for these series. This consolidation aims to "bring together their creative and technology expertise to shape its future, grow these franchises and craft challenging experiences for dedicated player communities," according to a press release.
The restructuring follows a period of significant changes within Ubisoft, including layoffs and studio closures. The company has been organizing its development studios into distinct "creative houses," with a focus on its most valuable brands. The consolidation under Massive Entertainment is described as the expansion of a subsidiary previously known as "creative house 2."
Despite recent workforce reductions at Ubisoft Toronto, which has been developing a remake of the first Splinter Cell, the company has stated that the project remains on track. Additionally, a new Ghost Recon game is confirmed to be in development.
Alongside its new responsibilities for existing franchises, Massive Entertainment will also develop a new title: March of Giants. This game is described as a 4v4 dieselpunk MOBA where players lead armies of NPCs into battle. A Steam page for March of Giants is available, and playtest applications are being accepted.