A Familiar Face Returns as Splinter Cell Remake Gets Its Director Back

Talent shifts in the games industry are often routine, yet some departures capture widespread attention for their timing and significance. This was certainly true of David Grivel, a longtime Ubisoft developer whose exit once cast doubt on one of the company’s most anticipated projects, the Splinter Cell Remake.

A Veteran Developer with an Influential Legacy

Grivel spent more than ten years at Ubisoft, contributing to key projects that helped define the publisher’s portfolio throughout the last decade. His work included roles on Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Assassin’s Creed Unity, and Splinter Cell Blacklist. When Ubisoft Toronto appointed him as Game Director for the Splinter Cell Remake, it seemed like a natural progression for a designer familiar with the franchise’s tone and mechanics.

His abrupt departure in 2022 raised questions among fans about the remake’s status. With no meaningful updates released to the public since the project’s announcement, speculation intensified, and confidence in its long-term prospects began to waver.

A Detour Through EA Before an Unexpected Return

After leaving Ubisoft, Grivel joined EA as Senior Design Director II to help shape Battlefield 6. The move appeared to mark the next chapter in his career and suggested that the Splinter Cell Remake would continue without the creative lead who helped define its early direction.

This week, however, Grivel confirmed via LinkedIn that he has returned to Ubisoft Toronto. Even more intriguingly, he has resumed his role as Game Director for the Splinter Cell Remake. The decision places him back at the centre of the project he once stepped away from, restoring a sense of continuity to a game that has remained largely out of view for several years.

A Reassuring Signal for Splinter Cell Fans

Grivel has not yet shared any specific details about the remake’s current state, but his reinstatement is an encouraging sign. The return of the original director suggests that the project remains active within Ubisoft’s pipeline and continues to move forward behind the scenes. For a series that has been dormant for more than a decade, this renewed sense of stability is likely to be warmly received by long-time fans.

Until the remake surfaces publicly, players can revisit the animated Splinter Cell series on Netflix, which offers a small dose of nostalgia while they wait for Sam Fisher to make his long-awaited comeback.