The Division’s next chapter promises community-driven development, but will it deliver?
Ubisoft is dusting off its Division franchise with a brand-new entry called The Division 2: Survivors, set to drop in 2026. Instead of the suspense typically found in big publishers, this time around, Ubisoft is pitching the game as a survival extraction experience built hand-in-hand with the community.
Executive producer Julian Gerighty even went so far as to say, “The game is as much your baby as it is ours.” That’s a bold statement, and it’s not every day that you hear a message like that from a major studio.
The Division 2, which was first released in 2019, has been heavily supported over the years with a steady stream of updates and expansions to keep things fresh. Ubisoft has shown it’s willing to keep a game alive long past its launch window, so experimenting with something more collaborative feels like a natural step-up.
But before anyone gets too excited, it’s hard to forget what happened not too long ago. Ubisoft pulled the plug on The Division: Heartland, a spinoff that was supposed to push the series in a new direction.
Set in a fictional small-town America still reeling from the Dollar Flu outbreak, Heartland was ultimately forgotten after repeated delays. The company’s CFO described the decision as “difficult but necessary,” a clear reminder that Ubisoft isn’t afraid to scrap projects if they don’t see a future.
That’s why, as fans, we must tread lightly with Survivors. The survival extraction genre has seen a new lease of life thanks to the popularity of games like Escape from Tarkov, but Ubisoft’s take on the genre is going to be nothing like we have ever seen before.
Whether they opt for a more tactical survival over their traditional mix of PvE and PvP remains to be seen. That balance could decide whether The Division 2: Survivors builds a loyal fan base or fades into the abyss.
The return of Julian Gerighty, who just finished a run as creative director on Star Wars Outlaws, is another big talking point. Now he’s back in the driver’s seat of the entire Division franchise, and Ubisoft has assigned their most trusted man for the job.
His involvement suggests the publisher isn’t treating this as just an experiment; rather, it’s a genuine attempt to drive The Division franchise to new heights.
“Community-driven development” could just be yet another marketing stunt, though. Ubisoft’s track record with live service games has been a mixed bag, so fans are cautiously optimistic. If they can actually deliver on the promise of real collaboration, The Division 2: Survivors might be the revival that the franchise is in need of.
