Splinter Cell Remake Breathes New Life: Original Director David Grivel Returns After Three-Year Absence

In a glimmer of hope for stealth gaming enthusiasts worldwide, Ubisoft Toronto has welcomed back David Grivel as Game Director for the long-dormant Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Remake. Grivel, who originally helmed the project when it was announced in December 2021, departed in 2022 for a stint at EA's now-defunct Ridgeline Games on Battlefield 6. His return, announced via LinkedIn last week, has ignited optimism that Sam Fisher's shadowy return is finally back on track.

"I am very, VERY happy to announce that I'm rejoining Ubisoft Toronto as Game Director on the Splinter Cell Remake! A very special team and project to me," Grivel posted on LinkedIn, as spotted by GamesRadar and echoed across outlets like IGN and PC Gamer.

The remake, codenamed "North," is a ground-up rebuild of the groundbreaking 2002 original using Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine—the same tech powering Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Ubisoft Toronto emphasized early on that it would honor the series' legacy of light-and-shadow mechanics, innovative gadgets, and tense infiltration gameplay while incorporating modern sensibilities like updated controls, UI, and accessibility options. Producers have promised to retain the linear, mission-based structure fans crave, avoiding an open-world pivot.

Since its tease with concept art for the franchise's 20th anniversary, the project has endured radio silence amid Ubisoft's turbulent years—cancellations, leadership shakeups, and the infamous pivot of a separate new Splinter Cell prototype into the late XDefiant. Grivel's exit was followed by at least one interim director, fueling fears of development hell. But insiders and recent reports confirm the remake persists, with a tentative 2026 launch window floated by sources close to Ubisoft.

The timing couldn't be better. With The Game Awards looming this Thursday, fans are speculating a reveal trailer or shadow drop—especially after IGN's Unlocked podcast hailed it as "good news" for the "long-dormant" title. On X (formerly Twitter), reactions range from ecstatic ("If the Splinter Cell remake is truly alive, that’s the headline for me") to cautious hope ("Stealth fans have been running on nostalgia and copium for years").

Grivel's history adds credibility: He served as senior game designer on Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013), the last mainline entry, which blended stealth purity with action but underperformed commercially. His vision could steer the remake toward recapturing the essence of classics like Chaos Theory, where every shadow mattered.

Platforms remain PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with no word on last-gen or Switch support. Ubisoft has yet to comment officially beyond Grivel's post, but this reunion signals stability for a franchise that's influenced Metal Gear Solid, Hitman, and modern stealth titles.

Will Sam Fisher finally emerge from the darkness at TGA? XPLog will be watching. Stay tuned.