David Grivel returns as game director of Ubisoft's Splinter Cell remake

Ubisoft has brought back to the Splinter Cell remake someone who was there at the start of its new era — David Grivel. After years of moving between studios, a brief return, and a subsequent exit, the developer has once again taken the game director’s seat, a move that could prove pivotal for getting the project across the finish line. Grivel previously worked on Blacklist and knows the series from the inside, so his comeback reads less like routine staffing and more like an attempt to steady development after repeated reshuffles.

Rumors suggest Ubisoft is edging the remake toward its final stretch. Internal sources point to a provisional 2026 release window, and the project is being built on the Snowdrop engine, already used in titles such as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. People familiar with early builds say the visuals and stealth-driven atmosphere already impress and show clear respect for the original.

The remake’s broader concept remains largely under wraps. Ubisoft previously mentioned plans to refresh the story and adjust it to contemporary realities. After internal changes, it’s unclear whether that direction has survived or if the version players will see will hew closer to the classic. Either way, the return of Sam Fisher has become one of the most anticipated storylines of recent years — especially amid remakes of Metal Gear and other cult series.