Massive Entertainment, also known as Ubisoft Massive, is a big studio with a lot going on. It is developing Avatar: Pandora's Frontier and Ubisoft's open-world Star Wars game, while also running The Division 2. So the departure of managing director David Polfeldt on July 1 could be quite significant.

"Seventeen years ago, I joined a small indie studio in Malmö in a role defined by its founder as 'Mr. Fix-It.' Little did I know that it would turn out to be a roller coaster adventure. I had no idea that it would be a roller coaster ride," Polfeldt said in a statement announcing his departure.

"When I signed on with Star Wars and the beautiful building Eden was finally completed in 2020, I felt an overwhelming sense of completion, as if I had accomplished everything I once dreamed of."

However, Polfelt is not actually leaving the company. After taking a six-month sabbatical, he will return to Ubisoft in a "new strategic role."

Axios reports that his replacement at Massive is already in place, but due to some sort of legal agreement with his current employer, his name has not yet been revealed.

Pohlfeldt's departure follows the resignation of many others, including Chief Creative Officer Serge Haskoe, Managing Director of Ubisoft's Canadian studio Yannis Marat, Global Human Resources Director Cecile Cornet, and Vice President Maxime Belin. unrelated to the allegations of workplace harassment and abuse that led to the resignations of Ubisoft executives.

Still, his decision to step down now is noteworthy: Ubisoft's "Avatar" game was announced just last week, more than four years after its initial announcement, and the "Star Wars" game is the first game after EA's 10-year exclusive agreement with Disney ended. and, as a result, carries very high expectations. While this does not seem like an ideal time to replace the studio's leadership, Polfelt suggested that now is actually a good time to make the move.

"The studio is in great shape, building on the solid foundation of 'The Division,' 'Avatar,' 'Snowdrop,' and 'Ubisoft Connect. I am exceptionally grateful for what we have accomplished together."