In a surprising turn of events, AdHoc Studio’s first game, Dispatch, has taken the gaming world by storm. Created by veteran developers who once worked for Telltale, Dispatch has made a remarkable entry into the 2025 game of the year discussions, capturing the attention of both players and critics. The journey to this success involved a significant transformation and some unexpected twists, including a stint at Ubisoft San Francisco. Reports suggest that while working there, AdHoc’s founders were involved in developing a new Splinter Cell title before the project was shelved in favor of the games-as-a-service model, leading to the creation of XDefiant.
The Journey of Dispatch
AdHoc Studio’s path to success with Dispatch was far from straightforward. After leaving Telltale Games in 2017, Nick Herman and his colleagues briefly joined Ubisoft San Francisco. They initially worked on a new Splinter Cell game, which Herman felt could rejuvenate the franchise. However, Ubisoft’s leadership shifted focus, aiming to incorporate a games-as-a-service approach into their projects. This change in direction led Herman and his team to leave Ubisoft and form AdHoc Studio in 2018. Despite the challenges, Dispatch has now sold over one million copies, marking a significant achievement for the fledgling studio.
The Fallout from Ubisoft’s Strategy
The shift in Ubisoft’s strategy led to significant changes. The once-anticipated Splinter Cell game was abandoned, and the focus turned to creating XDefiant, a multiplayer game aimed at challenging Call of Duty. Despite efforts to innovate with a narrative-driven GaaS game, the initiative fell short of expectations. This decision ultimately led to the closure of Ubisoft San Francisco after XDefiant’s release and subsequent shutdown a year later. **AdHoc’s triumph with Dispatch contrasts sharply with Ubisoft’s challenges, highlighting a classic tale of corporate strategy and creative vision clashing.**
Looking forward, Ubisoft Toronto is reportedly working on a remake of the original Splinter Cell, though updates on its progress remain scarce. Enthusiasts of the series continue to await news on the revival of the beloved franchise.