The Division releasing 'second half of 2014'

Ubisoft looks set to release The Division in the second half of calendar 2014. The online action RPG was given a general 2014 launch window when it was announced for Xbox One and PS4 at E3 last month, but Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said today during the publisher’s first quarter sales call: “We can expect it will be closer to the end of 2014 than the beginning.”

The executive also confirmed that persistent online racer The Crew will be released in the first calendar quarter of 2014 on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. And in a press release issued prior to the conference call, the Paris headquartered publisher said it has delayed the release of an "unannounced franchise" - previously mentioned in May - from the current fiscal year to the next, meaning it will now launch some time in the 12 months ending March 31, 2015.

For its first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013, Ubisoft reported sales of €76 million (£65m / $99m), beating its prior guidance but down 42.2 per cent compared with the €131 million (£112m / $171m) recorded for the same period the previous year, which saw the release of Ghost Recon Future Soldier.

Referencing the positive reception to games including Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag, Watch Dogs, The Crew and The Division at E3, Ubisoft boss Guillemot also said today: “After years of investing in the technologies, expertise and production capacity required for regularly releasing open world titles and for integrating online and social innovations, Ubisoft is now ideally positioned to continue on its path of winning market share and enhancing its financial performance."