The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was a significant turning point for then-independent studio Saber Interactive, who offered to undertake the project for free. This strategic move not only showcased their dedication but also paved the way for future opportunities within the gaming industry.
Saber Interactive Offered To Do Halo For Free
A Huge Opportunity For An Independent Studio
In a revealing interview with journalist Stephen Totilo for Game File, Saber Interactive's CEO and co-founder, Matthew Karch, disclosed the studio's bold pitch to Microsoft. Karch emphasized that Saber was willing to remaster the iconic Halo game without any financial compensation, stating, "Because it’s Halo." This proposition stunned the Xbox executive present, but Karch saw it as a golden opportunity for his fledgling studio. He likened working on Halo to earning a "Harvard diploma," believing it would open countless doors for future collaborations. "It’s the biggest franchise in the world at the time. I said: ‘It’s like putting a Harvard diploma on your wall. Everyone in the world is going to want to work with me after they see that I’ve worked on this last Halo game, and it is going to open up doors. So I’ll suck it up and I’ll do it at a loss.'"
Despite proposing a modest bid of $4 million at Microsoft's request, the contract's clauses ensured that Saber received no royalties from the project. Nevertheless, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was successfully released on the Xbox 360 in 2011, marking the beginning of Saber's journey with the franchise.
From Relying On Publishers To Becoming One Themselves
Saber's strategic move paid off when Microsoft contracted them again for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, alongside other developers like Bungie and 343 Industries. They were also tasked with porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One. However, a hiccup occurred when Microsoft failed to send the contract until just before the collection's release. Karch stood firm, refusing to sign unless the royalty-killing clauses were removed. Microsoft complied, and Saber was generously compensated for their work on the collection, receiving tens of millions of dollars. This significant payout empowered Saber to pursue larger opportunities. Karch recalled the moment, saying, "We’ve watched other people make money on our work. Now we’re going to make money on our own."
Saber Interactive Now
Following their successful stint with Microsoft, Saber Interactive expanded globally, establishing new studios in Spain, Sweden, and Belarus, and acquiring studios like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They collaborated with CD Projekt Red on the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and developed World War Z under their banner.
In February 2020, Saber was acquired by the Embracer Group, becoming a subsidiary while retaining autonomy. Under Embracer, Saber continued to grow, developing titles like Evil Dead: The Game and acquiring additional subsidiaries. However, due to financial challenges, Embracer sold Saber to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Karch, in a deal that allowed Saber to retain its branded studios and IPs.
Despite the change in ownership, Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer, Tim Willits, reassured fans via X (Twitter) that their work would continue uninterrupted. Currently, Saber is actively developing several high-profile titles, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released in September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival.
