"Halo: Combat Evolved Remake Developed for Free Exposure Succeeds"

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary marked a pivotal moment for then-independent studio Saber Interactive, which offered to undertake the project for free. This bold move not only highlighted their ambition but also set the stage for their future success in the gaming industry. Dive into the story of how Saber Interactive transformed from a small indie team to a key player in the gaming world.

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 shared the studio's audacious pitch to Microsoft for remastering the iconic first Halo game. Karch explained, "Because it’s Halo," emphasizing their willingness to work on the project without compensation. This proposition left the Xbox executive "shocked," but Karch saw it as an invaluable opportunity. At the time, Saber was a fledgling indie studio, and working on such a renowned franchise was akin to earning a prestigious "Harvard diploma," as Karch put it. He believed that the exposure from the project would open numerous doors for future collaborations.

Despite proposing a modest budget of $4 million at Microsoft's request, the contract's fine print ensured that Saber earned no royalties from the project. Nonetheless, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was successfully released on the Xbox 360 in 2011, marking the beginning of Saber's journey in the gaming industry.

From Relying On Publishers To Becoming One Themselves

The initial financial loss did not deter Saber Interactive. Their dedication paid off when Microsoft contracted them again to contribute to Halo: The Master Chief Collection, alongside industry giants like Bungie and 343 Industries. Saber was also responsible for porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One. However, a contractual oversight by Microsoft almost repeated the royalty issue from the previous project. Karch stood firm, refusing to sign the new contract until the royalty-killing clauses were removed. Microsoft agreed, and Saber was generously compensated for their work on The Master Chief Collection, receiving tens of millions of dollars.

This significant payout was a turning point for Saber, empowering them to pursue larger and more lucrative opportunities. As Karch reflected, "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 success with Microsoft, Saber Interactive expanded globally, establishing studios in Spain, Sweden, and Belarus, and acquiring other studios like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. Their portfolio grew to include projects such as porting The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to the Nintendo Switch and developing World War Z.

In February 2020, Saber was acquired by the Embracer Group, becoming a subsidiary yet retaining its autonomy. Under Embracer, Saber continued to grow, developing games like Evil Dead: The Game and acquiring additional subsidiaries. However, due to financial challenges, Embracer sold Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Karch, ensuring that Saber retained all its studios and intellectual properties.

Despite the transition, Saber's Chief Creative Officer, Tim Willits, reassured fans via X (formerly Twitter) that their work would continue uninterrupted. Currently, Saber Interactive 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.