In a remarkable turn of events, the 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was offered to the then-independent studio Saber Interactive, who proposed to undertake the project for free. This bold move not only secured them the job but also set the stage for their future success in the gaming industry. Dive in to uncover the story behind this strategic decision and how it propelled a small indie team into the spotlight.
Saber Interactive's Bold Proposal to Remake Halo for Free
In a candid interview with journalist Stephen Totilo for Game File, Saber Interactive's CEO and co-founder, Matthew Karch, disclosed the pivotal moment during their pitch to Microsoft. Karch emphasized their willingness to remaster the iconic Halo game without any financial compensation, stating, "Because it's Halo." The Xbox executive present was taken aback by this offer, but Karch saw it as an invaluable opportunity for his fledgling studio. He likened working on Halo to earning a "Harvard diploma," believing it would open countless doors and attract future collaborations.
Despite proposing a low bid of $4 million at Microsoft's request, the final contract included clauses that nullified any potential royalties, meaning Saber essentially worked for free. Nevertheless, the exposure gained from remaking Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary for the Xbox 360 in 2011 proved invaluable.
Transitioning from Dependency to Independence
The initial loss was a stepping stone for Saber. Their involvement with Halo led to further contracts with Microsoft, including contributing to Halo: The Master Chief Collection alongside other renowned developers like Bungie and 343 Industries. When tasked with porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One, Karch seized the opportunity to renegotiate their contract. He refused to sign until Microsoft removed the royalty-killing clauses, a move that resulted in Saber receiving a substantial payment in the tens of millions for their work on The Master Chief Collection.
This financial boost allowed Saber to assert their independence and pursue larger projects. Karch reflected on this turning point, saying, "We’ve watched other people make money on our work. Now we’re going to make money on our own."
Saber Interactive's Growth and Current Endeavors
Following their success with Halo, Saber Interactive expanded rapidly, establishing new studios in Spain, Sweden, and Belarus, and acquiring others such as Binary Motion and New World Interactive. Their portfolio grew to include significant projects like the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the development of World War Z.
In February 2020, Saber was acquired by the Embracer Group, becoming a subsidiary while retaining operational autonomy. Under Embracer, they continued to grow, developing titles like Evil Dead: The Game. However, financial challenges led Embracer to sell Saber to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Karch, in a deal that allowed Saber to retain all its branded studios and IPs.
Despite the change in ownership, Saber's Chief Creative Officer, Tim Willits, reassured fans via X (formerly Twitter) that their ongoing projects would proceed as planned. Currently, Saber is actively developing several exciting titles, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released in September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival.
