The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary: A Bold Gamble That Paid Off
Saber Interactive, then an independent studio, made a daring move: offering to develop the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake for free. This audacious strategy, revealed by CEO Matthew Karch in an interview with Game File's Stephen Totilo, was a calculated risk aimed at securing invaluable exposure within the gaming industry. Karch's reasoning was simple: working on such a globally recognized franchise would be a powerful endorsement, attracting top talent and future opportunities. The Microsoft executive present was reportedly stunned by the offer.
While Saber initially proposed a $4 million budget at Microsoft's request, contractual stipulations ultimately resulted in zero royalties for the Xbox 360 release. The studio essentially worked for free, prioritizing long-term gains over immediate financial reward.
The gamble paid off handsomely. Saber's experience remastering the original Halo game led to further collaborations with Microsoft, including contributions to Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Crucially, Saber negotiated the removal of the unfavorable royalty clauses from their contract for the Xbox One port of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. This resulted in a multi-million dollar payout, providing the financial foundation for substantial growth.
Since then, Saber Interactive has flourished. The studio expanded globally, establishing new locations and acquiring other studios like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. Notable projects include the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the development of World War Z. While briefly acquired by Embracer Group, Saber was later reacquired by CEO Karch’s Beacon Interactive, retaining all Saber-branded studios and IPs. Despite this change, CCO Tim Willits confirmed continued development on projects including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. Saber Interactive's journey showcases the potential of strategic risk-taking and the long-term benefits of prioritizing exposure and reputation in a highly competitive industry.
