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

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was a pivotal project for then-independent studio Saber Interactive. They offered to undertake this remaster for free, showcasing their willingness to take a bold step to gain exposure in the gaming industry. Dive into the story of how this ambitious move paid off and propelled a once indie studio into the limelight.

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 story behind their pitch to Microsoft for remastering the iconic first Halo game. Karch boldly stated that his studio would do it for free, driven by the allure of working on "Halo."

The Xbox executive present was taken aback by the proposition, but Karch saw it as a strategic move. At that point, Saber was a fledgling indie studio, and the chance to work on such a massive franchise was a golden opportunity. Karch likened it to earning a "Harvard diploma" in the gaming world, a credential that would open countless doors. "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 ultimately nullified any potential royalties for Saber. Nevertheless, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was 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

Although the initial project was a financial loss, Saber's fortunes changed when Microsoft enlisted them to contribute to Halo: The Master Chief Collection alongside other developers like Bungie and 343 Industries. Tasked with porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One, Saber faced a contractual hiccup when Microsoft delayed sending the contract until just before the collection's release.

Karch stood firm, refusing to sign until Microsoft removed the clauses that had previously stripped them of royalties. The tech giant relented, 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, enabling them to pursue larger opportunities. "We’ve watched other people make money on our work. Now we’re going to make money on our own," Karch reflected, speaking to partner and Saber COO Andrey Iones.

Saber Interactive Now

Following their successful collaboration with Microsoft, Saber Interactive expanded globally, establishing new studios in Spain, Sweden, and Belarus, and acquiring companies like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. Their portfolio grew to include projects such as the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with CD Projekt Red and the development of World War Z.

In February 2020, Saber was acquired by the Embracer Group, becoming a subsidiary while retaining autonomy. Under Embracer, they continued to grow, acquiring more subsidiaries and developing titles like Evil Dead: The Game. However, financial challenges led Embracer to sell Saber to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Karch, allowing Saber to retain its studios and IPs.

Despite the transition, CCO Tim Willits reassured fans via X (formerly Twitter) that Saber's projects would continue as planned. Currently, Saber is working on several exciting titles, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released in September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival.