"Halo Remake Developed for Free Exposure Succeeds"

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary marked a pivotal moment for then-independent studio Saber Interactive, who remarkably offered to undertake the project for free. Dive into the story of how this bold move not only transformed the studio but also set them on a path to work with major franchises.

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, emphasizing, "Because it’s Halo."

The Xbox executive present was taken aback by the offer, but Karch saw it as a strategic move for Saber, a young and independent startup at the time. He explained, "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.'"

This audacious proposal paid off, and Saber was entrusted with the project. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was released on the Xbox 360 in 2011. Although Karch initially proposed a low bid of $4 million at Microsoft's request, the studio ultimately received no royalties due to specific clauses in the contract.

From Relying On Publishers To Becoming One Themselves

Despite the financial loss from the 2011 remake, Saber's fortunes changed when Microsoft contracted them to contribute to Halo: The Master Chief Collection alongside other developers like Bungie and 343 Industries. As the original remaster's developer, Saber was also tasked with porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One. However, Microsoft neglected to send a contract for the port until just before the collection's release.

Karch refused to sign the new contract unless Microsoft removed the clauses that had previously nullified their royalties. 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, as Karch noted, "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 collaboration with Microsoft on Halo, Saber Interactive expanded globally, establishing new studios in Spain, Sweden, and Belarus, and acquiring studios like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They also worked on various projects, including the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with CD Projekt Red and developed World War Z under their own banner.

In February 2020, Saber Interactive was acquired by the Embracer Group, becoming a subsidiary while retaining autonomy. Under Embracer, Saber continued to grow, acquiring more subsidiaries and developing titles like Evil Dead: The Game. However, due to financial pressures, Embracer sold Saber to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Saber's CEO Karch, in a deal that allowed Saber to retain all its branded studios and IPs.

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