The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary: A Bold Gamble That Paid Off
Saber Interactive's audacious move to develop the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake for free exposure proved to be a masterstroke. This article details their strategic decision and the subsequent journey from indie studio to industry powerhouse.
A Calculated Risk for an Indie Studio
In a Game File interview with Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch revealed their bold pitch to Microsoft: they would develop the Halo remake at no cost. Karch's rationale was simple: the unparalleled prestige of working on such a massive franchise would significantly boost their profile and attract future opportunities. While the Microsoft executive was initially stunned, Karch's gamble paid off. The deal, while initially structured with a low bid of $4 million, ultimately yielded zero royalties due to contractual clauses.
From Zero Royalties to Multi-Million Dollar Deals
Despite the initial financial loss on the Anniversary edition, Saber's involvement in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection changed everything. Tasked with porting the Anniversary edition to Xbox One, Karch leveraged his position to renegotiate the contract, successfully removing the royalty-killing clauses. This resulted in a substantial payout, amounting to tens of millions of dollars. This windfall provided the foundation for Saber's remarkable growth.
Saber Interactive's Ascent
Following their success with Halo, Saber expanded rapidly, establishing new studios globally and acquiring several other game development companies, including Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They collaborated on high-profile projects like the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and developed World War Z.
Acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, Saber later transitioned back to independent ownership under CEO Karch's Beacon Interactive, retaining all Saber-branded studios and intellectual properties. Despite this change, Saber Interactive continues to thrive, working on titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. The company's trajectory demonstrates the power of strategic risk-taking and the long-term benefits of building a strong reputation within the industry.
