The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary: A Bold Gamble That Paid Off
Saber Interactive, then an independent studio, took a significant risk when they offered to develop the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake for free. This audacious move, detailed in an interview with Game File's Stephen Totilo, was orchestrated by Saber's CEO and co-founder, Matthew Karch. His rationale? The unparalleled exposure working on such a massive franchise would provide. "It's like putting a Harvard diploma on your wall," Karch explained. The gamble was to leverage the prestige of the Halo brand to propel Saber's visibility and future opportunities.
While Microsoft was initially "shocked" by the zero-cost proposal, they accepted. Although Saber initially proposed a $4 million bid, contractual clauses ultimately resulted in zero royalties for the Xbox 360 release. The studio essentially worked for free, prioritizing long-term benefits over immediate financial gain.
This strategic sacrifice proved remarkably effective. Saber's involvement in the remake led to further collaborations with Microsoft, including work on Halo: The Master Chief Collection alongside Bungie and 343 Industries. Crucially, Karch renegotiated the contract for the Xbox One port of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, eliminating the detrimental royalty clauses. This resulted in a multi-million dollar payout for Saber, significantly bolstering their financial standing and opening doors to larger projects.
Since then, Saber Interactive has expanded rapidly, establishing new studios globally and acquiring other development houses. They've worked on high-profile projects, including the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the development of World War Z. While acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, Saber was later reacquired by Karch's Beacon Interactive, retaining its independence and intellectual property. Despite this change, the company continues to thrive, currently developing titles such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. The Halo gamble paid off handsomely, transforming a small indie studio into a major player in the gaming industry.
