Halo: Combat Evolved Remake Gains Huge Exposure

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary took an unusual path to development. Saber Interactive, then an independent studio, offered to develop the game for free, a bold gamble that ultimately paid off handsomely.

Saber Interactive's Bold Move

In a Game File interview with journalist Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO and co-founder Matthew Karch revealed their audacious pitch to Microsoft: they would remaster the iconic first Halo game at no cost. Karch's reasoning was simple: the exposure alone would be invaluable. The opportunity to work on such a globally recognized franchise would significantly boost their profile and attract future opportunities. He understood the potential for long-term gains far outweighed the immediate financial sacrifice. The Xbox executive was understandably shocked, but ultimately agreed.

While Saber initially proposed a low bid of $4 million at Microsoft's request, contractual clauses effectively eliminated any royalties, resulting in a net zero return for the studio on the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake.

From Indie Underdog to Industry Player

Despite the initial financial loss, Saber's strategic gamble paid off. Their work on the remake led to further collaborations with Microsoft, notably on Halo: The Master Chief Collection. This time, however, Karch negotiated the removal of the royalty-killing clauses from the contract. The result? Tens of millions of dollars in revenue for Saber's contribution to the collection.

This significant windfall provided the capital Saber needed to expand aggressively. Karch described the shift from relying on publishers to becoming a major player in their own right.

Saber Interactive's Rise and Evolution

Following their success with Microsoft, Saber Interactive expanded rapidly, establishing new studios internationally and acquiring other development companies like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They took on diverse projects, including the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the development of World War Z.

Acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, Saber maintained operational autonomy. However, a later deal saw Saber Interactive reacquired by its CEO, Matthew Karch, through Beacon Interactive, retaining all Saber-branded studios and intellectual properties. Despite this change, CCO Tim Willits assured fans that ongoing projects would continue as planned. Saber Interactive's current portfolio includes titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. The story of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary serves as a compelling example of how calculated risk-taking and a long-term vision can yield extraordinary success.