Halo: Combat Evolved Remake Was Developed For Free Exposure— And It Worked

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary: A Bold Gamble That Paid Off

Saber Interactive, then an independent studio, made a daring move: offering to develop the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake for free. This audacious strategy, revealed by CEO Matthew Karch in a Game File interview with Stephen Totilo, aimed for unparalleled exposure. The risk paid off handsomely.

A Calculated Risk for an Indie Studio

Karch's pitch to Microsoft was met with astonishment. He reasoned that working on such a globally recognized franchise would be the equivalent of a prestigious credential, attracting future collaborations and opportunities. The potential for market visibility outweighed the immediate financial loss. "It’s the biggest franchise in the world," Karch stated, "I’ll suck it up and I’ll do it at a loss."

While Saber initially proposed a $4 million bid, contractual clauses ultimately negated any royalties from the Xbox 360 release.

From Zero to Millions: A Masterful Turnaround

The experience, however, wasn't entirely without reward. Saber's involvement in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection, including porting the Anniversary edition to Xbox One, proved pivotal. Karch refused to sign the port's contract until Microsoft removed the detrimental royalty clauses from the original agreement. This resulted in a multi-million dollar payout for their contribution to the collection. This financial success provided the foundation for future growth.

Saber Interactive's Ascent

The Halo project propelled Saber Interactive's expansion. The studio opened new locations in Spain, Sweden, and Belarus, and acquired studios like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They collaborated on projects such as 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, CCO Tim Willits confirmed continued development on projects like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. The Halo gamble ultimately transformed Saber Interactive from an indie studio into a major player in the gaming industry.