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

The 2011 remake, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, was a bold gamble for Saber Interactive. This then-independent studio offered to develop the game for free, a decision that would ultimately reshape their trajectory. Let's explore how this audacious move paid off.

Saber Interactive's Bold Offer

A High-Stakes Gamble for an Indie Studio

In a Game File interview with journalist Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO and co-founder Matthew Karch revealed the audacious pitch to Microsoft: they would remaster the iconic first Halo game for free. Karch's reasoning? "Because it’s Halo." The Xbox executive was reportedly shocked, but Karch saw the immense value in the exposure. For a young, independent studio, working on such a massive franchise was a priceless opportunity for visibility and market recognition. As Karch stated, "It’s the biggest franchise in the world at the time. …It’s like putting a Harvard diploma on your wall." He understood the long-term benefits outweighed the immediate financial loss.

Despite initially proposing a low bid of $4 million at Microsoft's request, contractual clauses effectively eliminated any royalties, resulting in zero profit for Saber on the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary release.

From Underdog to Powerhouse

Their gamble paid off handsomely. Microsoft subsequently contracted Saber to work on Halo: The Master Chief Collection, alongside Bungie and 343 Industries. This included porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One. However, Microsoft’s oversight in sending a contract until the collection’s imminent release led to a crucial negotiation. Karch refused to sign unless the royalty-killing clauses from the previous contract were removed. Microsoft agreed, and Saber received tens of millions of dollars for their contribution to The Master Chief Collection.

This windfall provided the foundation for Saber's remarkable growth. As Karch recalled, "We’ve watched other people make money on our work. Now we’re going to make money on our own."

Saber Interactive Today

Following their Halo success, Saber expanded rapidly, establishing new studios internationally and acquiring other development houses like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They collaborated on high-profile projects, including the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and developing World War Z.

Acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, Saber maintained operational autonomy. However, a subsequent sale to Beacon Interactive (owned by Karch) saw Saber retain all its studios and intellectual properties. Despite this shift, CCO Tim Willits reassured fans that ongoing projects would continue as planned. Saber Interactive is currently developing several titles, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. Their journey from a small indie studio taking a massive risk to a major player in the industry is a testament to their vision and strategic gamble.