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

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 an interview with Game File's Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch revealed the details of their pitch to Microsoft. He proposed developing the Halo remaster at no cost, explaining that the prestige of working on such a massive franchise would be invaluable for a young studio like theirs. The opportunity to associate their name with Halo, a globally recognized powerhouse, outweighed the immediate financial benefits. Karch's reasoning was simple: the exposure gained would open countless doors for future projects. The Xbox executive was reportedly shocked by the offer, but ultimately accepted. While a subsequent bid of $4 million was proposed, contractual clauses effectively eliminated any royalties, leaving Saber with no profit from the initial release.

From Zero to Millions

Despite the initial financial sacrifice, Saber's strategic move paid dividends. Their work on Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary led to further collaborations with Microsoft, including contributing to Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Crucially, Karch negotiated the removal of the royalty-killing clauses from the contract for the Xbox One port of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, ensuring fair compensation this time around. The resulting payout amounted to tens of millions of dollars, providing the capital necessary for significant growth.

Saber Interactive's Ascent

This financial success fueled Saber Interactive's expansion. They established new studios internationally and acquired other development companies, including Binary Motion and New World Interactive. The studio's portfolio broadened considerably, encompassing projects like the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the development of World War Z.

Following its acquisition by Embracer Group in 2020 and subsequent sale to Beacon Interactive (owned by Karch), Saber Interactive continues to thrive. Despite the change in ownership, the studio remains committed to its ongoing projects, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. The risk Saber took with the Halo remake proved to be a masterstroke, transforming a small independent studio into a major player in the video game industry.