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, detailed in an interview with journalist Stephen Totilo, stemmed from CEO Matthew Karch's belief that working on such a prestigious franchise would be invaluable exposure. He envisioned it as the equivalent of a Harvard diploma, opening doors to future opportunities.

While Microsoft was initially surprised 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. This seemingly risky investment proved to be a masterstroke in branding.

The subsequent involvement in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, including porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One, marked a turning point. Karch successfully renegotiated the contract, eliminating the royalty-killing clauses. This time, Saber received a substantial payment—tens of millions of dollars—laying the foundation for significant growth.

Saber Interactive's trajectory since then has been remarkable. They expanded globally, establishing studios in multiple countries and acquiring other development houses. Notable projects include the Nintendo Switch port of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the development of World War Z.

Following acquisition by Embracer Group in 2020 and subsequent sale back to a company owned by Karch, Saber Interactive continues its success, currently developing titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival. The company's story serves as a compelling example of how strategic risk-taking can lead to extraordinary success in the competitive video game industry.