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

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary saw independent studio Saber Interactive make a bold move: they offered to develop the game for free. This seemingly risky strategy proved incredibly successful, catapulting the then-small studio onto the world stage. Let's explore how this audacious gamble paid off.

Saber Interactive's Bold Offer: A Gamble That Paid Off

In an interview with Game File's Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO and co-founder Matthew Karch revealed the details of their pitch to Microsoft. Facing the monumental opportunity to remaster the iconic first Halo game, Karch proposed a groundbreaking offer: they would do it for free. His reasoning? "Because it’s Halo."

The Xbox executive was understandably shocked, but Karch's vision was clear. For a young, independent studio, working on such a massive franchise offered unparalleled exposure. He saw it as a priceless marketing opportunity, stating, "It’s the biggest franchise in the world at the time… It’s like putting a Harvard diploma on your wall." He knew that the prestige of working on Halo would open doors to future collaborations and opportunities, making the initial financial loss a worthwhile investment.

While initially proposing a $4 million bid at Microsoft's request, contractual clauses ultimately resulted in Saber receiving no royalties from the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary release on Xbox 360 in 2011.

From Zero to Millions: The Master Chief Collection and Beyond

Despite the initial financial setback, Saber's work on Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary didn't go unnoticed. Microsoft later contracted them to work on Halo: The Master Chief Collection, alongside industry giants like Bungie and 343 Industries. This included porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One. However, a near-miss occurred when Microsoft initially overlooked sending a contract for the port until just before the collection's release.

Karch shrewdly refused to sign the contract unless Microsoft removed the royalty-killing clauses from the previous agreement. Microsoft agreed, and Saber received a substantial payment—tens of millions of dollars—for their contribution to The Master Chief Collection. This financial windfall was the catalyst for Saber's remarkable growth. As Karch recounted, "We’ve watched other people make money on our work. Now we’re going to make money on our own."

Saber Interactive's Rise to Prominence

The Halo project served as a springboard for Saber Interactive's expansion. They opened new studios across the globe (Spain, Sweden, and Belarus), acquired other studios (Binary Motion and New World Interactive), and secured numerous high-profile projects. Their portfolio now boasts titles like 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 its autonomy and continued to grow, acquiring further subsidiaries and developing games such as Evil Dead: The Game. However, a subsequent sale to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Karch, saw Saber retain all its studios and intellectual properties. Despite this change, CCO Tim Willits confirmed that ongoing projects, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival, remain on track. Saber Interactive's journey, born from a daring gamble on a free Halo remake, stands as a testament to the power of strategic risk-taking and unwavering vision.