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

The 2011 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary took an unconventional path to development. Saber Interactive, then an independent studio, offered to create the remaster for free, a bold gamble that ultimately paid off handsomely.

Saber Interactive's Bold Offer

In a Game File interview with journalist Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO and co-founder Matthew Karch revealed their audacious pitch to Microsoft: they would develop the Halo remake at no cost. Karch's reasoning was simple: the unparalleled exposure working on such a massive franchise would provide immeasurable value. The Xbox executive was reportedly stunned by the offer, but the potential benefits for Saber, a relatively small independent studio, were undeniable. Karch saw it as a "Harvard diploma" for the company, opening doors to future opportunities. While a nominal bid of $4 million was later submitted at Microsoft's request, due to contractual clauses, Saber received no royalties from the initial Xbox 360 release.

From Loss to Millions

Despite the initial financial sacrifice, Saber's strategic move paid dividends. They were subsequently hired by Microsoft to work on Halo: The Master Chief Collection, including porting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to the Xbox One. This time, however, Karch ensured the contract rectified the previous royalty issues. Microsoft agreed, resulting in a multi-million dollar payout for Saber's contribution to the collection. This windfall provided the financial foundation for the studio's ambitious expansion. As Karch recalled, it marked a shift from relying on others for success to building their own empire.

Saber Interactive's Growth and Beyond

Following their Halo success, Saber Interactive rapidly expanded, establishing new studios internationally and acquiring other game development companies like Binary Motion and New World Interactive. They broadened their portfolio, contributing to projects such as 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, continuing to grow and develop titles like 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, Saber Interactive remains active, with ongoing projects including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival, demonstrating the enduring impact of their bold decision to develop Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary for free.