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.

Saber Interactive's Bold Move

A Risky Bet That Paid Off

In an interview with Game File's Stephen Totilo, Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch revealed their audacious pitch to Microsoft: they'd remaster the iconic first Halo game for free. Karch's reasoning? "Because it’s Halo." The Xbox executive was reportedly stunned, but Karch saw the immense value in the exposure. For a young, independent studio, working on such a massive franchise was invaluable. He recognized the opportunity to elevate their profile significantly, stating, "It’s the biggest franchise in the world at the time. I said: ‘It’s like putting a Harvard diploma on your wall. Everyone in the world is going to want to work with me after they see that I’ve worked on this last Halo game, and it is going to open up doors. So I’ll suck it up and I’ll do it at a loss.'"

While Saber initially proposed a $4 million bid, contractual clauses effectively negated any royalties from the Xbox 360 release. The studio essentially worked for free, prioritizing the invaluable experience and recognition.

From Indie Underdogs to Industry Players

Despite the initial financial sacrifice, the gamble paid off. Microsoft later 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, a near-miss occurred when Microsoft initially neglected to send a contract for the port until the collection's imminent release.

Karch refused to sign unless Microsoft removed the royalty-killing clauses from the original contract. Microsoft agreed, and Saber received a substantial payout—tens of millions of dollars—for their contribution to the Master Chief Collection. This windfall provided the crucial financial foundation for future growth. Karch recalled telling his partner, Andrey Iones, "We’ve watched other people make money on our work. Now we’re going to make money on our own."

Saber Interactive's Continued Success

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

Acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, Saber later transitioned back to independent ownership under CEO Karch's Beacon Interactive. This ensured the retention of all Saber-branded studios and intellectual properties. Despite this change, CCO Tim Willits assured fans that ongoing projects would continue as planned. Saber Interactive remains a prominent force in the industry, currently developing titles including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (released September 2024), John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Jurassic Park: Survival.