In an industry plagued by layoffs, cancelled games, and the devastating gutting of legendary studios, one company stands out as a beacon of hope and success: Saber Interactive.
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Known for their vehicle simulators and action games like World War Z, Saber Interactive has experienced an unprecedented surge in fortune following the monumental success of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
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According to Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits, the sequel ‘literally changed everything’ for Saber’s fortunes, not only altering the team’s approach to game development but also changing how the industry views the studio.
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‘It not only changed the way that the team looks at making games, it changed how people look at us,’ Willits explained in an interview with The Game Business, as shared by Rock Paper Shotgun.
The success of Space Marine 2 has been a game-changer for Saber Interactive, boosting the studio’s confidence and ambitions to new heights.
‘I’ve seen this in my career. When you have a huge hit, when you go to make the next game, everything has to be awesome. It’s like, ‘This has got to be the most awesome toaster ever.’ And it fuels success,’ Willits noted.
The studio’s confidence has been further bolstered by the influx of potential partners seeking to collaborate with Saber Interactive.
‘We are in a very fortunate position to turn down more than we can accept. I can’t say the name, but … you know you’re successful when you’ve turned down those guys,’ Willits stated, hinting at the numerous ‘major license’ holders interested in working with the studio.
In the wake of Space Marine 2’s success, Saber Interactive plans to continue adapting other licenses, including Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival.
The studio recognizes the value of leveraging existing fanbases, which can significantly reduce the risk associated with developing new IPs.
‘Let’s talk about Hellraiser. If we wanted to make a survival horror game and it was our own IP, it would be more of an uphill battle. But people have heard of Hellraiser. People have heard of Space Marine, and Space Marine 2 was a huge success. World War Z, a great book, okay movie, and a super good video game,’ Willits explained.
By tapping into established franchises, Saber Interactive aims to maintain its momentum and continue delivering high-quality gaming experiences to fans worldwide.
