Today marks the release of Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 on both PC and consoles, a substantial addition to Saber Interactive’s game portfolio. Beyond Space Marine 2, Saber Interactive’s strategy to navigate the current challenges in the video game industry involves more than meets the eye, with the industry witnessing numerous studio closures and widespread job layoffs.
During Gamescom 2024, I had the privilege to discuss this topic with Tim Willits, Saber Interactive’s Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and a seasoned professional with 23 years of experience at id Software. With a career that has weathered various tumultuous cycles, Willits remains optimistic that exceptional games and adept development teams will always achieve success, provided they can effectively manage their finances, particularly the game’s budget.
Over the years, I have experienced countless industry shifts. Beginning in 1995, I recall the demise of consoles and PCs at different junctures. Despite the fluctuating trends, quality games and proficient teams consistently prevail. Saber’s success can be attributed to our worldwide studios focusing on appropriate game scopes and deals. Each studio undertakes multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring a lean workforce and financial prudence. Our emphasis lies on the game’s core elements and ensuring a genuinely enjoyable experience, regardless of the budget—be it $5 million, $10 million, or $50 million.
However, without a compelling core game loop, success remains elusive. Our approach involves efficient team management across various global locations with distinct cost structures, enabling us to recruit top talent without the confines of traditional high-cost regions. Unlike some North American studios with large teams and extravagant budgets, we maintain a strategic balance. Our decentralized structure allows for organic project development, with smaller teams nurturing ideas inexpensively before scaling up once validated.
At Saber, we promote a culture where every individual contributes to all projects. Unlike studios where team segregation is common, we foster a unified ‘Team Saber’ ethos. As we transition team members from completed projects like Space Marine 2 to upcoming titles such as Jurassic Park Survival or Toxic Commando, we sustain operational efficiency and profitability. By avoiding exorbitant budgets, we redefine success metrics beyond selling millions of copies, ensuring a sustainable business model.
Regarding industry trends shifting away from licensed IPs like EA to mitigate budgetary constraints, Willits firmly believes in crafting the right game with the appropriate budget in strategic locations, a principle central to Saber’s ethos.
Contrary to industry shifts, we continue to develop high-profile projects like a Jurassic Park game, leveraging iconic IPs for commercial success. While partnering with external IPs like World War Z has proven lucrative, prudent team and budget management remain paramount. It all boils down to creating the right game within the right budget at the right global location—a philosophy that defines our success.
