Saber Interactive CCO Says Company Can 'Get Any IP' Amid Focus on Reviving Dormant Franchises

Saber Interactive has experienced a significant shift in its industry standing over recent years, driven largely by prominent releases like World War Z and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Capitalizing on this momentum, the company has increasingly focused on bringing back long-dormant gaming series, such as Turok and Stuntman, alongside remakes like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Speaking with Eurogamer at Gamescom, Saber Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits expressed strong confidence in the publisher's acquisition capabilities, stating plainly that the company can secure any intellectual property it pursues.

According to Willits, Saber does not greenlight a project unless it is projected to generate four times its original cost. He highlighted titles like SnowRunner—which began as a low-cost venture and went on to generate hundreds of millions—as prime examples of this financial strategy. This disciplined approach to smaller and medium-sized projects helps fund larger undertakings, such as the newly announced third-person John Wick action game, Stuntman, and ongoing development on Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3.

Willits also addressed the wealth of unused franchises currently held by major publishers, suggesting that other companies, including Microsoft, could benefit from letting smaller teams revive classic properties. Drawing on his decades of industry experience, including his time at id Software, Willits noted that classic franchises like Hexen, Strife, Heretic, Pitfall, and MechWarrior represent a gold mine of nostalgic potential waiting to be excavated. Saber currently has multiple titles in development, including Turok Origins, Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, and Rideshare Simulator, the latter of which recently sparked discussion regarding the studio's experimental use of generative AI.