Saber Interactive

Saber Interactive is an American video game developer and publisher headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded in 2001 by Andrey Iones, Matthew Karch, and Anton Krupkin, the company began as an independent development studio and initially built its own technology and production capabilities. Its first game was Will Rock, after which Saber developed the Saber3D engine for projects including TimeShift. The technology has been updated over time and has supported the company’s work across several generations of hardware. The company expanded its reputation through licensed and outsourced development. In 2010, Microsoft’s 343 Industries selected Saber to help remake Halo: Combat Evolved for its tenth-anniversary release. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary combined the original game’s underlying gameplay technology with updated visual technology from Saber. Saber later contributed to Halo: The Master Chief Collection. These projects established the studio as a partner capable of handling technically demanding work on internationally recognized properties. Saber also became associated with ambitious cross-platform ports. In partnership with CD Projekt Red, it produced the Nintendo Switch version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, released in 2019. The port was notable because it brought a large, technically complex open-world role-playing game to substantially less powerful hardware. Saber’s own World War Z, released in 2019, further strengthened its profile as an original developer and publisher; the game passed one million units sold during its first week according to the cited reference material. From 2016 onward, Saber pursued rapid international expansion. It opened a studio in Madrid, acquired or established teams in locations including Portugal, Sweden, Belarus, and elsewhere, and used acquisitions to broaden its capabilities in development, publishing, porting, technology, visual production, and live-service support. The company acquired Bigmoon Entertainment, later renamed Saber Porto, and subsequently brought a number of studios into its wider organization. Acquired or affiliated companies included 4A Games, New World Interactive, 34BigThings, Mad Head Games, Nimble Giant Entertainment, Snapshot Games, Zen Studios, 3D Realms, Slipgate Ironworks, Demiurge Studios, Bytex, DIGIC Pictures, Shiver Entertainment, and others during the period when Saber was part of Embracer Group. Embracer Group acquired Saber in February 2020 for a reported transaction value of US$525 million. Saber operated as a relatively autonomous direct subsidiary and became an important acquisition platform within Embracer’s broader consolidation strategy. Matthew Karch continued as chief executive officer and Andrey Iones as chief operating officer. Saber also expanded its publishing role, including through Prime Matter, and announced or supported projects such as Evil Dead: The Game, a new Painkiller title, and a Nintendo Switch version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. In March 2024, Embracer announced the sale of Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, an investment company controlled by co-founder Matthew Karch, for a reported US$247 million. The transaction returned Saber to independent control while dividing the former group’s studio assets between the buyer and Embracer. Saber retained the Saber-branded studios and a number of related companies and intellectual properties, while several other former subsidiaries remained within Embracer. The post-transaction company therefore represents a narrower but still international development and publishing network than the enlarged Saber organization of the early 2020s. Saber’s positioning centers on technically challenging game production, multi-platform adaptation, franchise collaboration, original development, and a distributed studio model. Its portfolio spans action games, cooperative and multiplayer titles, racing and simulation projects, role-playing games, remasters, ports, and…

Saber Interactive was established in 2001 by Andrey Iones, Matthew Karch, and Anton Krupkin. The founders built a three-dimensional game engine and assembled an art and development team in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Their first released project was Will Rock. Saber subsequently developed the Saber3D engine, which became an important part of its technical identity and was used in TimeShift, released in 2007. The engine continued to evolve as the company worked across different platforms and game types. A major early turning point came through Saber’s work with Microsoft and 343 Industries. In 2010, Saber was selected to help remake Halo: Combat Evolved for the game’s tenth anniversary. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was released on November 15, 2011. The project used the original gameplay technology while applying Saber’s technology to the visual presentation, allowing the remake to preserve the character of the original while updating its appearance. Saber later assisted with Halo: The Master Chief Collection in 2014. The company broadened its international footprint during the second half of the 2010s. It opened an internal studio in Madrid in 2016, followed by further expansion in Europe, including activities in Sweden and Belarus. In 2018, Saber partnered with CD Projekt Red on the Nintendo Switch adaptation of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition. Released on October 15, 2019, the port demonstrated Saber’s ability to adapt a large, technically demanding role-playing game to different hardware. Saber released World War Z on April 16, 2019. The game gave the company a major original commercial property and reportedly sold more than one million units during its first week. In the same period, the company increased its senior creative and publishing capabilities. Tim Willits, formerly associated with id Software, joined Saber as chief creative officer in August 2019. In October 2019, Saber acquired Portugal-based Bigmoon Entertainment and rebranded it as Saber Porto. Embracer Group acquired Saber in February 2020 in a transaction reported at US$525 million. Saber became a direct Embracer subsidiary while retaining operational autonomy, with Matthew Karch continuing as chief executive officer and Andrey Iones as chief operating officer. The acquisition also transformed Saber into an acquisition platform. During 2020 and 2021, it assembled a broad portfolio of development, publishing, porting, technology, visual-production, and support companies. These included 4A Games, New World Interactive, 34BigThings, Mad Head Games, Nimble Giant Entertainment, Snapshot Games, Zen Studios, Aspyr, 3D Realms, Slipgate Ironworks, SmartPhone Labs, Demiurge Studios, Fractured Byte, Bytex, DIGIC Pictures, and Shiver Entertainment, among others. Saber’s publishing and development activities during this expansion included the announcement of Evil Dead: The Game with Boss Team Games in 2020, participation in the Prime Matter publishing label’s plans, a new Painkiller project, and work on a Nintendo Switch version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. The company’s portfolio consequently covered both internally developed projects and games produced through a network of specialized studios. The Embracer-era structure changed in March 2024. Embracer announced that it would sell Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Matthew Karch, for a reported US$247 million. The transaction separated Saber-branded studios and selected affiliated companies from a number of other former subsidiaries. Saber retained several development and production businesses, while Embracer kept companies including 34BigThings, Aspyr, Demiurge Studios, Snapshot Games, Tripwire Interactive, Tuxedo Labs, and Zen Studios. Shiver Entertainment was later sold by Embracer to Nintendo. An option relating to 4A Games and Zen Studios was also reported, but both ultimately remained with Embracer. After the divestment, Saber continued as an independently controlled, international game developer and publisher. Its defining capabilities remain original game creation, co-development, cross-platform conversion, remastering, licensed franchise production, publishing, and the management of geographically distributed teams. Because the 2024 transaction materially changed the company’s subsidiary portfolio, current ownership of individual studios and projects should be verified through contemporary official announcements.

1. 2024Saber returns to independent control

   Beacon Interactive, controlled by co-founder Matthew Karch, acquires Saber from Embracer Group in a reported US$247 million divestment.

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2. 2020Embracer acquires Saber Interactive

   Embracer Group acquires Saber in a transaction reported at US$525 million.

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3. 2019World War Z is released

   Saber launches World War Z, an original action title that reportedly surpasses one million units sold in its first week.

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4. 2016International studio expansion begins

   Saber opens its first internal studio outside Russia in Madrid, beginning a broader international expansion.

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5. 2011Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary launches

   Saber’s remake of Halo: Combat Evolved is released for the tenth anniversary of the original game.

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6. 2007TimeShift uses Saber3D technology

   Saber releases TimeShift, one of the early projects built with its proprietary Saber3D engine.

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7. 2001Saber Interactive is founded

   Andrey Iones, Matthew Karch, and Anton Krupkin establish Saber Interactive and begin developing proprietary technology and the company’s first game.

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An internationally distributed independent game developer and publisher focused on technically demanding original games, licensed properties, cross-platform ports, remasters, and multi-studio production.

• World War ZCooperative action game2019

  World War Z is a cooperative action game built around large-scale zombie encounters and squad-based play. Developed by Saber and released in 2019, it adapted the World War Z property into a game focused on team coordination, survival, and combat against swarming enemies. Its launch became an important commercial milestone for Saber’s original development portfolio.

• SnowRunnerOff-road driving simulation2020

  SnowRunner is an off-road driving and logistics game associated with Saber’s simulation and vehicle-focused development work. Players operate heavy vehicles across difficult terrain, transport cargo, and manage routes affected by mud, snow, ice, and water. The title represents Saber’s expansion beyond conventional action games into slower-paced, systems-driven simulation experiences.

• Halo: Combat Evolved AnniversaryFirst-person shooter remake2011

  Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is Saber’s remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, produced with Microsoft and 343 Industries for the franchise’s tenth anniversary. The project preserved the original gameplay foundation while adding updated visuals. It was Saber’s first major contribution to a globally established game franchise and helped establish its credentials in high-profile collaborative development.

• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete EditionNintendo Switch port2019

  Saber collaborated with CD Projekt Red on the Nintendo Switch version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition. Released in 2019, the port adapted a large open-world role-playing game and its expansions to Nintendo’s hybrid console. Its technical execution and playability were widely noted in contemporary reviews and became a prominent example of Saber’s porting expertise.

• TimeShiftFirst-person shooter2007

  TimeShift is a first-person shooter released in 2007 and built with Saber’s proprietary Saber3D engine. The game was an early demonstration of the company’s in-house technology and established a foundation for later technical development. It remains part of Saber’s early history as an independent developer.

• Evil Dead: The GameLicensed multiplayer action game2022

  Evil Dead: The Game is a licensed multiplayer title developed by Saber Interactive in partnership with Boss Team Games. Announced at The Game Awards in 2020, it brought characters and themes from the Evil Dead entertainment property into an interactive competitive and cooperative format. The project reflects Saber’s work with recognizable external intellectual properties.

• 2019World War Z launch campaign

  Global

  Saber launched World War Z as a major original title based on the established entertainment property. The release emphasized cooperative action and large-scale zombie encounters and was supported across console and PC markets.

  Outcome. The game reportedly exceeded one million units sold during its first week, making it one of Saber’s most visible commercial launches.

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• 2024Return to independent ownershipM&A

  Embracer Group began a restructuring and divestment process amid financial pressure and changes to its corporate structure.

  What changed. Embracer sold Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, controlled by co-founder Matthew Karch.

  Aftermath. Saber resumed independent control, while ownership of former subsidiaries and associated intellectual properties was divided between Beacon and Embracer.

  Reported divestment value. US$247 million (March 2024)

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• 2020Join Embracer GroupM&A

  Saber sought to expand its international production and publishing network while retaining operational autonomy.

  What changed. Embracer Group acquired Saber Interactive for a reported US$525 million and made it a direct subsidiary.

  Aftermath. Saber became a platform for further studio acquisitions and substantially enlarged its global organization.

  Reported acquisition value. US$525 million (February 2020)

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• 2024Embracer sells Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive

  Embracer announced the divestment of Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, an investment company controlled by co-founder Matthew Karch. The transaction returned Saber to independent ownership and divided the former subsidiary portfolio between the parties.

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• 2021Saber supports expansion of Embracer's publishing and development network

  Saber added or announced relationships with studios and companies including Aspyr, 3D Realms, Slipgate Ironworks, Demiurge Studios, Bytex, DIGIC Pictures, and Shiver Entertainment during the year and surrounding period.

  M&A
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• 2020Embracer Group acquires Saber Interactive

  Embracer Group acquired Saber Interactive in a transaction reported at US$525 million, with Saber continuing to operate with substantial autonomy.

  M&A
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• 2020Saber expands through multiple studio acquisitions

  Saber acquired or added several studios during 2020, including 4A Games, New World Interactive, 34BigThings, Mad Head Games, Nimble Giant Entertainment, Snapshot Games, and Zen Studios.

  M&A
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• 2019Saber Interactive releases World War Z

  Saber released World War Z, an action game based on the World War Z property. The title reportedly exceeded one million units sold during its first week.

  Product launch
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1. Saber Interactive
2. Saber Interactive official website