View source for Saber Interactive

{{Short description|American video game company}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Saber Interactive Inc.
| logo = Saber Interactive.svg
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2001}}
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Andrey Iones|Matthew Karch|Anton Krupkin}}
| hq_location_city = [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Matthew Karch ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Andrey Iones ([[Chief operating officer|COO]])|[[Tim Willits]] ([[Chief creative officer|CCO]])|Anton Krupkin ([[Chief technology officer|CTO]]) |[[Todd Hollenshead]] (Head of Publishing)}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|161.2 million|link=yes}}<ref name="EMBRAC2122">{{cite web |url=https://embracer.com/year-in-brief-22/assets/pdf/Embracer-Annual-Report-and-Sustainability-Report-2022_EN.pdf|title=Embracer Annual Report & Sustainability Report 2021-2022}}</ref> 
| revenue_year = 2022
| parent = {{Unbulleted list|[[Embracer Group]] {{nowrap|(2020–2024)}}|Beacon Interactive {{nowrap|(2024–present)}}}}
| subsid = See {{section link||Subsidiaries}}
| num_employees = 2,671<ref name="EMBRAC2122" />
| num_employees_year = 2022
| website = {{URL|https://saber.games/}}
}}

'''Saber Interactive Inc.''' is an American [[video game developer]] and [[video game publisher|publisher]] based in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]. Founded by Andrey Iones, Matthew Karch, and Anton Krupkin in 2001, it is controlled by Karch's investment company Beacon Interactive, created in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Obedkov |first=Evgeny |date=2024-03-14 |title=Who is Beacon Interactive, new owner of Saber Interactive established by its former CEO and Embracer exec |url=https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/03/14/who-is-beacon-interactive-saber-new-owner-matthew-karch |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Game World Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> The company employs over 1,350 people.<ref>{{cite web|title=Company|url=https://saber3d.com/company/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326170152/https://saber3d.com/company/|archive-date=March 26, 2019|access-date=October 21, 2019|website=Saber Interactive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Palumbo|first=Alessio|date=May 25, 2020|title=Saber Interactive Interview - World War Z's Success (Over 10M Registered Players) and Beyond|url=https://wccftech.com/saber-interactive-interview-world-war-zs-success-10m-registered-players-and-beyond/|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=Wccftech|language=en-US}}</ref>

Saber was initially acquired by [[Embracer Group]] in February 2020.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} Saber and Embracer join forces|url=https://saber3d.com/saber-and-embracer-join-forces/|access-date=September 2, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2024, amidst financial difficulties, Embracer Group sold Saber Interactive to Beacon Interactive, reverting control back to co-founder Karch.

== History ==
Saber Interactive was founded in 2001 by Andrey Iones, Matthew Karch, and Anton Krupkin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/the-development-of-a-continuum-andrey-iones-on-timeshift |title=The Development Of A Continuum: Andrey Iones On TimeShift |first=Christian |last=Nutt |date=November 20, 2007 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528061629/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/130731/the_development_of_a_continuum_.php |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/07/saber-interactive-classic-shooters-show-off-technical-chops/ |title=Saber Interactive: Classic shooters show off technical chops |author=VB Staff |date=December 7, 2017 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528061628/https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/07/saber-interactive-classic-shooters-show-off-technical-chops/ |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Together they created a 3D engine from scratch, gathered a team of artists from Saint Petersburg, Russia, and began working on their first game, [[Will Rock]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Will Rock interview|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/will-rock-interview/1100-2837358/|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}</ref> After the release of Will Rock, Saber developed their proprietary game engine, Saber3D, which was used in their second title, ''[[TimeShift]]'' (2007).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Postmortem: Saber Interactive's TimeShift|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132007/postmortem_saber_interactives_.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509060643/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132007/postmortem_saber_interactives_.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2012|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=April 4, 2008|language=en}}</ref> The Saber3D engine has since been continuously updated and evolved for use in current games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/10/atari-announces-new-shooter |title=Atari Announces New Shooter |first=David |last=Adams |date=January 10, 2005 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528164517/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/10/atari-announces-new-shooter |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 27, 2020|title=World War Z Swarm engine runs "amazingly" on next-gen hardware|url=https://mspoweruser.com/world-war-z-swarm-engine-amazingly-next-gen/|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=MSPoweruser|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2010, Saber was approached by [[Microsoft]]'s [[343 Industries]] to remake ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' for the game's tenth anniversary. This would be Saber's first involvement in a major franchise and COO Andrey Iones considered it "an opportunity that we couldn’t miss". To maintain the original game experience, Saber used the original engine for game play and the Saber3D engine for visuals.<ref>{{cite web|last=Iones|first=Andrey|date=March 2012|title=Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Post-Mortem|website=Game Developer Magazine|url=https://twvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/GD_Mag_Archives/GDM_March_2012.pdf|access-date=December 2, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' was released on November 15, 2011, to positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref> Saber then assisted in 2014 on the development of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First - IGN|date=October 7, 2014 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first|language=en|access-date=December 2, 2020}}</ref>

On August 1, 2016, Saber Interactive opened its first internal studio outside of Russia in [[Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://saber3d.com/ole/ |title=Olé! |website=Saber Interactive |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref> This was the beginning of a major international expansion, with Saber opening studios in [[Sundsvall|Sundsvall, Sweden]] (by buying porting studio Binary Motion),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Binary Motion |url=http://www.binarymotion.se/ |access-date=April 24, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> and [[Minsk|Minsk, Belarus]].

[[CD Projekt#CD Projekt Red|CD Projekt Red]] partnered with Saber in 2018 on the [[Nintendo Switch]] port of ''[[The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt|The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morgan|first=Thomas|date=August 19, 2019|title=Tech Interview: How was The Witcher 3 ported to Nintendo Switch?|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2019-the-witcher-3-switch-tech-interview|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}</ref> The port was released on October 15, 2019, to positive reviews highlighting the performance and playability.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Frushtick|first=Russ|date=October 15, 2019|title=Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch only makes a few sacrifices|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/15/20915391/witcher-nintendo-switch-runs-performance-framerate-resolution|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-complete-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref>

On April 16, 2019, Saber launched ''[[World War Z (2019 video game)|World War Z]]''. The game sold over one million units in its first week of release.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 23, 2019|title=World War Z passes 1 million copies sold in a week|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/04/23/world-war-z-passes-1-million-copies-sold-in-a-week/|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[id Software]] studio director [[Tim Willits]] joined Saber as [[chief creative officer]] on August 1, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 13, 2019|title=Quake director Tim Willits explains why he's joining Saber Interactive|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/13/saber-interactive-tim-willits/|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2019, Saber Interactive acquired [[Bigmoon Entertainment]],<ref name=":3" /> a game development studio of forty people based in [[Porto|Porto, Portugal]], and rebranded the studio as Saber Porto.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Valentine|first=Rebekah|date=October 18, 2019|title=Saber Interactive acquires Bigmoon Entertainment|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-18-saber-interactive-acquires-bigmoon-entertainment|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020185201/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-18-saber-interactive-acquires-bigmoon-entertainment|archive-date=October 20, 2019|access-date=October 21, 2019|website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/18/saber-interactive-buys-bigmoon-entertainment-announces-two-new-projects/ |title=Saber Interactive buys Bigmoon Entertainment, announces two new projects |website=[[VentureBeat]] |date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref>

Saber was acquired by [[Embracer Group]] in February 2020 in a deal worth US$525 million.<ref name=":1" /> Under the deal, Saber became the fifth direct subsidiary under Embracer and maintains autonomy. Post-acquisition, Matthew Karch continues to serve as [[chief executive officer]] and Andrey Iones as [[chief operating officer]].<ref name="VentureBeat: WWZ">{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=December 26, 2018|title=How World War Z will pick up where Left 4 Dead left us stranded|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/26/how-world-war-z-will-pick-up-where-left-4-dead-left-us-stranded/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426161901/https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/26/how-world-war-z-will-pick-up-where-left-4-dead-left-us-stranded/|archive-date=April 26, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2019|website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> After joining Embracer, Saber became a platform for future acquisitions of other studios.

In August 2020, Saber Interactive acquired [[4A Games]], the developers behind the ''[[Metro (franchise)|Metro]]'' video game series and [[New World Interactive]], the developers of ''[[Insurgency: Sandstorm]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} EMBRACER GROUP ACQUIRES 4A GAMES|url=https://saber3d.com/embracer-group-acquires-4a-games/|access-date=September 2, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} EMBRACER GROUP ACQUIRES NEW WORLD INTERACTIVE|url=https://saber3d.com/embracer-group-acquires-new-world-interactive/|access-date=September 2, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2020, Saber Interactive acquired 34BigThings, [[Mad Head Games]], [[Nimble Giant Entertainment]], [[Snapshot Games]] and [[Zen Studios]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/11/embracer-group-acquires-34bigthings-flying-wild-hog-nimble-giant-entertainment-purple-lamp-studios-snapshot-games-zen-studios-more|title=Embracer Group acquires 34BigThings, Flying Wild Hog, Nimble Giant Entertainment, Purple Lamp Studios, Snapshot Games, Zen Studios, more |website=Gematsu|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> Former President and CEO of id Software, [[Todd Hollenshead]], joined Saber as Head of Publishing on November 18, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 18, 2020|title=Former id Software president Todd Hollenshead takes over publishing at Saber|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/11/18/former-id-software-president-todd-hollenshead-takes-over-publishing-at-saber/|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}</ref>

Saber and Boss Team Games announced ''[[Evil Dead: The Game]]'' during [[The Game Awards 2020]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evil Dead: The Game Announced At The Game Awards 2020|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/evil-dead-the-game-announced-at-the-game-awards-2020/1100-6485410/|access-date=December 17, 2020|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2021, Embracer Group announced that they acquired [[Aspyr]] and that the developer would be a subsidiary for Saber Interactive. The day one purchase price amounts to US$100 million on a cash and debt free basis, where US$60 million is paid in cash and US$40 million is paid in newly issued Embracer B shares. An additional consideration of a maximum of US$350 million may be paid under the agreement subject to certain conditions.<ref name="vb aspyr">{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2021/02/02/embracer-group-acquires-aspyr-media-for-up-to-450-million/ | title = Embracer Group acquires Aspyr Media for up to $450 million |first=  Dean | last = Takahashi | date = February 2, 2021 | access-date = February 2, 2021 | website = [[Venture Beat]]  }}</ref>

In June 2021, new publishing label Prime Matter announced Saber Interactive was developing a new entry in the ''Painkiller'' franchise. In that same month, [[Warhorse Studios]] announced that Saber Interactive will be developing a ''[[Kingdom Come: Deliverance]]'' port for the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2021/06/11/kingdom-come-deliverance-switch-confirmed/|title= Yes, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is actually coming to Nintendo Switch|website=TheSixthAxis|date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>

In August 2021, Saber Interactive acquired [[3D Realms]], [[Slipgate Ironworks]], SmartPhone Labs, [[Demiurge Studios]], and Fractured Byte.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} Saber Interactive Welcomes Three Specialized Video Game Studios|url=https://saber3d.com/saber-interactive-welcomes-three-specialized-video-game-studios/|access-date=December 23, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Embracer Group acquires 3D Realms, CrazyLabs, Digixart, Easy Trigger, Force Field, Ghost Ship Games, Grimfrost, and Slipgate Ironworks|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/embracer-group-acquires-3d-realms-crazylabs-digixart-easy-trigger-force-field-ghost-ship-games-grimfrost-and-slipgate-ironworks|website=Gematsu |date=August 4, 2021}}</ref> The following month, Saber Interactive acquired Bytex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} Saber Interactive Reaches Agreement to acquire Bytex|url=https://saber3d.com/saber-interactive-reaches-agreement-to-acquire-bytex/|access-date=December 23, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> In December of that year, Saber Interactive acquired [[Digic Pictures|DIGIC Pictures]] and Shiver Entertainment.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} Embracer Group Enters Into Agreement To Acquire Digic|url=https://saber3d.com/embracer-group-enters-into-agreement-to-acquire-digic/|access-date=December 23, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Saber Interactive {{!}} Embracer Group Acquires Shiver Entertainment|url=https://saber3d.com/embracer-group-acquires-shiver-entertainment/|access-date=December 23, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2024, following earlier reports,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Embracer Group to Sell Saber, Developer of a New 'Star Wars' Game Remake, in $500 Million Deal |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-29/embracer-group-to-sell-saber-subsidiary-in-500-million-deal |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> Embracer Group announced that it would divest Saber Interactive by selling it to Beacon Interactive, a company owned by Karch, for {{US$|247&nbsp;million}}. As part of the deal, Saber Interactive retained the Saber-branded studios, 3D Realms, Digic Pictures, Fractured Byte, [[Mad Head Games]], New World Interactive, Nimble Giant Entertainment, Sandbox Strategies, SmartPhone Labs, Slipgate Ironworks, and Stuntworks, as well as their associated intellectual properties, whereas Embracer Group kept 34BigThings, Aspyr, Beamdog, Demiurge Studios, Shiver Entertainment (later sold to [[Nintendo]]), Snapshot Games, Tripwire Interactive, and Tuxedo Labs.<ref name="VGC: Saber sale">{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracer-confirms-247m-sale-of-saber-assets-and-withdraws-from-russia/ |title=Embracer confirms $247m sale of Saber assets and withdraws from Russia |first=Andy |last=Robinson |date=March 14, 2024 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |access-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314150654/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracer-confirms-247m-sale-of-saber-assets-and-withdraws-from-russia/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gematsu: Saber sale">{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/saber-interactive-to-split-from-embracer-group |title=Saber Interactive to split from Embracer Group [Update] |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=March 14, 2024 |website=Gematsu |access-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314151538/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/saber-interactive-to-split-from-embracer-group |url-status=live}}</ref>  Beacon Interactive was also given the option to buy 4A Games and Zen Studios at a later date, but both studios ultimately stayed with Embracer Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/embracer-confirms-4a-games-and-zen-studios-are-going-nowhere|title=Embracer confirms 4A Games and Zen Studios are going nowhere|first=Chris|last=Kerr|work=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]|date=September 13, 2024|accessdate=September 14, 2024}}</ref>

== Games ==
{{Main|List of Saber Interactive games}}

== Subsidiaries ==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ {{sronly|List of subsidiaries of Saber Interactive}}
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Refh}}
|-
| [[3D Realms]]
| [[Aalborg]], Denmark
| rowspan="18" {{centered|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://embracer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Embracer-companies-311223.pdf |title=Embracer companies |date=December 31, 2023 |publisher=[[Embracer Group]] |access-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314154224/https://embracer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Embracer-companies-311223.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
| Bytex
| [[Saransk]], Russia
|-
| [[Digic Pictures]]
| [[Budapest]], Hungary
|-
| Fractured Byte
| [[Tallinn]], Estonia
|-
| [[Mad Head Games]]
| [[Belgrade]], Serbia
|-
| [[New World Interactive]]
| [[Denver]], Colorado, U.S.
|-
| [[Nimble Giant Entertainment]]
| [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina
|-
| Saber Armenia
| [[Yerevan]], Armenia
|-
| Saber Belarus
| [[Minsk]], Belarus
|-
| Saber London
| [[London]], England
|-
| Saber Madrid
| [[Madrid]], Spain
|-
| [[Saber Porto]]
| [[Porto]], Portugal
|-
| Saber St. Petersburg
| [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia
|-
| Saber Sweden
| [[Sundsvall]], Sweden
|-
| Sandbox Strategies
| [[New York City]], U.S.
|-
| [[Slipgate Ironworks]]
| Aalborg, Denmark
|-
| SmartPhone Labs
| [[Veliky Novgorod]], Russia
|-
| Stuntworks
| Saint Petersburg, Russia
|}

=== Former subsidiaries ===
* 34BigThings in [[Turin]], Italy; founded in January 2013, acquired in November 2020, remained with [[Embracer Group]] in March 2024.
* [[4A Games]] in [[Sliema]], Malta and [[Kyiv]], Ukraine; founded in 2006, acquired in August 2020, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.
* [[Aspyr]] in [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.; founded in September 1996, acquired in February 2021, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.
* [[Demiurge Studios]] in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S.; founded in 2002, acquired in August 2021, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.
* Shiver Entertainment in [[Miami]], [[Florida]], U.S.; founded in 2012, acquired in December 2021, sold to [[Nintendo]] in May 2024.
* [[Snapshot Games]] in [[Sofia]], Bulgaria; founded in 2013, acquired in November 2020, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.
* [[Tripwire Interactive]] in [[Roswell, Georgia]], U.S.; founded in February 2005, acquired in August 2022, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.
* Tuxedo Labs in [[Malmö]], Sweden; acquired in August 2022, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.
* [[Zen Studios]] in [[Budapest]], Hungary; founded in 2003, acquired in November 2020, remained with Embracer Group in March 2024.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://saber3d.com/}}

{{Embracer Group}}

[[Category:Saber Interactive| ]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2024 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2001]]
[[Category:Companies based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in Florida]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 2001]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]