Saber Interactive is scaling back on high-profile game development deals following the commercial success of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, according to Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits in an interview with GamesRadar.
As of early 2026, Space Marine 2 has attracted more than 12 million players, establishing Saber as a prominent studio for projects based on established IPs. A third installment, Space Marine 3, has been confirmed and is currently in development.
The company manages several studios and employs roughly 3,500 staff. Saber Interactive remains open to growth opportunities as it adjusts its development focus.
What Space Marine 2 Achieved and Why Saber Is Saying No to New Deals
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was released in 2024 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, serving as the sequel to the 2011 hack-and-slash shooter Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.
As of early 2026, the game has reached over 12 million players, making it one of the most popular titles in the Warhammer franchise by player count. The developers have continued to support the game with updates, including the recent Purgation Update.
Saber has maintained a steady stream of content drops, helping to sustain the player base and revenue well beyond the initial launch period.
Tim Willits, Saber's Chief Creative Officer, told GamesRadar that Space Marine 2 has shifted how the industry perceives the studio. He explained, "Because we have a reputation for doing well with licensed IPs, every major license holder wants to make a video game.
That’s just the way it is. Everybody." Willits mentioned that Saber has turned down several large projects, including a particularly appealing business proposal, which he declined to name.
The studio now has the capacity to produce AAA-quality games without needing a full triple-A budget. Willits sees this as a competitive edge, especially during a time of significant industry cost-cutting.
Saber’s Project Slate and How It Fits into a Shrinking Games Industry
Saber is currently working on several IP-based projects. These include:
- Space Marine 3, which is in development following the success of its predecessor;
- Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival; a remastered Hitman Classic Trilogy;
- Turok: Origins; and ongoing support for Space Marine 2 through additional content updates.
The studio is also exploring future franchise partnerships and additional original projects.
Saber's growth is happening during a difficult period for many game studios. Microsoft has announced plans to lay off 3,200 staff at Xbox by July 2027, including studios like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, which are being spun off.
Bungie has also experienced significant cuts affecting its Destiny 2 and Marathon teams. Meanwhile, IO Interactive closed its studio in Istanbul but is continuing work on Project Fantasy after Xbox withdrew funding.
This contrast shows that industry consolidation and cost-cutting measures are not uniform. Studios with successful releases and strong reputations for licensed IPs are in a position to grow, while others are contracting.
What This Means for Players and When to Expect Saber's Next Games
For players interested in Saber's upcoming games:
- Space Marine 3 is confirmed, but a release window has yet to be announced.
- Hellraiser: Revival, the remaster of the Hitman Classic Trilogy, and Turok: Origins are currently in development with no confirmed release dates.
- Space Marine 2 continues to receive content updates, with more expected following the Purgation Update.
Players who enjoyed Space Marine 2 can expect ongoing support for the current game while Space Marine 3 remains further down the line.
Willits believes that the industry will survive the current difficulties and that creative professionals will keep finding ways to produce quality entertainment despite ongoing challenges.
Saber's tendency to turn down projects instead of pursuing every opportunity indicates that the studio is well-positioned to be selective about its future projects.
Availability
Space Marine 2 is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The Purgation Update is also live for all platforms.
There is no official release window yet for Space Marine 3, Hellraiser: Revival, the Hitman Classic Trilogy remaster, or Turok: Origins. Users can follow Saber Interactive's official channels for updates as these projects develop.
The company has not disclosed which proposals have been rejected or provided timelines for future announcements. Based on Saber’s growth strategy, it’s likely they will share more project details in the coming months as they continue to assess new opportunities.
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