Saber Interactive's Creative Chief Hints at 'World-Shocking' IP It Had to Decline Twice

Tim Willits, the chief creative officer at Saber Interactive, has sparked curiosity by revealing that the studio turned down a major game project twice—a decision he claims would "shock the world" if disclosed. In a recent interview with IGN, Willits teased that this undisclosed intellectual property is "the coolest IP ever," but Saber's packed schedule prevented them from taking it on.

Saber Interactive has gained recognition for its skill in adapting popular film and tabletop franchises into video games. Their portfolio includes titles like The Evil Dead, the upcoming John Wick game, Hellraiser: Revival, Jurassic Park: Survival, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The developer's success has led to a unique situation where rights holders now approach them with pitches, rather than Saber seeking out licenses.

Willits explained that Saber's proven track record with licensed collaborations has attracted major studios. "We've had so much success with our past IPs that big studios are coming to us," he said. "It shows that media companies recognize gaming as the future and that there aren't enough skilled teams to handle all the great properties out there." He emphasized that building trust by respecting and delivering on licenses has made Saber a sought-after partner.

Working with established IPs is particularly rewarding for Willits, who enjoys diving into well-known universes and engaging with their existing fanbases. "It's truly exciting," he noted. "You have millions of fans and a familiar world to explore, but the key is still making a great game." Saber focuses on creating immersive experiences rather than relying on easy cash-ins, prioritizing gameplay quality above all.

Willits highlighted Saber's independence as a strength, allowing them to collaborate effectively with various license holders, including Universal, Lionsgate, and Disney. He mentioned that the studio currently has more licensed projects in development than any other developer worldwide, with some yet to be announced.

In related news from the interview, Willits shared updates on Saber's upcoming projects: new details about the John Wick game, confirmation that the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake is still in progress, and the ESRB rating secured for Hellraiser: Revival. What IP would you like to see Saber tackle next? Share your thoughts in the comments!