Saber Interactive is scaling back high-profile game development deals following the commercial success of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, according to creative director Tim Willits in an interview with GamesRadar.
As of early 2026, Space Marine 2 has attracted over 12 million players, making Saber a leading studio for projects based on established IP. A third installment, Space Marine 3, has been confirmed and is currently in development.
The company operates several studios and employs approximately 3,500 people. Saber Interactive remains open to growth opportunities as it adjusts its development approach.
What Space Marine 2 achieved and why Saber says no to new deals
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was released in 2024 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and served as a sequel to the 2011 hack-and-slash shooter Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.
By early 2026, the game had 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, which has helped maintain the player base and revenue well beyond the initial release period.
Tim Willits, creative director at Sabre, told GamesRadar that Space Marine 2 has changed the way the studio is perceived by the industry. He explained: “Because we have a reputation for doing well with licensed IPs, every major licensee wants to make a video game.
That’s how things are. Everyone.” Willits mentioned that Saber has turned down several big projects, including one particularly attractive business proposal, which he declined to name.
The studio now has the ability to produce AAA quality games without needing a full triple-A budget. Willits sees this as a competitive advantage, especially during a time of significant cost cuts in the industry.
Saber’s Slate project 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 after the success of its predecessor;
- Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Rebirth; a classic Hitman trilogy remastered;
- Turok: Origins; and continued support for Space Marine 2 through additional content updates.
The studio is also exploring future franchise partnerships and additional original projects.
Sabre’s growth comes during a difficult period for many game studios. Microsoft has announced plans to lay off 3,200 Xbox employees by July 2027, including studios such as Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory and Undead Labs, which are being spun off.
Bungie has also seen major cuts affecting its Destiny 2 and Marathon teams. Meanwhile, IO Interactive closed its studio in Istanbul but continues working on Project Fantasy after Xbox pulled funding.
This contrast shows that industry consolidation and cost-cutting measures are not uniform. Studios with successful releases and strong reputations in licensed intellectual property are poised to grow, while others are shrinking.
What this means for players and when to expect upcoming Saber games
For players interested in upcoming Saber games:
- Space Marine 3 is confirmed, but a release window has not yet been announced.
- Hellraiser: Revival, the Hitman Classic Trilogy remaster, and Turok: Origins are currently in development with no confirmed release dates.
- Space Marine 2 continues to receive content updates, with more expected after the Purgation Update.
Players who enjoyed Space Marine 2 can expect continued 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 continue to find ways to produce quality entertainment despite the current challenges.
Saber’s tendency to reject projects instead of taking advantage of all opportunities indicates that the studio is well positioned to be selective with its future projects.
Availability
Space Marine 2 is now available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The Purgation update is also available 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 revealed which proposals have been rejected or provided timelines for future announcements. Based on Sabre’s growth strategy, they will likely share more project details in the coming months as they continue to evaluate new opportunities.
