Saber Interactive has had a busy run recently. With titles like Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2, Roadcraft, and John Carpenter's Toxic Commando making waves, the studio has clearly found a rhythm. However, despite these major internal successes, the publisher is doubling down on its commitment to the indie scene.

During a sit-down at Summer Game Fest, Saber Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits and Head of Publishing Todd Hollenshead discussed why the studio intends to keep supporting smaller development teams. The strategy follows Saber’s 2024 departure from the Embracer Group and its return to the control of co-founder Matthew Karch’s Beacon Interactive.

Learning from Smaller Partnerships

Hollenshead highlighted the 2025 action-adventure game The Knightling, developed by Twirlbound, as a project that originated during the Embracer era. While he admitted that the game’s style wasn't necessarily in Saber’s traditional wheelhouse, the partnership proved to be a valuable learning experience.

"It was a good experience for Saber," Hollenshead said. "Stepping outside our comfort zone has helped the greater studio to grow and evolve." That experience extended to other collaborations as well, including the recent work with Stillalive on the transport management and driving sim Bus Bound, which launched in late April 2026.

The "Small" Approach to Development

When asked about the secret behind their recent output, Willits emphasized the importance of focus and proper scoping. Rather than attempting to cast too wide a net, the studio looks for a specific, core "thing" that makes a game fun—whether that is the swarms in World War Z, the combat feel of Space Marine 2, or the mud-crawling physics of Snowrunner.

"We focus on the core of the game, we scope it well, we give the time and resources that they need, and we try to stay small," Willits explained.

Despite being a large organization of 3,500 people, Willits insists that the company strives to keep its decision-making agile. "We try to stay 'small,' you know, and energetic," he added. "We try to stay small in our decision making by being agile and working on the games that we love."

Looking ahead, the message from leadership is clear: Saber is actively scouting for new independent partners. According to Hollenshead, the studio remains open to signing new deals that fit its criteria and will share more specifics on these upcoming projects once they reach a stage ready for public reveal.