Saber Interactive's Success with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

As Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 approaches its two-year anniversary this September, it stands out as one of the most successful titles in both the Warhammer 40,000 franchise and the current console generation. With over 7 million copies sold, the game continues to expand its player base through a mix of free and paid content updates.

The success of Space Marine 2 has significantly impacted Saber Interactive, the studio behind the game. According to CEO Tim Willits, the title has transformed not only the team's approach to game development but also the perception of the studio within the gaming community. In an interview with The Game Business, Willits remarked, "It not only changed the way that the team looks at making games, it changed how people look at us."

Willits emphasized the pressure that comes with creating a follow-up to a hit game, stating, "When you have a huge hit, when you go to make the next game, everything has to be awesome. It’s like, ‘This has got to be the most awesome toaster ever.’ And it fuels success."

The acclaim for Space Marine 2, particularly its faithful adaptation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, has opened numerous opportunities for Saber Interactive. Willits noted, "Because we have a reputation of really doing well with licensed IPs, every major license holder wants to make a video game. It’s just the way it is. Everybody, so, we are in a very fortunate position to turn down more than we can accept."

Willits even hinted at having declined a project from a well-known franchise, though he remained tight-lipped about the details. "I can’t say the name, but… you know you’re successful when you’ve turned down those guys. It’s really nice to be in that position," he added.

In addition to its success with Space Marine 2, Saber Interactive is juggling several other projects. The studio is gearing up for the release of Hellraiser: Revival in October and is also working on titles such as Turok: Origins, a remastered version of the Hitman classic trilogy, and Space Marine 3. Despite this busy slate, Saber Interactive is committed to ongoing support for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on platforms including PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.