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Saber Interactive's Tim Willits on generative AI, moving development out of North America, and embracing recognisable IP
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits discusses the company's stance on generative AI, stating they are experimenting with it but not replacing human developers. He also highlights Saber's strategy of global development across 15 studios, focusing on AA titles and recognizable intellectual property, emphasizing disciplined budgeting and flexible team structures.
Saber Interactive has "no real development in North America any more"
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that the company no longer has significant game development operations in North America, with development now spread across 15 global studios. He emphasized the need for smart location choices in game development and criticized wasteful spending on large-scale projects, citing SnowRunner and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 as examples of cost-effective successes.
"We can get any IP" - Saber CCO on why reviving dormant franchises is the big, obvious secret the the publisher's success, and why Xbox could learn from it
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes the company's success stems from its strategy of reviving dormant franchises and ensuring projects can generate four times their cost. He highlighted titles like World War Z and Snow Runner as examples of profitable ventures, and suggested that larger companies like Microsoft could benefit from a similar approach by revitalizing underutilized IPs.
LOTR Fans Need To “Be Patient,” Kingdom Come Dev Says About New Middle-earth RPG
Warhorse Studios has stated that fans will need to be patient for more information regarding their upcoming open-world RPG set in Middle-earth. The developer, owned by Embracer, is also working on a new Kingdom Come game and movie. Other companies like Crystal Dynamics and Aspyr Media are also involved with The Lord of the Rings game properties.
Despite horrendous layoffs, obscene hardware prices, and everything else, Saber Interactive exec says 'this is a…
Despite industry-wide challenges like layoffs and high hardware prices, Saber Interactive's Tim Willits believes it's a good time for game development due to accessible platforms like mobile phones and Fortnite. He encourages developers to create games and suggests laid-off talent will be reabsorbed by the industry.
Saber admit they use AI while denying they swapped lead writer for ChatGPT
Saber Interactive has denied allegations that it replaced a lead writer with ChatGPT on its upcoming game Rideshare 'Stimulator'. Narrative designer Stella Sacco claimed she was replaced by AI, but Saber stated that the game's story was written entirely by humans and that AI is used experimentally for infinite passenger generation in a free-ride mode. The company also confirmed its writing staff has tripled and that none of its employees are at risk of being replaced by AI.
Saber admit Rideshare "Stimulator" features generative AI writing, but deny they replaced taxi game's lead writer with ChatGPT
Saber Interactive has admitted that its upcoming game, Rideshare Simulator, features generative AI for its free-ride mode, despite not disclosing this on its Steam page, which contravenes Valve's AI policy. The game's former lead writer, Stella Sacco, claimed she was replaced by ChatGPT midway through development, a statement Saber denies, asserting that the main story was written by humans and their writing staff has tripled.
A long-lost Lord of the Rings action RPG makes a surprise return to Steam
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, an action RPG originally released in 2011, has returned to Steam in a new Legacy Edition. Developed by Aspyr, which is owned by Embracer (also owner of Middle-earth Enterprises), this updated version includes enhancements like hot-swappable characters, a refined interface, and bug fixes. The game is currently available on Steam with a 10% launch discount.
Stop waiting for the Game of Thrones CRPG of your dreams and settle for the pleasant eurojank compromise instead
This article discusses the lack of a proper Game of Thrones CRPG, highlighting Cyanide's 2012 Game of Thrones as a "pleasant eurojank compromise." It contrasts this with potential projects from studios like Warhorse and Obsidian, ultimately praising Cyanide's commitment to the novels despite its low budget and dated presentation.
Former Epic Games VP appointed Saber Interactive's chief business officer
Steve Allison, formerly the vice president of Epic Games, has been appointed as the new chief business officer at Saber Interactive. In his new role, Allison will oversee publishing, marketing, and revenue generation, reporting directly to CEO Matthew Karch. He expressed excitement about Saber's upcoming projects, including Space Marine 3, Jurassic Park, Turok, Hellraiser, and a John Wick game.
Hollywood still has time to avoid the gaming industry's disastrous consolidation endgame
The article draws parallels between Hollywood's historical consolidation and the current state of the gaming industry, highlighting the risks of fewer companies controlling more assets. It discusses the potential negative impacts of mergers, such as layoffs and reduced creative diversity, using examples like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. California's lawsuit to block the latter merger is presented as a potential regulatory intervention.
Aream & Co: Gaming M&A hits $2.3bn in Q2, highest level since 2022
Gaming mergers and acquisitions reached $2.3 billion in Q2 2026, marking the highest level since 2022, according to Aream & Co. Mid-market acquisitions, particularly in PC and mobile gaming, drove this growth. Despite a decline in mobile installs and spending, PC gaming saw a 13% increase, and Nintendo reported significant revenue gains from its Switch 2 hardware and software.
Former Epic Games VP Steve Allison appointed chief business officer at Saber Interactive
Former Epic Games vice president Steve Allison has been appointed chief business officer at Saber Interactive, where he will oversee publishing, marketing, and revenue opportunities. Allison brings over thirty years of industry experience, including his work on the Epic Games Store. Saber Interactive was previously owned by Embracer before being sold to Beacon Interactive, a company founded by Saber's CEO Matthew Karch.
After 16 years of exploring the final frontier, Star Trek Online devs are 'trying new things' and 'trying to push the boundaries' of what they can achieve
Star Trek Online is entering a new era with the return of former CEO Jack Emmert and Cryptic Studios' separation from Embracer. The recent 'Undiscovered' update signifies a shift towards trying new things, including remaking old arcs and revamping sector space encounters, aiming to make the game feel more alive and engaging for its players.
Sony Might Be Mulling Delaying The PS6’s Release From Its Planned 2027 Launch, Per Rumors
Rumors suggest Sony may delay the PlayStation 6 launch from its planned 2027 release to 2028 or 2029 due to rising hardware costs, particularly for AI components. While unconfirmed, an Embracer annual report hinted at this possibility, with Sony likely concerned about passing increased prices onto consumers already facing higher costs for current-generation PlayStation devices.
'Some Analysts Believe Sony Is Considering Pushing the PS6 Back': Embracer Report Hints at Later Than 2027 Launch
Analysts suggest Sony may delay the PlayStation 6 launch from 2027 to 2028 or 2029 due to soaring component costs affecting consumer electronics. Embracer's annual report acknowledges this possibility, noting potential issues with manufacturing contracts and the risk of the console feeling outdated if delayed without re-specification. The article also touches on Microsoft's potential retooling of its next-gen Xbox hardware.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?
The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
Amazon Has Identified A Lord Of The Rings Game Idea That Is “Quite Compelling”
Amazon Games is still exploring ideas for a new The Lord of the Rings game, with a "quite compelling" concept recently evaluated by Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis. While previous MMO projects with Leyou and Embracer did not materialize, the company remains committed to finding a suitable game experience for Tolkien's world. Amazon is also involved in other gaming projects and the "The Rings of Power" TV series.
Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Features “AI-Assisted Assets” That Were “Refined By Humans”
Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have confirmed that the upcoming remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis utilizes AI-assisted tools for asset creation, which are then refined by humans. The developers disclosed the use of AI on the game's Steam page, stating it supported early exploration and temporary content. The game is set to release in February 2027.
Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Gets Out Of The Way Of GTA 6 With Apparent Delay To 2027
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the original game, has reportedly been delayed from 2026 to February 2027, according to deleted retail listings. This move places its release after Grand Theft Auto 6 in November 2026. The game is being developed by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, both owned by Embracer, and is built in Unreal Engine 5.
