The video game industry has been dealt a series of blows in recent years, with high-profile layoffs, divestments, and financing droughts making headlines. But is this a global problem or one specific to North America? Saber Interactive’s chief creative officer Tim Willits thinks he knows the answer: it’s time for the industry to look beyond the continent that has dominated the landscape for too long.
Saber, with its 3,500 employees across 15 studios worldwide (none of which are located in North America), is a prime example of how a studio can thrive outside of the traditional publishing hubs. Willits credits this success to the company’s focus on finding “reliable” income streams, rather than just relying on big-budget titles. He cites the example of SnowRunner, an off-road driving sim that brought in hundreds of millions of dollars despite costing only $6 million to make. By contrast, he claims some large teams in North America might spend three months working on a project only to scrap it and start over – a costly and wasteful approach that can spell disaster for profitability.
One major culprit behind the industry’s struggles is what Willits calls “overscoping” – the tendency to over-embellish games with elaborate features and content that ultimately drive up costs. He recalls playing a triple-A game that featured an entire library of real books, each with its own unique title, as an example of this problem. “We don’t need that,” he says. “Sometimes I think we get lost in the details and forget what’s truly important: making games people want to play.”
To mitigate these risks, Willits advocates for a more diversified approach to game development. He recommends that studios aim to secure around half their production costs via slate funding – essentially, investing in multiple projects simultaneously to spread out the risk. This model, borrowed from the film industry, allows investors to hedge their bets and reduce the impact of a single game’s failure.
For Saber, this approach has paid off. By spreading its investments across multiple projects and regions (including countries like Spain, Germany, and Portugal), the company has been able to maintain a steady stream of revenue while minimizing risk. Willits notes that this approach also allows for more collaboration with local developers, who can bring unique perspectives and expertise to the table.
Ultimately, Willits’ message is clear: the video game industry needs to think outside the box (or in this case, the continent). By embracing a more global, diversified approach to development, studios can reduce their risk exposure and increase their chances of success. And as the industry continues to evolve, one thing is certain: Saber Interactive will be at the forefront of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in VR and beyond.
The implications of Willits’ words are far-reaching, with potential ripples felt across the entire gaming landscape. As the industry looks to the future, it’s clear that a new era of global cooperation and risk management is on the horizon – one that could spell big changes for the way we develop and distribute games. With Saber leading the charge, one thing is certain: VR enthusiasts will be right in the middle of the action, exploring new worlds and experiences like never before.
Source: Game Developer XR — 2026-08-27