Games

Saber Interactive, Developer of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake, Faces Acquisition of $500 Million

The acquisition of Saber Interactive, the developer behind the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, poses potential challenges for the game's troubled development.
Saber Interactive, Developer of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake, Faces Acquisition of $500 Million

Highlights

  • Private investors are acquiring Saber Interactive from Embracer Group AB for up to $500 million.
  • Despite setbacks and rumors of cancelation, Saber Interactive remains committed to progressing with the KOTOR remake.
  • Anticipation for the KOTOR remake is high among fans, despite uncertainties surrounding its development and recent cancellations in the Star Wars gaming universe.

Reports indicate that Embracer Group AB, a Swedish video game and media company, is in the process of selling Saber Interactive, the studio tasked with creating the highly anticipated Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake. The original Knights of the Old Republic game, released in 2003 for the Xbox, was a groundbreaking addition to both the Star Wars franchise and the gaming world. It received critical acclaim and secured a place on numerous 'best game of all time' lists.

Although the Knights of the Old Republic remake aims to reimagine this beloved classic, its development journey has been fraught with challenges. Initially announced as a timed exclusive for the PS5 in 2021, the project has faced a series of setbacks since then. Despite the excitement generated by the return of former BioWare developers and original voice actors, continuous delays and rumors of potential cancelation have plagued the remake. While recent reports suggest that the cancelation rumors may not be true, Saber Interactive could encounter further obstacles in its quest to revitalize this iconic title.

A recent disclosure by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reveals that Saber Interactive is being offloaded by Embracer Group AB to a consortium of private investors for a sum potentially reaching $500 million. Embracer had acquired Saber Interactive for $525 million in 2020 but has been divesting and shuttering subsidiaries due to increasing interest rates. The deal might involve the transfer of additional Embracer entities alongside Saber. Despite this change in ownership, Saber Interactive is committed to continuing the development of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake.

Looking Ahead for the KOTOR Remake

The future of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake appeared uncertain even before the transition of Saber Interactive. However, the studio's assurance to proceed with the project is a positive sign. No specific release date or timeline has been provided pre- or post-acquisition, leaving fans in the dark about the current status of the game's development. An indication of the project's state is the removal of the original developer, Aspyr Media, from the remake in 2022.

Amidst a turbulent period for game developers marked by frequent layoff announcements, the industry has witnessed EA's recent downsizing leading to the cancellation of Respawn's Star Wars FPS game. Some team members will transition to established projects like Apex Legends and the upcoming Jedi series. Despite these setbacks, enthusiasts can still anticipate new Star Wars content in 2024, including the highly awaited release of Ubisoft's open-world action-adventure title, Star Wars Outlaws, slated for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

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