Hellraiser 'Performing Extremely Well' Says Saber Boss in Bid for Return of AA

Saber Interactive's CEO, Matthew Karch, believes the double-A game space, which has long been absent in the push towards major triple-A productions, is key to survival in a turbulent industry.

He has pointed to the recent release of Hellraiser: Revival as evidence that mid-budget titles can thrive among heavier hitters.

In a post on LinkedIn, Karch shares that the horror game "has been performing extremely well on PC and console."

He shares his thoughts on how double-A games represent lower risk and potentially stronger returns on investment than the more expensive alternative:

"The game is testament to the notion that an established IP and solid AA development with controlled costs can produce great results and high user scores.

I believe a greater focus on these middle-market IP-driven products rather than AAA behemoths is the future to maintaining growth and momentum in the game industry. While I believe there will always be a place for the properly developed and budgeted AAA experience, a AA game that provides a great immersive experience for a lower price is less risky and can provide much greater returns on average."

There certainly does seem to be some logic in his argument; not all games can be GTA 6, nor should they be, and lower-budget titles can still prove to be huge success stories.

A notable example is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, apparently produced for a relatively low $50 million. Many games you would typically label as indie frequently go nuclear, too, almost certainly making back development costs manifold.

Triple-A games can still be worth the investment, though. Marvel's Wolverine's budget is unknown, but it's likely to be in the hundreds of millions, and it's reportedly had a very healthy launch month.

Saber Interactive appears to be thriving on its business model, anyway, with hits like Hellraiser and Space Marine 2 proving massive coffers aren't always necessary.

[source linkedin.com, via x.com]