Tim Willits, Chief Creative Officer at Saber Interactive, has attributed some of the recent challenges in the video game industry, including widespread layoffs, to an overreliance on mega-projects and highly specialized development teams. In an interview with PC Gamer, Willits argued that studios with hundreds of employees focused on a single game are particularly vulnerable.
"Studios that have a couple hundred employees that work on one game are going to struggle. They're going to really struggle to survive," Willits stated. He explained that before a game reaches a significant development milestone like a vertical slice, such a large workforce is often unnecessary. Saber Interactive, he noted, mitigates these risks by diversifying its development efforts.
"We develop games that are across the scope spectrum," Willits said, highlighting the studio's approach. While Saber works on ambitious titles like Space Marine 2 and the forthcoming Jurassic Park: Survival, it supplements these large investments with remasters and smaller games. This strategy allows for resource flexibility and prevents the "silo problem" that can afflict larger, more centralized studios.
Willits also pointed to the unexpected success of titles like SnowRunner, which began as a small experimental project by a single individual and evolved into a major franchise for Saber. He believes that fostering a culture where developers can pursue smaller passion projects, even those with a modest initial price point, can lead to significant, unforeseen hits. "We look at every project, no matter how big it is. If we have the resources and we can reliably make money from that project, why not do it?" he asked.
Beyond the financial benefits, Willits suggested that this variety in development also enhances creativity and boosts employee morale. He expressed satisfaction with Saber's current model, stating, "You're not stuck working on one game for five or six years. We just make so much, and everyone's involved in so many different things that it's fun."
Despite the industry's current difficulties, Willits offered a more optimistic outlook, calling the present a "good time" for gaming overall. He also addressed the role of artificial intelligence, suggesting that developers like id Software, where he previously served as studio director, would have embraced such technology if it were available during their early days.