Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake Developer Acquisition for $500 Million

Swedish video game and media company Embracer Group AB is reportedly selling Saber Interactive, the developer responsible for the upcoming Star Wars: The Knights of the Old Republic remake. Knights of the Old Republic was a ground-breaking addition to the original Xbox back in 2003, not to mention the Star Wars franchise. KOTOR's release was met with critical acclaim, and the title has even appeared on many "best game of all time" lists.

Despite being a fresh take on one of the most celebrated video games ever created, the KOTOR remake has had a troubled development period, to say the least. The KOTOR remake was announced as a timed PS5 exclusive in 2021, but the once-promising title has since experienced setback after setback. Fans were initially excited to hear that former BioWare devs and original voice actors were returning for this ground-up remake, but after numerous delays, rumors even circulated claiming the project to be canceled entirely. That doesn't appear to be the case, but Saber Interactive potentially faces yet another hurdle in its efforts to remake this legendary game.

Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reveals that Embracer Group AB is offloading Saber Interactive to a consortium of private investors for a sum of up to $500 million. Embracer initially acquired Saber Interactive for $525 million in 2020, but due to financial pressures, the group has been divesting and closing subsidiaries, triggered in part by increasing interest rates. According to Schreier's source, there is a possibility that other Embracer subsidiaries may be included in the transaction. Despite the change in ownership, Saber Interactive remains committed to progressing with the development of the Star Wars: The Knights of the Old Republic remake.

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The Future of KOTOR Remake

The future of the remake of one of the all-time best Star Wars games was uncertain before Saber Interactive took over. While there is no release date or window provided, it is reassuring to know that the developer intends to push forward with the project. It remains unclear at what stage of development Saber is currently at, with the only hint being the removal of the original developer, Aspyr Media, from the project in 2022.

The year continues to be a turbulent time for game developers in the wake of seemingly endless announcements of layoffs. Recent cutbacks at EA have even led to the cancelation of Respawn's FPS Star Wars game. Various members of the team will instead move to other, more established projects like Apex Legends and the next title in the Jedi series.

Despite canceled projects and the troubled development of the KOTOR remake, fans still have a lot to look forward to from Star Wars in 2024. One project in particular that has fans excited is Star Wars Outlaws, an open-world action-adventure title from Ubisoft. Star Wars Outlaws is expected to release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2024.

Editor's P/S:

The sale of Saber Interactive, the developer behind the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Knights of the Old Republic remake, casts uncertainty over the future of the project. While Saber Interactive remains committed to the remake, the change in ownership could potentially lead to further delays or even cancellation. Given the troubled development history of the remake, fans may be understandably concerned about its fate.

Despite the setbacks, the ongoing development of the KOTOR remake is a testament to the enduring legacy of the original game. The remake holds the potential to introduce a new generation of players to the iconic characters and story of Knights of the Old Republic, while also offering a fresh take for longtime fans. However, the change in ownership and the ongoing financial pressures within the industry raise questions about the viability of the project and whether it can live up to the expectations of fans.