Tim Willits spent decades at id Software making titles like Doom, Quake, and more. Now he’s the chief creative officer at Saber Interactive, a game developer and publisher. Saber Interactive showcased games like Space Marine 2 at Gamescom, based on the Warhammer 40K franchise.
Space Marine 2 is finally launching into early access today after a long development period, impacted by the pandemic. Willits discussed Saber’s independence and their projects like Space Marine 2, Jurassic Park, A Quiet Place, and Toxic Commander, aiming to revitalize the game industry after recent challenges.
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Here’s an edited transcript of our interview.
Disclosure: Devcom paid my way to Cologne, where I moderated two sessions at the event.
GamesBeat: Your transition from id Software to Saber Interactive has been remarkable. Can you share insights into developing Space Marine 2 and other projects?
Willits talks about the inception of Space Marine 2, working with Games Workshop, and the challenges faced during development. He highlights the importance of creating an accessible experience for new players and the role of storytelling in introducing the Warhammer universe to a wider audience.
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GamesBeat: Is there a way of making this where you’re learning from id, but also learning from a different company and doing things in a different way?
Willits: Oh, definitely. Being in the industry since 1995, it’s experience. You know. You’ve been doing your job forever. You just learn. I can see a problem in a game a mile away. It’s something I tell teams. “I’ve seen this a thousand times.”
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