Epic Games Store Executive Steve Allison Moves to Saber Interactive
In a notable shift within the gaming industry, Steve Allison has stepped down from his position at the Epic Games Store after an impressive eight-year stint. He’s now set to take on the role of Chief Business Officer at Saber Interactive, a studio known for its innovative games and ambitious projects.
Allison expressed his admiration for Saber Interactive’s founders, highlighting the studio’s ability to produce high-quality games at a fraction of the usual cost. With exciting titles lined up like Space Marine 3, a new Jurassic Park game, Turok, Hellraiser, a John Wick game, and several undisclosed projects, there’s a lot to look forward to from Saber.
Before his time at Epic Games, Allison held significant positions, including Senior Vice President of Publishing at Telltale Games, and had previous stints at Midway, Atari, and Accolade. Saber Interactive’s CEO, Matthew Karch, praised Allison for his transformative impact on the gaming landscape, even humorously noting his good looks!
It’s unclear exactly when Allison officially left Epic, but his LinkedIn suggests he was still active there as recently as July. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, also took a moment to acknowledge Allison’s contributions, celebrating the Epic Games Store’s growth to a staggering 78 million monthly active users since its launch in 2018.
Despite the growth, the Epic Games Store hasn’t been without its challenges. Allison himself acknowledged some of the criticisms, having previously stated that “the launcher sucks.” He had mentioned plans for a significant overhaul to address these issues, aiming for a better user experience.
Since launching, the Epic Games Store has aggressively attracted users by giving away countless free games, contributing to its impressive user base. However, it still trails behind Steam, which boasts an estimated 200 million monthly active users. This rivalry continues to shape the landscape of PC gaming, with both platforms vying for player attention.
Saber Interactive, founded in 2001, has come a long way since releasing its first game in 2003. After some early missteps, the studio found its footing with successful titles and was acquired by Embracer in 2020. Following recent changes in the industry, Saber was sold again, making it a key player on its own.
As both Allison and Saber embark on this new chapter, the gaming world will be watching closely to see what exciting developments lie ahead!