Tag: Chris Stockman

  • Saints Row Director Claims Embracer Ignored 1970s Prequel Pitch

    Saints Row Director Claims Embracer Ignored 1970s Prequel Pitch

    Key Takeaways

    1. Chris Stockman, the design lead of the first Saints Row game, has expressed that he believes the franchise is essentially dead under Embracer Group’s management.
    2. Stockman had previously shared hopes for a Saints Row prequel set in the 1970s, but his vision has not been taken forward by Embracer.
    3. The 2022 Saints Row reboot was poorly received, leading to the closure of the original creator, Volition, in 2023.
    4. Stockman criticized the 2022 reboot, arguing it did not capture the essence of the original series and should have been named differently.
    5. Embracer Group’s lack of response to Stockman’s pitch has left the Saints Row intellectual property inactive and in limbo.

    The design lead of the first Saints Row game, Chris Stockman, has seemingly bid farewell to the franchise. As it stands, the Saints Row series is now under the management of Embracer Group via PLAION. Unfortunately, the original creator of the series, Volition, closed its doors in 2023 amid Embracer’s restructuring efforts, rendering the intellectual property inactive.

    Brief Hopes for a Prequel

    Last November, Stockman hinted at the idea of a Saints Row prequel on the Saints Row subreddit. In his comments, he stated, “Hey folks, I’ve got some promising news. I was asked to create a pitch for a Saints Row reboot. I can’t share more details, but my aspirations for this game just turned into something more tangible.”

    This invitation came straight from Embracer’s label, PLAION, after Stockman explored how to bring Saints Row back to its original essence.

    A Dismal Outlook

    Yet, this optimism was short-lived. Recently, Stockman took to Discord, where he responded to a fan who pointed out that the last official Saints Row game had come out almost ten years ago. Stockman candidly replied, “Yeah, and to be honest, I think the franchise is dead, sadly. I get the feeling that Embracer can’t do anything with it. I wish it were different. I did my best to suggest a way forward, but they’ve ignored me.”

    Stockman’s initial dreams of resurrecting the franchise now appear grim. He had a distinct vision. In an interview from October 2025, Stockman envisioned a 1970s prequel where players could experience the lives of teens who eventually transform into the key Saints Row characters from the 2006 original.

    He remarked:

    “It would be amazing to dive into the ’70s theme, complete with big Afros, bell-bottoms, and the music from that era.” When asked why the series required a major reset, he criticized the 2022 reboot as a “terrible idea” and posed a thought:

    “What’s the point of rebooting it? If you’re doing that, what’s the reason? There are so many beloved characters in the series. It just didn’t feel like Saints Row at all. You might as well name it something else.”

    The Journey of Saints Row

    The original Saints Row debuted in 2006 as an Xbox 360 exclusive, receiving praise for being a darker option compared to the GTA series. Subsequent titles adopted a more light-hearted approach and incorporated whimsical humor, which kept the fanbase engaged for years.

    However, the 2022 reboot failed to resonate with both gamers and critics, achieving a Metascore of 63/100 and a user score of 3.3/10. This contributed directly to the closing of Volition in 2023, and Embracer’s lack of response to Stockman’s pitch has left the IP effectively on hold.

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  • Saints Row Prequel ‘Saints Row 0’ Confirmed by Former Developer

    Saints Row Prequel ‘Saints Row 0’ Confirmed by Former Developer

    Key Takeaways

    1. Chris Stockman, design director of the original Saints Row, is preparing a pitch for a prequel titled “Saints Row 0,” indicating a possible return to the series’ realistic roots.

    2. Stockman criticized the 2022 Saints Row reboot, calling it a “terrible idea” for removing beloved characters and straying from the essence of the franchise.

    3. He envisions a 1970s setting that explores the origins of the gangs from Saints Row 1, particularly focusing on the Vice Kings.

    4. Stockman aims to reunite original team members and believes he can revitalize the Saints Row IP with a reasonable budget.

    5. The project is in the early pitch phase with Embracer Group, and if approved, “Saints Row 0” may not be released until at least 2030.

    In the world of GTA-like games, one series has always shined with its wild and chaotic open-world experience. Chris Stockman, the design director for the 2006 game Saints Row by Volition, has announced that Embracer Group has asked him to prepare a pitch for a prequel titled “Saints Row 0.” This suggests that the series might return to its more realistic origins.

    Stockman’s Journey

    After Saints Row was released, Stockman departed from Volition and founded his own independent studio, Bit Planet Games, in 2014. His studio is recognized for creating VR games, like Ultrawings. Recently, he shared some exciting news on the official Saints Row subreddit, r/SaintsRow. He wrote:

    “Hey everyone! I’ve got some hopeful news! I’ve been asked to put together a pitch for a Saints Row reboot. I can’t share much more than that, but my aspirations for this game have become more than just hopes.” Later on, he made it clear that he’s specifically tasked with pitching a “prequel.”

    Critique of the 2022 Reboot

    Stockman’s pitch idea traces back to a mid-October interview with Esports Insider, during which he expressed strong criticism towards the 2022 Saints Row reboot. He described it as “a terrible idea” for eliminating fan-favorite characters like Ben King and Julius, claiming it transformed the game into “not Saints Row at all.”

    In that same interview, he urged Embracer Group, who owns the Saints Row IP through its Plaion division (previously known as Deep Silver), to reach out to him. He mentioned, “Let’s collaborate! I can reunite many of the original team members from Saints Row 1. With a reasonable budget, I could really revitalize that IP.”

    A Nostalgic Vision

    Stockman envisions a game set in the 1970s that delves into the origins of the gangs from Saints Row 1, featuring the Vice Kings—a group of teenagers who eventually became the main characters, complete with big afros and music from the 70s era.

    The interview with Esports Insider gained some momentum, which gave Stockman the confidence to keep reaching out to Embracer. To his surprise, they requested a formal pitch.

    Looking Ahead

    In a conversation with PCGamesN, Stockman expressed, “There is definitely interest. They have asked for a pitch. I want to take the Saints Row franchise back to its roots. I directed Saints Row 1, and I believe the series has wandered too far from that.”

    He acknowledged that he understands the reasons behind the changes but feels the series has boxed itself in. “I am trying to gather the team again. If this happens, it will be an incredible journey. I really hope it works out!”

    For now, he hasn’t disclosed more details, mentioning he’s keeping them “close to my chest, for now.” We just know the project is referred to as “Saints Row 0” in some discussions.

    Although Embracer Group has shown interest, the project is still in the very early pitch phase. Even if Stockman gets the green light, don’t expect to see Saints Row 0 until at least 2030.

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