Tag: Saints Row

  • 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.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Saints Row Prequel Fails as Publisher Dismisses 1970s Revival Idea

    Saints Row Prequel Fails as Publisher Dismisses 1970s Revival Idea

    Key Takeaways

    1. The planned “back-to-basics” prequel for Saints Row has stalled, with no current progress reported.
    2. The project aimed to explore the origins of the Third Street Saints in the 1970s, focusing on characters Julius Little and Benjamin King.
    3. Chris Stockman, the original design director, has experienced a lack of communication from the Embracer Group regarding the project.
    4. Stockman expressed concerns that Embracer seems unable to move forward with the franchise.
    5. The future of the Saints Row series appears bleak, especially following the closure of original developer Volition in 2023.

    The idea of a “back-to-basics” prequel for Saints Row, which came up in late 2025, seems to have hit a dead end. Chris Stockman, the design director from the original 2006 game, earlier mentioned that he was contacted by PLAION, a part of the Embracer Group, to create a formal proposal for a new installment.

    Focus on the Origins

    This new project aimed to delve into the early days of the Third Street Saints set in the 1970s Stilwater, particularly the beginnings of characters Julius Little and Benjamin King. Fans were hopeful that this could be a way to fix the issues seen in the 2022 Saints Row reboot, which had a hard time keeping a steady tone and connecting with its main audience.

    Lack of Progress

    Unfortunately, recent updates from Stockman on Discord (shared by @papaRPG on X) indicate that any progress within Embracer has pretty much vanished. He also mentioned that, despite trying to create a clear direction for the franchise, the parent company has stopped all communication about the project. Stockman expressed his feelings by saying:

    “I get the sense that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it.”

    The Future Looks Dim

    This candid statement suggests that the Saints Row series is likely “dead” for quite a while. This news follows a time of restructuring and studio shutdowns at Embracer Group, which included the closure of the original developer Volition in 2023.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Saints Row Director: Rockstar’s Mistake Could Doom GTA VI

    Saints Row Director: Rockstar’s Mistake Could Doom GTA VI

    Key Takeaways

    1. The release of Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed to November 19, 2026, disappointing many fans.
    2. Chris Stockman believes that if GTA VI fails to meet player expectations, it will be difficult for other studios to surpass Rockstar’s success.
    3. New open-world games must develop their own identity and cannot simply aim to compete with GTA anymore.
    4. Stockman warns that a disastrous launch for GTA VI could have severe consequences for the gaming industry, comparing it to the poorly received E.T. game from 1982.
    5. The pressure on Rockstar to deliver a polished GTA VI is immense due to the high expectations set by previous installments of the series.

    The design director who worked on the first Saints Row back in 2006, Chris Stockman, recently shared some thoughts about Rockstar Games’ much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI during a podcast. Unfortunately, the release of this game has been pushed back to November 19, 2026, which has disappointed many fans.

    Open-World Competition

    Chris mentioned that various open-world game developers are looking to surpass Rockstar’s remarkable success with the Grand Theft Auto series. He pointed out that if GTA VI does not live up to player expectations, then no other studio is likely to outdo Rockstar’s flagship title. This perspective comes from his own experience with Saints Row, which was created as an alternative to GTA while Rockstar focused on the original HD universe entry, GTA IV. Over time, Saints Row established itself as the second most popular game in the crime simulation genre, thanks to its wild, chaotic gameplay and storytelling. Sadly, it strayed too far from its roots, leading to a reboot in 2022 that did not resonate well with fans and faced commercial challenges.

    The Identity of Open-World Games

    In the FRVR podcast, Stockman emphasized that any new open-world game needs “to have its own identity,” and that developers cannot simply set out to compete with GTA anymore. He declared, “You can’t. Not anymore. It’s impossible.” He also discussed the impact of GTA Online, which he believes has turned the franchise into more than just a game; it’s become a “lifestyle.” He further remarked on the studios that are considering taking on GTA VI, noting that their chances would only exist if Rockstar makes a significant error.

    The Stakes of GTA VI

    Stockman vividly illustrated a potential disastrous launch for GTA VI by likening it to the much-criticized 1982 Atari 2600 game E.T. He stated:

    “It’s going to be the biggest game, probably of all time, and I’ll just say this. The only way for someone to really give them a run for their money is if they have a huge misstep. If it comes out and it’s terrible, God forbid the industry, oh my gosh, right? It’s E.T. all over again, but worse because of the budget. It’s going to be a complete disaster. I don’t expect that to happen, but if it is, oh my Lord.”

    With each installment of the Grand Theft Auto series, Rockstar has raised the bar and set new expectations, leading to immense anticipation for GTA VI from gamers. The pressure is higher than ever, especially with ongoing delays as Rockstar makes sure to deliver “the level of polish you have to come to expect.”

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • 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.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,