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.
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