Chris Stockman, the design director of the original ‘Saints Row,’ has declared that the franchise is effectively over. In a Discord message spotted by X user @papaRPG, Stockman revealed that Embracer Group has stopped responding to his pitch for a prequel that would have revived the series.
Stockman had given fans hope back in November 2025 when he announced on the ‘Saints Row‘ subreddit that he had been asked to create a pitch for a reboot. He told the community that his dreams for the game had become more than just dreams. Just a few months later, the tone has shifted entirely.
What Did Chris Stockman Say About ‘Saints Row’?
Responding to a fan on Discord who noted that the last canon ‘Saints Row‘ game came out a decade ago, Stockman did not hold back. He said he believes the franchise is dead and that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it. He added that he wished things were different.
Stockman also confirmed that he had tried his best to offer a path forward for the series. However, Embracer has completely ghosted him on the proposal. The request to pitch originally came from Embracer’s publishing label PLAION, making the silence even more frustrating.
Related: ARC Raiders: Where to Find And Use The Dam Testing Annex Key?
In an interview last October, Stockman shared details about his vision. He imagined a 1970s prequel where players would control teens who eventually grow up to become the original Saints Row crew from the 2006 game. He also openly criticized the 2022 reboot, calling it a terrible idea.
What Happened To The Saints Row Franchise?
The original ‘Saints Row‘ launched in 2006 as an Xbox 360 exclusive. It carved out a niche as a solid alternative to Grand Theft Auto during a time when Rockstar had not yet entered the HD era. ‘Saints Row 2‘ expanded on the formula with a multiplatform release and more comedic tone.
The series grew increasingly over the top with ‘Saints Row: The Third‘ and ‘Saints Row IV,’ which leaned fully into absurd comedy and superhero mechanics. The 2022 reboot attempted to modernize the franchise but landed with a thud. It earned a Metacritic score between 61 and 65 and was widely criticized for repetitive activities, poor writing, and bugs.
The reboot’s failure had severe consequences. Developer Volition, which had created the series, was shut down by Embracer Group in 2023 as part of a wider restructuring wave. The closure left the ‘Saints Row‘ IP without a studio to develop it.
Is There Any Hope For A Revival?
Based on Stockman’s comments, the outlook is bleak. Embracer Group has a track record of shelving high-profile franchises after acquiring them. Planned revivals for ‘Deus Ex‘ and ‘Perfect Dark‘ were both reportedly canceled under the publisher’s watch. The ‘Tomb Raider‘ series has also faced uncertainty since Embracer acquired Crystal Dynamics.
Stockman has acknowledged that competing directly with ‘Grand Theft Auto‘ is no longer realistic. However, he believes there is room for a focused, smaller-scale open-world game that does not try to match Rockstar’s scale. He previously said there is nothing wrong with being the number two option if you play your cards right.
In Case You Missed: Fortnite Chapter 7: How To Counter Lock-On AR?
For now, there is no studio attached to the IP and no confirmed project in development. Unless Embracer changes course or sells the rights, ‘Saints Row‘ appears to have reached the end of its road.
