Chris Stockman, design director for the original Saints Row, believes the franchise is finished after Embracer Group ignored his proposed prequel idea. Stockman shared his disappointment on Discord, stating that the company has shown no interest in reviving the series. This comes amid Embracer's history of studio closures and canceled projects.
The Saints Row series, which began as a 2006 hit pushing boundaries in urban sandbox gaming, has faced challenges in recent years. The 2022 reboot developed by Volition drew criticism for technical issues and a tonal mismatch with fan expectations, failing to meet sales targets.
Last November, Embracer Group approached Stockman, who had left Volition years earlier, to pitch ideas for revitalizing the franchise. He proposed a prequel set in the 1970s, aiming to refresh the series while preserving its signature humor. However, Stockman now reports being 'ghosted' by the company. In a Discord conversation reported by Eurogamer, he told a fan, 'I think the franchise is dead, unfortunately,' adding, 'I get the sense that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it.' He expressed regret, writing, 'I wish things were different.'
Embracer acquired Volition in 2018 as part of its purchase of Koch Media. The 2022 reboot was the studio's only project under the new ownership, developed amid restructurings and staff shifts. Following its underperformance, Embracer closed Volition in 2023.
This situation aligns with Embracer's broader pattern of acquiring studios and then restructuring or canceling projects. Recent examples include shelving revivals of Perfect Dark and Deus Ex, and ongoing challenges with Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider series after its 2022 acquisition.
