The Saints Row* series, once a defining force in open-world chaos, may no longer exist. Chris Stockman, the design director for the original 2006 game, has publicly declared the franchise is ‘dead,’ citing a lack of response from publisher Embracer after he proposed a revival plan. His frustration stems from what he describes as a complete disengagement from the company, despite his attempts to offer a creative path forward.
Stockman’s comments, shared in a private Discord server for his new studio, Bit Planet Games, follow a broader pattern of stagnation for the series. After the poorly received 2022 reboot, Embracer shuttered Volition—developer of the franchise—during a major restructuring. Now, with no studio and no clear direction, even a licensed revival under Stockman’s vision seems impossible.
Why This Matters
Saints Row was never just another open-world game. It thrived on absurdity, blending crime satire with sci-fi spectacle, from its early grounded roots to later over-the-top parodies. But the genre has shifted. Where once titles like Saints Row, Prototype, and Sleeping Dogs dominated, today’s landscape is dominated by Rockstar’s polished crime epics. Without a studio or publisher willing to take risks, franchises like these fade into obscurity.
The Pitch That Went Nowhere
Stockman’s proposed comeback centered on returning to the series’ original spirit—a grounded, satirical take on crime and chaos. His pitch, made late last year, appears to have been ignored. In recent messages, he reiterated that Embracer holds the rights, but without any movement, the franchise’s future remains uncertain. ‘As long as they’re in business, they own it,’ he wrote, adding that licensing or a development contract would require their cooperation—something that hasn’t materialized.
A Franchise Without a Future?
The closure of Volition and Embracer’s restructuring have left many franchises in limbo. Saints Row is far from alone—titles like Crackdown, Sunset Overdrive, and The Saboteur have also seen their development halted. Yet Saints Row’s legacy looms larger. The original games remain cult favorites, but without a studio or publisher willing to invest, revival seems unlikely.
For now, fans can still revisit the classics. Saints Row 1 and 2* remain playable, with patches improving performance. But without a new entry, the franchise’s future hangs in the balance—left in the hands of a company that, according to Stockman, has no intention of bringing it back.
