Bloody Hell, Is Saints Row Finally Getting Its Mojo Back? The Original Director Pitches a Prequel!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
The original Saints Row design director, Chris Stockman, is pitching a prequel (dubbed 'Saints Row 0') to the IP owners, offering a potential return to form after the 2022 reboot's mixed reception, though fans will likely have a long wait ahead.
Right, so, you know that feeling when you've almost given up on something, like trying to get that one elusive achievement, and then *bam*, a wild card appears? That's pretty much how I felt waking up to the news about Saints Row this week. After the 2022 reboot landed with all the grace of a brick through a stained-glass window (and reviews to match, bless its heart), I, like many of you, probably thought the Saints were well and truly taking an extended holiday in the digital graveyard. But hold onto your purple-clad pants, mates, because it seems we might just be getting a resurrection, or perhaps more accurately, a *pre-surrection*.
Turns out, the whispers of a 'Saints Row 7' aren't some fever dream concocted after too many energy drinks. They're coming straight from Chris Stockman, a design director who was right there in the thick of it, conjuring up the very first Saints Row game. Yeah, the one that kicked off a whole saga of absurd, over-the-top antics. He apparently just got tapped on the shoulder to whip up a pitch for a brand-spanking-new entry. And here's the kicker: it’s not Saints Row 7. It’s more like a 'Saints Row 0' – a prequel. My ears definitely perked up at that, because a return to the roots, especially from someone who helped plant those roots, well, that's genuinely exciting. It’s like finding out the original architect of your favourite magical tower is back to design its hidden underground vault.
Now, a prequel, eh? That's a clever move. It lets them sidestep the tangled narrative web (and lukewarm reception) of the 2022 reboot, giving them a fresh canvas without completely abandoning the established universe. Stockman himself reckons he's got a 'very clear vision' for this project, citing his foundational work on the first game as his driving force. And honestly, who better to envision the origins of the Third Street Saints than the chap who helped define their original swagger? It suggests a return to the grittier, perhaps slightly less outright bonkers (but still plenty chaotic) vibe that made the early games such a blast. Think less unicorn-riding, more gangland power plays. Though, let's be fair, a bit of both never hurt anyone. It's like a wizard returning to his original spellbook to perfect a forgotten incantation, rather than trying to invent a new one from scratch.
One little detour that quickly popped up in the fan chatter, and rightly so, was the whole VR question. See, Stockman’s current studio, Bit Planet Games, has a bit of a track record with virtual reality titles. Immediately, the internet detectives started worrying, 'Bloody hell, are they gonna make us play Saints Row with a headset on?!' Stockman, to his credit, quickly assuaged those fears, confirming that if this prequel ever sees the light of day, it won't be a VR game. Good on him for listening to the room, eh? Because while VR has its place – and a glorious place it is for some games – asking the wider Saints Row audience to strap on a headset for their next dose of mayhem? Yeah, that would've been a tougher sell than convincing a dragon to invest in NFTs.
Now, here's where things get a bit like navigating a particularly dense corporate dungeon. Stockman didn't explicitly name who waved the magic wand (or rather, the chequebook) to get him on board, but the smart money's on Plaion. Remember them? They used to be Koch Media, and they've been custodians of the Saints Row IP since way back in 2013, after the original publisher, THQ, went belly up. Then Koch Media got swallowed by THQ Nordic, which then became the mighty Embracer Group. And just to keep things delightfully convoluted, Embracer’s currently undergoing a massive restructuring – a bit like a wizard trying to reorganise his entire spell component collection after an accidental explosion. They're splitting into three new entities, and Plaion (the potential Saints Row sugar daddy) is set to fall under a division charmingly named 'Fellowship Entertainment.' Catchy, eh? It’s enough to make your head spin, trying to keep track of who owns what. What it *does* mean, though, is that even if Stockman's pitch is pure gold, it has to navigate a labyrinth of corporate approvals, budget cuts, and strategic realignments. It’s a good reminder that even the most brilliant game ideas sometimes need a whole lot of corporate fairy dust to actually materialise.
So, if we're talking about a potential Saints Row 0, how far away are we talking? Well, mate, don't go clearing your calendar just yet. Modern game development, especially for anything with a 'medium to big budget,' takes an average of five years these days. That means, even if Stockman's pitch gets the golden ticket and pre-production kicks off next week (which, let's be real, is optimistic), we're probably looking at the early 2030s before this game hits our screens. The early *2030s*! That's practically a decade away. I'll probably be able to cast actual fireballs by then. It’s a classic case of 'exciting news now, but buckle up for a long, long wait.' Stockman did tease that his current studio has another project 'close to being done,' so at least they're not just sitting around polishing their pitch documents. But for Saints Row fans, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. A bit like waiting for a complex potion to brew – you know it *might* be amazing, but you're going to need a lot of patience.
So, what does this all mean for the future of the Saints? It's a tantalising prospect, to be sure. A return to form, guided by one of the original visionaries, steering clear of the recent missteps and embracing the chaotic spirit that made the series famous. There's a cautious optimism bubbling up, a sense that maybe, just maybe, the Saints can reclaim their crown as the kings and queens of open-world absurdity. But it's also a story of corporate reshuffles, long development cycles, and the ever-present question of whether a good pitch can survive the gauntlet of the modern gaming industry. One thing’s for certain, though: I’ll be watching this space with my digital magnifying glass, eager to see if this particular spell can actually be cast. What about you? Are you keen for a trip back to Saints Row's origins?
Tags: Saints Row, Prequel, Game Development, Open World, Industry News
Original article: Game Rant