Saints Row Design Director Says the Franchise is Dead After Embracer Group Goes Silent on Prequel Pitch
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Original Saints Row design director Chris Stockman says the franchise is dead after Embracer Group went silent on his pitch for a 1970s prequel.
The future of Saints Row is looking grim for fans of the chaotic open world series. According to original design director Chris Stockman, the franchise is effectively dead following a breakdown in communication with current IP holders Embracer Group. Stockman recently shared in a Discord server, as reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, that publishers have essentially ghosted him after he pitched a 1970s prequel that aimed to return the series to its roots.
Stockman previously gained online traction late last year with his concept for the prequel, which caught the attention of Embracer Group enough for them to listen to his pitch. However, subsequent talks yielded no progress. Stockman noted that he believes Embracer currently lacks the capability or direction to do anything meaningful with the property following the closure of original developer Volition. While the ball technically remains in the publisher's court if they ever decide to license the IP to an outside studio, Stockman feels he has exhausted all avenues to revive the series.
For a community that has weathered everything from the peak absurdity of Saints Row 3 to the difficult reception of the 2002 franchise reboot, this silence stings. It highlights a recurring industry frustration where valuable digital properties sit dormant in corporate portfolios while veterans willing to guide them forward get left on read. As cross platform players and digital collectors watch classic franchises get sidelined by corporate restructuring, this latest update serves as another sobering reminder of how fragile gaming legacy can be in the hands of modern publishing conglomerates.
Tags: Saints Row, Embracer Group, Industry News, Volition, Gaming History
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun