Last year, Chris Stockman–the original design director for Saints Row–told fans that he was working on a pitch to return the franchise to its roots. Now, Stockman isn’t holding out much hope for a revival and believes the franchise is “dead.”
Stockman made his original remarks on Discord, which have since been posted on X (via Eurogamer). “I think the franchise is dead, unfortunately,” wrote Stockman. “I get the sense that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it. I wish things were different. I tried my best to offer a path forward, but they’ve ghosted me.”
Remember when we got excited about the prospect of a Saints Row prequel? Well according to Saints Row 1 Design Director Chris Stockman, Embracer is completely ignoring the idea.
Saints Row is once again dead. https://t.co/cpPVcRjxwD pic.twitter.com/FWpjC6kmkT— rpg! (@papaRPG) February 20, 2026
The most recent game in the series was the 2022 Saints Row reboot, which under-performed compared to its predecessors. In 2023, Saints Row developer Volition was shut down by Embracer, and there’s been no concrete news about the franchise since that time.
It’s always tough to hear about a beloved franchise facing challenges. Saints Row has such a unique charm, and it’s interesting to see how opinions on its future evolve. Here’s hoping for the best, whether it finds a new direction or takes a break.