Saints Row Prequel No Longer Happening, Original Creator Reveals

It looks like the planned Saints Row prequel reboot is no longer happening, as revealed by the series’ original creator.

Last year, we reported on news that Saints Row 1’s design director Chris Stockman had been in touch with Embracer Group to pitch a new game in the series.

“Guys and Gals, I have hopeful news,” Stockman wrote at the time. “I've been asked to create a pitch for a Saints Row reboot! I can't say anything more than that but my dreams for this game just became a little more than just dreams!”

Although exact details around the pitch were unclear, Stockman’s previous posts implied he’d want to take the game to the 1970s and design it as a prequel to the main franchise showing the origins of each gang.

The Saints Row Prequel Reboot Has Allegedly Not Been Picked Up

Now, however, Stockman has shared new information that implies Embracer may have passed on his idea.

As shared by X user papaRPG, an apparent screenshot of a Discord conversation between Stockman and another user has revealed that the franchise may effectively be dead for the time being.

“Honestly, I think the franchise is dead, unfortunately,” Stockman writes. “I get the sense that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it.”

He then adds: “I wish things were different,” and “I tried my best to offer a path forward but they’ve ghosted me.”

It sounds like Embracer may not have been confident in Stockman’s pitch for the next game in the series, or that the lackluster sales of 2022’s Saints Row reboot may have reduced the company’s confidence in making a future entry.

“I already thought the franchise was dead but now it’s extra dead. Sad to see one of my favorites die,” reads one comment from a fan on Reddit.

“I didn't even know this rumor existed,” reads a reply from another player. “I'll never understand how someone, in games or movies or shows, can be arrogant enough to think they can rewrite an IP in their image but not have the confidence to present that image without hiding behind an established IP.”

Unfortunately for now, it looks like we may be waiting a while for another Saints Row game, if another one is ever greenlit. The series was often compared to Grand Theft Auto in its heyday, which is receiving a new entry later this year.