Is the Saints Row franchise officially dead? That's the heartbreaking question fans are asking after a bombshell statement from Chris Stockman, the series' original design director. Stockman, speaking candidly on the Discord server for his studio, Bit Planet Games, didn't mince words: he believes the series is 'dead' and that Embracer, the current owner, lacks the 'ability' to revive it. And this is the part most people miss: Stockman didn't just voice an opinion; he actively tried to pitch a revival to Embracer through their subsidiary Plaion, only to be met with silence.
Once a formidable rival to Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row hasn’t seen a new installment since its 2022 reboot, which landed with a thud. IGN’s review at the time (https://www.ign.com/articles/saints-row-2022-review) scored it a modest 6/10, noting its shallow gameplay and uninspired sandbox design. Poor sales followed, and developer Volition shuttered in 2023 (https://www.ign.com/articles/saints-row-developer-volition-shut-down-by-embracer-group). Since then, Embracer has remained eerily quiet about the franchise’s future.
But here's where it gets controversial: Stockman, who left Volition during Saints Row 2's pre-production, isn’t just a bystander. He’s someone who’s intimately familiar with the series and has a vested interest in its revival. Yet, his attempts to engage Embracer—even inquiring about the possibility of purchasing the IP—have been met with radio silence. “Companies of that size almost never sell their IP,” Stockman explained, “because it devalues their purchase price if they decide to sell or seek investment.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Saints Row (the first game launched on August 29, 2006), but instead of celebrating with a new title, fans are left wondering if the series will ever return. Stockman’s efforts to revive it seem to have hit a wall, and Embracer’s refusal to comment on his claims only deepens the mystery. When IGN reached out for a statement, a spokesperson simply stated that the company doesn’t address “rumors and speculation.”
Here’s the kicker: If Embracer does have a secret plan for Saints Row, Stockman—the man who helped shape the series—is clearly not part of it. “As long as they [Embracer] are in business, they own it,” he noted. “If they went out of business or filed for bankruptcy, it would get auctioned off to the highest bidder.” He even offered to license or manage the franchise himself, but his pleas have gone unanswered.
So, what’s next for Saints Row? With Embracer focusing on other titles like Killing Floor 3, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, and the upcoming Tomb Raider games from Crystal Dynamics, the fate of Saints Row feels more uncertain than ever. Meanwhile, the status of the Lord of the Rings MMO, developed in collaboration with Amazon Games, remains unclear (https://www.ign.com/articles/it-looks-like-amazons-the-lord-of-the-rings-mmo-is-dead), and Dead Island 3 is slated for a 2028 release (https://www.ign.com/articles/dead-island-3-due-out-first-half-of-2028-all-developers-at-dambuster-studios-now-working-on-it).
But the real question is this: Is Embracer letting a beloved franchise wither away, or are they simply biding their time? And should they consider passing the torch to someone like Stockman, who’s clearly passionate about reviving it? Let us know what you think in the comments—is Saints Row truly dead, or is there still hope for a comeback?
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @wyp100 or reach out via wesley_yinpoole@ign.com. For confidential tips, email wyp100@proton.me.
