Saints Row Franchise Faces Uncertain Future Following Prequel Pitch Rejection

The future of the Saints Row franchise is looking bleak, according to Chris Stockman, the original game’s design director. Stockman recently revealed that his pitch for a prequel to the series was ignored by Embracer Group, leading him to believe the franchise is effectively “dead.”

Prequel Pitch Details

Last November, Stockman announced he was developing a pitch for a Saints Row reboot, hinting at a prequel set in the 1970s. VGC reported that Stockman envisioned the prequel exploring the origins of each gang within the Saints Row universe.

Embracer Group’s Response

However, in a recent Discord conversation shared by X user @papaRPG, Stockman expressed his disappointment with Embracer Group’s lack of response. “Honestly, I think the franchise is dead, unfortunately,” he wrote. “I acquire the sense that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it.” He added that he “tried my best to offer a path forward but they’ve ghosted me.” Destructoid also reported on this development.

Recent Saints Row History

The potential demise of the franchise follows the mixed reception of the 2022 Saints Row reboot, developed by Volition. VGC noted the reboot received scores of 61-65 on Metacritic, and was described as a “buggy, dull mess” in a VGC review. Volition was subsequently closed, further casting doubt on the series’ future. PC Gamer highlighted Stockman’s previous criticism of the 2022 reboot, questioning its direction.

Fan Reaction

The news has been met with sadness from fans of the series. Comments on Reddit, as reported by PC Gamer, expressed disappointment and questioned the decision-making process behind the franchise’s current state.

What’s Next?

As of February 22, 2026, the future of Saints Row remains uncertain. With Embracer Group seemingly unwilling to pursue recent entries, fans may have to accept that the franchise is, as Stockman believes, “dead.”