• **Franchise Fate:** Saints Row 1 design director Chris Stockman believes the series is "dead."
  • **Prequel Pitch:** His pitch for a 70s-set prequel, aiming for the tone of the series' first couple of entries, was ultimately "ghosted" by Embracer Group.
  • **Embracer's Stance:** Stockman perceives that Embracer has "zero ability" to move the franchise forward.
  • **Last Efforts:** While he's "done all I can do" to propose a path forward, the ball remains in Embracer's court for licensing.

Saints Row: Dildos at Half Mast, Franchise Declared "Dead" by Veteran Dev

Our take at In Game News is that the world of Saints Row has just received a brutal uppercut, leaving the series in what can only be described as critical condition. The very architect of its original anarchy, Chris Stockman, the design director behind the first *Saints Row*, has delivered a bombshell: he believes the franchise is "dead." This isn't just a lament; it's a stark conclusion following disheartening talks with Embracer Group.

The Promise of a 70s Comeback, Ghosted

Late last year, the gaming community buzzed with excitement when Stockman, currently heading VR studio Bit Planet Games, unveiled his vision for a Saints Row resurrection. His pitch was genius: a prequel set in the 70s, exploring the origins of the iconic gangs, all while recapturing the gritty, irreverent tone of the series' first couple of entries. It gained significant traction, and critically, current series owners Embracer Group even expressed interest in hearing him out. We were genuinely hopeful for a dildo-batless revival headed by a true series veteran. However, the latest updates, shared by Stockman on Bit Planet's Discord server and spotted by Europeanvideogamer, paint a grim picture. "I think the franchise is dead, unfortunately," he stated in a January exchange. "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." This isn't just a missed opportunity; it's a profound statement on the current custodianship of one of gaming's most unique IPs. To be "ghosted" after generating significant fan enthusiasm and offering a clear, grounded path forward—that's a tough pill for any veteran gamer to swallow.

A Brief Aside Before the Bombshell

Interestingly, the dramatic reveal of Saints Row's potential demise came hot on the heels of a lighter discussion in that same January Discord chat. Stockman admitted he wasn't sure if Saints Row newslady Jane Valderamma was based on Family Guy's Tricia Takanawa. A quirky detail, yes, but it immediately preceded the stark reality check on the franchise's future. Boy, sometimes things escalate quickly.

The Ball's Still in Embracer's Court, But Hope Dwindles

While Stockman's initial declaration was bleak, he did offer a slight clarification on February 17th. He emphasized that the ball is still very much in Embracer's court if they choose to license or contract the Saints Row series out to his studio. However, his concluding remarks echo the sentiment of a valiant effort reaching its limit: he's "done all I can do to try and make that happen." Our analysis points to a grim reality for Saints Row fans. Despite a compelling pitch from a key creative voice, and initial interest from the IP holders, it appears the franchise has indeed gone the way of the dodo. The prospect of a genuine Saints Row comeback, one that respects its roots and delivers the kind of experience fans have yearned for, now seems more remote than ever. It's a sad day for Stilwater and its legions of loyal followers.