A potential revival of the Saints Row franchise appears to have hit a major setback. The proposed prequel, set in the 1970s, is no longer moving forward after being ignored by Embracer Group, according to original design director Chris Stockman.
The update suggests that the future of the series is now uncertain.
1970s Prequel Was Meant to Reboot the Series
Chris Stockman, who worked on the original 2006 Saints Row, revealed that he was approached by PLAION (a subsidiary of Embracer Group) to create a pitch for a new game.
The idea focused on a “back-to-basics” prequel, set in 1970s Stilwater. The story would explore the early days of the Third Street Saints, including the origins of key characters like Julius Little and Benjamin King.
Fans were initially excited about this direction, especially after the mixed reception of the 2022 reboot.
Project Now “Ghosted” by Publisher
Despite early momentum, the project has now stalled. Stockman shared that communication from Embracer has stopped completely.
In a message shared via Discord, he suggested that the company is no longer actively pursuing the idea. He also expressed doubts about Embracer’s ability to move forward with the franchise at all.
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
Impact of Past Failures and Studio Closures
The situation comes after a difficult period for the Saints Row franchise. The 2022 reboot failed to meet expectations, both critically and commercially.
Following that, Embracer Group went through major restructuring, which included the closure of Volition, the original studio behind Saints Row, in 2023.
These changes appear to have affected any plans for new entries in the series.
What This Means for Saints Row
With the prequel pitch no longer in progress and no official announcements from Embracer, the future of Saints Row looks uncertain.
For now, the franchise appears to be on hold, with no clear plans for revival.
Conclusion
The idea of a 1970s Saints Row prequel had sparked hope among fans looking for a return to the series’ roots. However, with the project now effectively abandoned, that revival is no longer happening anytime soon.
Unless Embracer changes direction, Saints Row may remain inactive for the foreseeable future.
