There’s a glimmer of hope for longtime fans of Saints Row! The original director, Chris Stockman, has hinted that he’s been approached to develop a pitch for a potential prequel. Stockman, who was the design director for the first Saints Row at Volition before establishing Bit Planet Games, shared with PCGamesN his efforts to “get the band back together.” While plans are still in early stages, the prospect of this classic Grand Theft Auto rival making a comeback—perhaps alongside the highly anticipated GTA 6—is incredibly exciting.
Earlier this week, Stockman posted on the game’s Reddit page, announcing, “I’ve been asked to create a pitch for a Saints Row prequel.” He added, “I can’t say anything more than that but my dreams for this game just became a little more than just dreams.” When we reached out to Stockman to verify his statement and learn more about his vision for the open-world franchise, he reiterated his goal of “aiming to do a prequel,” but emphasized his desire to “keep my cards close to my chest, for now.”
Stockman revealed that he initiated contact with Embracer Group, the current IP holder for Saints Row, following significant buzz generated by an interview he gave to Esports Insider in mid-October. In that interview, he critically questioned the decision to reboot the series, stating that without its beloved characters, “It wasn’t Saints Row at all.”
Elaborating on his vision, Stockman stated, “I want to bring the Saints Row franchise back to its roots.” He emphasized his role as the director of the original Saints Row, expressing a strong belief that the series has diverged too far from its initial direction. While acknowledging the reasons behind its evolution, he feels the franchise ultimately “painted themselves into a corner they couldn’t get out of.” Even for fans who enjoyed later entries like Saints Row The Third, it’s clear that the series escalated to a point that might have become unsustainable.
While it’s important to temper expectations at this very early stage, Stockman confirmed that “There is interest. A pitch has been requested.” He concluded with an optimistic note: “I am attempting to get the band back together. If this works, this will be an amazing story. I hope it works!”
Such a dramatic return for Saints Row would undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to the gaming landscape, especially considering the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. In the meantime, there are many other excellent crime-themed games available to enjoy.
Are you excited about the potential return of Saints Row to its original style? Share your thoughts and join the discussion with fellow fans!