In the bustling world of open-world crime games, few franchises have carved out an identity as distinct—and as wildly divergent—as Saints Row. What began as a gritty, albeit quirky, competitor to Grand Theft Auto evolved into a saga of superpowers, alien invasions, and presidential antics. But now, in a move that will thrill long-time fans, the series may be preparing for a homecoming, heading back to its roots with a confirmed pitch for a prequel tentatively dubbed ‘Saints Row 0.’
The source of this exciting development is none other than Chris Stockman, the design director for the original 2006 Saints Row. Stockman, who left Volition shortly after the first game's release, has revealed that he has been formally asked by current IP holder Embracer Group to prepare a pitch for a series prequel.
From Reddit Dreams to a Formal Pitch
The first spark of hope ignited on the official Saints Row subreddit, r/SaintsRow. In a post that immediately sent the community into a frenzy, Stockman wrote, “Guys and Gals, I have hopeful news! I’ve been asked to create a pitch for a Saints Row reboot. I can’t say anything more than that, but my dreams for this game just became a little more than just dreams.”
He later clarified in the comments that the project in question is specifically a “prequel.” This revelation didn't happen in a vacuum. It was the culmination of a campaign Stockman began after the mixed reception of the 2022 Saints Row soft reboot.
In a mid-October interview with Esports Insider, Stockman was candid about his feelings on the new direction, calling the 2022 game “a terrible idea” that scrapped beloved characters like Ben King and Julius, ultimately making it feel like “not Saints Row at all.” It was in this interview that he made a public plea to Embracer Group, stating, “contact me, let’s go. I can bring many of the old band members together who worked on Saints Row 1. I could turn that IP around with a decent budget.”
Evidently, someone at Embracer was listening.
Envisioning a 1970s Stilwater
So, what exactly does Chris Stockman have in mind for Saints Row 0? His vision is a deliberate return to the franchise's origins. He envisions a game set in the 1970s, exploring the formative years of the gangs that defined the first game—the Vice Kings, the Westside Rollerz, and the Los Carnales.
Imagine a Stilwater where the future kings of the underworld are just ambitious teenagers. Picture the rise of a young Benjamin King, building his empire from the ground up, complete with the era's signature style: huge afros, wide-collar shirts, and a soundtrack dripping with classic 70s funk and soul. This setting would allow the series to return to a more grounded, gang-centric story, a far cry from the sci-fi spectacle of later entries.
The traction from his initial interviews gave Stockman the confidence to consistently approach Embracer. To his surprise and delight, the conversation progressed from a hopeful idea to a formal request. In an exclusive sit-down with PCGamesN, Stockman confirmed the project's status. “There is interest. A pitch has been requested,” he stated. “I want to bring the Saints Row franchise back to its roots. As you know, I directed Saints Row 1, and I feel the series has strayed way too far from that.”
He expressed a nuanced understanding of the series' evolution but believes it ultimately painted itself into a narrative corner. “I completely understand why they went that way, but in the end, they kind of painted themselves into a corner they couldn’t get out of. I am attempting to get the band back together. If this works, this will be an amazing story. I hope it works!”
A Long Road Ahead to Saints Row 0
While the news is undoubtedly exciting, it’s crucial to temper expectations with a dose of reality. Stockman has been tight-lipped about further specifics, keeping the juicy details “close to my chest, for now.” The project, while requested, remains in the earliest of early stages—the pitch phase.
Embracer Group has shown interest, but there is no guarantee the project will receive a green light. Even if Stockman’s pitch is a resounding success and development begins immediately, the process of building a modern AAA open-world game is a marathon, not a sprint. Industry analysts and Stockman himself suggest that if Saints Row 0 does happen, fans shouldn't expect to see it until at least 2030.
For a fanbase that has been divided by the series' direction for years, the mere possibility of a back-to-basics prequel helmed by the original director is a powerful signal. It suggests that Embracer is aware of the desire for a return to form. The journey of Saints Row 0 is just beginning, but for the first time in a long time, fans of the original Saints have a genuine reason to hope that the Third Street Saints will once again rise from the streets of Stilwater.
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