Former Volition dev confirms a pitch for Saints Row prequel ‘Saints Row 0’ is in the works

One of the architects behind the original Saints Row says he’s formally preparing a pitch for a prequel entry—working title “Saints Row 0”—with the aim of steering the series back toward its street-level roots. Chris Stockman, design director on the 2006 debut, confirmed that he’s been asked to assemble a proposal for the franchise’s owner, signaling early momentum behind a back-to-basics direction.

Stockman departed Volition soon after the first game shipped and later founded Bit Planet Games in 2014, a studio known for virtual reality projects such as Ultrawings. He recently told fans that he’s been invited to put together a pitch and clarified that the concept he’s pursuing is a prequel rather than another reboot.

He’s been openly critical of the 2022 reboot, arguing that it drifted away from the identity established in the early days and sidelined legacy figures like Ben King and Julius. In his view, the tone and cast that defined Saints Row’s breakout appeal were lost, and he believes a course correction is overdue.

Stockman has also said he’s ready to reconnect with veterans from the original game if the project moves forward, suggesting he could rally members of the old team with the right budget and mandate. The pitch he’s advocating would revisit the formative years of Steelport’s and Stilwater’s criminal underworld, zeroing in on the origins of the factions that set the stage for Saints Row 1.

His vision for “Saints Row 0” reaches back to the 1970s—an era he sees as ripe for a grounded crime story with style to spare. Expect a period look and sound, with big hair, analog grit, and a soundtrack steeped in the decade’s character. He’s floated the Vice Kings and other foundational crews as key players, with the narrative focusing on teenagers and young upstarts who would later shape the series’ mythos.

According to Stockman, the response to his comments about the direction of the franchise helped open doors. The interest he’s encountered since then has culminated in a request for a formal pitch, which he says he’s now putting together. The goal, he stresses, is to recenter the series on the street-gang drama and scrappy tone that defined the first outing, after years of escalation pushed it into a corner.

For now, details remain tightly guarded. Stockman says he’s keeping specifics close until there’s something concrete to share. Internally, some are referring to the concept as “Saints Row 0,” but it’s still very early days.

Even if the pitch gets the green light, fans shouldn’t expect a quick turnaround. With a project of this scope and an origin-story framing that would demand fresh worldbuilding and period authenticity, a release is likely many years away—potentially not before 2030.

If it happens, a prequel set in the 1970s could be the sharp pivot longtime fans have been asking for: a street-level saga with swagger, a familiar cast’s beginnings, and a renewed focus on the raw, messy energy that helped Saints Row stand out in a sea of open-world crime games. For now, all eyes are on the pitch—and whether it’s the first step toward bringing the Saints back to where it all began.