Industry rumour: new Saints Row project reportedly pitched to publisher

Sources within the games industry are reporting that a new Saints Row project has been pitched to the franchise's publisher. The proposal is said to be aimed at reviving the series after the mixed reception of the 2022 reboot, but key details — including who is behind the pitch and whether the publisher has accepted it — remain unconfirmed.

What is being claimed

Sponsored

According to the rumour, an internal team or independent studio with ties to the franchise has prepared a concept and submitted it to the publisher for consideration. The pitch is reportedly designed either as a return to the series' earlier, more outrageous tone or as a more focused sequel that addresses criticisms levelled at the 2022 title.

Unconfirmed elements

  • Which studio or team produced the pitch. Multiple reports simply refer to "a team close to the franchise"; no named developer has been publicly confirmed.
  • Whether the publisher has accepted the pitch or will fund development. There has been no official statement from the publisher or developer as of publication.
  • The scope of the proposed project: suggestions range from a full-scale triple-A title to a smaller, more targeted release.
  • Platform targets and a potential release window remain unmentioned in the rumour.

Franchise background

The Saints Row franchise rose to prominence for its anarchic, over-the-top take on open-world action, particularly with entries such as Saints Row: The Third (2011) and Saints Row IV (2013). A franchise reboot arrived in 2022 with an aim to refresh the series; the title received mixed critical and commercial responses, prompting discussion about the future direction of the IP.

That context helps explain why a new pitch would be of interest to both fans and the publisher: there is appetite among parts of the community for a return to the series' earlier irreverent tone, while the publisher may be cautious about further large-scale investments without a clear plan to win back players.

Possible directions mentioned in industry chatter

  • Return to a more comedic, larger-than-life Saints Row style rather than the grounded approach adopted in the reboot.
  • A narrative sequel that attempts to reconcile elements of the reboot with the franchise's established identity.
  • A smaller, iterative project that aims to rebuild goodwill before committing to another big-budget entry.
  • Live-service or episodic elements to spread risk and support long-term engagement.

Community reaction and signals to watch

News of the rumoured pitch prompted swift reaction among fans on social platforms and community forums, with many calling for a return to the series' original tone and others urging caution given the mixed response to the reboot. Industry watchers often look for concrete signals — such as publisher statements, developer job listings, trademark filings or regulatory disclosures — to confirm that a pitched project has moved into active development.

Official stance and next steps

Neither the series' publisher nor any developer linked to Saints Row has issued a statement verifying the rumour at the time of writing. The report should therefore be treated as unverified until an official announcement is made. Observers should expect either confirmation via a publisher press release or silence while internal discussions continue.

Further reporting will focus on any official confirmations, recruitment adverts that reference Saints Row work, corporate filing updates and direct statements from the parties involved.

Summary

Industry sources suggest a new Saints Row concept has been pitched, potentially signalling renewed interest in reviving the franchise's distinct identity. Important details are unconfirmed: the origin of the pitch, whether it has been greenlit and the project's intended scale remain unknown. Fans and industry watchers should await official communications from the publisher or developer for verification.