A potential seventh Saints Row title is in early development discussions, according to Chris Stockman, the original design director who helped establish the franchise's identity. However, if the project moves forward, it won't serve as a direct sequel to the 2022 Saints Row reboot but rather as a prequel exploring the series' origins.

The information comes from Chris Stockman, former design director at Volition, the now-defunct studio that originally developed the Saints Row franchise. Stockman played a crucial role in shaping the first Saints Row game back in 2006, establishing the foundation for what would become a two-decade-long series. After leaving Volition six months following the original game's release, Stockman spent seven years working on independent games across various platforms before founding Bit Planet Games in 2014, an Austin-based studio that has since developed and published multiple titles.

Despite nearly twenty years passing since his direct involvement with Saints Row, Stockman may soon return to the intellectual property. The developer recently revealed on the r/SaintsRow subreddit that he's been approached to create a concept proposal for a new, seventh entry in the series. Stockman described this opportunity as a dream come true and clarified that the project he's been asked to develop is specifically a prequel - more accurately described as Saints Row 0 rather than Saints Row 7. "I have a very clear vision for this prequel," Stockman stated, attributing his strong connection to the project to his foundational work on the very first Saints Row game.

Since establishing Bit Planet Games in 2014, Stockman's studio has developed several titles for virtual reality platforms. This background led some fans to express concern that the proposed Saints Row prequel might be designed as a VR experience, potentially limiting accessibility for the franchise's traditional player base. Stockman quickly addressed these concerns, assuring fans that if the project receives approval, it will not be developed as a virtual reality game.

While Stockman didn't specify who approached him with the prequel proposal, the most likely candidate is Plaion, previously known as Koch Media. The company has held the Saints Row intellectual property rights since 2013, following the bankruptcy of THQ, the series' original publisher. In 2018, Koch Media was acquired by THQ Nordic, which rebranded as Embracer Group the following year. Koch Media itself underwent a name change to Plaion in early August 2022, just weeks before the Saints Row reboot launched to mixed critical reception. Embracer Group is currently planning a major restructuring scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, which will split the company into three separate entities, with the division containing Plaion to be named Fellowship Entertainment.

Stockman emphasized his creative direction for the potential project, stating: "I have a very clear vision for this prequel."

Modern medium to large-budget game development projects typically require approximately five years from conception to completion. Consequently, even if Stockman's prequel concept receives official approval, the seventh Saints Row title likely wouldn't reach consumers until the early 2030s, assuming pre-production begins in the near future. Meanwhile, Bit Planet Games has at least one additional title in development, with Stockman hinting in recent social media updates that the studio's next project "is close to being done" and will be officially announced soon.