Saints Row Creator: Competing with GTA is an Impossible Task

Chris Stockman, the designer behind the original Saints Row, stated that no studio today is capable of directly competing with Grand Theft Auto. In a discussion with FRVR, he emphasized that GTA Online has transformed the franchise into a «lifestyle» rather than just a game, making the brand virtually unbeatable.

Stockman explained that any contemporary games trying to emulate GTA should focus on returning to the fundamentals and developing their own unique identity.

With the upcoming release of GTA VI in a year, Stockman does not foresee any threat to Rockstar’s dominant position unless the project turns out to be a failure.

Additionally, Stockman expressed that there’s no need to fear holding a secondary position in the market. When the original Saints Row debuted in 2006, it filled the void left by the GTA series, carving out its own identity and securing a second-place spot in the genre. The developer noted that being «number two» still holds significant value, especially now as audiences seek new experiences; a strategic approach can lead to success in these secondary positions.

He also pointed out that many studios hesitate to remain «second» due to the enormous budgets and significant investments involved. According to him, in today’s industry, it is unfeasible to spend hundreds of millions on a game and merely hope to profit from that.

Recently, Chris Stockman announced that he is working on the concept for a Saints Row prequel. He mentioned that the publisher has shown interest in the idea, and he is in the process of reassembling the original team.