Saints Row’s Ending Reason Revealed
The Saints Row series aimed to be reborn with a reboot project in 2022, but this attempt ended in great disappointment. Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch explained why the future of the series remained in the dark, stating that the reboot was a “disaster” both financially and creatively. According to Karch, the game’s high budget and low sales performance made the series unsustainable.
Why Did the Saints Row Reboot Fail?
The Saints Row reboot, released in 2022, rose to number one in physical sales in the UK at its launch and attracted attention by selling 1.7 million copies. However, this success was not enough to cover the game’s massive $100 million budget. Karch stated that the revenues obtained in return for this budget were insufficient, leading to the closure of the Volition studio. Karch said, “These games were very expensive for the budget they spent. They didn’t know what they were building and they didn’t have a direction. Who is going to finance the next game after this disaster?” He used the expressions.
The failure of the Saints Row reboot has left the future of the series completely uncertain. Publisher Deep Silver claimed that the series and other projects like Red Faction would “live on” despite the closure of Volition, but according to Karch, this is highly unlikely. The game’s Steam ratings have also dropped to “mixed”, with many players expressing disappointment due to technical issues and insufficient content.
Matthew Karch said that the approach to mega-budget projects in the gaming industry needs to change. “If games made with nine-figure budgets are making eight-figure revenues, that’s not sustainable. The era of pouring money into these types of projects, with the exception of big brands like GTA, is over,” Karch said, adding that this situation could result in layoffs for many studios.
The failure of the Saints Row reboot is seen as a turning point not only for the series, but also for the gaming industry’s approach to mega-budget projects. Instead of waiting for a new Saints Row game, players are preparing to say goodbye to the series’ past successes.
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