A Tough Reality for Saints Row

In a pointed commentary, Matthew Karch, the CEO of Saber Interactive, expressed his dismay over the downfall of Volition, the studio behind Saints Row. “The Saints Row team is gone,” he stated, highlighting concerns about their financial viability and future.

Karch: “They were so expensive for what they were. They didn’t know what they were building. They didn’t have any real direction. It couldn’t last. And so, who’s going to fund them for the next game after that disaster?”

In his remarks, Karch acknowledged that Embracer Group, which recently faced turmoil, never found success with the last Saints Row titles. He criticized the studio’s inability to deliver compelling projects, indicating that the consequences of financial setbacks often ripple across the creative teams. The industry’s current climate, as he noted, now demands ruthless efficiency and may further pressure developers.

Asserting that the gaming landscape is changing, he declared, “the days of throwing money at games… is over”, emphasizing the need for studios to innovate or face potential collapse.

Karch also defended Lars Wingefors, CEO of Embracer Group, suggesting that while mistakes were made, his intentions were good. Wingefors remains in his position despite the challenges faced by the company.

With these insights, the future of game development teams like Volition remains uncertain as industry standards shift.