Volition’s Closure Highlights Gaming Industry’s Budget Crisis

The shutdown of the Saints Row studio reflects systemic challenges as unsustainable development costs pressure studios to rethink strategies.

Volition, the studio behind Saints Row, was shut down in 2023 after 30 years due to high costs and lack of clear direction.
The 2022 Saints Row reboot underperformed both critically and commercially, contributing to the studio's closure.
Matthew Karch, Saber Interactive CEO, criticized the unsustainable budgets of games outside major franchises like Grand Theft Auto.
Volition's intellectual properties, including Saints Row and Red Faction, remain under Plaion's management with no announced plans for continuation.
The closure is part of Embracer Group's restructuring efforts after the collapse of a $2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group.