Who Owns Saints Row?
Saints Row is an open-world crime game franchise owned by Embracer Group AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: EMBRAC B) and managed under its Deep Silver publishing label. Created by Volition in 2006, the series spans six main entries including the 2022 reboot. Volition closed in 2023, and the IP is moving to Embracer's Fellowship Entertainment division in 2027.
Parent Company
Acquired
2013
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Saints Row Timeline
Who Owns Saints Row?
- Parent Company: Embracer Group AB
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2013
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: Nasdaq Stockholm: EMBRAC B
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Saints Row | Embracer Group AB | Wholly owned |
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Saints Row on AmazonAdvertisement
History of Saints Row
- Founded: 2006
- Founders: Volition
- Acquired by Embracer Group AB: 2013
Volition, founded in 1993 in Champaign, Illinois, created Saints Row for publisher THQ as an Xbox 360 exclusive in August 2006. Positioned as a crime sandbox in the mold of Grand Theft Auto, it distinguished itself with character customization and faction warfare. The first game sold well enough to greenlight a sequel.
Saints Row 2 (2008) deepened the formula. Saints Row: The Third (2011) pushed the series into exaggerated comedy and became its commercial peak, and Saints Row IV (2013) turned the player into a superpowered US President inside a simulation. The standalone expansion Gat out of Hell followed in 2015. Each entry moved further from the grounded crime story of the original.
THQ's January 2013 bankruptcy sent the studio and IP to Koch Media's Deep Silver for $22.3 million. The spin-off Agents of Mayhem (2017), set in the same universe, sold poorly, and the series went quiet for five years.
Embracer acquired Koch Media in 2018. Volition pitched a reboot, and the new Saints Row launched in August 2022 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, restarting the story with a new cast of young criminals. The reboot received mixed reviews and commercially disappointed; Embracer later described it as a flop and closed Volition in August 2023, ending 30 years of operation for the studio.
Advertisement
Since then the franchise has been dormant. Former design director Chris Stockman pitched a roots-focused revival in late 2025 and publicly described the series as dead in early 2026. Embracer's May 2026 investor letter named Saints Row among IPs it would consider for external partnership development, keeping a possible return open without committing to one.
About Embracer Group AB
Who owns Saints Row?
The Saints Row franchise is owned by Embracer Group AB and managed under the Deep Silver publishing label within its Plaion business. The IP is expected to move to Fellowship Entertainment, the division Embracer plans to list separately on Nasdaq Stockholm in 2027.
Is Embracer Group publicly traded?
Yes. Embracer Group trades on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker EMBRAC B. It was founded by Lars Wingefors, who remains chairman and the largest shareholder.
What happened to Volition, the Saints Row developer?
Embracer closed Volition in August 2023 as part of a company-wide restructuring after the 2022 Saints Row reboot underperformed. The Saints Row IP stayed with Embracer's Deep Silver label, and no internal studio currently develops the series.
Advertisement
When was Embracer Group founded?
The company traces to Nordic Games Licensing, founded by Lars Wingefors in 2008 in Karlstad, Sweden. It was renamed THQ Nordic AB in 2016 and Embracer Group in 2019.
What is Embracer Group's revenue?
For fiscal year 2025/26 ended March 31, 2026, Embracer reported net sales of SEK 15,906 million and adjusted EBIT of SEK 905 million. Results exclude Coffee Stain Group, which was spun off in December 2025.
What is Fellowship Entertainment?
Fellowship Entertainment is the Embracer division that holds the group's major IP, including The Lord of the Rings, Tomb Raider, Kingdom Come, Dead Island, and Saints Row, plus the Plaion publishing business and Deep Silver. Embracer plans to list it separately on Nasdaq Stockholm during calendar year 2027.
- Founded: 2008
- Headquarters: Karlstad, Varmland County, Sweden
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: Nasdaq Stockholm: EMBRAC B
- Revenue: SEK 15.9 billion (FY2025/26)
- Employees: Approximately 6,100
Where Is Saints Row Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Karlstad, Varmland County, Sweden
Saints Row Categories & Tags
Saints Row Recalls & Controversies
The franchise's biggest controversy is the fate of Volition itself. The 2022 reboot underperformed commercially and critically, and Embracer's group-wide restructuring closed the studio in August 2023, drawing criticism that the publisher's management, including a reported push toward the reboot concept, contributed to the failure for which the developers paid with their jobs.
Advertisement
The series also carried persistent criticism through the 2010s for its escalating crude humor and for moving away from the relatively grounded crime tone of the first two games, a debate that split the fan base and resurfaced during revival discussions in 2025 and 2026.
Broader ownership controversy attaches to Embracer, including the collapse of a $2 billion Saudi-backed deal in 2023 that triggered the restructuring, and criticism over a Saudi Public Investment Fund subsidiary holding an ownership stake in the group.
Saints Row Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Recognizable IP with a loyal fan base and revival interest
- +Backed by a large public group with publishing infrastructure
- +Deep Silver provides established distribution and marketing
- +External licensing path creates a realistic route back to market
- +Low carrying cost while dormant preserves optionality for Embracer
Considerations
- -No active developer since Volition's 2023 closure
- -2022 reboot failed commercially, damaging brand momentum
- -Corporate ownership has changed hands three times in 15 years
- -Revival depends on finding an external partner, which is uncertain
- -Fan sentiment is split over the series' tonal direction
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions About Saints Row
Sources & Further Reading
Advertisement
Competitors to Saints Row
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Take Two Interactive | USA | 1997 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Take Two Interactive | USA | 2002 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Take Two Interactive | USA | 2004 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Ubisoft | France | 2014 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Cd Projekt | Poland | 2020 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Microsoft | USA | 2003 | Premium | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Media EntertainmentGrand Theft Auto (GTA)
Owned by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
Video game franchise owned by Rockstar Games, known for open-world action games with crime and urban themes.
video-gamesaction-gamesopen-world
Media EntertainmentMafia
Owned by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
Crime saga video game franchise published by 2K, a label of Take-Two Interactive, spanning games from 2002's Mafia to 2025's The Old Country.
video-gamescrime-gamesopen-world
Media EntertainmentRed Dead Redemption
Owned by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
Western open-world video game franchise developed by Rockstar Games and published by Take-Two Interactive.
video-gamesopen-worldwestern
Media EntertainmentWatch Dogs
Owned by Ubisoft Entertainment SA
Open-world hacking video game franchise developed and published by Ubisoft, dormant since Watch Dogs Legion in 2020.
video-gamesopen-worldhacking
Media EntertainmentCyberpunk 2077
Owned by CD PROJEKT S.A.
Open-world action RPG developed by CD PROJEKT RED and set in Night City, based on Mike Pondsmith's tabletop game.
video-gamesopen-worldrpg
Media EntertainmentCall of Duty
Owned by Microsoft Corporation
Video game franchise specializing in first-person shooter games, owned by Microsoft through Activision.
video-gamesfirst-person-shootergaming-franchise
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Saints Row competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Advertisement
Independent Alternatives to Saints Row
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Embracer Group AB, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Media EntertainmentBattlefield
Owned by Electronic Arts
Battlefield is Electronic Arts' military shooter franchise, known for large-scale multiplayer warfare, which relaunched to record success with Battlefield 6 in October 2025.
video-gamesshooterfps
Privately Owned
Battlefield is privately owned, unlike Saints Row which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Media EntertainmentEA Sports
Owned by Electronic Arts
EA Sports is Electronic Arts' sports gaming label, publisher of EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and other sports franchises that anchor the company's live-services business.
video-gamessports-gamesea-fc
Privately Owned
EA Sports is privately owned, unlike Saints Row which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Media EntertainmentEA Sports FC
Owned by Electronic Arts
EA Sports FC is Electronic Arts' soccer video game franchise, the rebranded successor to FIFA that launched in 2023 after EA ended its 30-year FIFA licensing partnership.
video-gamessoccerfootball
Privately Owned
EA Sports FC is privately owned, unlike Saints Row which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Media EntertainmentMadden NFL
Owned by Electronic Arts
Madden NFL is Electronic Arts' flagship American football video game franchise, with 37 installments since 1988 and the exclusive NFL simulation license.
video-gamessportsnfl
Privately Owned
Madden NFL is privately owned, unlike Saints Row which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Media EntertainmentNeed for Speed
Owned by Electronic Arts
Need for Speed is Electronic Arts' street racing franchise, one of the best-selling racing game series in history with more than 20 mainline entries since 1994.
video-gamesracingstreet-racing
Privately Owned
Need for Speed is privately owned, unlike Saints Row which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Media EntertainmentPokémon
Owned by The Pokémon Company
Japanese media franchise managed by The Pokémon Company, a joint venture between Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and Game Freak, spanning video games, trading cards, anime, and merchandise.
video-gamestrading-cardsanime
Privately Owned
Pokémon is privately owned, unlike Saints Row which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Embracer Group AB Stock Information
Advertisement
Jobs at Embracer Group AB
Latest News About Saints Row
Advertisement
Related Articles About Saints Row
View more articles
Entertainment
The Companies Behind Your Favourite Video Games
EA is now owned by Saudi Arabia's PIF. Microsoft spent $80B+ on gaming acquisitions. Tencent owns stakes in 20+ studios. Nintendo launched Switch 2. Discover the companies behind your favourite video games. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffSep 9, 2026
Video GamesGamingMicrosoft
Pop Culture
Video Game Brands and Their Corporate Parents
EA sold for $55B to Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake and Kushner's Affinity. Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard for $75.4B. Tencent owns Riot, Supercell, and stakes in Epic. Sony bought Bungie for $3.6B. Discover video game brands and their corporate parents.
Who Brands StaffSep 3, 2026
Video GamesAcquisitionsEa
Guides
Gaming Companies and Their Studio Portfolios: Who Owns Your Favorite Games
Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Tencent, and others own dozens of game studios. This guide maps every major gaming company to the studios and franchises they control.
Who Brands StaffFeb 7, 2026
GamingVideo GamesBrand Ownership
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Media & Entertainment category and related searches from other users.
Brandrecord-label
4AD
Influential British independent record label founded in 1979, known for a distinctive visual aesthetic and a roster spanning Cocteau Twins, Pixies, The National, and Grimes.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
independent-musicbritish-label
Brandtelevision
ABC
Major American broadcast television network with a rich history in news, entertainment, and sports programming, serving as a cornerstone of Disney Entertainment Television within The Walt Disney Company.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
broadcastingnetwork
Brandvideo-games
Activision Blizzard
Video-game publishing identity owned by Microsoft since its $68.7 billion acquisition closed in October 2023.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
game-publishingxbox