Saints Row developer Volition has been shut down – WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews

Volition, best known for its long-running Saints Row series, has been shut down, effective immediately. Parent company Embracer made the decision as part of its ongoing restructuring, an effort to trim down the bloated company which owns a staggering amount of studios.

The closure will result in around 340 people losing their jobs, though Volition stated that they are working to provide job assistance. Hopefully, many of Volition’s staff may be able to pick up jobs elsewhere in Embracer’s vast empire.

Earlier this year Volition celebrated its 30th anniversary, having been founded in June of 1993 under the name Parallax Software. While they developed many titles, it was the Saints Row series that really helped put Volition on the map. It began life as a sort of Grand Theft Auto clone but took on a life of its own, becoming more and more insane as the franchise went on.

However, the 2022 Saints Row reboot seems to have proven to be the final nail in the coffin. It launched to lacklustre reviews and fans were disappointed with the direction and quality of the game. Embracer wasn’t happy with the sales numbers, especially since the game cost around $100 million to make. The decision was made to transfer Volition from the Deep Silver umbrella to Gearbox.

Studios closing is always sad as it means people losing their jobs. However, this could end up being a good thing. Volition’s reputation has taken a hit over the past few years, and perhaps it’s simply time.

Here’s hoping everyone who worked their manages to quickly find new employment opportunities.