The pandemic has claimed another delay as Saints Row slips by 6 months

The upcoming reboot of Saints Row has been delayed by six months to make sure it meets certain standards, its developer said.

In a message on the official Saints Row website, Volition CCO Jim Boone explained that the game would no longer meet its February 25 release date, and will instead launch worldwide on August 23.

“Our priority is to create the best Saints Row game yet and, if we released on the original date, it wouldn’t be up to the standards we’ve set ourselves, and that you’re expecting and deserve,” Boone wrote.

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“The team just need more time to do our vision justice – we’re doing some fine tuning and there won’t be much change in the game outside of overall quality and polish.

“In all honesty, we underestimated the impact COVID would have on our schedule, although everyone adapted very quickly to the working from home arrangement and continued to be incredibly productive.

“However, due to the size and scope of our new Saints Row, it’s become apparent that to create the best game possible, we need to give our team longer to perfect their craft.”

Boone also confirmed that the game’s storyline and characters will be staying intact, despite initial backlash from some members of the series’ fanbase.

“Rest assured, there will not be any changes to the story or the characters or anything that we’ve lovingly imagined over the last few years and already shared with you,” he confirmed.

The Saints Row reboot was officially announced with a CGI trailer during the Gamescom Opening Night Live event in August.

Simply titled Saints Row and set for release in February 2022, the game is set in a south-western American region called Santo Ileso.

Further reading

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First look: Why Saints Row’s reboot is a step forward for the series

Volition is returning to the series' criminal roots for its fifth entry

The player is part of a group of criminals named the Saints, who are trying to make it as a new crime syndicate in the region.

The initial trailer was met with division among fans of the series, and has more dislikes than likes on YouTube.

Despite this, developer Volition has made it clear that it isn’t going to change the vision it has for the game based on the initial reaction to the trailer.