Original Saints Row design lead: Unless GTA 6 “comes out and it’s terrible,” no open-world developer can top Rockstar — but “there’s nothing wrong with trying to be No. 2”

The E.T. reference alludes to the notorious Atari 2600 title often blamed for damaging Atari and contributing to the pre-Nintendo industry crash. Reality is more nuanced, but E.T. became a symbol of how a high-profile flop can severely damage a company that otherwise anchors a market.

GTA 6 is arriving in a very different environment than Atari’s era, yet its release still carries significant industry-wide implications. Analysts have warned that delays — notably the move reported to May 2026 (and later to November 2026) — could push forecasts into what some describe as “nightmare scenario territory” for the year’s games market.

Still, Stockman believes there’s room for other open-world titles to succeed, provided they accept not being the biggest name on the block. “The industry has never been larger in terms of player appetite,” he says. “There’s space to be a strong number two; if you play your cards right, you can thrive without being the headline act.”

His advice is pragmatic: stay focused, define a clear identity, and avoid using GTA as your North Star. You don’t need to chase a 100-hour magnum opus — be disciplined, aim for a distinct experience, and be smart about scope and ambition.

That mindset echoes how Saints Row entered the market in 2006: it didn’t beat GTA by copying it, but instead carved a separate niche while fans waited for GTA IV. Over time Saints Row found its audience, even if its chances of a full-scale revival now look slim in the face of blockbuster budgets and shifting industry priorities.

There are plenty of great number twos on our list of the best open-world games.