THQ and Volition's Saints Row 2 is heading to Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 next year. A lot of people thought it would take a bit longer to do a sequel for the original, but life is full of surprises and this bad boy just might decide to go head to head with the mighty Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, Xbox 360).

An official teaser website has been launched by THQ but there are hardly any details in it. The most recent news was earlier posted in the form of new screenshots but much is still left to be desired.

Saints Row 2 looks to continue the open world action game franchise's successful run. If you like urban missions where you're free to do as you please, Saints Row 2 should be on your watch list. We'll post updates as they come to fill that craving for mayhem in everyone of us.

 

About a month ago, Double Fusion CEO Jonathan Epstein hinted that there might be a new Saints Row games coming up in the near future. We'll be following up that rumor with more solid news today, as publisher THQ has just sent out a press wire stating that they are indeed working on a Saints Row sequel.

This upcoming game will once again be under the development of studio Volition, and is expected to land on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles some time in 2008.

"The game’s worldwide success shows the growing fanaticism for open-world gaming and our talented team at Volition is now using their proprietary technology to revolutionize the genre yet again," stated Kelly Flock, THQ's Executive VP of worldwide publishing regarding the matter. Keep posted in case more details are revealed for this upcoming game.

This deal's a steal for you guys. Online retailer Amazon.com has dropped the tag on THQ's gangster-themed title, Saints Row, and is offering it for US$ 29.99. Now, for those of you who have silently harbored an interest in this game, but unfortunately couldn't afford to shell out money for it, this is probably one of the best offers you could get to own the game for yourself.

You better hurry up if you want it delivered to your doorstep by May 1. For more details on shipping and whatnots, just check out our Read link below. That should lead you right to Amazon's Saints Row page.

If we are not mistaken, the last video game title that was added to Microsoft's Platinum Hits basket was Activision's Call of Duty 2. It should also be remembered that MS ensured that the Platinum Hits release in Europe coincided with Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) launch.

Anyway, two more just got added to the long list of titles being re-packaged for a lower price, according to the official newsletter online site for Xbox 360. The first one is LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy from Lucas Arts, which was originally released both in Europe and North America last September 2006.

The next one is THQ's Saints Row, and one can't help but  wonder if MS did this on purpose to spoil the up and coming PS3 version release this Spring. Anyway, Saints Row, when it was first released, was always dubbed as a GTA-imitation, but since its initial release last August 2006, the game has already gathered a considerable following.

Both titles will now be available for just US$ 29.99.

Sandbox video game Saints Row is on the news again, or depending on how you take this bit of information, is on the front page of the rumors section. The source is legitimate but we believe that the confirmation for this one can be determined depending on all our interpretations. Or from what the developer and publisher will tell us.

A couple of days ago, we reported that in-game advertisement provider Double Fusion just inked a deal with THQ to deliver IGAs to the publisher's highly anticipated titles. Double Fusion CEO and President Jonathan Epstein seemed happy with the partnership. So happy, in fact, that he remarked,

The agreement grants Double Fusion advertising representation across certain platforms for several of THQ's highly anticipated titles. The roster includes games based on the Juiced, MX vs ATV, Stuntman and Saints Row franchises.

We said that this depends on our and your interpretation. At one glance, one can infer that the official unwittingly hinted on a sequel to Saints Row. But you have to keep in mind that the title has already been confirmed for the PlayStation 3. So for all we know, he just meant the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.

We're really not sure but this is definitely intriguing, to say the least. How about a penny for your thoughts?

We've all seen those game comparisons from one next-gen to another. But this one here, this one takes the cake. See, it's not just a mere comparison of one game with its different versions, console against console. This one is actually a comparison of two different games.

The titles in question are Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV and THQ's Saints Row. So it's been said that Saints Row is actually a GTA rip-off. But you can't appreciate that statement, no matter how much your gut-feel may agree, without seeing actual comparative evidence. And that is what we have for you exactly. It's actually fun watching the vid. Seeing how stunningly alike the scenes are, you can't help but feel like you're having some kind of epiphany.

Anyway, the feeling's all too hard to explain, so why don't you just click on play and see for you

Here's a bit of news that may add some more fuel to the furnace that is the Saints Row PS3 rumor. Apparently even Pacific Crest Securities analysts are thinking that the rumor just might be true. Over at a report in Gamespot this paragraph can be found:

Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson today sent out a note to investors with his take on the THQ earnings revision, including speculation on the mystery PS3 game. Wilson said he believes the game to be a new version of Saints Row, with the delay meant to either manage the company's flow of games into the market or improve the overall quality of the game.

Of course, as Chris L. said, the EBGames listing that has Saint's Row listed as a PS3 game no longer works, and expectedly, THQ is yet to comment about the matter. If this yet-be-released, yet-to-be-given-a-title PlayStation 3 game that THQ is so quiet about isn't Saints Row, then they're probably keeping quiet to milk the attention and take advantage of the anticipation of said mystery game.

Of course, the standard forum-troll reply would be: "Saints Row on PS3? Meh." For those who do care,  the increased probability of this rumor being true is definitely good news.

If game rumors can go one way (e.g., Metal Gear Solid 4), then turnabout in the other direction is only fair. Attention EBGames shoppers! New in the Preorder aisle, shipping on 5/15/07, and for the standard MSRP of US$ 59.99...

There's still no word from THQ about this matter except for the generic "No comment" when 1UP contacted them, but come to think of it, this writer can't even recall THQ saying that Saints Row would be an exclusive to one console, either... Hence, the Rumor bin. Sure, it is a rumor. THQ might say something else, and EBGames will simply and quietly pull the page with nary a word of apology, but still, it does point to what everyone argues is a multiplatform world - and it is, well, refreshing to see the flow of games go in the other direction, too.

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UPDATE: That was fast. Almost as fast as a heist in Stilwater. The EBGames URL where the listing for the PS3 version of Saint's Row no longer works. Quietly pulled the page with nary a word of apology, just as predicted. THQ hasn't said anything else, though, so this rumor could still go either way. Either that or there's supposed to be an embargo on this news until THQ says it's time for everyone to break out the news.

We all know that bugs are one of those things that can either be really annoying or really funny. On top of that, we love pointing it out, too, especially in popular titles. Since this habit seems to be inherent in all gamers anyway, then one guy decided to get creative with it, and we have to admit that this has got to be one of the most inspired bug reports for Saints Row (or for any other game for that matter) that we have ever seen.

As its creator, cabel, writes:

For a long time now, I've wanted to share these bug videos with you, but I wasn't convinced they were quite funny enough. They needed a hot comedy injection, a little something to tie it all together. And then it hit me: musical theatre. What better compliment to the rough and tumble world of Saints Row?

Now, sit back, get musical and get buggy.

Major Nelson has announced that Volition is releasing a gift for the holidays to all Saints Row peeps in the 'hood, Gold and Silver. The Marketplace Ho-Ho-Ho pack contains a Santa Claus ensemble that includes one coat, one hat, one pair of boots, and requisite hair as white as snow. If you want the jolly in "jolly old soul," you have to put your character on a Supersize Me diet, though.

Gold Members can grab their Santa suits in the Marketplace now, but Silver members will find them in their stockings on Christmas Day. However, this pack is not available in Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, and FYI, Rudolph's nose is red because it serves as a navigation beacon on heavy snowstorms, not because of any reason related to violence, such as a broken nose.

Like any gift in this season of sharing, this Marketplace downloadable content is FREE, which means that Stilwater PD will be deluged by a rash of crimes committed by Santas these next few weeks. Just about the only Santa they can trust now is the Santa that keeps on giving, not taking. Maybe he's over at Paragon City right now...