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Saints Row 4 gets DLC season pass, includes Enter the Dominatrix
Saints Row 4 will feature a season pass for downloadable content, publisher Deep Silver has announced. The season pass will be available for $9.99 (€9.99 / £7.99) and will grant access to two mission packs, including a "Director's Cut" of the Enter the Dominatrix DLC, which is "a tongue-in-cheek vision of what this content was originally going to be like." At a recent Comic-Con panel, developer Volition said the DLC would involve the characters explaining why the content was cut from the game. The second mission pack will arrive in late 2013. The season pass also includes an exclusive weapon, the "Rectifier." Yes, it's an anal probe. Saints Row 4 invades your personal space on August 20.
Report: Enter the Dominatrix is Saints Row 4's first DLC, coming 45 days after launch
During a panel at Comic-Con, developer Volition revealed that the first piece of Saints Row 4 DLC will be "Enter the Dominatrix," and it will arrive 45 days after the game's August 20 launch, reports Game Informer. The DLC, originally planned as a standalone expansion to Saints Row The Third, will be taking a unique approach. It will be framed as a behind-the-scenes feature, during which the characters will explain why the content never made it into the full game. We're not sure that's the best framing device because, as far as we can tell, Volition never cuts anything from Saints Row games.
Saints Row 4 up for Australian classification re-review next week
Saints Row 4's down under scrutiny will occur again next week, as the over-the-top sandbox crime game attempts a second run by the Australian Classification Board. The ACB banned the game last month, raising issues over its depiction of drug use and an "alien anal probe." Publisher Deep Silver previously said it was planning to re-submit a re-worked version of the game - apparently a "low violence" one going by Steam Australia. That re-review is now confirmed and dated for this time next week on July 29, and hopefully it's a decision that leaves both parties satisfied. Saints Row 4 was the first to be banned in the country after the government passed the law permitting R18+ games for adult audiences. The second game, banned a day after Saints Row 4, was State of Decay. Thankfully, Undead Labs' own reworked version came through its re-review earlier this month, and the developer expects to bring the XBLA game Australia's way on Friday, July 26.
He's the Gat man, ski bi di bi di do bap do
Johnny Gat – voiced by Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O) – returns from the life beyond in Saints Row 4. He now holds doors for old ladies and no longer slurps his soup. Hahaha, no, he's still a trigger-happy sociopath. Death doesn't change Johnny Gat.
In Saints Row 4, what's old is new again
Memories of its time under the command of THQ linger while playing Saints Row 4. Featuring content that was once slated to launch as a premium DLC expansion for Saints Row: The Third, the latest game from Volition was transitioned to a full retail product by its former, financially unstable publisher. THQ has since disappeared and publisher Deep Silver lords over the dildo waving, running into traffic, beautiful monster franchise known as Saints Row. But for the first time, a new Saints Row game hasn't seen a significant boost in terms of technology or mechanics. The game, on those levels, picks up exactly where it left off ... it's only crazier. Though it borrows ideas from movies like The Matrix and games like Crackdown and Prototype to inject alternative worlds and superhuman abilities into the mix, Saints Row 4 feels like the DLC we didn't get that's wrapped, at least in the beginning, around a tired alien invasion story.%Gallery-191107%
Saints Row 4 celebrates @!$#in' ID4
In this f-bomb dropping, NSFW trailer for Saints Row 4, the game celebrates its independence. Its independence from being compared to that other grand theft title first two games tried to clone, independence from THQ and independence from independence. Yeah, why not!
Saints Row 4 'Low Violence' version pops up on Steam Australia
Volition's enforced rework of Saints Row 4 for Australia looks to be a "Low Violence" edition, at least according to the game's Steam page for the country. There are no details on what exact changes make the violence "Low" enough to satisfy the Aussie ratings' board, so we've reached out to publisher Deep Silver for clarification. Last month, Saints Row 4 became the first game to be refused Australia's R18+ rating, which was introduced on January 1 - State of Decay soon became the second. An "alien anal probe," posited as a "visual depiction of implied sexual violence that is interactive," and the involvement of illicit drug use were cited as the two main reasons for the ban. Deep Silver previously told us Volition is reworking the game's content for the country, so a Low Violence version makes sense in that regard. Whether it really makes sense when it comes to a game like Saints Row 4 is another matter.
Saints Row 4 E3 demo walks and talks West Wing style
For those who weren't at E3, here is the walk-and-talk through of Saints Row 4's behind-closed-doors presentation. It starts off with a Sorkinian West Wing opening and gets playfully ludicrous from there. Your guide on this journey is Jim Boone, senior producer of the game, who shows off the game's new alien threat, the Blackhole Launcher and some of the new player superpowers. We always knew there were nukes under the White House, but who knew about the double-cannon flak guns? Preordering the game – along with previously mentioned bonuses – will also net costumes The Iron Rogue and Queen Amazonia. Just gonna skirt that similarity lawsuit. %Gallery-192683%
State of Decay refused Aussie classification, Saints Row 4 ban detailed
Runaway (and "Run away!") hit State of Decay has been refused classification in Australia. And here you thought these stories were done. "We've run afoul of certain prohibitions regarding the depiction of drug use," writes Undead Labs' founder Jeff Strain on the game's forum. "We're working with [publisher] Microsoft to come up with options, including changing names of certain medications in the game to comply with ratings requirements. Whatever our path forward, it's going to take a bit." Coincidentally, the apocalyptic world of Fallout 3 ran into the same drug-naming issue with the Australians back in 2008. After some editing, the game was suitable for distribution. "Microsoft is currently evaluating the options with regards to the title's classification," a spokesperson for the publisher told Joystiq. "The Australian Classification system plays an important role in ensuring that Australians can only access age-appropriate games and content." Strain acknowledged as much in his post, saying, "I know this is frustrating – believe me, we're frustrated too – but each country has the right to set its own rules about content, and it's our responsibility to comply with them. Rest assured we'll do everything we can to find a way to get the game into your hands."
Saints Row 4 refused classification in Australia, Volition 'reworking' game for territory
The Australian Classification Board made Saints Row 4 the first game to be refused classification in the country since the introduction of the R18+ rating at the start of the year. In a statement released this morning, the ACB said it classified the game "RC (Refused Classification)" in accordance with the new guidelines. Publisher Deep Silver told us developer Volition is reworking the game's content for the territory. "In the Board's opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context," reads the ACB's statement. "In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines." Following the news, Deep Silver provided Joystiq with the following statement. "Deep Silver can confirm that Saints Row IV was denied an age classification in Australia. Volition, the developer, are reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love. Saints Row IV has been awarded PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings where fans can enjoy their time in Steelport as originally intended." After many years of pressure due to a number of high-profile games being banned, the Australian government finally passed the law last year allowing games intended for those over the age of 15 to be bought in the country, and that law came into effect this year on January 1. In today's statement, the ACB noted it's classified 17 games under the R18+ rating so far, including Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, and Dead Island: Riptide. Saints Row 4 is set to arrive in North America on August 20, and Europe on August 23.
Volition working with modders, will release official Saints Row tools
Up until now, Saints Row: The Third modders have had to rely on community-created tools to make Volition's game even more lively. Jeff Thompson, Volition's studio director of programming, is currently preparing official engine tools to share with the mod community, prominent modder IdolNinja explains in a blog post. In addition to Saints Row: The Third documentation, Thompson is preparing official Saints Row 2 tools – something IdolNinja explains is a "test run" for Saints Row 4. "In simple terms, the modding community will finally be able to create and offer new clothing, new vehicles, new guns, new NPCs, new missions, and even new world geometry which will greatly extend the life of the series and enhance the Saints Row games in ways we never even dared to dream of," IdolNinja explains. IdolNinja concludes that Thompson is expected to send something along this week, though there's no indication if that'll be the Volition mod tools or just the first steps in making that happen.
Saints Row 4 elects for even more chaos
When Saints Row: The Third was still in development, we talked about it as "a dinner of doughnuts." The first mission in the game was just as stimulating and over-the-top as the last mission of your average Grand Theft Auto game. But if Saints Row 3 starts on the last mission of other sandbox games, then Saints Row 4 picks up even later than that: in the end credits. When Saints Row 4 begins, you are no less than the leader of the free world, and your first walk through the White House (complete with scantily dressed staffers and chained-up pet tigers) is like a congratulations for a job well done. You get to choose between making healthcare free or ending the deficit, you get re-introduced to a bunch of familiar faces from the series (who now all have cabinet-level positions in your administration), and the biggest prize of all is that you're on a first-name basis with your Vice President, Keith David (yes, the Keith David, brilliantly playing himself). Starting Saints Row 4 feels like you've just finished a long journey, and you've won the day once and for all. And that's when the aliens show up to kidnap your friends. You order the turrets raised from underneath the South Lawn, you get in a fistfight with the alien overlord, and – oh – you get superpowers.%Gallery-191107%
Seen@E3: The Saints go with the flow
Saints Row 4 is being shown at E3 and if there's anything those rascally Saints know how to do it's self promotion. These two thespians of marketing pictured were seen on the show floor promoting Saints Flow, the energy drink available at your local Steelport convenience store and Planet Saints.
Saints Row 4 Steam pre-orders go live, Commander in Chief Edition
Steam has a pretty sweet deal for pre-orders of Saints Row 4: Commit to the game early and get the Commander in Chief Edition and three weapons skins inspired by Team Fortess 2, the Rainblower, the Flamethrower and the Rocket Launcher. Also, anyone who already owns Saints Row: The Third on Steam gets 10 percent off Saints Row 4 – and bonus, The Third is on sale for 75 percent off right now through June 10. The Commander in Chief Edition includes the 'Merica weapon, Screaming Eagle plane and Uncle Sam suit. Saints Row 4 is due out on August 20 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Saints Row 4 gets dramatic for the sake of humanity
Saving humanity is serious business. Like, super serious. And the Saints know how to give the situation the gravitas it deserves in this Saints Row 4 trailer.
Saints Row 4 'Wub Wub' collector's edition includes Dub Step gun
Deep Silver is embracing the lack of restraint found in the Saints Row series with a "Super Dangerous Wub Wub" edition at retail for the fourth installment of the game. The highlight of the over-the-top package is a 12-inch Dub Step gun replica, featuring laser sight and the most dangerous wubs the world has even known when you pull the trigger. Also included in the package is a 8-inch Johnny Gat Memorial Statue, Dubstep Doomsday Button and in-game items like the Screaming Eagle VTOL, Uncle Sam uniform and 'Merica gun. The Super Dangerous Wub Wub edition is available for pre-order now and is $99.99 (£89.99) while supplies last. Saints Row 4 gets presidential at retail on August 20 in the 'Mericas, August 23 in the not-'Mericas.%Gallery-190420%
Saints Row 4's PAX East presentation mechs it up
Saints Row 4's behind-closed-doors demo from PAX East is now available for public consumption. Senior Producer Jim Boone from developer Volition narrates the walkthrough featuring the inflato-ray and the dubstep gun Boone also covers weapon upgrades, customization, superpowers, the new enemy type and... mechs.
Saints Row 4 president shows off superpowers
Here's Saints Row 4 doing what it does: being crazy. Watch the president (that'll be you) being a person of action, not words. Who's got time for diplomacy? Hail to the chief on August 20.
Saints Row 4 gets 'Commander in Chief' pre-order bonus
Publisher Deep Silver – new owner of the Volition-developed Saints Row series – has announced that Saints Row 4 is getting a special "Commander in Chief" edition, available for free to everyone who pre-orders the upcoming game.Earning the special edition content means you'll get a snazzy Uncle Sam outfit, a "Screaming Eagle" jet, and a "'Merica weapon," which boasts flamethrowers, "dub step guns," and rocket launchers.Saints Row 4 will see the Third Street Saints voted into presidential office on August 20 in North and Latin America, and August 23 in other regions.
Volition explains relationship between Saints Row 4 and 'Enter the Dominatrix'
Volition explained to us at PAX East today that Saints Row 4 isn't "Saints Row 3.5" nor the canceled Saints Row: The Third standalone expansion "Enter the Dominatrix" in a different package. The team told us that work began on Saints Row 4 about two months before The Third finished, with another team split to do Dominatrix."We had to go in and totally gut the [Dominatrix] story for Saints Row 4. Everything that was the missions or the story we did for Dominatrix was totally thrown out," Steve Jaros, creative director at Volition told us. "All the voice recording that we did all thrown out. We redid the entire story. The game is mission wise the same length as Saints Row 3, plus other open worlds on top of it."Senior Producer Jim Boone told us that in June last year, shortly after Jason Rubin took on his short-lived role as president at THQ, the agreement was made between Rubin and Volition to combine the games and focus the team on one full project."Everyone on the team had the same concern, we didn't want to make a 3.5, we aren't making an expansion pack. What we put out to the world has to be worthy of the name Saints Row 4. I really think everyone on the team will stand behind it," added Jaros. "So much stuff has been changed and thrown out. Even the best of the [Dominatrix] stuff that we liked and pulled into the game we still changed. Nothing was drag and dropped in."Saints Row 4 will launch on August 20, featuring weapon customization, mechs, a new alien enemy and a... dub-step gun.
