Saints Row IV dev not worried about next-gen competition

The developer behind Saints Row IV has said it isn’t concerned about competition from the impending arrival of next-generation hardware.

Speaking with GI.biz, Volition senior producer Jim Boone said the company was more concerned over Saints Row: The Third, which launched amidst a slew of triple-A games.

“There were a lot of big heavy hitters going out at the same time, so I wondered. And it went out and was the biggest Saints Row game we’ve done yet,” he said.

“I think the big thing that we have going for us is that our game is so unique and different from everything else that’s out there, and because we have an audience that absolutely loves this game, that helps us cut through some of the other noise that’s out there.”

Boone added that the series’ trademark irreverence is likely why Saints Row hasn’t achieved the same notoriety as Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat.

“It seems like we never get mentioned. The only thing I can think of is because we’re always so tongue-in-cheek and irreverent about it, that I think people get that – in our own twisted, warped way – it’s all in good fun,” he said.

“People understand there’s a certain levity to what we’re doing. I think it’s good that we debate such things, but not surprisingly, I tend not to think it’s any worse for viewers than watching an R-rated movie. It’s just entertainment.”

Saints Row IV is scheduled to ship for PlayStation 3, PC and Xbox 360 in August. The game sees the leader of the Saints elected President of the United States, and must battle against an alien invasion with an array of barmy sci-fi weaponry.

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