We just got done telling you that Grand Theft Auto IV is nearly at 20 million sales so it’s obvious that the sandbox genre is a popualr one. Another game franchise to follow a similar format is THQ’s Saints Row which, as you’re sure to know, has it’s third release hitting the market later this year.

While we haven’t heard too much about the title, that is sure to change as time goes on with the first details regarding gameplay coming out today. Apparently, the game will not feature any kind of multiplayer past co-op which is a bit different seeing the direction the market is headed (predominantly multiplayer games).

The reason for this, according to Volition, is due to the fact that players have asked for a well rounded singleplayer and co-op experience, not a competitive multiplayer experience. What do you think of this decision? Would you rather a competitive multiplayer mode in Saints Row 3? Let us know.

Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series has been one of the most popular to ever hit the market. Of course, with such popularity comes various copycats with some being better than others. Saints Row, in particular, was a game modeled after Grand Theft Auto but gave gamers a whole slew of new functionality. Currently, Saints Row 2 is the most recent title in the series to hit the market but there have been talks of a Saints Row 3 release for some time.

In fact, rumor has it, THQ will be coming forward next month to reveal the game. These rumors spawn from Twitter where THQ’s Core Games Executive Vice President Danny Bilson come forth to say the following:

Look for a HUGE announcement from us the second week in March! Will come with lots of content.

So, while it’s not actually confirmed that Saints Row 3 will be the big reveal, the company has been talking about the game quite a bit lately so it would certainly line up. Be sure to check back for more information.

When I first heard about the original Saints Row way back when I pretty much rolled my eyes at the thought of a GTA ripoff. However, once I actually got my hands on the game, and then it’s sequel, I realized it was much more than a ripoff and actually a pretty damn good game. Well, THQ has high hopes for the third entry in the series, Saints Row 3, going so far as to say that the game is “mind blowing”:

“PR and the marketing for that is going to start rolling out this year The next Saints Row is mind-blowing. New tech; mind-blowing. I can’t talk about that too much but it’s mind-blowing.”

Let’s hope the game lives up to the hype.

via destructoid

What you see above is a recently leaked slide shown by THQ to investors at a meeting held in Februrary. Not only does it show that games like Saints Row 3, and Red Faction 4 actually exist, it gives us a time window for when they might hit the market.

According to the slide, Saints Row 3 is expected sometime in 2011-2012, while Red Faction 4 and a Warhammer 40,000K MMO is expected in 2012-2013.

So then, THQ, can we get some official announcements?

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