Saints Row 4 dev not worried about next-gen competition

Launching just ahead of next-generation consoles, Saints Row 4 may face less robust competition than previous series entries did.

Volition Inc senior producer Jim Boone told GamesIndustry he isn't that worried about competition from next generation games. In fact, he was more worried about Saints Row: The Third, which released in competition to a packed 2011 triple-A line-up.

"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."

Speaking of what's "unique" about the Saints Row series, Boone commented on the fact that the arguably satirical series has never achieved the same kind of mainstream notoriety as Grand Theft Auto or 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 4 releases on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in August, whereas the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One aren't expected till November; Sony hasn't confirmed a launch month at all.