Enter the Dominatrix Dies So That a Full Saints Row Sequel Might Live

THQ sent out a release this morning detailing some updated plans for what was to be a "standalone expansion" to Saints Row: The Third. Titled "Enter the Dominatrix," the game was to be concerned with an alien invasion set immediately following the events of the third Saints Row game.

During said invasion, your character would be captured by an insidious alien called Zinyak, who locks you into a VR simulator. It essentially sounded like SRTT's cyberspace section stretched across an entire expansion. That setting would also allow for some gameplay enhancements, or as THQ's now-former EVP Danny Bilson was quoted as saying at the time, players would get "freaking super powers."

All of that is history now, as the release of Enter the Dominatrix has been scrapped and its ideas are being incorporated into a full-on Saints Row sequel, due for release next year. Beyond that (and a few quotes about how impressed new THQ President Jason Rubin is with what Volition's doing) there aren't really any hard details about what the game will contain. Will the story of Dominatrix live on in the sequel? Will superpowers still factor into the new game? No idea. Oh, wait. There's one more bit of information.

The current working title for the game is "The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise." Hell, they should just stick with that.

Seems like Volition are further embracing the insanity that made Saints Row The Third so great. Good news all around and likely worth the extra wait.

That's too bad. I really hope they don't screw up Saints Row 4

The King is dead, long live the King!

This sucks... oh well... I hope the sequel is entertaining.

Glad to hear this, I'd rather see a sequel then some new expansion, especially after the way all the dlc turned out. None of it lived up to the main game in my opinion.

If it means they have more time to perfect superpowers, I don't mind in the slightest. Saints Row with super powers is probably second on my list of games that would be way better with super powers. Just Cause is top.

Good to hear, I thought the expansion idea was dumb and can't wait for Saints Row 4. Should be awesome

Hey Volition!!!! Listen Here, put Jeff on your payroll and let him write the script.

Great news. Means that Volition will have the time to properly craft an insane game.

That title totally sells itself! You should buy The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise today!

The title should be S4INTS ROW in an ironic, smartass fashion, with Jeff's proposed title as a subtitle. Also, I hope they let you keep the "superpowers" for more than one mission. I didn't play the DLC, but I hear that a lot of the special stuff in it goes away after you've beaten the game and you can't use any of it.

And, finally, did SR3 have a New Game +? Such a thing would fit quite well into that game, wouldn't it?

that sounds better than saints row the fourth

I sure would buy The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise.

I liked saints 3 but the bombcast hyped it way over its head. Expecting the same thing again but I do hope it's good.

S4INTS ROW 4OUR

One copy of The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise (working title) please.

As long as these games keep getting weirder and weirder I'm up for it.

So does that mean the Dominatrix is Jesus or something? Or is that Saints Row 4? Or are those two things (and Saints Row 3) the same game?

Was this DLC supposed to be part of the Seasons Pass? If yes, doesn't that mean a lot people just got dicked over?

I haven't even finished The Third and I'm already looking forward to what Volition has cooking with The Next Great Sequel.

Also I just realised an alien army is really the only thing that can take The Saints on after all the shit that happens in the third game right? Sounds like an awesome set up for the next game.

It's funny I just started playing Saints Row the Third two days ago and I already can't wait for this game.

Well, bitter sweet, I guess. I feel like releasing it next year would be really quick, though. I just hope they don't rush it out.

@NowSayPillow said:

Was this DLC supposed to be part of the Seasons Pass? If yes, doesn't that mean a lot people just got dicked over?

it was a standalone retail product

@NowSayPillow: It was not a part of the season pass.

I have a name idea: The Saint's Row

Fuck off THQ, Volition needs to bail faster than a virgin in a whore house. Seriously, THQ is digging their death bed, Dominatrix was going to bring them funds to survive and now they're waiting til 2013!?! They won't be financially alive that long! FFS why did Rubin even come to take this over if not to just run it into the ground? Because that's exactly what he's doing with these 'new company virtues' and 'trying to keep things respectable for the company's best interest'. Because we all know closing a studio the day before E3 and then calling another studio embarrassing in the same week is completely respectable and in the company's best interest.

Was this DLC supposed to be part of the Seasons Pass?

Glad a new Saint's game is coming, wish it was the standalone expansion so it would be here sooner. Happy Volition isn't getting axed/sold off.

I'm already prepared for 5AINTS. Take off the 'Row', they're not even in Stillwater, they're not even on Earth anymore.

That better be the title or I will be very disappointed.

TNGSSRF = The Next Generation Super Streets of Rage Fighter.

The only game where Riker has a beard-off with Zangief and Dr. Zan.

@Jeff How great would it be if the final title of the next Saints Row game ended up as "The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise."

hopefully they can make something less embarrassing this time around.

As long as we get Saints Row the Fourth I'll be happy. I trust Volition to make another ridiculously fun game like SR3 if given enough time.

Saints Four The Row.

@kkotd said:

Fuck off THQ, Volition needs to bail faster than a virgin in a whore house. Seriously, THQ is digging their death bed, Dominatrix was going to bring them funds to survive and now they're waiting til 2013!?! They won't be financially alive that long! FFS why did Rubin even come to take this over if not to just run it into the ground? Because that's exactly what he's doing with these 'new company virtues' and 'trying to keep things respectable for the company's best interest'. Because we all know closing a studio the day before E3 and then calling another studio embarrassing in the same week is completely respectable and in the company's best interest.

You shouldn't get angry about stuff you know nothing about.

Probably a good move. Saints 3 is now at discount price and a lot of its loyal customers have been burned too many times on the DLC and moved on, I think..

Str4p it on!

I hope the next Saints Row can survive the negative PR that Brian Crecente has created for the franchise and the company.

@Pr1mus: And what is it that I know nothing about hmm? You have no idea how much of their internal situation I do or do not know.

@kkotd said:

Fuck off THQ, Volition needs to bail faster than a virgin in a whore house. Seriously, THQ is digging their death bed, Dominatrix was going to bring them funds to survive and now they're waiting til 2013!?! They won't be financially alive that long! FFS why did Rubin even come to take this over if not to just run it into the ground? Because that's exactly what he's doing with these 'new company virtues' and 'trying to keep things respectable for the company's best interest'. Because we all know closing a studio the day before E3 and then calling another studio embarrassing in the same week is completely respectable and in the company's best interest.

You shouldn't get angry about stuff you know nothing about.

Fine by me! If it helps me get Saints Row 4 sooner, then I'm all for it. I hope it's true that it's going to be "wilder" that SR3.

Just give it to me!!!

Just please don't make it all gritty like GTA4 like that one idiot was suggesting.

@Brodehouse: What? Darksiders 2? I'm not sure it's going to sell nearly as well as people are making it out to be, I really hope it does but the first game really didn't sell all that well, was a great game but just didn't sell until it went on sale.

@Demoskinos: Trouble with Clones implies that we will have... some form of Johnny Gat with us for the Dear Sequel at least. But then who knows, given what usually goes on in this franchise, it wouldn't be a stretch for them to bring in the real Johnny Gat and have him butt heads with Johnny Tag.

Considering how disappointing the season pass was this seems good to me.

@kkotd said:

@Pr1mus: And what is it that I know nothing about hmm? You have no idea how much of their internal situation I do or do not know.

Please enlighten me, i want to read more stupid. This is very enjoyable.