Microsoft's in-game advertising firm Massive Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive deal with publisher THQ.

The multiyear deal will see Massive serving dynamic in-game ads into many of THQ's existing and future products, with the company mentioning Saints Row 2 as a prime example.

"With an open-world, mission-based game such as 'Saints Row 2' coming into the Massive network, we can work creatively with advertisers to place their brands in new, edgy environments," said edgy Massive COO Eric Bassman.

Following the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 release of Saints Row 2 in September, developer Volition and publisher THQ have confirmed that the PC version of the open-world gangster action game is now slated to arrive on January 5, 2009.

At the time of the console releases, THQ told Shacknews that there was "no official word" as to when the PC version would hit store shelves. Read more »

With Volition's Saints Row 2 (PC, 360, PS3) hitting shelves today for console editions, it took virtually no time for the game to get condemned by the boys in blue--in particular, the police unions of New York City.

"New York's powerful police unions say that a violent new video game called 'Saints Row 2 is an abomination," reports WPEC in New York, which was spotted by Kotaku. "In the game, the player controls a gang member who can steal, do drugs and kill as many characters as possible, including police officers." Read more »

While the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions of Volition's open-world gangster action game Saints Row 2 head off to retailers today, publisher THQ has informed Shacknews that it still doesn't know when the PC version will hit.

"There is no official word on the PC ship date other than that it doesn't Read more »

Publisher THQ has put out a launch trailer for Volition's open-world mayhem project, Saints Row 2. The trailer, free of streaking, is a cinematic set-up for the game's story involving the gangs of Stilwater taking on the city police.

Featuring political awareness and the ever-irreverent Gary Busey, Saints Row 2 drops next Tuesday, October 14, on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with a PC version apparently landing the same day. Read more »

A trailer has appeared on the internet sporting a naked woman--blurred in sensitive areas--running around the world of Volition's Saints Row 2 (PC, 360, PS3) and generally causing mayhem.

The trailer isn't a modification or a hack. It's a streaking feature.

"In terms of backlash from the game's content, we are not too concerned," said Craig Mitchell of publisher THQ to Edge. "THQ and Volition have worked within the guidelines of the ESRB and the international ratings boards and the game has been rated appropriately," he added. Saints Row 2 received an "M for Mature" rating from the ESRB. Read more »

Volition's open-world mayhem simulator Saint's Row 2 will inevitably be compared to the grand-daddy of the genre, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 4. Those comparisons will doubtlessly be extended to the game's multiplayer features, but in that department Saint's Row 2, with competitive and co-operative modes, is looking like a real contender.

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A new Saints Row 2 has been released by THQ, featuring the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, Jaime Pressly, Michael Dorn and Michael Rappaport among others as they talk about their voice-over work on the game.

THQ has issued yet another Saints Row 2 (PC, PS3, X360) trailer, with this one featuring co-op gameplay footage. Republicans and Democrats, cops and robbers, pirates and ninjas; they can all work together.

It's been a while, but THQ has blessed us with three more Saints Row 2 (PC, PS3, X360) videos featuring the one-and-only Gary Busey. He talks up the game's wieldable props, costumes and flying.

THQ sends along the latest Saints Row 2 gang reveal media, highlighting the Ronin. They are one of the three rival gangs in Stilwater, along with the Sons of Samedi and the Brotherhood.

Following the release of Dynasty Warriors 6 on PS3 and Xbox 360 early this year, publisher Koei has announced that an expanded version of Omega Force's hack-and-slash action sequel will arrive on PCs and the PS2 on November 18.

The second Saints Row 2 (PC, PS3, X360) gang video has been released, this one highlighting the Sons of Samedi organization.

While decidedly lacking in Busey, the latest screenshots and trailer from Volition's Saints Row 2 offers a close look at the Brotherhood, one of the open world action game's many criminal organizations.

Saints Row 2 is slated to hit PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 14, with a PC edition due out at a yet unspecified future date. Read more »

We've already seen Gary Busey pimping Saints Row 2, now it's up to porn star Tera Patrick to do the same. THQ recently announced that Patrick would be a "special producer" on the game.