It's not Donovan's fault that things are weird. Someone has painstakingly setup a small table filled with various drinks and snacks that, as Donovan explains, "aren't there everyday."

Things are weird because I have an absurd headache on top of an even more absurd head cold making me a complete bitch to talk to. Donovan breaks the silence again.

"I saw you ran that quote." What quote? Oh, right, where he said that Saint's Row 2 would have bugs.

"Yeah, the internet just went crazy on that one," I respond.

"95% of gamers aren't even going to come across them," he assured me.

Tsai arrived moments later, and we loaded up Saint's Row 2. Donovan had to be at least a little relieved.

Saint's Row 2 takes place an unspecified number of years after Saint's Row 1 (though ironically, the development of Saint's Row 2 began with a small team of people before Saint's Row 1 was even out).

Your friends have betrayed you, and you'll have to start building the Saints from scratch. Tsai explains, "The player comes back, he's pissed, and he does some nasty things...you are definitely a criminal this time around."

Unfortunately, you choose to wear purple once again.

Starting with the character creation screen, I immediately see that SR1's robust character customization engine has gotten some major upgrades. To start, your model looks better, a Calvin Cline underwear ad adorning shader-chiseled muscles.

While players will still not be able to face map with the LIVE camera, the seemingly endless sliders should make up for it. I particularly enjoyed watching models be subjected to the age slider. Let's just say moobs become moooobs.

Apparently Lead Designer Tsai is a huge fan of wrestling games. And the influence is undeniable as you look through various animations that you can now assign your character. Everything from the style of gait to combat techniques, players will find more movements unlocked as they play. But the animations are a lot more than just a bonus for completion—they really signify SR2.

Open up the taunts, for instance. Your character can flip someone the bird. They can do the famous throat cut. Or, in a turn to the absurd, they can squat down on someone and gesture defecation complete with butt waggling.

Donovan explains, "We gave up any pretense of being authentically hip hop."

Everything is streamlined for fun. While SR2 will feature a compelling story with a near feature-length set of cut scenes, players can make the choice constantly to have a serious or outright zany experience. Create a hard-nosed gangster or create a computer geek with a pot belly. No one's gonna judge you.

They take me through the example mission and I see one of the new area expansions to the game's 1.5x larger city. You are in a dusty, almost wild west world. It's a trailer park, and you're here to blow it up. Running into one of the 130 new internal environments, you grab some satchel charges (essentially sticky grenades that can be remotely detonated).

Heading around outside, Tsai dropped bombs in dramatic sequence, blowing up trailers one after another. He spoiled an otherwise impressive street of open world AI and animation at its finest, in which I'd seen a jogger tie their shoe, a power walker anally strut past, an old man hobbling slowly and one guy lounged out on a beach chair (who I was assured would get up and go about his day if we'd watched him long enough.)

But Tsai wasn't content with spoiling a good day. He's played the mission before. So he opts to throw a satchel charge onto a jogger instead of the next trailer. It seems like a normal enough decision as it sticks to the side of her head like a lopsided cubic afro. Then he throws another and another. Now the jogger is having a tough time jogging. Finally, Tsai steps back and blows her up with a massive explosion. She shoots 50 feet into the air...then he hits the trigger again...and again, "juggling" the innocent in mid air.

I could act mature about the situation now, but I chuckled.

The neat thing about this sort of debauchery is that Saint's Row 2 will reward you for it. Called "diversions," these mini achievements are built for fucking around and will earn you "respect" that's usable in the storyline. "Chances are, if you try it, it's been done," Donovan assures me, meaning that the game will acknowledge any feat you throw at it. And it's an idea that's long overdue in a genre in which gameplay so often...digresses.

But what I didn't get a chance to see was the game's co-op. The full campaign supports two players ala Crackdown. Oh, and those "diversions" we talked about above? They will include co-op combos, as well as the rare moment when you might actually try to harm your friend in crime with a submachine gun.

"It will be a lot of fun," said Tsai. "In Crackdown, players sort of had this static objectives...in SR2 our missions are a lot more complex, we're actually forcing more interaction."

I ask him why we've seen co-op games explode in the last few years.

Tsai laughs and lets me in on his personal theory. "All the guys like you and me who grew up playing...Contra, Ikari Warriors, Jackal...have disposable income." He's probably right.

After talking to Donovan and Tsai and seeing the game, those still bent on fueling some war between GTAIV and Saint's Row 2 need to realize something...in what is maybe the crudest analogy I've ever put to print.

Rockstar is like Hugh Hefner. They create a product that hides behind (what is often) a facade of high artistic vision. Volition is more like Larry Flynt, not shying away from what they purport the audience is really looking for—the gynecologically precise experience of juggling a woman in mid-air with properly timed sticky bomb explosions—fulfilling your deepest id impulses, spread eagle on your monitor.

"They're gonna do what they're gonna do," Donovan said. "That's actually a good thing for players."

Speaking of cameos, the latest episode of ABC legal drama Boston Legal featured a brief guest appearance by THQ and Volition's Saints Row. A portly William Shatner as chronic nutjob Denny Crane is seen getting his virtual hooker on, probably at the behest of some nerdy writer on the show's staff. Either that or a production assistant was tasked with getting "one of the Grand Thefts for the Nintendo PlayStation so Mr. Shatner can keep busy between takes." Surely, THQ didn't pay for this kind of product placement. I hope.

Thanks for the tip, Greg!

This deal is so good I have a very hard time believing that it's not just a misprint, but our Gawker bruddas over at Consumerist have taken time away from complaining about shampoo bottles to point out that, right now, Outpost.com is selling the Xbox 360 Premium for $359.96.

Not that great a price, I know. But then they are throwing in Saint's Row, Dead Rising and Test Drive Unlimited.

End price for the console plus three games? Still only $359.96. Buy those all separately and you'd be spending about $200 more.

If this is legit, and Outpost honors it, it's the best deal on a 360 you're going to see this side of Christmas. Florian Eckhardt

Xbox 360 Premium Bundle with 3 Games for $359.96 [Consumerist]

Edit: Okay, this appears not to be working... the page is, indeed, up, but you can't add it to your cart. If it starts working, we'll update!

1up reports on this clip from GameVideos, in which player RCT Oregon shows us that it's more than possible to get outside of the faint red boundaries in the Saint's Row demo.

But...what's this? Dissent in the 1up comments! THEREAL_HaloKing420 indignantly retorts:

ive had this demo for 2 weeks and all i can say is that was the dumbest vid ive ever seen.

first of all that was the OLD way u get through, maybe from like a week ago. u found the wrong vid on the official forums cuz the new way to get thru works every time and doesnt take an hour to do either.

just drive any car side ways up to the barrier and then park it a few feet from the barrier and then hit Y two times very quickly and your guy will jump strait through the barrier. easy. done. works every time. DONT TRY IT LIKE THE GUY IN THE GAMEVIDEOS VID CUZ THATS OLD AND DOESNT WORK EVERY TIME AND ITS GLITCHY.

lol taht not how u play teh game

So apparently this is the old way to do it, from like a whole week ago. Cha. Eliza "Fr4gm4st4 733F" Gauger

Original post on 1up [1up]

Hit the jump for a selection from the list and the game details.

Buena Vista Games

— Desperate Housewives - from Buena Vista Games is a lifestyle
simulation PC game based on the top-rated, Golden
Globe-winning ABC-TV series, produced by Touchstone
Television. In the Desperate Housewives game, players take on
the role of a new housewife who moves into Wisteria Lane and
unlocks the delicious scandals hidden in the seemingly
"perfect" neighborhood. Brenda Strong will lend her voice as
the game's narrator Mary Alice Young.

Hudson Entertainment Inc.

— "Flight Game" - Nintendo Revolution - Take to the skies in a
way never before experienced on any home console. Using the
Revolution's "Gesture System" built into their innovative
controller, Hudson's new "Flight Game" allows total plane
control as players pilot their planes through various
acrobatic flight maneuvers ranging from sky artistry to bomb
drops.

— Dungeon Explorer - 360, PSP - (360) Dungeon Explorer is based
on the acclaimed action series made originally for the
TurboGrafx console. This completely revamped and re-envisioned
game captures all the action RPG glory of the original, as
well as expanding on the multiplayer elements that made the
game so popular. With a new dark fantasy setting, along with
randomly generated maps, completely customizable characters,
and Xbox Live support, Dungeon Explorer 360 is the ultimate
fantasy game experience! (PSP) Summon 3 of your closest
friends and let the adventure begin again - this time in the
palm of your hands!

— Bomberman Act Zero - 360 - Bomberman makes its triumphant
debut on Xbox 360! With an all new storyline and shocking new
dark themes, Bomberman: Act Zero is set in a post-apocalyptic
world where cyborgs are pitted against cyborgs in a duel to
the death. This sleek new vision of Bomberman pits up to 4
players against each other in a fight to the death. Published
by Konami

— Rengoku 2 - PSP - Return to the dystopian world of Rengoku! In
this hard-hitting sequel for the PSP, players will once again
journey to the top of the world, battling cyborgs and robots
along the way. With network support for up to 4 players, more
levels, an explosive soundtrack, and character designs by
legendary manga artist, Jun Suemi, Rengoku 2 serves up a deep,
challenging action experience not to be missed! Published by
Konami

— Bob Marley Burnin - Mobile - It's time to be jammin' with Bob
Marley - soccer style! Compete in two addictive soccer based
games: Extreme Juggle and Super Kick. Tired and need to relax?
Soak up the scenery and challenge yourself with Bob Marley
trivia. A unique game based on the king of Reggae!

— Bonk's Return - Mobile - Everyone's favorite caveman is back!
Based on the best selling and award winning console game, Bonk
Return's offers 13 new prehistoric levels of gameplay, 4
mini-games, and the return of an assortment of trademark moves
that made Bonk so famous.

Mythic Entertainment - Contact:Eddiemae Jukes, (415) 777-4000
eddiemae@kohnkecomm.com

— Warhammer(R) Online: Age of Reckoning(TM) (WAR) is the new
MMORPG, based on the popular Warhammer(R) fantasy world, from
the creators of Dark Age of Camelot(R). War is everywhere in
this next generation Realm vs. Realm(TM) (RvR) experience that
integrates PvP and PvE combat into a single seamless
experience. In a world dominated by force of arm and magic,
players experience the epic nature of war and the glory of
battle alongside thousands of other players. Every aspect of
the game, including PvE content, is geared towards the greater
war in some important way. WAR is coming in 2007!

Namco
— Super PAC-MAN by Namco - The ghost gang is at it again, but
never fear, Super PAC-MAN is here. Eat the keys to open the
doors, gobble up goodies, and clear the maze in this mobile
phone sequel to the 1982 hit arcade game. Chomp Super Pellet
to become the super-sized, super-fast Super PAC-MAN, or play
the Enhanced mode and get the power to FREEZE Ghosts, fool
them with a MIRROR PAC-MAN, and TELEPORT. Find out if our hero
will clear the maze by visiting Namco Networks in the South
Hall (booth South1068) and be one of the first to play Super
PAC-MAN.

— SNOOPY and the Red Baron - In his first appearance in a mobile
game, travel with Snoopy through the familiar Peanuts
neighborhood on his daring and imaginary missions as the World
War I Flying Ace. Capture the enemy's flag, Linus' security
blanket, and take flight against the elusive Red Baron. As
Snoopy, players will be able to interact in the Peanuts world
in a way that is true to their experience with the comics. Get
a hands-on preview of Snoopy and the Red Baron for mobile at
the Namco Networks booth (South 1068). PEANUTS (C) United
Feature Syndicate, Inc.

— Dragon Spirit by Namco - Swoop through the sky over
treacherous prehistoric landscapes in this mobile version of
Dragon Spirit by Namco Networks. Take to the air in nine vast
lands and battle through the gauntlet of flaming meteors and
flying creatures, spiting fire and ice to destroy your
enemies. Collect power-ups like the unstoppable flame blast,
multiple heads spewing greater quantities of firepower, and
two "ghost" dragons that help a player's cause. Find out if
you've got the dragon spirit at Namco Networks' booth (South
1068).

SNK
— THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2006 - SNK PLAYMORE (PlayStation(R)2): An
original3D fighting game designed specifically for home
consoles. The sequel to SNK's first 3D fighting game, THE KING
OF FIGHTERS: MAXIMUM IMPACT. Currently celebrating its twelfth
year as one of the most popular fighting video game franchises
in the history of gaming, the series' rich history continues
with several new characters, as well as many returning
favorites.

— METAL SLUG COLLECTION - SNK PLAYMORE (PlayStation(R)Portable):
Six incredible METAL SLUG games on one UMD celebrating the
10th Anniversary of the classic arcade franchise, METAL SLUG.
Included in the collection will be METAL SLUG, METAL SLUG 2,
METAL SLUG X, METAL SLUG 3, METAL SLUG 4, and METAL SLUG 5.
The METAL SLUG COLLECTION will be perfect translations of the
arcade classics and feature Wireless support for intense
two-player action.

— METAL SLUG - SNK PLAYMORE (Game Boy(R) Advance): Celebrating
the 10th Anniversary of the METAL SLUG franchise comes the
original first version entitled "Super Vehicle" to the Game
Boy Advance. Commanding the METAL SLUG super vehicle allows
you to gain tactical advantage in non-stop action packed 2D
missions. Battle classic over-the-top boss characters with a
huge array of weapons in order to challenge your skill.

THQ

— Company Of Heroes - From the studio that brought you the
blockbuster game of the year Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
comes the next revolution in action strategy. Company of
Heroes is a WWII Real Time Strategy game that brings to life
the journey of the brave men of Able Company as they fight
across Europe in the greatest war mankind has ever known.
Relic's proprietary next-gen Essence Engine provides
unprecedented graphics and physics complete with the
destruction of all terrain and buildings. 2-8 players MP
competition via Lan or Internet. WINNER Best Strategy Game of
E3 2005 - Game Critics' Best of E3 Awards, WINNER Best PC
Game, Best Strategy Game of E3 2005 - GameSpot

— Juiced: Eliminator - Juiced: Eliminator brings real street
racing to the PSP, taking advantage of the console's wireless
functionality to offer never-before-seen multiplayer games.
Expanding on the crew & pink-slip racing that helped establish
Juiced as a leader in the street-racing genre, the game offers
two new 'ad-hoc' multiplayer modes; Eliminator & Relay, 8 new
rival crew-chiefs & 2 new locations each with 8 unique tracks
and new cars with over 100 new body-kit components. Juiced:
Eliminator is scheduled to release for PSP in June 2006.

— Monster House - Do you have what it takes to save the
neighborhood? Based on the Columbia Pictures animated movie
Monster House(TM), the videogames will allow players to
experience key moments of the movie as they uncover the
mysteries of the house. Players will also take on unique
adventures as they explore a living breathing house full of
traps and mystery, inspired by the film. With three playable
characters, fans of the film will enjoy seeing the movie come
to life in their living rooms.

— MotoGP '06 - MotoGP'06 on Xbox 360 takes all the traditions of
its three Xbox predecessors and relaunches the franchise for
the next generation. Visual effects surpassing anything seen
before on any race game regardless of genre will be met with
new tracks, bike models, refined handling and Live!
functionality making this a truly fresh and aspirational title
even for hardened fans of the series. MotoGP '06 is scheduled
to release for Xbox 360 on 2nd June 2006. MotoGP '06 - a
Unique Angle on Racing.

— Warhammer 40,000(R) Dawn of War(TM) - Dark Crusade - The
highly anticipated second expansion pack to internal THQ
studio Relic Entertainment's critically acclaimed real-time
strategy hit Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, features an all
new single-player experience and 2 new races - The Necron and
The Tau - allowing the gamer to play all of the 7 races of the
Warhammer 40,000:

— Saint's Row - Saints Row is a truly explosive third person
action/shooter hybrid with a heavy driving element. It is the
only game in its genre that offers players unrivalled
character customization options and a multiplayer experience
through Xbox Live. In the game you play as a member of the 3rd
Street Saints on a mission to rise up the gang ranks and
eventually take over the city of Stilwater from rival gangs,
one section at a time. However, your actions have consequences
and it is up to you to decide how best to muscle your way to
the top.

— Titan Quest - From the co-creator of Age of Empires, Brian
Sullivan, comes an all-new action role-playing game set in the
mythical worlds of ancient Greece and Egypt. Amazing visuals
and fast-action gameplay deliver a true cinematic gaming
experience. Lush ancient world settings crafted in near-photo
realistic detail provide the player with an extraordinary
canvas on which to set forth on an epic quest of the ultimate
good versus evil.

— Supreme Commander - The world of Supreme Commander is the next
generation in RTS to deliver truly strategic as well as
tactical gameplay. Using mind-blowing scale along with
unrivalled zoom & control features, the game breathes new life
into the RTS genre. Developed by Chris Taylor, creator of
Total Annihilation, one of the greatest games of all time,
Supreme Commander offers a unique storyline, innovative
gameplay and infinite multiplayer battles online.

— WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 - Don't just watch it - live it!
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 lets players experience the thrill
of being a WWE Superstar like never before with key new
features, incredible graphics and intense WWE action in and
beyond the ring. Stop by the THQ booth at E3 to learn how the
#1 wrestling video game in the world delivers the next
generation of WWE video games when it ships for the
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox
360 beginning this fall.