Saints Row is known for its juvenile humor and its adult themes but using porn stars to promote it might’ve communicated the wrong message to players, Saints Row associate producer Kate Nelson believes.
"I did not always love how much THQ put an emphasis on porn stars," she said. "In Saints Row 2 and Saints Row 3 there was an emphasis on the penthouse girls, and earlier Tera Patrick. I think it's important in marketing games to make sure that the essence of the game is what's being marketed, and I think the porn star angle didn't really fit in with what Saints Row is at heart, which is a parody. We like to poke fun."
Porn star Tera Patrick was given the title of "special producer" on Saints Row 2 in a move not hugely appreciated by development team. She was also depicted as a playable character in the DLC Ultor Exposed. And this was not the only adult entertainer to make it into Saints Row. The Penthouse Pack DLC for Saints Row: The Third allowed players to add Penthouse Pets Nikki Benz, Justine Joli, Ryan Keely, and Heather Vandeven to their gangs.
"I think our game actually does represent women in a positive way, but the press will focus on, oh hey, there are strippers, or there's a dildo bat - it's unfortunate from my perspective that that doesn't come through," she said.
"Because I hear women talk on panels and they're like 'there are no people that look like me in games'. Well, actually in my game [the main character] can look like you as our customization system is so extensive. We don't get that across in our marketing or in the press because it's difficult - we only have 30 seconds to explain."
Saints Row IV is scheduled for release later this month.