[HTML1]

Some might say that earning the title of "craziest" anything isn't something to be coveted - but we'd bet the developers of Saints Row 4 would politely disagree. With their last outing proving their sense of humor is a rare thing in today's gaming industry, the stakes are being raised significantly. Taking players from a gang leader to the President of the United States, and replacing rival gangs with alien invaders, Volition is set to release a truly ridiculous adventure.

To catch up those fans who haven't been keeping tabs on the plot twists or homages to the likes of The Matrix, Mass Effect, and Tron: Legacy, the Saints Row 4 team has released yet another developer diary helping to set the stage. There are a few twists and secrets hinted at in the footage, so fans of the series will want to keep their eyes peeled.

For some video game fans, the inclusion of a presidency, aliens, superpowers and a virtual reality in a single game might seems like a stretch. Surprisingly, the developer diary reveals that Volition has actually crafted a single story that manages to weave - albeit in a fashion just as ludicrous as any other part of the game - these disparate elements into one adventure fitting the Saints Row name.

Beyond making it clear just how quickly the game's story would exceed the absurd heights of Saints Row 3 (read our review for more details), the new developer diary also shows off the clearly-Mass-Effect-inspired spaceship that seems to grant access to the Zin Empire's virtual prison. In addition, the video also seems to include a meeting between the original version of Shaundi (from Saints Row 2) and the re-designed version seen in Saints Row 3. Fans may still be divided on the issue of her makeover, but it's nice to know Volition will be addressing it in the game.

Although Volition has gone through some upheaval over the past year (being sold from THQ to publisher Deep Silver), the studio seems to have rallied around their fan base - bigger than ever after the truly one-of-a-kind Saints Row: The Third. Whether it's the ability to import characters from the previous game, or simply the stellar voice cast assembled for this installment, Volition has gone out of their way to keep fans happy - in ways even major studios rarely do.

Regardless of whether or not the series is your cup of tea, that kind of commitment to fans is something we'd like to see more of. It was also the subject of the studio's previous developer diary; check it out below if you haven't already:

[HTML2]

There's no question that Saints Row 3 will set a new high watermark for the series - at least in terms of audacity and irreverence - which seems fitting, given that the game will conclude the current saga. Where Volition will take the franchise on the next generation remains to be seen, and if the past has taught us anything, it's that making predictions with this particular series would be pointless.

What are you hoping to see from Saints Row 4 and beyond? A continued dedication to parodying other game franchises and mechanics, or something new? Sound off in the comments.

_____

Saints Row 4 releases August 20, 2013 for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.