Saints Row: The Third on pace for record THQ preorders - Report

The Saints Row series is focused on over-the-top, less-than-serious action. However, what is serious is the prerelease excitement for the newest entry in the series, Saints Row: The Third. THQ has confirmed the title is on pace to become the most preordered game in the publisher's history.

THQ recently confirmed the news to British gaming site MCV, saying the game will soon eclipse the previous record-holder, Homefront, which has shipped some 2.6 million units to date.

According to THQ, the game's prerelease popularity has been largely fueled by the Professor Genki preorder bonuses that were announced just two weeks ago. Items in the Professor Genki Hyper-Ordinary pack include an "Octopuss" cannon, a man-a-pult, and a stunt suit costume.

"Since we've started this Genki activity, we've seen our rate of preorders increase dramatically week-on-week," THQ UK marketing director Jon Rooke told MCV. "That's not a pattern we've seen this early in a product before."

THQ also cleared up some uncertainty concerning the preorder pack, confirming to MCV that it will be exclusive to retailers and will not be sold as downloadable content later on.

For more on the upcoming title--due out November 15--check out GameSpot's latest preview of Saints Row: The Third.