Saints Row: The Third adds Itagaki as playable character

One of the big features THQ has planned for Saints Row: The Third is a character creation feature that lets players dictate their in-game avatar's race, body, face, hair, makeup, and personality. However, for those who would prefer a preexisting character, THQ confirmed today at the Tokyo Game Show that game designer Tomonobu Itagaki will be playable in the game.

Itagaki will appear in the game as he frequently does in real life: sporting a leather jacket and sunglasses. The designer is currently working on another THQ-published project, Devil's Third, the first effort from his own upstart Valhalla Game Studios. Prior to a litigious fallout with Tecmo, Itagaki oversaw the company's modern Ninja Gaiden games and the Dead or Alive fighting and beach vacation franchises.

In development at Illinois-based Volition, Saints Row: The Third picks up with the player running the Third Street Saints. Once a small-town gang, the Saints have grown to control the organized crime within Stilwater and even have their own brand, with licensed sneakers, energy drinks, and bobbleheads. However, the Saints' success has drawn the attention of the globally powerful Syndicate, a criminal fraternity that insists on a cut of the action. Players will adopt the role of a member of the Saints who must relocate to the Syndicate's hometown of Steelport after a botched bank robbery forces them to flee Stilwater.

For more on the open-world action game, check out GameSpot's latest preview of Saints Row: The Third.