In the mid-2000s, open-world crime games traditionally put you in the shoes of a predetermined character, but Saints Row let you craft your own member of the Third Street Saints and change their appearance whenever via the in-game surgeon. This is all indicative of a series that, despite growing pains, pushed the boundaries of how we can present ourselves within the digital world. Now, in 2022, long-time series developer Volition has released a Saints Row reboot, with a wide variety of gender non-conforming customization options. With unparalleled customization for its time, the Saints Row series paved the way for future inclusive character creators and, on a more personal note, helped me figure out my own gender identity. It was an open-world crime playground, fair enough, but it had plenty of features to call its own. When the original Saints Row launched in 2006, many were quick to label the game a Grand Theft Auto clone.
