The Boss
The customizable leader of the 3rd Street Saints who becomes President of the United States and fights an alien invasion.
The Boss is the player-created protagonist of Saints Row (2006), Saints Row 2, Saints Row: The Third, and Saints Row IV, who begins Saints Row IV as the elected President of the United States after the events of Saints Row: The Third. This customizable character, who can be voiced by Troy Baker, Kenn Michael, Robin Atkin Downes, Laura Bailey, Diane Michelle, Sumalee Montano, or Nolan North, leads the 3rd Street Saints and becomes trapped in a simulation of Steelport by the alien Zin empire. With superpowers granted by hacking the simulation, the Boss rescues captured allies, escapes the simulation, and defeats Zinyak to seize control of the Zin empire.
- Role
- Player Character / Gang Leader
- Affiliation
- The Third Street Saints
Lore & Background
The Boss is the same player-created character from previous Saints Row games, who was elected President of the United States after the events of Saints Row: The Third, having foiled a terrorist plot by former S.T.A.G. leader Cyrus Temple alongside MI6 agent Asha Odekar and former Deckers leader Matt Miller. Five years into their governance, Earth is attacked by the Zin alien empire led by Zinyak, who destroys the White House and abducts the Boss and most of their Cabinet. Trapped in a computer simulation initially appearing as a 1950s-style sitcom, the Boss escapes with help from hacker Kinzie Kensington, who manipulates the simulation to give them superpowers. The Boss re-enters the Steelport simulation to rescue fellow Saints from personal nightmare simulations, including Johnny Gat, who was captured years earlier by Zinyak. After rescuing Keith David from a simulation where Zinyak tricks the Boss into thinking Keith has betrayed them, the Boss boards Zinyak's ship, steals power armor that emulates their simulation powers, and kills Zinyak in front of the Zin, seizing control of their empire. Through optional Loyalty missions, the Saints learn they can restore Earth using time travel, and during Matt Miller's optional Loyalty mission, the Boss awakens 19th-century writer Jane Austen from stasis.
In Their Own Story
The Boss, as President of the United States, is holding a press conference when the Zin alien empire attacks, destroying the White House and abducting them. Trapped in a simulation of a 1950s sitcom—their worst nightmare—the Boss escapes with Kinzie Kensington's help, gaining superpowers like enhanced jumping, running, fire and ice projectiles, telekinesis, and shockwaves. They reunite with Vice President Keith David in a stolen Zin ship, only to learn Zinyak has destroyed Earth. The Boss re-enters the Steelport simulation to rescue captured Saints: Shaundi, Pierce Washington, and others from personal nightmare simulations. They deduce that Johnny Gat is also captured, rescue him from a recreation of Aisha's murder, and he rejoins the Saints. After Keith David betrays them for a promise of Earth's restoration, the Boss rescues him from his nightmare with Roddy Piper's help. Kinzie is captured and rescued from a simulation controlled by a recreated Cyrus Temple. The Saints overload the Steelport simulation to create an opening, allowing the Boss to board Zinyak's ship, steal power armor, and kill Zinyak in front of the Zin, seizing control of their empire. If all Loyalty missions are completed, the Boss awakens Jane Austen from stasis, who reveals herself as the game's narrator.
Reader's Guide
The Boss is a fully customizable player-created character, with voice options including Troy Baker, Kenn Michael, Robin Atkin Downes, Laura Bailey, Diane Michelle, Sumalee Montano, or Nolan North. Their primary role is leading the 3rd Street Saints as President of the United States, fighting the Zin alien invasion in a simulation of Steelport. Gameplay involves shooting, racing, fighting zombies, tank shoot-outs, side-scrolling brawlers, and using a dubstep gun. The Boss gains superpowers that increase jump height and running speed, allowing them to hop over buildings and outrun vehicles, plus elemental powers like fire and ice projectiles, telekinesis, and shockwaves. Abilities and weapons can be upgraded using collectible 'data clusters' scattered around the city. City districts are liberated from alien occupation by completing side missions, increasing hourly income for spending on weapons, skills, and perks. Side missions include Insurance Fraud, Mayhem, and superpowered foot races. The game features two-player cooperative mode.
Did You Know?
- The Boss is elected President of the United States after the events of Saints Row: The Third, having foiled a terrorist plot by former S.T.A.G. leader Cyrus Temple in that game's ending.
- The Boss can be voiced by one of seven actors: Troy Baker, Kenn Michael, Robin Atkin Downes, Laura Bailey, Diane Michelle, Sumalee Montano, or Nolan North.
- The Boss's initial simulation is a 1950s-style sitcom, but their personal nightmare simulation is a parody of 'The Matrix' where they are a corporate drone.
- The Boss kills Zinyak in front of the Zin and seizes control of their empire.
- The Boss awakens 19th-century writer Jane Austen from stasis during an optional Loyalty mission for Matt Miller, not the main story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Boss?
The Boss is the fully customizable protagonist and player-created leader of the Third Street Saints gang across the franchise. Unlike standard characters with fixed histories, this figure's appearance, personality, and backstory are defined entirely by individual player choices.
What role does The Boss play in the story?
Starting as a street-level recruit, The Boss ascends to become the supreme commander of the Saints, ultimately transforming the group into a global organized crime syndicate. This character serves as the central driving force behind all major criminal operations and gang wars in both Stilwater and Steelport.
Why is The Boss considered unique among video game characters?
The Boss stands out because they lack a predetermined narrative or fixed identity, allowing players to shape their moral alignment and actions however they wish. This flexibility ensures the story adapts directly to the player's specific decisions rather than forcing a single canonical path.
How does The Boss's story conclude in canon?
While individual game endings vary based on choices, the overarching canon establishes that The Boss survives every conflict and returns as the leader in each subsequent sequel. This continuity confirms their status as an enduring figure who consistently rises to rule the criminal underworld.
Where does The Boss operate throughout the series?
The character's influence begins in the city of Stilwater before expanding to Steelport and eventually reaching various locations around the globe. As the head of the Saints, their operations span multiple cities as the gang grows from a local crew into an international empire.
More in The Saints & Rival Gangs
Related in Saints Row
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Elsewhere in the Saints Row universe
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