Putting an end to long-standing rumors, publisher THQ today officially announced the next entry in its over-the-top crime romp series — Saints Row: The Third.

THQ is placing a focus on free reign, giving players access to all the “perks” that come with helming an elite criminal organization right from the get-go.

“Saints Row: The Third puts you on top of the world, right at the beginning of the game, with all the perks that go along with being the head of an elite criminal organization,” said Danny Bilson, THQ Executive Vice President, Core Games. “There’s no delivering pizza, no shuttling family members about in a long series of taxi missions. Instead, you take all the power of the Third Street Saints and you take the world by storm.”

Saints Row: The Third is due out on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 this holiday season.

Follow this author on Twitter.

Read more: Bilson: THQ To Target Core Gamers With Kinect, Announcement Soon,  THQ Delays Saints Row 2,  Metro 2034 Will Blow Minds, Says THQ,  Next Red Faction Due March 2011, Goes Underground,  Saints Row 2 Collector’s Edition Detailed, Pictured