Saints Row is set in 2006 and takes place in Stilwater, a city controlled by three distinct criminal syndicates: the Vice Kings, a largely African American gang that primarily earns revenue from strip clubs and record labels; Los Carnales, a Hispanic drug cartel that dominates the narcotics trade; and the Westside Rollerz, who have established a lucrative underground racing club.
As a street fight breaks out between the three gangs, the player character, an unnamed everyman, is injured after being caught in the crossfire. The sole survivor of the fight attempts to kill the player, but he is rescued by Troy Bradshaw, a member of the newly-formed 3rd Street Saints. Saints leader Julius Little allows the player to undergo a series of tests to earn initiation into the group. He then instructs his top lieutenants, Dexter "Dex" Jackson, Johnny Gat, and Lin, to break the other gangs' control over Stilwater.
