Max Payne 3 hurting PC, PS3, 360 this winter

  • By Mark Walton, Tom Magrino, GameSpot UK
  • Posted Mar 23, 2009 7:09 am PT

Rockstar's Vancouver studio takes over from Remedy for third outing of ex-NYPD vigilante.

For fans of Max Payne, it has been a long wait since 2003 when the last game in the franchise was released to critical acclaim. Talk of a sequel came in 2004, when Take-Two hinted that a follow-up would eventually arrive. Fast-forward to 2008, and Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick once again mentioned the franchise, teasing that another installment may be in the works but again providing no firm details.

Today, Take-Two and its Rockstar Games subsidiary have announced that Max Payne 3 is indeed in development and is penned for a winter 2009 release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The game is being developed by Rockstar Vancouver, the same outfit behind the controversial sandbox action adventure Bully. Finnish outfit Remedy, which developed the first two Max Payne titles, is currently developing Alan Wake, which will be published by Microsoft.

Rockstar Vancouver will apparently not be straying far from Remedy's original formula, however, as Max Payne 3 again sees the titular retired NYPD veteran battling internal demons as well as those that plague the city's streets.

"We're starting a new chapter of Max's life with this game," commented Rockstar cofounder Sam Houser in a statement. "This is Max as we've never seen him before, a few years older, more world-weary and cynical than ever. We experience the downward spiral of his life after the events of Max Payne 2 and witness his last chance for salvation."

Rockstar did not delve into specific gameplay details, and did not mention the series' genre-defining "bullet time" slow-motion technique. The publisher merely noted that "the latest installment delivers more of the classic elements and hyperintense action that fans have come to love."

When Max Payne 3 rolls around this winter, it may find itself on shakier legs than when it left off six years ago. In October, the franchise saw its first transition to the silver screen. And while the Mark Wahlberg-led action flick pulled in healthy opening-week revenues, critics were all too eager to redub the film "Maximum Payneful" (an actual quote).

526 Comments

  • ghaste

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 3:24 pm PT

    I like the character model, slightly flabby, quite appropriate for the storyline mentioned, and if this is the true representation of what is going to be screen shots of the final game, I can say I love it. rich in color and details.

  • shooters125

    Posted Sep 7, 2009 8:41 pm PT

    im pretty sure hey mad him bald to show how torn up he is and how much a veteran he is.plus the loss of his jacket is probably becuz of the place hes at right now and at that place theres no need for a leather jacket.

  • kath2you

    Posted Sep 3, 2009 5:55 pm PT

    I LOVE max payne! this new version looks like Sam fisher in Spllintercell. I can't wait to play him. just have to decide whether to get the pc or the xbox 360 version......maybe bother just in case.
    hehehehehe,

  • Shootn

    Posted Sep 1, 2009 5:27 pm PT

    He kind of looks like bruce willis from die hard just little chubbier and wrong scar mark. Im also getting the impression that this game will somehow be a console port and not the pc port like it should be.

  • Proman84

    Posted Sep 1, 2009 1:43 pm PT

    Just looked at the screenshots. I don't like what I'm seeing one bit. The action may be grate but this isn't the Max Payne I know. They should have waited and let Remedy make this game.

  • Joker-Gamer-13

    Posted Sep 1, 2009 7:58 am PT

    I dont get why people are having issues with his looks. He doesnt look the same in the First or second game. And plus this is TWELVE years after Max Payne 2. Alot can Happen In 12 years. I do Agree about worrying about the story. Sam Lake was the man who made Max Payne have a great,noir and exciting story

  • syahirkhai

    Posted Aug 31, 2009 2:24 am PT

    huh,
    what the hell has happened to max payne?
    where is his leather jacket?
    totally different..
    plus bald....
    why rockstar? why not remedy..?
    i hope this third game doesnt dissapoint me

  • jakemanp93

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:13 pm PT

    hey people dont judge a game by its cover Max Payne 3 im sure is goin to be a great game with all new features and improvements in the gameplay im also wandering how in the hell he ended up here instead of New York

  • tat2pap

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 6:28 pm PT

    wow wow wow wow - max payne 3 , rockstar rocks baby - it was a long paynefull w8.

  • dave_d_man

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 7:16 am PT

    sigh..
    i think i have lost faith in humanity after reading half the s**t people have wrote..
    i think there is going to be a great story here.. about how hes left "noir" york and escaped his old life..
    and by the looks of it.. really let himself go..

    just because sam lake is out doesnt mean it wont be a good game..
    sure the story might be a little weaker.. but the gameplay has only got to improve..

    plus didnt anyone else think that the action only ever happened at night seemed a little cliché?
    i dunno just me..

    peace.

    ps. you never know.. maybe halfway through the game he will throw on the old coat like a movie hero..

    pps. so pumped for this..

  • Saayko

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 7:00 am PT

    I don't like that muscular bald giant with birds, I want my own Max with his coat!

  • ramtin1001

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 10:12 am PT

    he looks like father gregory in half life 2..... hahaha

  • dudu22

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 5:43 am PT

    i think rockstar modified completely Max Payne game. No Noir, no Night, No Leather Jacket and principally No Sam Lake!!
    the only thing i liked is that it will be in Brazil, but i wont get surprised if the game get a 6.0 score

  • johnryandaplin

    Posted Jul 27, 2009 3:46 pm PT

    he looks like my dad,LOL

  • Crazy_Sam

    Posted Jul 26, 2009 9:24 am PT

    Ah must agree with most everybody here: This doesn't look like Max Payna at all.

    Still, it's kinda early to say anything about this MP3 game. Ah do hope R* gives us classic a Max Payne trill.

    Yet, by the look of those pics, Ah suspect that our beloved cynical life-weary detective is on the run again. Maybe he fled to South America, who knows.

    Ah'll sure keep a watchful eye on this game.

  • Shishio817

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 2:54 pm PT

    I'm so happy I could cry

  • shaaheen

    Posted Jul 19, 2009 12:05 pm PT

    Rockstar game is a great company but ... :-$

  • Microwin

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:24 pm PT

    Max Payne looks like white trash in this game, what the heck happened?

  • macaque12

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 11:47 am PT

    I'm wondering what's the history behind this game... The pics looks like max's really going to Brazil, and I can't figure out how they plan to do it. But, well, I hope there'll be a demo coming out soon, I have to check this out

  • brian_13un

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 7:13 am PT

    Great

  • kvan33

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 7:03 am PT

    Wow, didn't see this change coming. I hope Rockstar knows what they're doing because right now it looks they are batsh#t crazy.

  • akrampa

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 1:42 am PT

    Max payne 1 was one of my favorites 2 was also good this one...i really dont know what to say.There is nothing that looks like payne on it; i mean where is the feeling that the 1 and 2 had i dont see it in the videos and the pics...nevertheless i m gonna wait and see if i its good (witch i dont believe it) then i will buy it with joy else i wont even bother.

  • Crypto6969

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 2:28 pm PT

    Max Payne (1) is still in my top 5 favourite all time games. #2 was great, but not as good. The dream sequences in #1 blew me away. I will be buying #3 for sure.

  • skywalkerforce

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 6:12 am PT

    I do love the Max Payne series, I'm excited to see a new chapter in Max's life and to see how he has held up through the years.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jun 27, 2009 6:05 am PT

    Trying to remain open minded, Trying that is.

    Cant help but feel T2 should have called this GTA 4.5, this will not be the same without Remedy, i dont care what anyone says.

    One thing i loved about the original MP games was that they were very unique and original, whereas this simply looks like yet another generic TPS (Kane & Lynch-esque) using the Max Payne name as a cover.

    ....and wheres the leather jacket?

  • nik_cscz

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 11:30 pm PT

    waiting six years for this game which is like a religion to me...
    i have never been so much disappointed in my life before...

    This is not max payne , this is some ugly action movie translated into a game......
    Daylight , no noir,No gloomy nights ," NO SAM LAKE" R* you better dont mess this up, which u have already done a bit...

  • C_T_SKYE

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 12:00 pm PT

    why is there sunlight in this game! i liked the dark mood and i liked the way it was b4. it looks like it plays like gta4 and im not a fan of gta series

  • C_T_SKYE

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 11:57 am PT

    WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this dont look like maxpayne.

  • SpunkyB0B

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 6:30 am PT

    Hmm, maybe there making it that you play Max's wife beating brother or something because that is not Max. Some things you cant change and I don't see no leather jacket.

  • lixeiro

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 5:53 am PT

    This is not some middle estern area in the pics, looks more like a Brazilian "FAVELA", could be cool, but WTF is Max doing in south america I wonder?

  • halogem

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:04 am PT

    and for all the people saying it looks like gta, seriously.. splinter cell double agent, its the spitting image, bad character design there, just thinking though, could be guantanamo-esque place?

  • halogem

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:00 am PT

    oh my god.. what the hell have they done with the art style??!!! it looks like bloody splinter cell double agent!! this is the third amazing franchise that started out its life with dark moody lighting which was a huge part of the gameplay and then chose to be 'edgy' or something by making it daytime.. sucks ass.. didnt work for resi, didnt work for splinter cell, won't work for max payne, i'm sure the gameplay will be amazing still but presentation wise.. no, max payne had a film N-O-I-R style to it, i don't think film noir works in blazing sunshine and another middle eastern looking environment. come on guys, sort it out please

  • G_Zoulis

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 3:21 am PT

    The new screens are disappointing. Open spaces and sunny weather? A Max Payne bold with a beard? And what the hell is he wearing? This is not GTA V, it is Max Payne 3! I loved 1 and especially 2! I think of Max Payne 2 and still get drawn in it's dark atmosphere and want to play it again! I will probably play this game but I have a feeling that Rockstar will let us down hard and we'll end up saying: No Remedy no Payne

  • arsnakeheart

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:04 pm PT

    Have you guys seen the new screens? The scenery looks so much like the favelas in Rio de Janeiro, and the guy in a black and red T-shirt could be wearing the shirt of the team Flamengo, so popular in that city...

  • shazam_lp

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:21 pm PT

    It is safe to say that the Max Payne series has ended with Max Payne 2 and that we'll never see that game again.

    Only thing left is Alan Wake.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 2:53 pm PT

    I was really hooked, until i read that it's being developed by Take two, mmmm i sense a GTA influence. I will try to remain positive, but cant help feel that this just wont provide the same dark experience that was Max Payne 1 & 2.

  • caje600

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:52 am PT

    i've been wanting a sequel forever now, but this doesn't look or have the feel of what Max Payne is. Max looks like a GTA character not Max. And the surroundings lack the noirish feel like others have mentioned. This may be a fun game and I'll try it, but i have a feeling it won't truly be Max Payne

  • Pivotto

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:39 am PT

    I've been waiting for this to happen, 6 years, I've wanted another Max Payne so bad... but honestly, this just doesn't interest me, it's not what I was expecting.

    I'll still have to play the game when it comes out, maybe it will be better than I think.

  • xdeer

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 9:38 pm PT

    max payne is AWESOME!!...definitely in my must buy list

  • StumpyTrash

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 7:08 pm PT

    A definite must buy, so glad to see it's not vaporware. I had all but given hope.

  • kingleo1976

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 5:15 pm PT

    since beating the 1st two in the series, its only right 2 automatically add this 2 the collection... SCREENSHOTS LOOKING GOOD!

  • arnovm

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 5:03 pm PT

    Must be one of the best games ever played! This is a sure classic and I’m looking forward to this one, a definite buy for me.

  • Froce712

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 9:49 am PT

    I just hope the change in setting doesn't change the mood of the previous games. Without the dark, film noir style, it just isn't Max Payne.

  • josh494

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 10:15 pm PT

    I almost forgot about the series. I gotta go back and play them

  • macedonia_sucks

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 12:08 am PT

    First Max Payne details

    The first details about Max Payne 3 came from the latest issue of Game Informer Magazine. Escaping from the "the demons from New York", Max runs off to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he gets bald and grows a beard. Max Payne 3 takes place 12 years after Max Payne 2. Max is now working in private security for a wealthy family. He is also addicted to Painkillers and that is tied - somehow- to the gameplay. Max Payne 3 will include a cover system, but it is "not the focus of the game." "The way that you experience this world isn't just take cover, shoot, and move to the next piece of cover," Rockstar's Rob Nelson noted. "We took all the elements of traditional Max and expanded it out so the game becomes gun ballet, or gun-fu, or whatever you want to call it." The game is powered with Rockstar's RAGE engine, the same engine that powers GTA: IV. It will feature highly destructible environments and a - yet undetailed - multiplayer.

  • BoaMo121

    Posted Jun 15, 2009 6:08 pm PT

    Oh my God.. I have oficially pissed my pants in excitement,,,

  • skywalkerforce

    Posted Jun 14, 2009 6:59 am PT

    Max has been out of the gaming world far too long, glad he is back for some slow-mo shooting!

  • dudu22

    Posted Jun 5, 2009 10:49 am PT

    If Sam Lake be Max again would be too much better.
    The first one is the best!

  • beavisbond

    Posted May 30, 2009 10:10 pm PT

    Did you hear that? Marco 59 begged for a MP3!

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