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Take-Two confirms Max Payne 3

CEO Jeffrey Lapin says a third gritty shooter is in the works, but uncertainty surrounds the game's developer.

After Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne was released last autumn, its title sounded eerily prophetic.

Despite critical acclaim, the sequel to Rockstar's popular graphic-novel-inspired shooter barely broke NPD's top 10 best-selling PC games. In February, Jeffrey L. Lapin, CEO of Rockstar parent Take-Two Interactive, went so far as to blame the publisher's lower-than-expected Q4 2003 earnings on Max Payne 2's lackluster sales.

Today, in Palm Beach, Florida, Lapin echoed those statements. "Max Payne [2] came out in November and did not do as well as we thought," he said. "In fact, it did fairly poorly compared to our expectations."

However, Lapin surprised some by confirming Take-Two's intent to make Max Payne 3. "There'll be another Max Payne," he said in a presentation at the 17th Annual Bear Stearns Media, Entertainment and Information Conference. "I think we'll take a few years to make the next one that much more spectacular is what we have to do. But it's clearly a brand that everybody knows."

Lapin's comments dispelled the clouds of doubt hanging over the third Max Payne game. Though some had seen Take-Two's registration of the URL www.maxpayne3.com as proof the game was coming out, others pointed out that the URL was registered in 2002, long before Max Payne 2 was even released.

While Max Payne 3 is now all but officially announced, confusion has emerged over who is developing the game. While the first two Max Payne games were developed by Finland-based Remedy Games, Lapin made no mention of them in his comments today. Adding to the uncertainty was a post on Shacknews.com from someone claiming to be Mikael Kasurinen, one of Max Payne 2's level designers. "FYI: We are not making Max Payne 3," read the terse post.

Efforts to contact Remedy were unfruitful as of press time. A Rockstar representative contacted by GameSpot said he had no knowledge that plans for Max Payne 3 were underway, let alone who was developing it.

GameSpot will update this story as developments warrant.

77 Comments

  • ChiefFreeman

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 7:22 pm GMT

    well, we've known for a while that it IS coming! I don't like this new gritty, bald bearded Max. He looks nothing like the Max Payne we know.

  • tamd

    Posted Mar 23, 2009 6:47 am GMT

    make a pc version superior thats what i want

  • micheletti

    Posted Jan 7, 2009 9:11 pm GMT

    If they do I hope pc isn't an afterthought. MAX 1+2 are a pc classic....just dont ruin it.

  • Santesyu

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 6:55 pm GMT

    Ultra, ultra, ultra, ulllllllllllllllllllllllllllltttttttttttttttrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaa

    BUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Mikethechimp

    Posted Nov 29, 2008 7:39 am GMT

    It's been 4 years.

  • pcmacro

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 8:20 am GMT

    Max Payne 2 was an amazing game; if people didn't buy, it wasn't because it wasn't that good; its because there wasn't online so people just pirated the game and once they were done playing it they were done; no need to buy it.

  • Koal_Jadian

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 4:55 pm GMT

    xXRorschachXx, why are you making up lies?

    Max Payne started on the PC.

  • xXRorschachXx

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 2:00 pm GMT

    why would it be 360 only?
    started on the PS2 anyway.

  • hazzpro

    Posted Aug 31, 2008 9:16 am GMT

    shishio817: "I really, REALLY, need them to make Max Payne 3, only make it for the 360."
    ARE YOU FRIIKIN CRAZY!

  • bigd575

    Posted Aug 10, 2008 10:30 pm GMT

    I can wait.

  • Shishio817

    Posted Aug 9, 2008 3:04 pm GMT

    I really, REALLY, need them to make Max Payne 3, only make it for the 360. The original is one of the best games I've ever played.

  • chad28_69

    Posted Jun 16, 2008 8:51 am GMT

    do you think it will come to ps2 or ps3? But better then adaptation, this time.

  • antonisole

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 5:26 am GMT

    Remedy. You have to make this game at all cost. Max Payne is my second favorite franchise ( Resident evil is my favorite )

  • zaptoman

    Posted Mar 25, 2008 7:36 am GMT

    Oh please let it be true! Don't tease me!

  • HolteEnder4Life

    Posted Mar 23, 2008 8:36 pm GMT

    no console version? im really disappointed

  • Proman84

    Posted Mar 12, 2008 1:33 pm GMT

    Remedy! Please be done by Remedy! They are the only ones who can do it justice!

  • justin315

    Posted Mar 11, 2008 7:20 pm GMT

    oh yeah! i love max payne! hopefully they would port this to all the of the next gen consoles =D
    it was dis heartening that they canceled the project, but thank god that its back!

  • abnormalka

    Posted Jan 14, 2008 7:41 pm GMT

    i want the maxpayne 3.....why they cancelled it!!!!!
    i really embarassed!!!

  • gnomecraps

    Posted Dec 29, 2007 9:13 pm GMT

    Let it come out tomorrow, and out of its discreet shadows.
    Remedy made it in to its fortune, and remedy is paramount to it's gritty prevalence.

  • potmichael

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 11:52 pm GMT

    i wish i woulda bought a 1000 copies of max payne 2 jsut to help em out for making such a kick ass game! seriously that games rag doll physics are still top notch in 07... please make a max payne 3 game for the next gen..

  • aygol

    Posted Nov 3, 2007 3:08 am GMT

    Oh I wish Max Payne 3 was in production...

  • sirdanrhodes

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 2:21 pm GMT

    Read Max Payne 2 news, you will see that there will be a new red revolver game(or something about that) and max payne 3. Go check it out!

  • Olaoye_tw

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 3:01 pm GMT

    I cant belive there is no Max Payne 3! Its one of the best action games! I agree with Arab-man; It should actually take a step in next gen gaming. Remedy, 'sup with u?

  • Da_Bacon_master

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 10:12 pm GMT

    It says its been canceled

  • lilburtonboy748

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 10:34 pm GMT

    thiswould be my most anticipated game....ever.

  • davidl3631

    Posted Sep 11, 2007 7:26 pm GMT

    I really hope a max payne 3 does come out as the first two games where great!

  • rckljohnson

    Posted Sep 11, 2007 5:26 pm GMT

    Lets just hope they're delaying for the reason that they want people to really want to buy the game whenever it comes out.

  • Arab-man666

    Posted Sep 7, 2007 4:51 pm GMT

    Good lord, start this series up, and take it to next Gen. Rockstar, comon.

  • zerapup

    Posted Aug 29, 2007 5:44 am GMT

    So whats up with Max Payne 3? One of my favorite series btw

  • norton158

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 9:04 pm GMT

    They should make Max Payne 3... there are much buyers! Try doing it for a console then, if they dont like it after all on pc because of bootleg.

  • marioman50

    Posted Aug 20, 2007 8:32 pm GMT

    Wahhh!!, I need you, max!!

  • g3n3r41xan

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:22 am GMT

    I'm very saddened too. I really was hoping they would make the third one. I like many other games but Max Payne series has really addicted me. I love 1 and 2 so much that... that... I don't know what ill do without them.
    I hope somehow they make the third one.

  • fearNot35432

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:21 pm GMT

    What? It Is Canceled? I Will Know The Reason:Just Because Remedy Ent. Is Trying To Develop A Game For Windows Vista

  • Vol_Djin

    Posted May 27, 2007 9:51 am GMT

    let's turn our eyes to remedy's latest project: "Alan Wake"! if they canceled Max Payne 3 for this, this...Silent Hill-ish non-sense made with those Microsoft bastards...........

  • rockstarrem

    Posted May 19, 2007 8:53 pm GMT

    Confirmed and cancelled? I don't get it. I know this article is like 3 years old but still... is it really cancelled?

  • dukerav

    Posted Apr 27, 2007 9:58 pm GMT

    Coincidently I was cleaning out my closet that has a small box full of old console and PC games and came upon this, believe it or not I had forgotten I even had MP 1 & 2. Im currently in the process of playing back through both of them, and enjoying it. I realize this article is a few years old, but I like others would also love to see a part three or even a prequel. Also as someone else stated earlier, one possible reason, and maybe not the whole reason for lackluster sales, could be pirated copies, it makes sense, and its a total shame if thats the reason behind the sales. Here's to hoping that Take Two or someone at least drops a bombshell and officially announces this as coming out, Id rather see this than Duke Nukem Forever.

  • number1wwefan

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 6:37 pm GMT

    Please make this game. I absolutely fell in love with the first rendition when "X-Box" had first came out. At first, I hated that console, but that was until I played this and "Halo"! I didn't really like the second installment, but if they revamp the story and make it completely dark for the next episode, I'd be down for that. Hell, as a writer, I wouldnn't mind to help "Sam Lake" with the story. I think that I could have some considerable ideas for a mixture of plots. Although, they may not be as brilliant as "Sam Lake's", I'd give a go at it. I think that this will almost definitely come into fruition once the movie is gotten done with. Until then, I will be waiting patiently as a die-hard fan. So, "Take-Two Interactive", please look at my post if you happen to stop by and "take-two" looks at this post before considering to overlook it. Believe me, you won't regret it.....

  • Darker_88

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 4:42 am GMT

    I never been seen max payne 3.

  • hscs

    Posted Mar 18, 2007 10:11 am GMT

    Max Payne 3 is delaying to much to be released, I see it was confirmed since 2004 and until now nothing is pronunciated, I think and hope the game come with the support of DirectX10 and the new graphic series (GeForce 8xxx) of Nvidia.

  • Teddy2227

    Posted Mar 17, 2007 4:58 pm GMT

    max payne 1 was awesome with it's eerie storyline and its great gameplay. max payne 2 was alright, but lets not change the company's state of thought with our comments. lets let them concentrate on max payne 3, guys your doing a great job keep going

  • maxfire45

    Posted Mar 15, 2007 10:20 am GMT

    I hope the actually come out with this. I loved the other two. I also hope they come out with the movie they promised in the case of max payne 1

  • lil_d_mack_314

    Posted Mar 14, 2007 11:48 am GMT

    MP1 is like my favorite game i would love to see this game come out, and like Blaklyon said i hope it doesnt end up like Duke Nukem

  • TheBlaklyon

    Posted Feb 28, 2007 9:03 pm GMT

    I heard that the game was canceled but, I hope and pray that it doesn't end up like duke nukem...

  • ForlornHope

    Posted Jan 23, 2007 3:23 am GMT

    awesome this is a fantastic series. I really hope it doesn't get stuck in dev hell...

  • Sahfire

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 2:44 pm GMT

    Sometimes I really wish to stop people from downloading games, instead of buying them. Max Payne 2 is one game many have, but not payed for.

  • pizzamanopenup

    Posted Dec 27, 2006 6:09 pm GMT

    "FYI: We are not making Max Payne 3," Maybe it's a prequel?

  • gtafan007

    Posted Dec 26, 2006 9:16 am GMT

    where are the pics man?This article is soooo old.

    It seems that the new Remedy game is a sort of 'spiritual successor' to MP 2.

  • weimingmax

    Posted Dec 22, 2006 3:39 am GMT

    i wan maxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  • Daveskater89

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 4:58 am GMT

    are they going to release this? this article is 2 and a half years old now and there's no more news on it.

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