Max Payne 2 update

GameSpot recently received an update from Rockstar Games detailing the environments and interactive elements in Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, the upcoming third-person action sequel being developed by Remedy Entertainment.

As lead writer Sam Lake explained, "[The game's use of Havok] physics brings an all-new dimension to interactivity. Being able to forcefully move around and break enemies and surroundings with bullets and explosions, being able to enhance that effect dramatically with bullet time, and then have those objects affect each other in turn add a great deal to the action."

Lake then elaborated on the role of non-player characters in the upcoming sequel--unlike the first game, Max Payne 2 will feature computer-controlled characters that can join you on your adventure and provide backup when you get into a fight. According to Lake, "Many of the [characters] you run across volunteer information or opinions when you first meet them. Based on that, and depending on the situation, they can help you in different ways by [facing them and pressing the "use" key]. They can provide you with extra supplies or further information, or they can join to fight on your side for as long as you let them. You can dismiss them by [pressing the "use" key while facing] them again. Interaction with [other characters] is an integral part of the gameplay. We even have locations, such as a police station, where it is the primary gameplay element."

Finally, Lake discussed the role of environmental features like TVs in Max Payne 2. The game will feature several fictitious TV shows, including the phony cop show Dick Justice, which is something of a parody of the original Max Payne. Lake explained, "We had a couple of TV shows in the original Max Payne. The feedback from them was extremely positive, and so we decided to give them a slightly bigger role in the sequel. We have several different shows with multiple episodes in each so that you can catch the whole story of each show while moving from location to location in the game."

Lake mentioned that these TV shows don't just provide ambience--some may actually be tied to the game's main story, and all of them make some kind of reference to Max's current situation in some way. "

In addition to Dick Justice, there's Address Unknown, a psychological horror show; Lords and Ladies, an overly melodramatic costume drama; and The Adventures of Captain Baseball Bat-Boy, a violent cartoon, to name a few." Lake then hinted that fans of the original Max Payne "might even catch a few familiar faces on those tiny TV screens."

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne recently went gold and is currently scheduled for release on October 15. Until then, you can take a look at these exclusive new movies.