Max Payne 3 out March 2012

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 8 September, 2011

Multiplayer confirmed.

Max Payne 3 launches on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2012, Rockstar Games has announced.

Multiplayer - a first for the series - dynamically alters maps and mode progression for all players in a match. Traditional multiplayer modes are also included, as well as a reward and levelling system, persistent clans and multiple strategic load-out options.

The "expansive" single-player campaign picks up where Max Payne 2, made by Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment, left off. Max is still haunted by memories of his traumatic past as he begins a new life working private security protecting a rich family in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Gangs target the family, though, forcing Max to fight to protect them and clear his name. He, once and for all, rids himself of his demons.

Max Payne 3 is described as a "true cross-studio collaboration" between Rockstar's global development teams. It uses Natural Motion physics and a brand new iteration of Rockstar's Advanced Game Engine. Weapons are said to be realistic, the cover system intelligent and the Bullet-Time mechanics sophisticated.

"Max Payne 3 gave us an amazing creative opportunity to evolve one of our most iconic characters," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "We're excited to show fans a modern version of Max that pulls them back into his dark and twisted story."

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (40) Latest comment 9 months ago

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  • ryandsimmons #1 9 months ago

    Fuck off with multiplayer you cunts!

    Some games just don't need it!

  • Lexx87 #2 9 months ago

    Multiplayer?

    What.

  • Snake_2011 #3 9 months ago

    sweet Rockstar are my fav dev.

  • urban #4 9 months ago

    Agreed some games don't need it but this has been in development a long time. Usually that would be a bad thing but I HOPE they have something ambitious up their sleeves.

  • eviroboy #5 9 months ago

    Basically a rip-off of 'Man On Fire' then?

    One thing that has put me off already - Multiplayer confirmed. Another game series down the toilet. Cheers Rockstar.

  • the_dudefather #6 9 months ago

    Grr, the mere mention of multiplayer makes me shit myself with rage, it's the worst news I have ever heard in my entire life

  • arcam #7 9 months ago

    Max Payne 1 and 2 are two of the most enjoyable games I have ever played. I hope that trend continues...

  • bcxixa10 #8 9 months ago

    WTF? Max Payne with multi ? Now Rockstar has disapointed me. If we had some type os stats like in Vanquish, i didnt mind it. But classic Multi Shooter. No thanks. Max Payne its an Singleplayer experience.

  • stegabba #9 9 months ago

    its all good announcing max payne 3 i fucking want gta 5

  • Fightclubber #10 9 months ago

    Who gives a shit if it has Multi? Uncharted 2 has multi and solid at that and also has stunning single player, same with red dead. I think Rockstar have proven many many times that they know how to get both parts right .
    People on here are acting like they have just announced its multiplayer only

  • EVERYGAMER #11 9 months ago

    @the_dudefather

    So for you its a case of RAGE SHIT rather than RAGE QUIT :D

  • steviepunk #12 9 months ago

    @ryandsimmons Define 'need'. In Rockstars view, they 'need' to sell map packs after release.

  • MiniAmin #13 9 months ago

    You know what? I don't think this needs multiplayer, but I reckon it'll be a decent addition. Max Payne's fairly well suited to MP imo. It won't displace COD or BF3, but I reckon it'll be alright.

    I can't wait for the SP though! \o/

  • Nazo #14 9 months ago

    Max Payne is all about Bullet Time, how will that work in multi player?

  • Subdominator #15 9 months ago

    Turning Max into a bald drug addict and adding multiplayer to a game that doesn't need it plus delaying the whole game for five years equal instant hit. Or so they are thinking. Truth is nobody will care about the game once it's out. It's like the Alan Wake of 2012, which is funny considering Max Payne was originally created by Remedy, makers of Alan Wake (and now creating mobile games).

  • patch #16 9 months ago

    Can you have bullet time in a multiplayer? Should be interesting to see what comes out of it. Let's just hope they don't compromise the single player game to shoe-horn in multiplayer.

    Will someone from EG be getting a hands on any time soon? If one of you can't make it, let me know :)

  • ObliviousTroll #17 9 months ago

    "Traditional multiplayer modes are also included, as well as a reward and levelling system, persistent clans and multiple strategic load-out options"

    "Max Payne 3 is described as a "true cross-studio collaboration" between Rockstar's global development teams"

    "Max Payne 3 gave us an amazing creative opportunity to evolve one of our most iconic characters,"



    ...so absolutely nothing to worry about this series then.

  • TheTingler #18 9 months ago

    I don't like the cheek of Rockstar calling Max Payne "one of our characters" as if they invented him. He's only theirs because they bought him. And there's a cover system, which I like even less.

    At least it's out on PC the same time.

  • Spekingur #19 9 months ago

    If the single player is on par with Max Payne 1 and 2 then I do not care weither they added multiplayer or not.

  • syra #20 9 months ago

    Fuck off with that box art... so terrible, it's sunny and there's a chick on it.. WTF man.

    DO NOT FUCK UP ONE OF THE STRONGEST GAMING FRANCHISES EVER CREATED.

    The second one wrapped the whole thing up so well =(

  • rojjer #21 9 months ago

    bunch of whining little bitches. Bet you still run out and get the game as the single player will no doubt be solid, but the multiplayer a forgettable tacked on affair as a way of getting DLC into the mix.

    I think its great its using a new RAGE engine

  • FireMonkey #22 9 months ago

    @Fightclubber - "Uncharted 2 has multi and solid at that and also has stunning single player, same with red dead. I think Rockstar have proven many many times that they know how to get both parts right ."

    Uncharted 2 is by Naughty Dog not RockStar. That means they have proven themselves once with a buggy as hell game.
    Edited by FireMonkey at 08/09/11 @ 14:19

  • Nithron #23 9 months ago

    I'm still looking forward to this. They've changed a bunch of stuff - but I think that's a good thing. The previous two games still play well, and if you want more of the same, why not just re-play those? Max Payne 2, in particular, hasn't aged very much.

    What's the point in sequels that are basically just map packs?

  • jetsetwillie #24 9 months ago

    wait... this game in not looking exactly is i expect it should look. that makes me really angry

  • Hindle #25 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 23:04:43 04-04-2012

  • Deckard1 #26 9 months ago

    YAHHHH FUCKING MULTIPLAYER?!?!!?!?!? They're gonna force me to play at well aren't they!!

  • lorik #27 9 months ago

    WTF ROCKSTAR .....we dont need MULTIPLAYER !!!!!!

  • darleysam #28 9 months ago

    So it's Max On Fire.

  • Whooey #29 9 months ago

    Sigh.

  • overcorpse #30 9 months ago

    Bunch of whiney scrubs on this site trying to look hip bemoaning a game with multiplayer.GTA4 multiplayer ws/is fun,and i still play Red Dead's multiplayer and am looking forward to the DLC on tuesday.

  • lolercopter #31 9 months ago

    How do you do bullet time in multiplayer?... Not all games need multiplayer.

  • tokenwebster #32 9 months ago

    I understand why people feel annoyed but the game hasnt even come out yet, they could make the multiplayer the best part of the game.

  • Murxidon #33 9 months ago

    James McCaffrey.

  • Snake_2011 #34 9 months ago

    people said the same with GTA RDR there both great at multiplayer with very good SP campaigns chill guys.

  • bad09 #35 9 months ago

    I think the real news here is PC haters Rockstar actually didn't lie about PC not having the game this time. I was expecting the usual "no, no PC go buy the console version go on off you go no PC" then months later "Oh by the way here is a PC version, sorry if you already bought it maybe you could buy it twice?"

  • McShifty #36 9 months ago

    In my opinion the Max Payne IP really couldn't have fallen into better hands than Rockstar. Although Rocksteady probably would've made a great game of it too.

    Two negs? I said Rockstar and Rocksteady - not Gameloft. Daft twats.
    Edited by McShifty at 08/09/11 @ 22:51

  • Amblin #37 9 months ago

    lol max payne is dead, this is just a cash-in.

    Film noire doesn't = sunny south america.

    Dark brooding cop doesn't = middle aged tubby with a baldy head and Brian Blessed beard. Gordon's alive!

    New York in winter, forever the heart and soul of Max Payne.
    Edited by Amblin at 08/09/11 @ 21:31

  • CamberGreber #38 9 months ago

    Multiplayer is the first thing they mention. UGGGHHH

    The games Film NOIR roots are no where to be seen.
    What are they trying to do release Man on Fire the game.

    "Max Payne 3 gave us an amazing creative opportunity to evolve one of our most iconic characters," said Sam Houser
    Like they created him or something.

    O and multiplayer with bullet time is impossible so they must have removed that feature wich bring me to WHY MULITPLAYER?

    So depressing. DAMM YOU REMEDY why did you have to abandon your Max?

  • lockload #39 9 months ago

    GTA : Max Payne

  • screamingmeat #40 9 months ago

    Good Lord.

    Anyone who says that this iteration of Max Payne has "lost it's film noir roots", or any similar variation of that, clearly hasn't been keeping up with movie trends of the last... ooo ten years? Watch a freaking film that isn't from the US! Film Noir has not defined purely by German expressionsim and New York City since the advent of colour films. In fact, I'd say that Max Payne owes more to Hong Kong cinema. I don't ever remember a single Chandler novel or Hawks film where Marlowe dives around with two barettas, do you?

    Multiplayer could be phenomenal, folks. How will Bullet-time work? Hopefully better than Stranglehold or as well as The Specialist: a Half-Life mod that was essentially a 16 player Max Payne style death-match with samurai swords, guns, bullet-time, wall-running, kung fu and maps based on key scenes from the Matrix. Absolutely badass, in other words. Rockstar did such a good job with RDR's multiplayer (what game doesn't have bugs, numb nuts?), I'm more than willing to give it a try.

    The fat man with the beard and poor taste in shirts? I'd take him over the constipated, buzz-cut barry of the original, any day.