rockstar-vancouver posts

Max Payne 3 has been pretty much in hiding since the third game in the gritty action game series was first announced over two years ago by publisher Rockstar Games. Aside from a Game Informer cover story in June 2009 there's been no official word as to the status of Max Payne 3 and its release date has been pushed back many times.

Now there's actually some light at the end of the tunnel as Rockstar's Twitter page has posted up links to two new Max Payne 3 screenshots with only the words, "He's coming". The shots are pretty dark but at least we finally know the game is still in development. You can check out the other new screenshot after the jump.

[Via VG247.com]

On Thursday, publisher Take Two Interactive announced its financial results for the past three and 12 months and also gave a revised released schedule of its upcoming games. There wasn't any real changes for the games listed but one upcoming title wasn't listed at all. That was Max Payne 3, the long-in-development third game in the action series begun by Remedy.

The game from developer Rockstar Vancouver was first announced back in May 2009 but aside from an early Game Informer cover story there's been no real previews of the game and its release date has been pushed back several times. Kotaku checked in with Take Two about the missing Max Payne 3 and was assured by the publisher that the game is still in play. The official statement? "We're still working hard on Max, and we'll have more news in the coming months."

It's looking like the release of Max Payne 3 is suffering from some severe production issues. The next game in the third person shooter series has had its release date pushed back yet again by publisher Take Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games. In their latest financial press release Take Two said Max Payne 3 'has been moved out of fiscal 2010." Take Two's fiscal year ends on October 31.

The game was first announced back in March 2009 with a "winter 2009" release date. Developed by Rockstar Vancouver (taking over from the game's originators Remedy) Max Payne 3 has had its release date pushed back more than once since the original announcement. It now looks like the game will be released over a year after it was originally scheduled to ship.

It looks like Take Two Interactive's Rockstar Games brand won't be present at E3 2010 later this month. Computer and Video Games is reporting that a Rockstar rep has told them, " ,,, we simply don't have enough time to show as much as we would like in the time available."

Rockstar was supposed to show at least two games at the show, including the long-in-development action game sequel Max Payne 3. If you believe the internet rumors Rockstar was also supposed to announce a new game in the Grand Theft Auto series at E3 as well. Rockstar says now they plan to hold more traditional press events at its headquarters "in the coming weeks."

Gallery: Max Payne 3

The new year has barely begun but there are already accusations of poor working conditions at two of the development studios own by Rockstar Games (itself owned by Take Two Interactive). One is Rockstar's San Diego studio which is mostly a console-only dev company. The other is Rockstar Vancouver which is currently making the upcoming third person shooter Max Payne 3 for the PC and other platforms.

Our sister site Joystiq received word from anonymous sources that the studio has put in "enforced crunch mode through to the end of the project". That crunch mode gives employees "14 - 16 hour work days, six or seven days a week." The sources also say Rockstar Games eliminated a two week vacation for employees over the holidays. So far Rockstar has yet to officially comment on the allegations.

While we wait and wait and wait some more for Rockstar Games to give us more info about Max Payne 3, we have to just twiddle our thumb just a bit before more is revealed about the action shooter sequel. Thankfully a 30 second clip that looks and sounds just like an official Max Payne 3 trailer has popped up on YouTube and, well, it's just cool to watch.

No, there's no real gameplay in this clip (that would just make our heads explode at this stage) but the skill in this teaser has made many think its an attempt by Rockstar to release a viral video. On the other hand, the now incorrect "Winter 2009" release date at the end also makes us think this was just made by a fan with a lot of skill. Either way, we all win in the end.

[Via Joystiq]

While these visuals were first seen in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine, today Rockstar Games released the first true screenshots for Max Payne 3. These shots show off the 10 years older Max as the now bald and pot-bellied former cop is doing what he does best in the hot setting of Brazil.

As we have mentioned before, Max Payne 3 is being developed by Rockstar Vancouver, taking over from Remedy who created the franchise and developed the first two games in the series. We will have to wait a little longer to check out the game in action; it's not due out until winter 2009.

Details on Game Informer's new print magazine preview of Max Payne 3 are coming to light. Among the interesting features is that the game takes place 12 years after the previous title, the game is set in Sao Paolo, Brazil as opposed to New York City and that there is some kind of multiplayer support (although publisher Rockstar Games isn't saying what form it will take).

For fans of the first two games (developed by Remedy) perhaps the most interesting thing is that well known character actor James McCaffrey won't be returning to voice Max Payne in the third installment. According to Eurogamer, the developers at Rockstar Vancouver plan to cast someone older but it won't be a well known name actor this time. Hey, as long as it's not Mark Wahlberg.

Ouch. Someone needs some Nutrisystem and an exercise machine.Oh sure, Max Payne still has some guns on his side (and some pistols too) but he definitely needs some work on his abs. Perhaps Game Informer magazine can help them out with their new exclusive preview article in their latest print issue.

Apparently the cover story will show that the recently revealed Max Payne 3 will take place (story wise) 10 years after the previous game. Looks like a life of cupcakes is over for our favorite tragedy-stricken former cop. We should know more about the Rockstar Games-created title soon. It's currently set for a "winter 2009" release.

It's been rumored for years and now Take Two Interactive's Rockstar Games' brand has finally made it official: a third Max Payne game is in development. This time the creative team isn't Remedy (who made the first two games and are now working on Alan Wake) but Rockstar Vancouver, best known for their work on Bully.

Rockstar has revealed little about Max Payne 3 other than it will feature you playing have "more of the classic elements and hyper-intense action that fans have come to love, while moving the story of Max in a new direction."
The press release adds, "Since leaving the NYPD and New York itself behind, Max has drifted from bad to worse. Double-crossed and a long way from home, Max is now trapped in a city full of violence and bloodshed, using his weapons and instincts in a desperate search for the truth and a way out."

The game is due out in the winter of 2009 and a teaser site is already online. While there is no PC logo on the site, the official Max Payne 3 press release does mention the PC as one of the platforms the game will appear on.