Rockstar Explains How Multiplayer Bullet Time Will Work in Max Payne

If you've even heard of the Max Payne series then you probably know that the series is famous for the Bullet Time feature. Bullet Time is time slowed down so you can make your shots on multiple enemies to make things easier, and cooler. Games like Fear and Stranglehold prominently featured Bullet Time in their single player modes but didn't even bother to incorporate it into their multiplayer experience. Rockstar says that not only can it be done but they're the ones who'll get it right.

Rockstar says that bullet time in multiplayer revolves around "line of sight". “When a player activates bullet time, all players within their line of sight are caught in Bullet Time. Any other players caught in an affected players’ line of sight are also caught in bullet time”.

Another of the new implementations in multiplayer are Bursts. When you kill other players and/or loot their bodies you fill up your adrenaline meter and as a result can receive special abilities. Rockstar was cryptic however saying that they “are all in keeping with themes of the game itself”.

Rockstar has also said that “multiplayer feels like a natural extension of the game’s universe, expanding on the same themes, the same fiction and some of the same characters that occupy Max’s world”. The new feature of multiplayer: Gang Wars is the heart and soul of the multiplayer experience according to Rockstar. They said that the mode is about “pitting two teams against each other in a series of shifting objectives, all tied together via narrative and Max’s classic internal monologue”.

What are your thoughts on bullet time being used in multiplayer? More importantly, will you even touch the multiplayer? Sound off in the comments to voice your opinion.

Rockstar Games Releases First of Max Payne 3 "Design and Technology" Video

Yesterday, Rockstar Games announced on their Newswire section of their official site that, like their past recent games, such as Red Dead Redemption and L.A. Noire, will be releasing a video series for the upcoming and long awaited installment of Max Payne 3. With the first of a few of these Gameplay Series videos that will be released over time, this will be our first in-depth look at the upcoming 3rd installment of the game.

When it comes to how much time has gone by since Max Payne 2, be prepared to be amazed at how Rockstar Games are setting themselves a goal to have it be one of their most techincally advanced games they will release to date. From the use of the Euphoria engine, animation, shooting mechanics, cutscenes (which are done in real-time), bullet time, and A.I, Max Payne 3 really looks to be shaping up as a successor to it's previous installments after all these years.

As detailed in the video, shooting has been retuned to fit into what current-gen games have with a mixture of First Person shooter elements mixed inside the game's overall Third Person shooter feel. Along with that, the animation with the mixture of Euphoria, gives more of a realistic feel with how Max and your enemies move, so the game never feels outdated like its predecessors. Bullet time overall is back, but with a current-gen feel to it that makes more fun and intense than ever before. Just like the old games, final kill cams are back with actual "bullets modeled in real-time." May I add that these kills look gory as hell with blood spurting everywhere? In addition to that, as described, all of them will be different with whatever weapon you are using, even with where you shoot your enemies.

Max Payne 3 looks like, without out a doubt, the best one in the series and I have my faith put back into Rockstar Games take on the film-noir character we all know and love. I'm just as anxious to see the next video in the gameplay series as your readers are and I can't wait to see more.

In short, after seeing this video, I thought to myself, "The Payne is Back."

Max Payne 3's Debut Trailer Gets Released, Multiplayer to Be Included

It's been a while since we've heard much about Max Payne 3, with the exception of screenshots that were released from time to time. Just last week, Rockstar Games officially released the first poster for the next installment of the Max Payne franchise. In addition to the poster release, Rockstar Games has also confirmed that Max Payne 3 will release sometime in March 2012 for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC. The game will also take place right after Max Payne 2, that was developed by Remedy Entertainment, along with the first game. Sure this seems awesome already, but this isn't stopping them with the hype train that many will be jumping into really soon.

Today, as promised since last week, the debut trailer has been released which has caused some nostalgia for many fans; from the music, to Max's narrative that we've come to know and love, and the character of Max himself! In addition, we also get the dark, gritty, and grimy feel of the story and the location, along with what's going on in Sao Paulo. Although, one thing has had many fans worried; Max's look when the game was debuted a few years ago via Game Informer magazine. As explained by Rockstar Games, we will be seeing flashbacks here and there, from which we will be seeing Max's look transition as time goes on as he drops into the downward spiral, which he goes through in the previous game. This time around, it looks like it gets worse for him.

Check out the trailer right below!

One of the first things that will be a unique experience that many are very curious about is the inclusion of multiplayer. As quoted by the post at Rockstar Games' "Newswire" section on their site:

In addition to an expansive single-player campaign, Max Payne 3 will also be the first entry in the series to introduce a thorough and engrossing multiplayer experience. In a unique twist, Max Payne 3 multiplayer delivers a compelling experience that dynamically alters maps and mode progression for all players in a match. Along with traditional multiplayer modes, Max Payne 3 will also include a deep reward and leveling system, persistent clans and multiple strategic load-out options.

As a fan of the original games, I'm not sure how multiplayer will be (as previously confirmed in EDGE magazine some months back), let alone, Max Payne always being a single player experience. Like many of you, I'm a bit more anxious to see more news that Rockstar Games will release in the next few months. I'm still not exactly down with Max's Bruce Willis look though...

New Max Payne 3 Screenshots Released

Just yesterday, Rockstar Games has released new screenshots for the upcoming Max Payne 3 and in my opinion, they're a little reassuring. It's actually the reason why the screen I put right below the title of the story to show that Rockstar may know what they're doing. We will definitely be seeing Max's troubles overcome him over time, which leads him to the "Bruce Willis" look that he has gotten in its earlier screenshots that we've seen.

I honestly thought that we would be playing as Bruce Willis-Max, but even seeing from the screen right above, we'll be at least playing through moments of his life before, we can assume at least, where he will begin to go on a downward spiral.

To check out all the screenshots, head on over to Rockstar Games' official Max Payne 3 website!

Max Payne 3 Details Emerge From May Issue of EDGE Magazine

Like we expected since Rockstar Games' tweet that "He's coming," we were bound to get new info really soon. Although the issue hasn't been released just yet, of course, some have already gotten their hands on it, so we do have just a little bit of info of this long-awaited sequel.

With the use of the Euphoria engine in many Rockstar Games, such as Grand Theft Auto IV and Red Dead Redemption, it will be used in Max Payne 3 and it's being worked on to "blend the cinematic and interactive elements of the game into a seamless experience," as says Rob Nelson of Rockstar Vancouver, who is the art director for the game. As we know, Remedy won't be involved in Max Payne 3, but Rockstar will still have the core elements in the game from the previous installments, such as bullet-time, bullet-cam, dual-wielding, diving and shooting, and painkillers. It has been confirmed that there will be a cover system and multiplayer, but no word on that just yet.

The one thing that many fans of the games will be happy for because it was previously announced that he won't be back for it, but James McCaffrey, the voice of Max Payne, will reprise his role!

Still, I worry about how Rockstar will handle this installment, but it really shaped things up that, for at least, McCaffrey will be back. With no release date yet, here's hoping that we get the game soon.