EDGE let slip some more Max Payne 3 tidbits about Rockstar Vancouver’s commitment to bringing the series from its early 2000’s roots to the modern age. Art director Rob Nelson mentions how “both the games and the audiences have become more sophisticated” and that “gamers expect a more fully realised cinematic experience, even if the main mechanic is still shooting.”
Because people want new experiences, Nelson explains, “you need a lot of custom setups, the environments need to be varied, and all of that while keeping the gameplay fun and responsive – people have become really specific about how they want things to be controlled. It’s a lot more work!” Merely crouching behind an object just doesn’t cut it any more.
To this end, Rockstar pushed the Euphoria engine — which was used for animations in games like GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption — to fit the demands that the Max Payne 3 project placed upon the studios involved. A lot of effort has been put into the AI reactions, “making sure that the force of the bullet feels right.” Beside the added realism that creates, Euphoria is also being used to make Max react to things like environmental impacts in a natural and believable manner. Like reacting to cover!
Seeing the Max Payne 3 bullet time effects with the Euphoria engine in action should be interesting enough, so let’s wait for a gameplay video or something tangible for now. It still sounds good to me, I’m ready for more Max Payne if only to see what Rockstar ends up with.
