Max Payne FAQ

This FAQ is courtesy of 3D Realms.

 

Q: Why did it take so damn long?
A: Developing a game and the game's technology takes a long time. Also, content-rich, detailed, interactive, story-filled games cannot be made in less than two years, no way, no how. So taking three years to make a triple-A title isn't surprising. What is surprising is why any developer would want to make anything less than a triple-A game ;)

Q: Are you going to release a demo?
A: Yes, it's out. Go get it. You can download the demo by checking out the list of download locations here.

Q: Does Max Payne require a 3D accelerator?
A: MAX-FX engine is built from the ground up to take full advantage of 3D acceleration. There is no software renderer in the game.

Q: What about OpenGL?
A: We're supporting DirectX only, because of its much broader support, which will greatly lessen compatibility issues for players. And DirectX's current state allows for all the speed and functionality of OpenGL.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A:

Minimum Requirements:

450MHz AMD / Intel Processor
96 MB RAM
16MB Direct3D Compatible Graphics Card

Recommended System:

700 MHz AMD / Intel Processor
128 MB RAM
32 MB Direct3D Compatible Graphics Card

Generic requirements:

DirectX 8.0
DirectSound compatible sound card

Q: What about consoles?
A: Max Payne for the Xbox & Playstation 2 are due out shortly. Beyond that, no other ports are planned.

Q: Is there going to be a Linux version of the game?
A: Not likely.

Q: Is there going to be a Mac version of the game?
A: Yes, it's out now. See above for links to purchase.

Q: Does Max Payne take full advantage of Athlon processors?
A: Yes, and the performance is great.

Q: What about Pentium III?
A: MAX-FX is fully optimized for PIII's SSE instruction set.

Q: Can I customize Max Payne, what about Total Conversions etc.?
A: We've released 3 editors with the game. You'll get your hands on MaxED, ActorFX and ParticleFX. In addition editing the game will be easy as it's 100% based on a messaging system that can be opened to players.

Q: Is the storyline linear or dynamic?
A: Linear. Quality before quantity. We feel that one strong plotline is better than, say, three weak ones.

Q: Will Max Payne have a multiplayer mode?
A: There will not be a multiplayer. Originally we planned out full multiplayer functionality, but as we went further into the project we started to have so much cool stuff that work great in single player but wouldn't work in a multiplayer game that we changed the focus to single player only. There's plenty enough good multiplayer games out there, but the single player genre needs great games as well.

Q: What about environment interactivity? Real world environment requires interactivity, right?
A: The environments are extremely interactive. The our tools let us create interactive content very easily, and we're going for really high level of interacting with the environment.

Q: So let me get this straight, I've read articles on Max that mention Remedy, 3DRealms and The Gathering of Developers. Who's doing what?
A: Remedy is developing the game, all technology, editors, art, sounds, the story, etc. have been done at Remedy office. 3DRealms is taking part in that development by helping out on content and gameplay matters, Scott, George and everyone at 3DR are outstanding hardcore game developers and we really dig working with them. The Gathering is our publisher and will eventually ship all those Max Payne boxes to the shelves with Take2 handling European distribution.

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Payne Reactor Rockstar Nexus Rockstar Network

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