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Max Payne (video game)

Max Payne is a 2001 third-person shooter developed by Remedy Entertainment and originally released for Windows by Gathering of Developers.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Max Payne is a 2001 third-person shooter developed by Remedy Entertainment and originally released for Windows by Gathering of Developers. The game follows former NYPD detective Max Payne as he investigates the murders of his family and becomes entangled in a neo-noir conspiracy involving a new drug called Valkyr and several criminal and military factions.

Gameplay and style

Max Payne is a third-person shooter known for its slow-motion combat mechanic often associated with bullet time. Its presentation uses graphic novel panels and voice-over narration to tell the story in a cinematic neo-noir style.

Plot

The game follows Max Payne, a former New York City police detective whose family is murdered. As he investigates the drug Valkyr, he becomes involved in a broader conspiracy that includes organized crime, a pharmaceutical company, a secret society, and the U.S. Armed Forces.

Development and release

Remedy Entertainment developed the game, and Gathering of Developers published the original Windows version in July 2001. The title later appeared on other platforms through ports and adaptations.

Series

Max Payne is the first game in a series of neo-noir third-person shooters. Later entries were developed by Remedy Entertainment and Rockstar Studios.

Key facts

  • The game was developed by Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment.
  • It was first released for Windows in July 2001.
  • The story centers on Max Payne, a former NYPD detective investigating his family’s murder.
  • The plot involves a designer drug called Valkyr and a wider criminal conspiracy.
  • The game is known for its gritty neo-noir style and graphic novel-style storytelling.
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Canadian context

The game was published in North America by Gathering of Developers, a publisher with a notable role in early-2000s PC game distribution; later series entries were published by Rockstar, a major presence in the Canadian games market.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Max Payne?
Max Payne is a third-person shooter with a neo-noir presentation and slow-motion combat mechanics.
Who developed Max Payne?
The game was developed by Remedy Entertainment.
When was Max Payne released?
It was originally released for Windows in July 2001.
What is Max Payne about?
It follows former NYPD detective Max Payne as he investigates the murder of his family and a conspiracy involving the drug Valkyr.
Is Max Payne part of a series?
Yes. It is the first game in the Max Payne series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne_(video_game)
    Supports: Developer, original release date, plot, neo-noir style, storytelling format
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne
    Supports: Series identity and later developers
  3. Alan Wake Info — https://www.alanwake.info/2016/07/23rd-july-2016-retrospective-story-of.html
    Supports: Release timing and later commercial/award claims
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291337/
    Supports: Basic premise and framing narrative
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne_(character)
    Supports: Character background and source material context