Following its successful debut in 2001, a multi-platform sequel almost six years ago and a not-so-good movie adaptation, Rockstar today announced that a new chapter in its popular Max Payne third-person detective series is due before the end of the year. According to the publisher, the upcoming game will take place a few years after the second installment and will see its main character retired from the police force but still being dragged into a world of corruption.


Other than promising "classic elements and hyper-intense action," Rockstar is not sharing many details about the game, but that is probably enough to get fans eager for some Matrix-style, slow-motion shooting. Max Payne 3 is being developed by Rockstar Vancouver, the branch of Rockstar responsible for Bully, and is currently scheduled for a Winter 2009 release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.