Whatever the setting, the core of the Max Payne experience rests with the graceful, slow-motion gunplay that thrilled gamers upon the release of the first title. The game's Bullet Time mechanic was an innovative and addictive addition to the shooter genre, winning the game accolades from fan and critics alike. However, the feature was so successful that it now presents a distinct challenge for the team. In the eight years since the release of the original, slow-motion 'focus' modes have become a standard of the third-person genre, present in literally dozens of successful games. How can Bullet Time evolve past its imitators without losing what made it so fun in the first place? Rockstar Vancouver plans to solve this problem the only way it knows how: with a near obsessive commitment to making sure that Max Payne 3's gameplay feels and looks exactly right. "We're going to have Bullet Time because it's Max Payne," Barrera states. ‘The bigger question, since there have been so many clones of the third-person shooter with Bullet Time, is "How do we get Max back on the throne?' For us, it's a combination of things. We're going to have Bullet Time, so it's going to be slow. Now you're going to have to see all the nice little nuances that these machines can do."

The team is using the company's RAGE engine, coupled with the NaturalMotion Euphoria animation technology that was so successfully utilized in GTA IV. By blending motion-capture with NaturalMotion's procedural animations, the team has created a game that both looks and feels remarkably realistic. As you watch the game, the attention to detail is remarkable. If Max jumps sideways towards a crate (which is fully destructible like many of the objects the environment), you'll see his hand reach down to support his weight so he can vault over it. When he lands, you'll feel a sensation of Max's new bulk as he hits the dirt. The animation system is clearly important to the team. During our interview, Rob Nelson was on his feet, miming jumps left and right with two imaginary pistols drawn, at one point crouching behind the couch to demonstrate the game's new cover system.

Yes, Max Payne 3 does feature cover, but Rockstar is quick to point out that its merely another option for the player, not the focus of the game. "The way that you experience this world isn't just ‘Take cover, shoot, and move to the next piece of cover,'" Nelson says. "We want to make the experience very detailed. It's similar to GTA IV. We could have gone bigger, but it was decided to go with more density. We're focusing the attention on every little motion he makes." Another source of cover comes in the form of human shields, which you can take at any time. The team is working hard on this mechanic, making sure that Max can target and move effectively while taking a hostage.