Max Payne (character)
Encyclopedia
Max Payne is a fictional character
from the video game series of the same name
, originally created by Remedy Entertainment
and 3D Realms
. Max is a New York City
police officer turned vigilante
, notable for his complex use of metaphor
s and wordplay
to describe the world around him within his inner monologues, which often contradict his external responses to characters he speaks with. The first game in the series presents the story as retold by Max from his point of view, while the second one alternates between his and that of Mona Sax
.
, much like we [3D Realms] had done with Duke Nukem
." The titular character of Max Payne
(originally named Max Heat) was modeled after Sam Lake
(Sami Järvi), the writer of the game; Lake also dressed up and played this role for the graphic novel cut-scenes. It is joked that Max had a constipated uncomfortable half-grin, half-sneer expression; this joke is even mentioned in the sequel. For Max Payne 2
, however, Lake declined the role, and after extensive casting developers chose actor Timothy Gibbs
to be the model for Max Payne.
James McCaffrey
was announced to return as Payne's voice actor in the upcoming Max Payne 3
by Rockstar Games
, for which he will also provide motion capture
for the titular character (at first, the voice actor was announced to be changed as well). However, Payne's look changes significantely in the third game, featuring an older, bald and bearded Max; this move has caused a significant controversy and received an overhelmingly negative reception so far. Recently, however, Rockstar Games presented a slightly new version of the game and changed its scenario to a greater level.
In the original game, Max Payne (voiced by James McCaffrey
) is a fugitive DEA
agent and former NYPD
detective
whose wife Michelle and the newborn daughter were brutally murdered in a home invasion connected with Valkyr drug case. In response, Max goes undercover in the mob and eventually becomes a one-man-army waging a personal war on the crime (in a manner reminiscent of the Marvel Comics
character Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher
). Max ends up killing more than 300 New York gangsters and conspiracy enforcers
, all while on the run from the police who believe he is responsible for the murder of his partner Alex Balder as Max's DEA files were erased, leaving no record of him being an undercover agent.
Max is presented as a man who has been put into a fatalist
situation against his will, recalling a classic element of many noir films - the fall guy
. Max is very isolated and has a dramatic and stylized sense of reality. He is an extreme introvert and his inner life is largely illustrated through soliloquies
describing his feelings about his actions and situation. At the beginning of the game, Max is seen differently, as an extroverted, happily married, smiling man with a bright personality. However, after the murders Max loses his meaning of life
, and blindly works toward his only remaining purpose: vengeance. All the while, Payne shows signs of survivor's guilt and makes his situation a paradox
- though he considers his life to have ended "in a New York minute", he exhibits a strong desire to live, despite his inner monologue which describes his dark and utterly somber view of the world and his desire to be dead. While desperately wanting to die and see his family again, he also wishes to live and claim his revenge. He is an antihero as he says "I was not one of them, I was no hero
". On the other hand, Max is not a morally ambiguous protagonist
- he does not kill the cornered Vinnie Gognitti, and tries to get information from the Finito brothers by "playing it Bogart
" and not bursting through the door with guns in hand. Max is trying to claim only one thing that is right in his eyes - to avenge his loved ones. However, he has not nullified his feelings - he is taken with Mona Sax first they meet, and befriends Vladimir Lem - a criminal without friends. But this can be judged contrary as well: Max may have latched onto Mona because she let him live and to seek a companion despite his recently deceased wife; and also onto Vlad as he was the enemy of his enemies
.
Max eventually retires from the NYPD and heads to Sao Paulo, Brazil where he works security for a wealthy family.
According to Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake
, Max died 13 years after the events of Max Payne 2 (meaning his date of death would be 2016).This seems to be contradicted by the third game, but, as Remedy aren’t developing Max Payne 3, it could be that the character is ‘dead’ to them.
, is a NYPD cop that is out for revenge against his family's killer.
When Wahlberg first read the script he thought it was "awesome" but was wary after finding out it was based on a video game. While describing his role, Wahlberg has said, "It's probably one of the edgier roles I've played but also the most layered. Here's a very happy guy who worked a dismal job, had a beautiful family. But the beauty in his life was taken away. He just goes on a rampage. It's all driven by emotion."
3D Realms' Scott Miller said Max Payne was poorly portrayed in the film, falling short of the game's standards.Speaking in Edge Magazine, Miller expressed the litany of issues he had with the film adaptation. "There are several fundamental story flaws ... in the film that have me shaking my head in bewilderment," Miller said.
in 2001. In 2011, he was ranked sixth on the list of the gaming's top anti-hero
es by machinima.com
, and 360
ranked his name fifth on the list of the top manliest character names on Xbox 360
. The sex scene between Max and Mona ("actually one of the most fitting ever seen in a video game") was also ranked as the fifth top sexy moment in gaming by Games.net
in 2007, while their affair was ranked as sixth on the list of the most disastrous game romances by GamesRadar
in 2011. In 2011, readers of Guinness World Records
voted Max Payne as the 42nd top video game character of all time.
Max Payne's design changes in Max Payne 3 were met with severe criticism from the fan community as well as the media; UGO.com commented that "his suave, noir
look got booted by trailer trash
sensibilities" and blamed Obadiah Stane
, Bam Bam Bigelow, John McClane
and Kerry King
for being "most responsible for Max's new style".
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the video game series of the same name
Max Payne (series)
Max Payne is a video game series developed by Remedy Entertainment and recently, Rockstar Vancouver. The series is named after its protagonist, Max Payne, a New York City police officer...
, originally created by Remedy Entertainment
Remedy Entertainment
Remedy Entertainment is a Finnish computer game developer founded in 1995 and based in Espoo, Finland. The company is best known for its Max Payne and Alan Wake series of video games.-History:...
and 3D Realms
3D Realms
3D Realms is a current video game publisher and former video game developer based in Garland, Texas, United States, established in 1987...
. Max is a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
police officer turned vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
, notable for his complex use of metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
s and wordplay
Wordplay
Wordplay is a musician/actor, of mixed British and Black African descent. Gaining worldwide exposure as an actor in 1998 through the Austrian Obscuro Gothic science fiction film "Dandy dust" directed by Hans Schierl...
to describe the world around him within his inner monologues, which often contradict his external responses to characters he speaks with. The first game in the series presents the story as retold by Max from his point of view, while the second one alternates between his and that of Mona Sax
Mona Sax
Mona Sax is a fictional character in the first two Max Payne video game series , as well as in the 2008 film.-In video games:...
.
Character conception and development
In creation of the Max Payne, 3D Realms "wanted to develop another strong character that would be the foundation for a new gaming franchiseMedia franchise
A media franchise is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting and trademarks of an original work of media , such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or a video game. Generally, a whole series is made in a particular medium, along with merchandising and endorsements...
, much like we [3D Realms] had done with Duke Nukem
Duke Nukem (character)
Duke Nukem is a fictional character and action hero who has been the protagonist in over a dozen video games.The character first appeared in the 1991 video game Duke Nukem developed by Apogee Software...
." The titular character of Max Payne
Max Payne
Max Payne is a BAFTA Award–winning third-person shooter video game developed by Finnish developers Remedy Entertainment and published by Gathering of Developers in July 2001 for Microsoft Windows. Ports created later in the year for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and the GameBoy Advance were published by...
(originally named Max Heat) was modeled after Sam Lake
Sam Lake
Sami Järvi , better known by his artist name Sam Lake , is a Finnish writer who is mostly known for his work on the popular Max Payne video game series. Lake is good friends with Petri Järvilehto, a founding member of Remedy Entertainment, the company behind Max Payne...
(Sami Järvi), the writer of the game; Lake also dressed up and played this role for the graphic novel cut-scenes. It is joked that Max had a constipated uncomfortable half-grin, half-sneer expression; this joke is even mentioned in the sequel. For Max Payne 2
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is a third-person shooter video game developed by Remedy Entertainment for Microsoft Windows and Rockstar Vienna for the Xbox & PlayStation 2 and published by Rockstar Games. The game is a direct sequel to Max Payne and is followed by Max Payne 3...
, however, Lake declined the role, and after extensive casting developers chose actor Timothy Gibbs
Timothy Gibbs
Timothy Gibbs is an American actor who has starred in films, such as 11-11-11 as Joseph Crone, The Kings of Brooklyn as Maximilian Sentor and television programs, such as Sex and the City as Detective Stevens....
to be the model for Max Payne.
James McCaffrey
James McCaffrey
James G. McCaffrey is an American actor.-Biography:McCaffrey was born in Northern Ireland and raised in New York. His first role was for sills models, as a mentally challenged teen, in Bill II: on His Own, the Bill Sackter story. He also played the lead in the first and last seasons of the series...
was announced to return as Payne's voice actor in the upcoming Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is an upcoming third-person shooter video game in the Max Payne franchise published by Rockstar Games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Development is led by Rockstar Vancouver in collaboration with the New England, London and Toronto studios...
by Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games is a major video game developer and publisher based in New York City, owned by Take-Two Interactive following its purchase of UK video game publisher BMG Interactive. The brand is mostly known for Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne, L.A...
, for which he will also provide motion capture
Motion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
for the titular character (at first, the voice actor was announced to be changed as well). However, Payne's look changes significantely in the third game, featuring an older, bald and bearded Max; this move has caused a significant controversy and received an overhelmingly negative reception so far. Recently, however, Rockstar Games presented a slightly new version of the game and changed its scenario to a greater level.
In video games
In the original game, Max Payne (voiced by James McCaffrey
James McCaffrey
James G. McCaffrey is an American actor.-Biography:McCaffrey was born in Northern Ireland and raised in New York. His first role was for sills models, as a mentally challenged teen, in Bill II: on His Own, the Bill Sackter story. He also played the lead in the first and last seasons of the series...
) is a fugitive DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
agent and former NYPD
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
whose wife Michelle and the newborn daughter were brutally murdered in a home invasion connected with Valkyr drug case. In response, Max goes undercover in the mob and eventually becomes a one-man-army waging a personal war on the crime (in a manner reminiscent of the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
). Max ends up killing more than 300 New York gangsters and conspiracy enforcers
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
, all while on the run from the police who believe he is responsible for the murder of his partner Alex Balder as Max's DEA files were erased, leaving no record of him being an undercover agent.
Max is presented as a man who has been put into a fatalist
Fatalism
Fatalism is a philosophical doctrine emphasizing the subjugation of all events or actions to fate.Fatalism generally refers to several of the following ideas:...
situation against his will, recalling a classic element of many noir films - the fall guy
Fall guy
A fall guy is a person used as a scapegoat to take the blame for someone else's actions, or someone at the butt of jokes. One placed in the position of fall guy is often referred to as "taking the fall". In the film industry, a fall guy is a form of stock character.-Origin:The origin of "fall guy"...
. Max is very isolated and has a dramatic and stylized sense of reality. He is an extreme introvert and his inner life is largely illustrated through soliloquies
Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a device often used in drama whereby a character relates his or her thoughts and feelings to him/herself and to the audience without addressing any of the other characters, and is delivered often when they are alone or think they are alone. Soliloquy is distinct from monologue and...
describing his feelings about his actions and situation. At the beginning of the game, Max is seen differently, as an extroverted, happily married, smiling man with a bright personality. However, after the murders Max loses his meaning of life
Meaning of life
The meaning of life constitutes a philosophical question concerning the purpose and significance of life or existence in general. This concept can be expressed through a variety of related questions, such as "Why are we here?", "What is life all about?", and "What is the meaning of it all?" It has...
, and blindly works toward his only remaining purpose: vengeance. All the while, Payne shows signs of survivor's guilt and makes his situation a paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
- though he considers his life to have ended "in a New York minute", he exhibits a strong desire to live, despite his inner monologue which describes his dark and utterly somber view of the world and his desire to be dead. While desperately wanting to die and see his family again, he also wishes to live and claim his revenge. He is an antihero as he says "I was not one of them, I was no hero
Hero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
". On the other hand, Max is not a morally ambiguous protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
- he does not kill the cornered Vinnie Gognitti, and tries to get information from the Finito brothers by "playing it Bogart
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was an American actor. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon.The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema....
" and not bursting through the door with guns in hand. Max is trying to claim only one thing that is right in his eyes - to avenge his loved ones. However, he has not nullified his feelings - he is taken with Mona Sax first they meet, and befriends Vladimir Lem - a criminal without friends. But this can be judged contrary as well: Max may have latched onto Mona because she let him live and to seek a companion despite his recently deceased wife; and also onto Vlad as he was the enemy of his enemies
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
The phrase the enemy of my enemy is my friend is a proverb that advances the concept that someone who is the enemy of your enemy is therefore your friend. It further means that because two parties have a common enemy, one can use the other to advance their goals...
.
Max eventually retires from the NYPD and heads to Sao Paulo, Brazil where he works security for a wealthy family.
According to Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake
Alan Wake
Alan Wake is a story-driven action game in the psychological thriller genre, developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Microsoft Game Studios, released for the Xbox 360 video game console in 2010...
, Max died 13 years after the events of Max Payne 2 (meaning his date of death would be 2016).This seems to be contradicted by the third game, but, as Remedy aren’t developing Max Payne 3, it could be that the character is ‘dead’ to them.
Film adaption
In the film, Max Payne, played by Mark WahlbergMark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
, is a NYPD cop that is out for revenge against his family's killer.
When Wahlberg first read the script he thought it was "awesome" but was wary after finding out it was based on a video game. While describing his role, Wahlberg has said, "It's probably one of the edgier roles I've played but also the most layered. Here's a very happy guy who worked a dismal job, had a beautiful family. But the beauty in his life was taken away. He just goes on a rampage. It's all driven by emotion."
3D Realms' Scott Miller said Max Payne was poorly portrayed in the film, falling short of the game's standards.Speaking in Edge Magazine, Miller expressed the litany of issues he had with the film adaptation. "There are several fundamental story flaws ... in the film that have me shaking my head in bewilderment," Miller said.
Reception
Max Payne was named the best game character of the year by EurogamerEurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
in 2001. In 2011, he was ranked sixth on the list of the gaming's top anti-hero
Anti-hero
In fiction, an antihero is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is at least in some regards conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis in which the character is generally useless at being a hero or heroine when they're...
es by machinima.com
Machinima.com
Machinima.com is a gaming and media streaming website, that aims to be a hub for machinima, the art of creating animated videos in real-time virtual 3-D environments. The site features machinima-related articles, and news. Machinima productions can be submitted for possible redistribution after...
, and 360
360 (magazine)
360 is an Xbox 360 computer and video games magazine published by Imagine Publishing in the UK. Originally published four-weekly, the magazine switched to a three-weekly schedule in 2009.-Overview:...
ranked his name fifth on the list of the top manliest character names on Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The sex scene between Max and Mona ("actually one of the most fitting ever seen in a video game") was also ranked as the fifth top sexy moment in gaming by Games.net
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
in 2007, while their affair was ranked as sixth on the list of the most disastrous game romances by GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
in 2011. In 2011, readers of Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
voted Max Payne as the 42nd top video game character of all time.
Max Payne's design changes in Max Payne 3 were met with severe criticism from the fan community as well as the media; UGO.com commented that "his suave, noir
Noir
Noir is the French word for black. It may refer to:- People :* Noir , Danish Dj & Producer. Owner of Noir Music...
look got booted by trailer trash
Trailer trash
Trailer trash is a derogatory North American English term for poor people living in trailers or mobile homes, especially in trailer parks.-Television:...
sensibilities" and blamed Obadiah Stane
Obadiah Stane
Obadiah Stane is a fictional supervillain from comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Iron Man #163 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Luke McDonnell....
, Bam Bam Bigelow, John McClane
John McClane
John McClane is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Die Hard film series, portrayed by Bruce Willis.-Development and description:...
and Kerry King
Kerry King
Kerry King is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and cofounder of American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since...
for being "most responsible for Max's new style".
External links
- Max Payne (character) - The Max Payne Wiki
- Max Payne at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Max Payne at Giant BombGiant BombGiant Bomb is an American video game website and wiki that includes gaming news, reviews, commentary, and video, created by former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis in collaboration with Whiskey Media...
- Max Payne Character Study at UGO.com