Rockstar confirms Max Payne 3 for March 2012

Two-and-a-half years after it was first announced for a winter 2009 release, Max Payne 3 has been confirmed by Rockstar for launch in Europe and North America next March.

"Max Payne 3 gave us an amazing creative opportunity to evolve one of our most iconic characters," said Rockstar boss Sam Houser. "We’re excited to show fans a modern version of Max that pulls them back into his dark and twisted story."

Story sees Max attempt to "clear his name, in a bid to, once and for all, rid himself of the demons that have tortured him for far too long," as he protects a wealthy industrialist he's guarding under private security, when gangs in Sao Paolo start targeting him and his family.

MP3 will have "cutting edge technology for a seamless, cinematic action experience," powered by an all-new iteration of RAGE, the internal engine Rockstar has used in its games since Table Tennis. Rockstar said it'll have a "highly-refined" gameplay system, as well as an "intelligent" cover system and a "sophisticated" Bullet-Time system.

The game was first announced back in March 2009 for a winter release that year, but has since gone underground up until April this year in an Edge expose, which also revealed multiplayer for the sequel.

Rockstar said today that multiplay would bring a "compelling experience" which sees maps alter and mode progression for all players. It'll feature traditional modes, as well as clan support, various strategic load-out options and a "deep reward and leveling system."

Rockstar's Vancouver studio is creating MP3 as a global effort among teams in New England, Toronto and London, with the company buying the IP from Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment after making the first two games.

New shots and artwork are below. Game's launching on PS3, 360 and PC.