SpawnPoint

Since then, a few years--four, to be exact--have passed. During that time, Take-Two released the best-selling game in its history, endured a massive scandal, saw a stockolder revolt, and became the subject of a takeover bid by Electronic Arts. After Original Max Payne developer Remedy began work on the 360 and PC title Alan Wake--which has been almost as elusive as the next Max Payne game.

After a prolonged silence, Take-Two name checked the series again during an earnings call on September 11, 2007. "In addition to Grand Theft Auto, our roster of million-plus-selling, wholly-owned brands includes BioShock, Civilization, Midnight Club, Max Payne, Red Dead Revolver, Manhunt and Bully," CEO Ben Feder said. "We fully intend to leverage these products, which are on development cycles that should complement and counterbalance each other." (Emphasis added.)
 

Nor did the publisher's deliberate ambiguity stop an analyst from asking CEO Straus Zelnick about the game in a postearnings conference call today. When asked directly about when the Max Payne--which is currently being adapted into a film-would reappear in game form, Zelnick dodged the question--but also left a tantalizing hint. "In terms of Max Payne, we will sell no wine before its time. It's a little early to comment on any particular title," he said. "But we have a lot of interesting things going on."