The MAX-FX engine is based on one of their last graphical demos called Final Reality. In late 1997 Final Reality, which is powered by the E2 engine, was doing environment mapping, reflections, shadows before most other engines, and they still look great today. Remedy has added a powerful particle system and character animation system to E2 as well as full radiosity lighting and cloth mapping (in other words, jackets and other items of clothing move realistically) to ensure that when it is released ("when it's done") Max FX should easily be up there with other graphics engines. In addition, the Remedy design team recently visited New York to get some reference material and came back with over 5500 photos and 12 hours worth of video of the New York including the subway, grimy hotels and slums. Assuming this extensive material is put to good use Max Payne's levels should look nicely grim and authentic indeed.
Unfortunately there has been little news on Max Payne since last November as the developers decided to go for a media black out. However since then some interesting details have been revealed. According to the Matrox site, the game will support bump mapping, lending an even greater sense of graphical realism to the game. Also, according to Project Lead Petri Järvilehto Remedy have thankfully added a whole load of "cool stuff" to the graphics engine since then so we can only expect even better things from the game visually once the blackout is lifted. However, for now enjoy these lovely screenshots and bear in mind that they are now almost a year old yet lovely none the less. In that time, the visuals and game itself can only have got better.
Pete Closs
Games Editor