Remedy’s Quantum Break is one of the most anticipated games of this year, and their Alan Wake is probably the biggest cult classic hit of all time- but before they made either of those games, they created the iconic Max Payne franchise, in which they created two games, before signing off on the series.
Speaking to Metro, however, Remedy’s creative director Sam Lake said that it might be fun and refreshing for the studio to return to the franchise one day. He also confirmed that Remedy did act as consultants on the development of Max Payne 3.
“We were playing the game and giving them feedback, and I had a nice opportunity of working with Dan Houser when he was creating the prequel comic book for Max Payne 3,” he said. “But other than that we were not involved. I don’t know… if that kind of opportunity [to return to the series] did present itself I think it would be fun.”
Lake also discussed a new Max Payne game, of course- Remedy sold the IP to Take Two after completing the first game, though they did also create the sequel. Does Lake regret the decision to not hold on to the property?
“From a creator’s perspective it was actually nice knowing that we had sold the IP to Rockstar after the first one, and part of the deal was to make the second one,” Lake continued. “So through that whole project I knew that in all likelihood this was the last Max Payne that we would make. So doing that and saying your goodbyes to that franchise had a lot of closure for me. But who can say, if something like that would suddenly happen I’m sure that we could come up with something cool.”
It sounds like in the end, he is quite content with the way things worked out, which is the mark of someone who is creatively satisfied, of course. And while I am glad at Remedy getting to make Alan Wake and Quantum Break, I kind of do want to see them have a go at Max Payne again- I think they’d end up making a remarkable game if they did.
Quantum Break launches on PC and Xbox One next month.