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Max Payne 3

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 07:51, 16 June 2019 by Garrbot (talk | contribs) (→‎Video settings: updated template usage)
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 cover
Developers
Rockstar Vancouver
Rockstar London[1]
Rockstar Toronto[1]
Rockstar New England[1]
Rockstar San Diego[1]
Rockstar Leeds[1]
Rockstar North[1]
Publishers
Rockstar Games
Engines
RAGE
Release dates
Windows June 1, 2012
macOS (OS X) June 20, 2013
Max Payne 3 on Wikipedia

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Max Payne
Max Payne 2001
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne 2003
Max Payne 3 2012
Max Payne 1&2 Remake TBA

Key points

The PC version features high resolution textures, high quality shadows, tessellation and more PC-specific features while also being fairly well optimized.
The OS X version also suffers from multiple issues, one being the complete lack of multiplayer, due to the GameSpy services being shut down.[2]

General information

Official changelog
GeForce Tweak Guide
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Steam and Rockstar Games Social Club online key verification on launch.
Steam and Rockstar Games Social Club online key verification on launch.
Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Requires online activation
Comes on four DVDs.
Does not unlock a digital download.[3]
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Mac App Store
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
macOS (OS X)
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
DLC is loaded through the Rockstar Games Social Club account. Logging there is required independently from Steam, after game launch.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
All versions require Rockstar Games Social Club for activation and online features.
All Windows versions use GameShield IronWrap DRM.[4] Rockstar have not disclosed details of how many machine activations are allowed nor any other restrictions.[5]

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Cemetery Map
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Classic Max Payne Character
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Deadly Force Burst
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Deathmatch Made In Heaven Pack
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Disorganized Crime Pack Free
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Hostage Negotiation Pack
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Local Justice Pack
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Painful Memories Pack
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Pill Bottle Item
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Rockstar Pass
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Silent Killer Loadout Pack
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Special Edition Pack
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Essential improvements

Patches

Updates for the retail versions can be found here.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\Max Payne 3\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/204100/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\Max Payne 3\Profiles\<user-id>\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/204100/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud

Video settings

Advanced graphics settings.
Advanced graphics settings.
Letterboxed behavior example (16:10 resolution used).
Letterboxed behavior example (16:10 resolution used).

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

This game uses vertical FOV. See FOV Calculator for help.
Change FOV with Cheat Engine[6]
  1. Install Cheat Engine.
  2. Download Max Payne 3 Cheat Table.
  3. Double-click on the file to open in Cheat Engine.
  4. Run the game and switch back to Cheat Engine.
  5. Click on Open Process and select MaxPayne3.exe.
  6. Activate the checkbox beside FOV (F3).
  7. Double-click on the value of 70 to change if needed.

Notes

Weapon zoom and cutscenes are affected; toggle script with F3 when needed.
Default FOV is different for certain resolutions lower than FHD (e.g. 1152x864)

Input settings

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Template:Audio settings

Though the game doesn't use EAX.dll library, Creative Alchemy still can be used to noticeably enhance sound quality, as it restores also DirectSound3D used by the game.[7] It will just emulate DirectSound and 3D positional audio with OpenAl from translated DirectSound calls. For non-Creative cards users see here or use IndirectSound (worse quality, doesn't use OpenAL). dsoal library is incompatible with Max Payne 3 and (at least) with Max Payne 2.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Brazilian Portuguese
Polish
Russian
Official localization by «1C-Softclub»
Russian
Fan translation by «ENPY Studio»
Spanish
Ukrainian
An Ukrainian fan patch is available here
Most languages can be forced by using -language Language. For Brazilian Portuguese use -language Portuguese. See Command line arguments.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Notes
LAN play
Online play
Versus, Co-op
Co-op included in Deathmatch Made In Heaven DLC. OS X multiplayer no longer works.[2]

Connection types

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
TriDef 3D

Issues fixed

Nothing happens at "Initializing" screen

The game must be installed under C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common\Max Payne 3 in order for Social Club to load, which is required to play the game. If the game was installed to a custom Steam folder, there are two methods to solve the issue.

Symlinks[8]

It is possible to create a symlink to the folder containing the game, tricking the game into believing it is installed in the correct location.

  1. Create the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common\Max Payne 3
  2. Run cmd as Administrator and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common\Max Payne 3
  3. Run the command mklink /D "Max Payne 3" "K:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\Max Payne 3"

Replacing "K:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\Max Payne 3" with whatever path you have to your Max Payne 3 installation.

Next time you run the game through Steam it will reinstall the prerequisites, and then let you play the game.

Copy installation[citation needed]

The game must be installed under C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common\Max Payne 3 in order for Social Club to load, which is required to play the game. If the game was installed to a custom Steam folder, copy (not move) it to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common\Max Payne 3, then have Steam uninstall the game, then reinstall it to the default location. Steam will detect the existing files and fix the installation, and the game will proceed properly. If the problem is not solved:

  • Ensure the MaxPayne3.exe does NOT have compatibility or Admin rights settings applied.
  • Use the -scdetectproxy steam launch option.
  • Delete the Social Club installation folder (do not use the uninstaller). Install an earlier version of Rockstar Games Social Club such as v1.0.9.7. Run the game and it will tell you to update the Social Club program. Run the installer from Max Payne 3's MP3Installers folder.

Unable to sign into Rockstar Games Social Club

Delete files[9]
  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Delete maxpayne3_steam.ini, steam_api.dll and steam_appid.txt
  3. Verify integrity of game cache.

Game will not launch

The game will not launch for many users.[10]
Change to DirectX 9[11]

This can be fixed by going into safe mode, and changing the game to DirectX 9.

  1. Install game.
  2. Update GPU drivers.
  3. Restart PC.
  4. Use the -safemode -windowed command line arguments.
  5. Game settings > set to DirectX 9, with choice of screen resolution and fullscreen.
  6. Remove the command line arguments.

Negative mouse acceleration and frame dependent mouse sensitivity

Even after the patch which introduced a mouse acceleration toggle, some players experience negative mouse acceleration as well as frame rate dependent sensitivities.
There are currently no true fixes for the negative mouse acceleration.
Reduce graphics settings[citation needed]

Turning off FXAA, MSAA, and vsync may help to make negative mouse acceleration tolerable.

Copy ddraw.dll to Max Payne 3 folder

Copy ddraw.dll from Windows\System32 folder, or SysWow64 folder (different file size), or just download Custom ddraw.dll changes mouse feeling too. Or maybe not in every case for better. It can be easily tested even in main menu.

Not sure if custom libraries don't cause rare falling under map glitch on the airport level, or not loading part 2 of the office level (though SweetFX or dsound.dll can be also culprits).
Rinput dosen't work in this game.

Game goes to pause menu randomly

This error is usually caused by having an Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter plugged into USB.

Remove Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter[citation needed]

Error code 1641 on launch

Restart[citation needed]
This error is related to .NET 3.5.
  • Restarting the computer should fix the error, but if not try reinstalling .Net 3.5 and restarting.

Game crashes with StackHash_XXX Error

Administrator privileges[citation needed]

Run maxpayne3.exe as an administrator.

Fix Data Execution Prevention setting[citation needed]

Ensure Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is set to the default (Windows programs and services only).

ERR_OS_VISTA

This error message can be caused on the Steam version of the game when Steam is forced by the OS into compatibility mode.
ERR_OS_VISTA[citation needed]
Follow these steps to stop Windows Vista/7 from forcing Steam into compatibility mode:[12]
  1. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
  2. Look for an entry with your path to steam.exe
  3. Delete that entry
  4. If you don't find it there try HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

Graphics settings not saving

Game may report that video memory is 0/0. This may be caused by older graphics drivers which need updating.
Edit graphics.xml[13]

One fix is to edit %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\Max Payne 3\graphics.xml

Steam version product key activation error

Move installation folder[citation needed]

For the error message "no activations remaining for this activation key" or "cannot contact activation server [14] when trying to activate the game over socialclub.

  1. The issue can be remedied by moving your max payne 3 installation from <Steam-folder>\steamapps\common to <Steam-folder>\steamapps\<user-id>
  2. Right click on maxpayne3.exe
  3. Run it as an administrator.[15] Once this is done, the game will activate properly.

Requires Service Pack 1

The game may show the error message 'Requires Service Pack 1 or superior'.
Requires Service Pack 1[citation needed]
  1. This can be fixed by finding the maxpayne3.exe file.
  2. Right clicking and setting the compatibility mode to "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)".[16]
  3. Running maxpayne3.exe as an administrator may also fix the problem.

Asus software

Asus software 'Smart Doctor' or 'Asus Gamer' may cause crashing.
Uninstall Asus software[citation needed]

Game freeze during startup

Can be fixed by reinstalling Rockstar Games Social Club before launching. This have to be done every time before launching the game. Also make sure that your internet connection works fine. Problem may also appear during using Android smartphone as modem. When using Steam version, the problem may appear when you run game's executable without Steam enabled.

New York Minute Hardcore troubleshooting and glitches

This mode can reveal few glitches which you can encounter during gameplay, resulting being unable to finish the game:
List:
  1. You don't have to fight with Passos with enemies searching the balcony (wait till they gone). It's a place with painkillers ahead. [Stadium, PT I CH III]
  2. Fabiana dead during shooting from boat during final cutscene (shoot on the enemies from the left side, you can accidently kill her on low brightness)
  3. IT man will be shot if you go down the stairs (you must kill all enemies first - bullet cam must appear).
  4. Infinite loading of Branco's office PT 2 (disapears after few NYMHC attempts, try to not skip prior cutscenes to help against this)
  5. Enemies stop to respawn, doors are closed, in Favela PT 1 (if you flip all the time through the section leading to enemy with flare, and if you run too fast when you spot him from distance - stay where you are when you'll see him until he disapear and when he shoot the flare)
  6. Rare case when you can't pick up shotgun in a chapel in the very end of the level [PT 2 CH VIII]
  7. You can't shoot enemies in the helicopter during cutscene of Favela PT 2 (1. If you have no ammo left for M972 2. If you picked up M972 after enemy)
  8. You can't destroy aforementioned helicopter (if you later shoot only once in the rocket - even when bullet cam appeared, you will fail anyway when rocket won't explode)
  9. Caps lock, num lock, scroll lock are not registered as pressed, during melee fight in the end of Favela PT II level (don't use them as any of primary keys - only as secondary)
  10. Game is glitched when you get hit while shooting Desert Eagle on a rope (probably while shooting very fast and inaccurate while having infinite clip in this interactive cutscene) [Boat, PT III, CH XI]
  11. You're dead after the end of the armoured-truck-defence cutscene (if you keep pressing W while the cutscene is shown - key pressing is still registered during the cutscene - in result, you can immediately lean out from the cover when the truck is shooting instantly after the end of cutscene) [Police Station, PT III, CH XIII]
  12. Glithed enemy death camera (enemy will not die) if you get hit by the enemy running out after beep signal, after the sequence of shooting at distant enemies on the rooftop (if you were shooting from behind cover with mesh fence) [PT III, CH XIII]
  13. Shooting with Desert Eagle with no ammo during train jump cutscene in the end level (if you didn't replace this weapon in second slot from the beginning; immediately after bullet time cutsence you have still no ammo) [PT III, CH XIV]
  14. Rare falling under map glitch in airport level (not sure if any of custom libraries cause it, e.g. SweetFX, ddraw, dsound or slow HDD)
  15. Random crashes during the game (use Steam in offline mode - game's more stable, set your CPU/GPU clocks to stock values, restart computer before playing)

Notes

If you use no cutscenes script, carefully read notes here.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9, 10, 10.1, 11
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Euphoria
Multiplayer GameSpy OS X version only. No longer works.[2]

Command line arguments

Add parameters to a commandline.txt file in the installation folder, or see command line arguments for other methods.
Parameter Description
adapter Force specific DirectX adapter starting from 0.
aspectratio Force aspect ratio [width:height].
availablevidmem Force Video RAM limit to the amount specified (MB).
cpucount Force CPU count if query is not successful.
d3dmt Force multi-threaded DirectX runtime.
dx10 Force DirectX 10 if available.
dx10_1 Force DirectX 10.1 if available.
dx11 Force DirectX 11 if available.
dx9 Force DirectX 9.
frameLimit Force VSync [0, 1, 2]
fullscreen Force Fullscreen mode.
fxaa Force FXAA quality [0..3].
gpucount Force GPU count if query is not successful.
height Force vertical resolution.
language english Force English language.
language french Force French language.
language italian Force Italian language.
language german Force German language.
language spanish Force Spanish language.
language russian Force Russian language.
language portuguese Force Portuguese language.
language polish Force Polish language.
MSAA Force MSAA [0..5].
MSAAQuality Force MSAA quality level.
nomouseaccel Disable mouse acceleration.
outputMonitor Force specific monitor starting from 0.
reflectionquality Force reflection quality [0..3].
refreshrate Force refresh rate.
safemode Force game to load with safest settings.
shadowquality Force shadow quality [0..3].
ssao Force SSAO [0..1].
stereo Force 3D stereo support [0..1] (1 is on)
tessellation Force tessellation quality [0..3].
texturefilterquality Force the Anisotropic texture filter quality [0..4].
texturequality Force the texture quality [0..2].
useHighQualityShaders Force usage of high quality shaders [0..1].
waterquality Force water quality [0..2].
width Force horizontal resolution
windowed Force windowed mode.

Mods

Script hook and trainer/mod menu

To activate, press F4. Press 8 to scroll up, 2 down, 0 to back out, 5 to accept, 6 scroll sideways.

KTMXHancer Texture Mod, source with Reshade

Skip in-game cutscenes

If you skip the cutscenes before specific parts (detailed below), the game won't finish loading properly, forcing you to die or reload the checkpoint, ending a NYMHC run.
Install skip cutscenes script[17]
  1. Download Max Payne 3 Script Hook.
  2. Copy ScriptHook.dll and dinput8.dll to the game folder.
  3. Download Max Payne 3 Skip Cutscenes Script.
  4. Extract the .asi script to the game folder.

Notes

In chapter one, after saving Fabiana, Max will be stuck in the elevator and unable to move.
In chapter seven, after the part where Max is hanging in the ascending chain during the warehouse section and before the screen fades to gameplay, you are instantly killed.
In chapter eight, right at the end, in the area where Max and Passos emerge from the morgue and have to deal with the guy up on the balcony (the room with the red carpets and curtains), the area fails to load here if you skip the cutscene, forcing you to reload the checkpoint.
In chapter nine, when you skip the second scene with the explosion, game is crashing after moving forward.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP SP3
Processor (CPU) Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
AMD Phenom II X2 2.6 GHz
System memory (RAM) 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 35 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT
AMD Radeon HD 3400
512 MB of VRAM
Sound (audio device) 100% DirectX 9.0 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.7.5 Lion
Processor (CPU) Intel Dual Core Xeon 2.4 GHz or greater
Intel Core i Series 2.4 GHz or greater
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 32 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT
AMD Radeon HD 4870
512 MB of VRAM

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/204100/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (204100) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References