If you’re fan of leather jackets and bullet time, you’ll be delighted to hear that Rockstar Vancouver have announced that they are currently working on Max Payne 3. Set to drop in winter 2009 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, the game will feature Max in a brand new light.

“Developed by Rockstar Vancouver, Max Payne 3 tells the story of a retired police detective embroiled in a world of corruption, turmoil and intense violence,” Rockstar says. “The latest installment delivers more of the classic elements and hyper-intense action that fans have come to love, while moving the story of Max in a new direction.”

“We’re starting a new chapter of Max’s life with this game,” says Rockstar founder Sam Houser. “This is Max as we’ve never seen him before, a few years older, more world-weary and cynical than ever. We experience the downward spiral of his life after the events of Max Payne 2 and witness his last chance for salvation.”

It would seem like the guy just can’t win. But while this is bad news for Max Payne, it’s great news for gamers who’ll get the chance to live out this “world of corruption, turmoil and intense violence” safe in the knowledge that a) they can turn off their system and return to washing the dishes at any time and b) Max Payne is a bad arse who is absolutely down with taking to his challenge like we would a ham and mustard sandwich.

Long live Max Payne!