At long last Rockstar Games has officially announced the 2012 release of Max Payne 3. Once again Max will have to overcome the demons of his past only this time he’s bringing multiplayer with him.

Gamers can expect to pick up Max Payne 3 in March 2012, making it more than a full 8 years since Max Payne 2′s release on the PS2.

With Rockstar’s collective hands full with AAA titles like Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto 4 and L.A. Noire there previously had not been adequate time to deliver the third game that series fans have been clamoring for. The only utilization of the Max Payne license thus far in the current generation has come by way of Hollywood and Mark Wahlberg.

“Max Payne 3 gave us an amazing creative opportunity to evolve one of our most iconic characters.. We’re excited to show fans a modern version of Max that pulls them back into his dark and twisted story.”  - Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games

In Max Payne 3 gamers will see the former NYPD detective take up shop in Sao Paulo, Brazil as a bodyguard for a wealthy industrialist. As you may have already guessed Payne’s violent past travels just as well and he will have to go on yet another killing spree in an effort to protect his employers and make a last ditch effort to clear his name.

As of yet not much has been made of the addition of multiplayer apart from the inclusion of various, however unspecified modes.

Now that we have a window for Max Payne 3′s release do you anticipate a purchase?