Max Payne 3 cheaters getting quarantined

Rockstar Games is putting Max Payne 3 cheaters and hackers in its sights. In an update to the company's website, the firm explained it is aware a "small minority" of players are employing cheats and hacks in the new shooter. While some of the issues will be remedied via title updates, those caught using "nefarious methods" will be relegated to a "Cheaters Pool," the company said.

There, players who used hacked saves, modded games, or other exploits will be pooled together, where they will only be able to play in multiplayer matches against others of the same status. Rockstar said it may reinstate these players, but a second offense will result in an "indefinite banishment."

Rockstar encourages players who witness potentially illegitimate Max Payne 3 activity to send an email to the company at maxpayne3.banhammer@rockstargames.com and include the platform (Xbox 360, PlayStation, or PC), the alleged cheater's gamertag / user ID, a description of the violation, and a video or screenshot of the transgression if possible.

Rockstar also said it will not ban players for using legitimate strategies that players may object to, like "camping."

Max Payne 3 shipped for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 15 to a warm critical reception and shipments of 3 million copies. The game landed on the PC on June 1, and according to one analyst, will sell 4 million copies in its lifetime. For more on Max Payne 3, check out GameSpot's review.