ABOUT US

PayneReactor was founded in 1999 by Kristian Brynie Hollund. What began as a personal passion project quickly evolved into something much bigger. The website originally launched as a fan site dedicated to the videogame Max Payne, driven by Hollund’s deep admiration for the game and his enthusiasm for web design. At the time, the site was known as Insane Payne, and it rapidly gained popularity within the growing Max Payne community.

Where the Remedy Legacy Lives

Thanks to Hollund’s strong relationship with Remedy Entertainment (the developers of the original Max Payne) he possessed unique insights into the game’s development and future direction. Combined with the site’s steadily increasing traffic, this caught the attention of GameReactor. In 2001, Hollund was approached by GameReactor and agreed to place the website under their supervision. The site was subsequently renamed PayneReactor. To celebrate this collaboration, Hollund was invited to Remedy Entertainment for an exclusive interview. GameReactor translated and published the interview in multiple languages, significantly boosting PayneReactor’s international visibility and cementing its reputation as a leading Max Payne fan destination.

During the month of Max Payne’s original release, PayneReactor attracted millions of unique visitors, marking a major milestone in its history. With this explosive growth came an increased workload, forcing Hollund to seek help from the Max Payne community. Shortly thereafter, Patrick Streutjens joined the team as second in command.

The Second Act

By the time Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne was announced, Hollund resumed full independent control of the website while retaining the PayneReactor name. The site received extensive support from the game’s publisher, Rockstar Games, and Hollund was even invited to New York to preview Max Payne 2 ahead of its official release.

Following the launch of Max Payne 2 in October 2003, the community flourished with ambitious modding projects and various film initiatives inspired by the franchise. However, after 2006, most major modding efforts were either completed or abandoned, and community activity gradually slowed. With no new Max Payne game on the horizon, interest in the franchise declined – and with it, PayneReactor’s traffic.

Despite this downturn, PayneReactor endured. Driven by passion for the series and a strong belief in its eventual return, the site continued to operate. That belief was validated in 2009 with the announcement of a new Max Payne title, which would ultimately release in May 2012. The announcement, combined with a full website redesign, reignited interest in PayneReactor. In the months leading up to the release of Max Payne 3, Kristian and Patrick were once again invited by Rockstar Games to New York for a hands-on preview of the game.

The Torch Is Passed

In November 2013, after 14 years as Editor-in-Chief of PayneReactor, Kristian Hollund announced his retirement due to increasingly demanding work and personal commitments. Recognizing PayneReactor as an essential part of the Max Payne legacy, Patrick Streutjens immediately stepped in to ensure the site would continue. Hollund agreed to officially pass the torch to his longtime collaborator.

The year 2014 marked PayneReactor’s 15th anniversary, celebrated in collaboration with Remedy Entertainment and Rockstar Games. Together, they organized a large-scale giveaway event, inviting fans from around the world to share their most cherished Max Payne memories. More than 20 prizes, each containing rare and exclusive Max Payne collector’s items, were shipped to participants worldwide.

As the future of the Max Payne franchise again became uncertain, Streutjens recognized the need for PayneReactor to evolve in order to remain relevant. The site began expanding its focus to include other story-driven videogames, with franchises such as Alan Wake and Control gaining a more prominent presence.

In late November 2015, Streutjens was invited by Remedy Entertainment to Cologne for a behind-closed-doors preview of their upcoming title Quantum Break. Although Remedy had supported PayneReactor for many years, this marked the first time Streutjens met key figures such as Sam Lake and Thomas Puha in person – both of whom praised the site’s longevity and dedication.

Under Control

In 2017, the website underwent its largest redesign to date, ensuring full compatibility with mobile devices and modern platforms. This redesign also marked a further step away from exclusive reliance on the Max Payne franchise. Even so, Remedy Entertainment and Rockstar Games remained front and center.

Over the years, Streutjens has cultivated a close and enduring relationship with Remedy Entertainment. This bond has granted PayneReactor access to exclusive interviews, early access, scoops and rare behind-the-scenes insights into Remedy’s creative process. PayneReactor has consistently been at the forefront of in-depth coverage, offering readers a unique window into the studio’s worlds, characters, and storytelling philosophy. These privileged connections have not only enriched the website’s content, but have also reinforced its reputation as a trusted voice within the community.