December 13th 2024.
In this part of town, the infamous game known as GTA is not a topic of conversation. However, there is another game that has recently caught the attention of gamers - the first brand new Mafia game in almost two decades. Set to be released around the same time as GTA 6, many were curious to see how developer Hangar 13 would handle the competition. But surprisingly, they don't seem too concerned.
At The Game Awards 2024, there was another highly anticipated game expected to make an appearance - Mafia: The Old Country. This will be the latest installment in the Mafia series and was first teased at Gamescom in August. However, the excitement was somewhat diminished when a short trailer was leaked yesterday, revealing the game's release window but not much else.
The full trailer, which is less than two minutes long and mostly consists of cut scenes, may not give away much but the developers at Hangar 13 have shared more details about the game's story and gameplay. Set in Sicily during the early 1900s, Mafia: The Old Country puts players in the shoes of Enzo, a new member of the Torrisi crime family. As he works his way up the ranks, players will also get to witness the origin story of the mafia itself.
According to game director Alex Cox and Hangar 13 president Nick Baynes, the decision to set the game in an earlier time period allowed for more creative freedom in telling a new story. Baynes also believes that this makes Mafia: The Old Country a great starting point for new players, although returning fans will not be disappointed. He says, "It sets up a whole new story, whole new stories in the Mafia universe. So I think for people who have loved Mafia games in the past, this is a really satisfying game for them, taking them to an area that they've never been to before."
Interestingly, Hangar 13 has chosen to make Mafia: The Old Country a linear, narrative-driven experience instead of an open-world adventure like its predecessor, Mafia 3. This may turn out to be a wise decision as Mafia 3 was considered the weakest entry in the series, despite having a great script. Fans can only hope that the same writing team has returned for Mafia: The Old Country.
Cox and Baynes are also quick to point out that their game is nothing like GTA 6, despite both being set to release in the same year. While the Mafia games have always been compared to the hugely successful GTA series, Cox argues that Mafia has always focused more on its linear narrative while GTA offers a sandbox experience. Baynes adds, "We just make the best game we can. We're making it for Mafia fans, it's the story we want to tell in the Mafia universe."
Speaking of release windows, Mafia: The Old Country is currently scheduled for the summer of 2025, which is a wise move to avoid competing with GTA 6's fall release. Both Hangar 13 and GTA 6 developer Rockstar are owned by Take-Two Interactive, so it's understandable that the company wants to avoid launching the two games too close to each other.
As for more updates on Mafia: The Old Country, fans can keep an eye out for upcoming gameplay footage and trailers. For those interested in submitting Inbox letters or Reader's Features, there is now a more convenient option through the Submit Stuff page. And for even more gaming news, be sure to follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.
In conclusion, while GTA may be a hot topic of discussion among gamers, the folks at Hangar 13 are solely focused on creating the best Mafia game possible. With an intriguing story and a new time period to explore, Mafia: The Old Country promises to be a satisfying experience for both old and new fans alike. So mark your calendars for the summer of 2025 and get ready to enter the world of organized crime in Sicily.
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