Over the course of its three main installments, the Mafia series has transported players through various time periods. The first game unfolded in the 1930s, while the events of Mafia 2 were shifted to the 1940s and early 50s. Mafia 3 took place in the year 1968. In contrast, Mafia: The Old Country brings the action all the way back to Sicily at the turn of the 20th Century, a region rich with historical significance. Extensive time was dedicated to fact-finding and research to ensure an authentic representation of Sicily in the game.
Game Rant recently had a chat with Mafia: The Old Country’s game director Alex Cox and art director Steven Noake, discussing their approach to recreating 1900s Sicily within the game. They shared their motivations for returning to this particular timeframe in the franchise. Additionally, they delved into the diverse techniques they employed to explore Sicily’s historical background.
Mafia: The Old Country Depicts What Life Was Like in 1900s Sicily
In “Mafia: The Old Country”, Enzo Favara serves as the central character. The narrative unfolds as he ascends from humble beginnings to join the Torrisi crime family. His journey is replete with the usual plot twists and turns typical of a “Mafia” game, but this tale unfolds in an entirely distinct era compared to previous games in the series.
In those days, poverty was widespread, street brawls were common, and acquiring automatic weapons wasn’t easy. Cox shared that the choice to set the Mafia series in its earliest era was driven by a desire to shine a light on a less-explored part of mafia history – one that often goes overlooked in mainstream media. He stated, “We aim to bring authenticity and fresh perspective to this intriguing period of organized crime.
In terms of gameplay, we had a chance to retrace our steps to the origin of the story. This is where the mafia was born, specifically focusing on the Italian-American mafia as portrayed in the first three games, a setting we’re well acquainted with due to numerous films. The fantasy lies in this era. However, before these stories began, we want to start at the beginning. We’ll set the stage in a Sicilian environment reminiscent of ‘The Godfather’ movies, one of the rare mainstream examples delving into the Sicilian mafia.
The Research Process For Mafia: The Old Country Explained
The developers placed great importance on making the game as historically authentic as feasible, which necessitated extensive research into the setting and era. As Cox explained, one of their primary resources for this research was John Dickie’s book, “Cosa Nostra,” a highly respected, definitive work on the Sicilian mafia during that time. He added, “This book is globally recognized as an authoritative source on the Sicilian mafia. It’s truly exceptional. When we consulted other academics, they would frequently cite this book.” Noake further detailed the research process, stating, “Whenever I was conducting online research, I would consistently find myself referring back to this book.
Initially, I found myself exploring Sicily online, captivated by the vintage photos that showcased a blend of poverty and breathtaking beauty. It was astonishing to consider how these images, taken during the early days of photography, conveyed such a wealth of stories. The stark contrast between the struggling inhabitants and the opulent architecture, now seemingly luxurious, ignited my curiosity. I began pondering about the tales hidden within these photographs. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to engage with scholars, discussing various cultural aspects, which proved fascinating.
The extensive study conducted on Hangar 13’s part undeniably demonstrates their commitment to presenting players with an accurate portrayal of Sicilian life at the turn of the 20th century in Mafia: The Old Country. Given that Mafia is rumored to be revisiting a more linear, concentrated narrative style, similar to the original two games, enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating whether it will mark a comeback to the franchise’s classic form.
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2025-07-29 16:08