With the release of Mafia: The Old Country being just over the horizon, developer Hangar 13 was kind enough to talk to us about the upcoming title. With subjects ranging from the studio’s decision to go backwards in time with Mafia: The Old Country, to changes to how the game will change up its gameplay, game director Alex Cox revealed quite a few details about the title.
What inspired the decision to take the series back in time for Mafia: The Old Country?
We wanted to provide players with a unique experience by going back to the roots of organized crime in 1900s Sicily, with a powerful new story and a compelling cast of characters. The legend of the American Mafia begins in Sicily—the “Old Country”—where the criminal customs we all recognize from movies and TV first took shape. The rolling hills of Sicily provide a beautiful backdrop, while the setting allows us to reveal the hidden history of the Sicilian Mafia. The time period also enables some exciting new gameplay additions, like horseback riding and knife duels.
Will The Old Country include any nods or references to the other entries in the Mafia franchise?
Mafia: The Old Country is an all-new story set in the Mafia universe, going back to the roots of organized crime in the Valle Dorata — a fictional region of 1900s Sicily. It also serves as a prequel of sorts to the first three Mafia titles, and eagle-eyed fans will spot many references to those games woven into our narrative and game world. For example, the Valle Dorata’s main town, San Celeste, first appeared in the opening chapter of Mafia II.
"Eagle-eyed fans will spot many references to those games woven into our narrative and game world."
How did the scarcity of vehicles and infrastructure in The Old Country’s historical setting influence the open-world design?
Mafia: The Old Country is not an open-world game, but rather a linear, narrative-driven adventure — much like Mafia and Mafia II. That said, we do have a world to traverse, and having transport options that capture the essence of 1900s Sicily was important to us. You can travel on foot, ride in authentic turn-of-the-century automobiles, or gallop on horseback across cobbled streets and well-worn dirt roads. Between missions, players can wander off the golden path and remain immersed in the experience — they’ll see farmers working the fields, animals grazing on the hillsides, and more.
How does Enzo Favara differ from past protagonists like Tommy Angelo, Vito Scaletta, and Lincoln Clay in terms of personality and motivations?
Enzo has a unique backstory compared to the other protagonists in the Mafia stories. Through grit and determination, Enzo has survived a childhood of indentured labor in Sicily’s hellish sulfur mines. Now, through a twist of fate, he has the opportunity to join Don Torrisi’s crime family, and will do whatever it takes to carve out a better life for himself.
Will the gameplay structure in The Old Country depart from the more sandbox-style approach of Mafia III?
Mafia: The Old Country is entirely focused on delivering a thrilling crime narrative set against the breathtaking backdrop of 1900s Sicily. The campaign is fully linear and does not include the sandbox elements that featured prominently in Mafia III. Our story takes players on a captivating journey to the birthplace of organized crime, brought to life through stunning visuals, cinematic storytelling, and the authentic realism for which the critically acclaimed Mafia series is known.
What lessons from Mafia: Definitive Edition helped shape the development of The Old Country?
Mafia: Definitive Edition took the whole team back to where the series began—the game players first fell in love with in 2002. It gave us a chance to reflect on what makes Mafia special, and the warm response to the game confirmed that there is still enthusiasm and excitement for what we do best: highly crafted, narrative-driven adventures set during iconic eras in the history of organized crime.
"Mafia: Definitive Edition took the whole team back to where the series began—the game players first fell in love with in 2002."
Outside of the main storyline, what types of side activities or open-world content can players expect in The Old Country?
Mafia: The Old Country is a linear, narrative-driven game. While players can take time between missions to explore the Valle Dorata, find collectibles and suchlike, all the action happens on the golden path of the story.
As a developer, what are your thoughts on the PS5 Pro? How does boost in GPU help in developing your game compared to the base PS5?
Mafia: The Old Country already looks incredible on the base PS5. The additional boost we get from PS5 Pro allows us to truly show the game at its best.
Finally, how important is the success of The Old Country to the legacy of the Mafia series and the studio’s long-term vision?
We are excited for players to enjoy this new chapter of the Mafia series, and right now our efforts are focused on delivering the best possible experience in Mafia: The Old Country.
