Hangar 13, the developer of Mafia: The Old Country, has confirmed the game will feature authentic Sicilian voice acting, addressing fan concerns regarding the initial omission of Italian from the Steam page's language list. This decision underscores the game's commitment to historical accuracy.

Mafia: The Old Country Faced Initial Backlash

Authenticity Takes Center Stage

The upcoming Mafia: The Old Country, set in 1900s Sicily, sparked controversy when its Steam page initially listed several languages with full audio, notably excluding Italian. This raised questions and concerns among fans, given the game's setting and the Italian origins of the Mafia.

Hangar 13 responded swiftly on Twitter (now X), stating that "Authenticity is at the heart of the Mafia franchise." The tweet clarified that the game will use authentic Sicilian dialect for voice acting, reflecting the game's historical setting. Italian will still be included, however, through subtitles and UI localization.

The initial Steam listing, showcasing full audio for English, French, German, Czech, and Russian, fueled the confusion. The absence of Italian, a staple in previous Mafia games, led to accusations of disrespect from some fans.

Hangar 13's choice to use Sicilian dialect has been largely welcomed by fans. Sicilian, while closely related to Italian, possesses distinct vocabulary and cultural nuances, enhancing the game's realism. For example, "sorry" translates to "scusa" in Italian, but "m'â scusari" in Sicilian.

Sicily's unique location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East has significantly impacted its language, incorporating elements of Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish. This linguistic richness aligns perfectly with the "authentic realism" promised by 2K Games in their press release.

Mafia: The Old Country, described as a "gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily," remains without a confirmed release date. However, 2K Games has promised a more detailed preview in December, possibly coinciding with the Game Awards.

For more details on the Mafia: The Old Country announcement, please see the linked article.