It has recently been unveiled by 2K Games that the next instalment in their Mafia series – simply titled Mafia III – is currently in development. Hoping to immerse players into the the experience through “rich narrative storytelling and beautifully crafted game worlds”, this latest instalment is being developed by Hangar 13, a new development studio under the 2K publishing label led by game developer Haden Blackman.
Although they haven’t shared much about the gameplay yet, 2K Games have been pretty enthusiastic about detailing the setting and plot that those playing Mafia III will find themselves experiencing. Mafia III is set in a reimagined New Orleans in 1968. This version of New Orleans is bustling with activity, complete with era-inspired cars, fashion and music. During this turbulent time, a cloud of corruption hangs in the air and the city has become a haven for organized crime. The Italian mob controls illegal gambling, drugs, and prostitution, while corrupt police and politicians line their pockets with the proceeds.
Mafia III follows the story of Lincoln Clay, a disenfranchised Vietnam veteran, returning from combat and looking for a home and a place to belong. Orphaned as a child, Lincoln at last achieves a semblance of family with the city’s black mob, finding the surrogate father and brother he has longed for. But when Lincoln’s new family is betrayed and slaughtered by the Italian mob, he becomes fixated on revenge and wages a brutal war against the Italians, disrupting the balance of power in the seedy underworld of New Orleans. As the story progresses, Lincoln allies himself with other criminals and builds an empire and a new family of his own that transforms the city. Players are invited to choose their own path to revenge and build their own crime empire using cunning, stalking, deception and/or through overwhelming force and firepower.
Christoph Hartmann | President of 2K Games
Mafia III continues the strong franchise tradition of a captivating story set in the treacherous and calculated world of organized crime. Mafia III captures Hangar 13’s mantra of ‘every player story is unique’ through a cinematic narrative that responds to player choice.
Haden Blackman | Studio Head and Creative Director of Hangar 13
The Mafia franchise is known for its immersive sense of time and place, and for presenting compelling stories about life within organized crime. In Mafia III, we are introducing players to an unexpected new anti-hero and an iconic city to explore, all within a hard-boiled drama set during one of the most turbulent years in American history.
Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K Games, Mafia III is set for release on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC gaming platforms starting sometime in 2016. Just when in 2016 is currently unknown.
