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[xKilltheMx]

simply because of this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia

The term was originally applied to the Sicilian Mafia, but has since expanded to encompass other organizations of similar methods and purpose, e.g. "the Russian Mafia", "the Japanese Mafia", "the Albanian Mafia" or "Maltese Mafia". The term is applied informally by the press and public; the criminal organizations themselves have their own terms (e.g. the Sicilian and American Mafia call themselves "Cosa Nostra", the Mexican Mafia calls itself La Eme and the "Japanese Mafia" calls itself yakuza).

When used alone and without any qualifier, "Mafia" typically refers to either the Sicilian Mafia or the Italian-American Mafia.

But at the end of the day they're all mafia. So it really doesnt matter.

The series is about Mafia. There is (was?) a Black Mafia. The game is still about Mafia.


Edit: I see it like this, if they all of a sudden change the game to a FPS or even changed the theme to something like "gangs" just doing illegal shit or Saints Row crazy I'd understand but they didnt. They've only changed which they're focusing on and not away from the mafia in all ways shapes and forms.

 

[Desi]

when i first watched this trailer my mind went to the black mob and jewish mob run Baltimore of the same era. but in light of current events I don't think that would be touched by any developer anytime soon...

 

[Bigmac1910]

But at the end of the day they're all mafia. So it really doesnt matter.

The series is about Mafia. There is (was?) a Black Mafia. The game is still about Mafia.


Edit: I see it like this, if they all of a sudden change the game to a FPS or even changed the theme to something like "gangs" just doing illegal shit or Saints Row crazy I'd understand but they didnt. They've only changed which they're focusing on and not away from the mafia in all ways shapes and forms.

But it does, the previous games was based on the Italian Mafia, and all a sudden they changed that without adding the qualifier to it. It's like apples and pears, looks similar but taste quite different. Sorry I don't have a better explanation at the moment, but it matters, not everything have to be simplified and put under the same banner.

EDIT: Came up with a better one, it's like Washington and Washington DC. You have it so people can distinguish between the two easily, if you remove that it could be any of the two. In this case it matters to me. Aluminum and Aluminium not so much .

 

[Seronei]

But at the end of the day they're all mafia. So it really doesnt matter.

The series is about Mafia. There is (was?) a Black Mafia. The game is still about Mafia.

A lot people tie the word Mafia directly to Italian mafia(I sure did as it's an Italian expression) So when I read the title I go directly to expecting it to be about it (it still probably plays a big part), especially judging from the previous 2 games having the protagonist being a part of it.
Just looking at the trailer my reaction was that it was odd that a black woman was there, didn't even realize the protagonist is supposed to be half-black and that the game is about the black mafia.

Don't really mind though, as long as it's a well executed.

 

[jrDev]

Breath of fresh air! Nice write up, I just learned a lot from this...

 

[diggmcbadass]

I'm surprised at the backlash. I didn't even know he was black until I saw an interview. He's only half black. Have people considered that the other half might be...Italian?

Yeah, I don't get the backlash at all. I'm a huge fan of the series and, and this seems like an interesting twist on it all.

This whole thing seems like the exact reverse of The Witcher 3 backlash. Those poor eastern European developers can never catch a break.

 

[LilWayneSuckz]

This makes the game a lot more interesting to me. I just wish it weren't called Mafia 3, that 3 is sure to scare away some new players.

 

[xKilltheMx]

But it does, the previous games was based on the Italian Mafia, and all a sudden they changed that without adding the qualifier to it. It's like apples and pears, looks similar but taste quite different. Sorry I don't have a better explanation at the moment, but it matters, not everything have to be simplified and put under the same banner.

EDIT: Came up with a better one, it's like Washington and Washington DC. You have it so people can distinguish between the two easily, if you remove that it could be any of the two. In this case it matters to me. Aluminum and Aluminium not so much .

A lot people tie the word Mafia directly to Italian mafia(I sure did as it's an Italian expression) So when I read the title I go directly to expecting it to be about it (it still probably plays a big part), especially judging from the previous 2 games having the protagonist being a part of it.
Just looking at the trailer my reaction was that it was odd that a black woman was there, didn't even realize the protagonist is supposed to be half-black and that the game is about the black mafia.

Don't really mind though, as long as it's a well executed.

I get it, expectations weren't met. But the game being good is what should matter more imo. I guess im more open minded about series I enjoy changing.

Clarification: I dont want to imply anybody not okay with this is racist or close minded...well they're a little close minded

 

[heringer]

I like playing tropey Italian mafiosos and I enjoy the romantic vision of the Italian mafia. The reason I'm disappointed is simple like that.

That being said, I'm willing to give the game a chance. It's going in a different direction this time, so I just have to accept that.

 

[PowderedToast]

The problem with putting a realistic spin on crime is that it's pretty damn horrible. Putting it in a setting/age where drug trade was the big thing makes it even more so. Bootlegging alcohol under the probation at least doesn't seem as full out evil as selling drugs to school children. At least I find it much harder to be entertained by a movie/game that is about drug trade.

I can see why making games with a romanized version of the Mafia can in some ways be seen as glorifying crime but even the first game showed that the character ended up in a very bad place after the few good years where he was close to the top.

I guess in the end I just don't see anything entertaining in trying to put a more realistic show of violence in crime. It's like GTA V, going on a shooting spree a few times to see how long you can hold out against the police might be fun now and then but actually playing the type of character, Trevor, who would do something like that is a bit horrifying.

well unfortunately but we live in a white supremacist world so having a non white protagonist in a videogame is actually more important than any of your concerns. it's a step forward and anyone who can't see that needs to get their priorities straight and check themselves.

 

[NickatNite]

I can understand why fans of the Mafia franchise are disappointed, and it is justified to some degree. The past two games have both had Italian American roots and the stories have heavily revolved around the idea of an Italian American mob. If I was a fan of the series, I think I would be disappointed too.

As a fan of the previous two titles and someone who is half Italian half Mexican, I welcome the change. I like that Vito makes a return, but I wouldn't be disappointed if he wasn't.

I was excited before the announcement, and still I'm.

 

[jonnyp]

Don't understand the "controversy" or why there needs to be any sort of discussion about this at all.

 

[darscot]

Game looks cool, just needs a new title. Maybe the Mafia 3 should be minor kinda like with Hardline And Battlefront. Everyone knows these are Battlefield sequels/spin offs. I guess American Gangsters was taken but I'm sure they could have come up with something.

 

[tilomite!]

I think it's cool that the publisher is not afraid to try a new setting or in conventional Mafia story.

 

[Camp Freddie]

I played and loved Mafia 1. It was very derivative of Goodfellas, but still fantastic.
I skipped 2, partly because it seemed like more of the same.
Mafia 3 sounds really good. I absolutely love that they are telling a different story to the cliche'd italian mafia tropes.

After reading the OP, this has jumped straight onto my watchlist. I really hope it's good.

 

[GnawtyDog]

You're arguing with someone that agrees with you. He is showing what the common points other people bring up are.

I am not arguing with him. I responded to the "common points" other people bring as stipulated by OP. You said it yourself "agreeing". Begs the question, are people always reading into things as a type of argument (versus) to be had? There is a versus of opinion, and that is specifically with the "common points", not OP.

lol. A case of not reading the OP.

I'm afraid you're mistaken. A case of reading comprehension gone amok. Although I lean to just a bad starting assumption.

 

[Lime]

Gamespot had a discussion starring 2 white dudes on Mafia 3 and Gaming's Issues with Race - The Lobby. It's a pretty sincere conversation, actually.

Peter joins Danny to talk about the fallout from last week's announcement that Mafia 3 will tackle sensitive issues in racially charged, 1960s New Orleans.

And don't read the comments. Gamespot's community is super racist, transphobic, sexist, and all the other bigoted characteristics. I have a serious problem with Gamespot not doing anything about their bigot community.

 

[Jumplion]

Are there people really complaining "But when I see 'Mafia', I think of the Italian Mafia! This is just crazy!"?

It's about as valid of a complaint as when Bioshock: Infinite was announced and people complained "But when I think of Bioshock, I think underwater!"

Heaven forbid we explore other aspects of Mafia history. You'd think people would be open to different and unique explorations of a theme in a franchise.