The Mafia series was a landmark success for Hangar 13. If you didn’t experience these absolute classics back when they originally released, starting with Mafia in 2002, you can experience them in their full remastered and remake glory thanks to 2020’s Mafia: Definitive Edition release, which I highly recommend.
Outside of the Definitive Edition, talk of further expanding the Mafia series has been non-existent. Our last dose of original content came in 2017 with the release of a series of expansion packs for Mafia III. The good news, folks, is that it looks like Mafia is set to make a comeback as a fourth game is reportedly in the works.
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According to Kotaku, Mafia 4 is in very early development and is set to be a prequel. Under the codename ‘Nero,’ Mafia 4 is believed to be using Unreal Engine 5, as opposed to the studio’s own Mafia III engine which was used in prior instalments. If the rumours are true and Mafia 4 is in fact a prequel, the game could potentially focus on the rise of Mafia’s Salieri crime family.
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The news of a potential Mafia 4 comes as Hangar 13 studio head Haden Blackman announced that he’s leaving the company after seven years. As obtained by Kotaku, an email to staff wrote that Blackman was going to “pursue his passion at a new endeavour.” Taking over this position is Nick Baynes who is currently studio head at Hangar 13’s Brighton office and Kotaku note that it’s Baynes who is heading up the new Mafia project.
2K Games told staff, “With 30 years of industry leadership experience, Nick joined Hangar 13 in 2018 to establish Hangar 13 Brighton, and has spent the last four years growing the team, building up the studio’s capabilities, and launching terrific projects like Mafia: Definitive Edition and the Mafia Trilogy.” Well, if this is all proved to be true, Mafia 4 could soon be added to that list.
Topics: 2K Games