The Mafia franchise has become known for its storytelling and gritty portal of mob life. It has garnered a dedicated fanbase since its debut in 2002. With three mainline releases, a remake of the first game, and several mobile spin-offs the time has come for Mafia 4 to shine.
After years of anticipation, it seems that fans have a lot to look forward to as the highly anticipated Mafia 4 is on the horizon. Rumors and leaks are plenty and all tell the same story; the Mafia franchise’s future is bright.
Mafia 4: Everything We Know
We are nearing the Summer Game Fest scheduled for tomorrow (June 7, 2024) and one of the possibilities is that Mafia 4 gameplay will be revealed.
Following official confirmation in late 2022, Mafia fans have been on the edge of their feet for new information. According to leaks, the game will be a prequel set in 19th-century Sicily, focusing on the Salieri family’s rise to power. Players might take on the role of a young Don Salieri, navigating the world of the Italian mafia. The historical setting is rumored to take place between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Gameplay details are still scarce, but all hint at a narrative-driven experience, similar to previous Mafia titles. Why change a formula that works for these kinds of games? Moreover, it is said that the game will be built around Unreal Engine 5.2, which will deliver some stunning visuals without a doubt. This is just one of many reasons to get excited about Mafia 4. A next-gen update for the Mafia Trilogy is also a possibility, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed yet.
Will Mafia 4 Include Multiplayer?
Some rumors suggest that Mafia 4 might include some form of multiplayer elements, which is a stark departure from the single-player focus we have experienced through previous titles. The possibilities are many, maybe we will get a cooperative gameplay mode, or perhaps a competitive mode. It is yet to be seen what Mafia 4 will bring but the other character will most likely be Don Morello.
Available leaks also talk about a heavy focus on stealth mechanics, which is also similar to previous Mafia games including Mafia III, which deserves a revisit before the new game is live.
On the other hand, Hangar 13, the developer behind Mafia 4, is already looking ahead to Mafia 5 despite Mafia 4 not yet being released. According to a job listing at the studio in 2023 advertised for an executive producer to ‘own the development of a key franchise”. While the job listing didn’t exclusively state Mafia 4, everything pinpoints to Mafia 5.
Unfortunately, since that posting, Hangar 13 has seen some restructuring and layoffs, but the Mafia 4 release has never come into question. The round of job cuts came after the cancellation of several unannounced projects, including a superhero game. These studio changes might have impacted the development timeline for Mafia 4 but not its release.
While the Mafia franchise never reached the heights of the GTA franchise, it still has a dedicated fan base that is eagerly awaiting news on the upcoming Mafia release.
It is important to note that these are just leaks and rumors and nothing has been officially confirmed by the developer studio or 2K Games. There is a big chance Mafia 4 doesn’t even get presented at SGF, which will certainly disappoint many fans.
Mafia Spin-Off Games
In addition to mainline console and PC releases, the Mafia franchise extends to several spin-off games. These include two mobile games, Mafia II Mobile from 2010 and Mafia III: Rivals from 2016. While not directly connected to the main story, these mobile games offered a different way to experience the world of the Mafia. This was a great way for casual gamers to get accustomed to the franchise as they built their way into the core series.
Although these games never reached the critical acclaim of the mainline titles, they still helped maintain player interest.