Authentic Sicilian Voice Acting Enhances Mafia: The Old Country Narrative

Hangar 13, developers of the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country, have 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.

Addressing Fan Backlash

The initial Steam listing highlighted full audio support for English, French, German, Czech, and Russian, but notably excluded Italian. This sparked considerable backlash from fans, given the game's Sicilian setting and the historical connection between the Mafia and Italy. Many felt the exclusion was disrespectful.

Hangar 13 responded via Twitter (now X), stating that "Authenticity is at the heart of the Mafia franchise." They clarified that Mafia: The Old Country will utilize authentic Sicilian dialect for its voice acting, reflecting the game's 1900s Sicily setting. They also confirmed that Italian language localization will be available for the in-game UI and subtitles.

The Choice of Sicilian

The decision to use Sicilian, rather than modern Italian, is a deliberate choice reflecting the game's commitment to historical accuracy and cultural nuance. Sicilian, while related to Italian, possesses unique vocabulary and cultural expressions. For example, "sorry" translates to "scusa" in Italian but "m'â scusari" in Sicilian.

Sicily's unique geographical location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East has resulted in a rich linguistic tapestry influenced by Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish. This linguistic diversity aligns perfectly with the "authentic realism" promised by 2K Games.

Looking Ahead

Mafia: The Old Country promises a "gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily." While a precise release date remains unannounced, 2K Games has indicated a more detailed reveal in December, potentially at The Game Awards.