In this article, we are going to take a brief look at the history of Mafia and speculate about this new work.
A Quick Look
The Mafia series is one of the most famous and popular series in the action-adventure genre, focusing on crime stories, which has attracted many fans since the release of the first edition in 2002. The series is known for offering rich stories, deep characterizations, and open worlds (albeit with their own limitations), often based on past decades and the mafia era in the United States. Each version of this series has tried to take the players to the heart of history and immerse them in real and historical environments. The first installment of the series took players to the golden age of crime in the United States in the 1930s, where the fictional city of Lost Heaven was inspired by Chicago and New York. The game was praised for its strong storytelling and impressive environment design. Mafia II was released in 2010 with improved graphics and gameplay, taking players back to the 1940s and 1950s, this time in a fictional city called Empire Bay, a mix of New York City and San Francisco.
Mafia III, released in 2016, moved to the 1960s and the city of New Bordeaux, inspired by New Orleans, and presented a darker and arguably more complex story in the form of a society full of racial discrimination and political corruption. Now, it’s time to prepare for a unique adventure in the heart of Sicily; A trip that not only introduces us to the mysterious and complicated stories of the mafia, but also gives us the opportunity to face the beauty and darkness of this historical island. Mafia: Old Country gets closer than ever to the true roots of the mafia, placing players in the heart of one of the most authentic crime scenes in the world. Get ready to enter the world of Sicily; Where every street has a story to tell and every decision can have heavy consequences.
First, it is better to get acquainted with the origins and history of the mafia.
Sicily, The Birthplace of Mafia
Mafia as an organized and complex phenomenon was formed in the late 19th century and early 20th century in Sicily, an island in the south of Italy. Due to its geographical location, this region has always been attacked and dominated by different powers. These conditions laid the foundation for the creation of a kind of local power structure, which was later known as the mafia. Originally, Sicily was an agrarian society controlled mainly by large landowners. Farmers and workers often lived in harsh and unfair conditions, and the central government had little ability to support the people due to structural weakness and widespread corruption (Sicily was practically an isolated region). This situation created a power vacuum that local groups and militias were quick to exploit. These groups, which were originally created to protect the properties and interests of the landowners, gradually gained more power and influence. Early in its formation, the mafia functioned mostly as protection groups tasked with protecting land and crops from thieves and rebels. But over time, these groups themselves became the main cause of fear and intimidation.
Using tactics such as extortion, threats and violence, the mafia took control of large sections of society. One of the main reasons for the success of the Mafia in Sicily was the weakness of the central government and the lack of effective legal institutions, which allowed these groups to easily expand their power (they were everywhere). As a criminal organization, the Mafia quickly took root in Sicilian society. These groups were not only involved in illegal activities such as smuggling and murder, but also had influence in the social and economic relations of the society. By creating complex networks of loyalty and subservience, the Mafia was able to establish itself as a powerful force in Sicilian society. These networks operated on concepts such as omerta (law of silence) and family, which formed the core of mafia loyalty. Because Sicily was geographically and culturally separated from the rest of Italy, the Mafia was able to effectively spread across the island and become a sort of shadow government. Big landlords and local influentials gradually turned to the mafia instead of the government to solve their problems. These interactions caused the mafia to gradually exert its control over business, politics, and even the judicial affairs of the region.
More restrictions
The game Mafia: Old Country, which takes place in Sicily, may bring many challenges for the players. One of the possible limitations can be due to the historical and geographical environment of Sicily. Sicily at the time was known as a relatively isolated island with limited infrastructure, which could limit access to weapons, vehicles, and various resources. Also, local laws and a strong mafia culture can force players to operate more in the shadows, turning to covert and diplomatic tactics instead of direct violence. Sicily, on the other hand, is a small area with close-knit communities, which can make it easier for enemies and local police to identify and track the player. This may lead to restrictions on the player’s free movement and the need for more stealth. Also, because Sicily is an island, the player may face geographical restrictions that make it difficult to escape or move quickly. Communication and information limitations can also add to the game’s challenges, as information was not easily accessible in those days and the player had to rely on local sources or special methods to obtain important information. These issues can generally make the game difficult and force the player to adopt different strategies than previous versions of the game.
The Joy of Possession
Godfather II introduced one of the most innovative features in the mafia game genre with its crime ring system. The system allowed the player to gradually expand his criminal and mafia empire by taking over and managing a series of illegal businesses and operations. The idea of crime rings literally puts the player as a mafia don who not only deals with various missions but also has to manage a complex and dynamic criminal network. Supposedly, the use of such a system could allow players to control various types of operations such as extortion and gambling. This system also allows players to experience the game with different strategies. The player can use violence and threats to eliminate competitors and take over their businesses, or expand their influence through diplomacy and cooperation with other criminal groups. These choices and their outcomes allow the player to shape their own story and achieve different outcomes each time they experience the game.
In addition, the crime ring system can help diversify the gameplay. One moment the player may be involved in a battle to take over a night club, and the next he may be forced to plan an elaborate plot to rob a bank. These multiple events make the game feel fresh, dynamic and exciting and away from monotony. Another benefit of such a system is that it can give players a real sense of power and control. As the crime rings expand, the player gradually gains more influence and influence in the game world, and this issue can be a strong motivation to continue. Players can work on strengthening their empire’s defenses and security so that rivals don’t become a serious threat, keeping players constantly engaged and accountable.
1900 and the Appearance of Demons
One of the important reasons for the power of the mafia in this period was the dependence of many politicians and officials on them. The mafia helped politicians stay in power by providing financial support and security, while the politicians turned a blind eye to the mafia’s illegal activities. This situation led to the Mafia becoming a form of hidden power that virtually dominates many parts of Sicily. At the same time, mass immigration from Sicily to the United States began. Poverty and difficult living conditions forced many Sicilians to leave their homeland. But among these immigrants, mafia members were also looking for new opportunities in the new world. Arriving in cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston, immigrant mafias began to build new criminal networks that gradually became large and powerful organizations in the United States. This migration allowed the Mafia to expand its influence from Sicily to an international level.
Flexibility in Relationships
In the game, one of the interesting and key features can be to allow the player to interact and deal with different mafia families. This freedom allows the player to make strategic decisions in the complex mafia world that will help shape his story path and power. In the mafia world, the relationships between mafia families play a key role in determining success or failure. In the game Mafia: Old Country, this element can be well reflected. As a member of a mafia family, the player faces opportunities to trade and negotiate with other mafia families. These deals may include trade agreements, military support, sharing of spheres of influence, or even temporary alliances to deal with common enemies. One of the important points in this type of games is the player’s moral and strategic choices. The player can decide which families to ally with and which families to choose as enemies. These decisions are made based on the pros and cons of each trade, and may have long-term effects on the game’s story and player power.
The mechanism of these deals can be in the form of complex and dynamic negotiations, where the player must gain a detailed understanding of the needs and weaknesses of each mafia family. Negotiations can involve threats, bribes, false promises, or even fealty. Every decision the player makes can have unexpected consequences and lead the story of the game in different directions. One of the most interesting aspects of such a freedom system in the game is that the player can not only interact with different mafia families, but can secretly and cleverly betray some families or even make two families fight each other. This feature allows the player to play the role of a power broker in the mafia world and use every opportunity to strengthen his position.
We Hope
Mafia fans have long wanted the series to return to its original roots; To the same real and deep space that was depicted in the initial version of the game. Choosing Sicily as the setting for the new version can satisfy this demand of the fans and create a unique opportunity for the creators to return to the original story and identity of the series. Sicily, as the birthplace of the mafia and a land that has a long and complicated history with this organization, is the perfect platform to present a rich and realistic story.
The atmosphere of Sicily, with its traditional culture, religion and full of historical mysteries, allows the creators to recreate a world that is not only visually appealing, but also where the interactions and relationships between the characters become more realistic and complex. The old architecture, narrow streets and hidden alleys can well evoke the cold and scary atmosphere of the mafia world and take the players to the dark and dangerous world of that time. This rich environment naturally lends itself to telling stories of betrayal, loyalty, and power struggles. One of the main reasons for the popularity of the early versions of Mafia was their sense of nostalgia and realism. The feeling that the players are in the heart of a traditional criminal empire made the game experience very real and tense. Returning to Sicily and recreating that old and historical environment can rekindle that nostalgic feeling and give old fans the feeling that the game has returned to its roots.
