Mafia: Sicilian Voiceover Unveiled for Enhanced Authenticity

Addressing Fan Concerns: Mafia: The Old Country to Feature Authentic Sicilian Voice Acting

The upcoming Mafia: The Old Country has generated excitement, but also some controversy, regarding its voice acting. Initial listings on Steam indicated support for several languages, notably excluding Italian, despite the game's Sicilian setting. This omission sparked significant backlash from fans.

Hangar 13, the developer, quickly responded to the criticism on Twitter (now X), emphasizing the game's commitment to authenticity. They clarified that Mafia: The Old Country will utilize authentic Sicilian dialect for voice acting, reflecting the game's 1900s Sicily setting. Italian language support will still be available, but through subtitles and UI text.

The Steam listing's omission of Italian, despite its inclusion in previous Mafia titles, fueled fan frustration. Many felt the decision disrespectful, given the mafia's Italian origins. However, the decision to use Sicilian, a distinct dialect with unique vocabulary and cultural nuances, has been largely welcomed.

The choice of Sicilian aligns with the game's focus on "authentic realism," as promised by 2K Games. Sicily's unique position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East has resulted in a rich linguistic heritage, influenced by Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish. This linguistic diversity contributes to the game's historical accuracy. For example, the word "sorry" translates to "scusa" in Italian but "m'â scusari" in Sicilian.

Mafia: The Old Country promises a gritty mob story set in 1900s Sicily. While a specific release date remains unannounced, 2K Games has promised further details in December, possibly during the Game Awards.