Mafia: The Old Country Voice Acting Will Use Authentic Sicilian Rather Than Modern Italian

Hangar 13, the developer of the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country, has confirmed that the game will feature authentic Sicilian voice acting, addressing fan concerns regarding the initial omission of Italian from the Steam page's full audio language list.

The initial Steam listing, showcasing full audio in English, French, German, Czech, and Russian, but not Italian, sparked a backlash from fans. Many felt the exclusion of Italian, the language of the Mafia's origin, was disrespectful.

However, Hangar 13 clarified on Twitter (X) that their decision stems from a commitment to authenticity. "Authenticity is at the heart of the Mafia franchise," they stated, emphasizing that Mafia: The Old Country, set in 1900s Sicily, will utilize the Sicilian dialect. They also confirmed that Italian will be available for the in-game UI and subtitles.

This choice resonates with fans, as Sicilian possesses unique vocabulary and cultural nuances distinct from standard Italian. The linguistic richness of Sicilian, influenced by Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish due to Sicily's geographical location, aligns with the "authentic realism" promised by 2K Games. The example given was the word for "sorry," "scusa" in Italian and "m'â scusari" in Sicilian.

Mafia: The Old Country, described as a "gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily," remains without a firm release date. However, 2K Games has hinted at a more detailed reveal in December, possibly at The Game Awards.