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 audio on the Steam page.
Addressing Fan Backlash
The initial Steam listing for Mafia: The Old Country showcased full audio support for several languages, notably excluding 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 (X), stating, "Authenticity is at the heart of the Mafia franchise. Mafia: The Old Country will offer voice acting in Sicilian, reflecting the game's 1900s Sicily setting." They further clarified that Italian language localization would be available for the in-game UI and subtitles.
The Choice of Sicilian
The decision to utilize Sicilian dialect, rather than standard Italian, was met with positive reception. Sicilian possesses unique vocabulary and cultural nuances absent in modern Italian. For example, "sorry" translates to "scusa" in Italian and "m'â scusari" in Sicilian. This linguistic richness stems from Sicily's unique geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, resulting in influences from Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish. This linguistic diversity aligns with the "authentic realism" promised by 2K Games.
Looking Ahead
Mafia: The Old Country, described as a "gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily," is expected to receive further details in December, potentially during The Game Awards. The inclusion of authentic Sicilian voice acting promises a more immersive and historically accurate gaming experience.
