Mafia Developer Says Comparisons to Grand Theft Auto Are an 'Internet Thing'

The Mafia video game franchise has often been compared to the Grand Theft Auto games. This rivalry started when the first Mafia game was released in 2002, just one year after the release of GTA 3. Recently, as the Old Country installment of Mafia approached its release, GTA made its presence known once more. Developers of The Old Country had to clarify why the comparisons were unfair and manage expectations.

However, are these comparisons to GTA truly unfair? And does GTA ever influence Hangar 13's decision-making for Mafia? According to Hangar 13 president Nick Baynes, absolutely not. He stated that at their studio, they have their own path and never consider GTA as a point of reference or a factor in their strategy. Baynes dismissed the comparisons, calling them an internet phenomenon rather than a concern for the studio.

He emphasized that Mafia is a linear, story-driven game focusing on gritty drama, while GTA is a sandbox game filled with chaos and parody of American life. The scope and presentation of each franchise are vastly different, with Mafia being more akin to Goodfellas than GTA. Baynes believes that focusing on a smaller scale and maintaining a tight, fun experience is the best approach for Mafia.

The publisher 2K made the right decision by pricing The Old Country at $50, as it is the perfect price point for the game. In contrast, GTA 6 is a much larger and more expensive title, with some even calling it the first $100 game of this generation. Baynes and Mafia: The Old Country game director Alex Cox reiterated that while the two franchises share a theme of crime, they are fundamentally different games.

Mafia has become more focused on its linear narrative over time, while GTA continues to excel in its sandbox experiences. Therefore, Mafia and its developers will persist on their own unique path, separate from GTA.