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 the game will feature authentic Sicilian voice acting, addressing fan concerns regarding the initial omission of Italian audio from the Steam page listing.

Addressing Fan Backlash

The game's Steam page initially listed several languages with "full audio," notably excluding Italian, despite its prominence in previous Mafia titles. This sparked controversy among fans, with many expressing feelings of disrespect given the game's Sicilian setting and the historical connection between the Mafia and Italy.

Hangar 13 responded via Twitter (X), stating that "Authenticity is at the heart of the Mafia franchise," and that Mafia: The Old Country would use Sicilian dialect, reflecting the game's 1900s Sicily setting. They clarified that Italian language localization would be available for the in-game UI and subtitles.

The Choice of Sicilian Dialect

The decision to utilize Sicilian, rather than standard Italian, has been widely praised by fans. Sicilian possesses unique vocabulary and cultural nuances distinct from modern Italian. For example, "sorry" translates to "scusa" in Italian, but "m'â scusari" in Sicilian. The linguistic richness of Sicilian, influenced by Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish, reflects the region's unique history and 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 use of authentic Sicilian voice acting promises a more immersive and historically accurate experience for players.