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

Hangar 13, developers of the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country, have confirmed the game will feature authentic Sicilian voice acting, addressing fan concerns about the initial Steam page listing. The page initially listed several languages with "full audio," notably omitting Italian, despite its prominence in previous Mafia titles. This omission sparked backlash from fans.

The developers clarified on Twitter (now X) that their choice reflects a commitment to authenticity. "Authenticity is at the heart of the Mafia franchise," they stated, explaining that Sicilian dialect, appropriate to the game's 1900s Sicily setting, will be used for voice acting. They further confirmed that Italian language localization will be available for the in-game UI and subtitles.

This decision has been largely welcomed by fans. The use of Sicilian, with its unique vocabulary and cultural nuances (e.g., "scusa" vs. "m'â scusari" for "sorry"), adds a layer of historical and cultural accuracy. Sicily's unique linguistic history, influenced by Greek, Arabic, Norman French, and Spanish, contributes to this rich dialect and aligns with the "authentic realism" promised by 2K Games.

Mafia: The Old Country, described as a "gritty mob story set in the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily," lacks a firm release date. However, 2K Games has hinted at a more detailed reveal in December, possibly coinciding with The Game Awards.

For further details on the game's announcement, please refer to the linked article.