Since its inception, 2K Games studio Hangar 13 has exclusively released games in the open worldMafiafranchise. Its first project wasMafia 3, which released to somewhat mixed reviews in 2016, and then it releasedMafia: Definitive Editionin 2020, remastering the original game for modern consoles. Now it seems Hangar 13 may be making yet anotherMafiagame as its next project, if a recent report is to be believed.
Kotaku recently reported on the departure of Hangar 13 studio head Haden Blackman, who is being replaced by Nick Baynes. According to Kotaku’s sources, Baynes is taking charge on the next game in theMafiaseries. Details remain relatively scarce at the time of this writing, but Kotaku believes that the game is currently known by the codename Nero and that even though it will be the fourth main series installment in theMafiaseries, it will supposedly be a prequel.
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The other detail Kotaku mentioned in its report is thatMafia 4will bebuilt using Unreal Engine 5. This tidbit is particularly significant, as it indicates thatMafia 4will likely be leaving older consoles behind to focus on newer hardware. This gives the unannounced game potential to be particularly impressive from a graphical and technical standpoint, but fans will need to see it for themselves to be sure.
Unfortunately, it’s unclear when exactly fans will get to seeMafia 4. The game is reportedly in the verly early stages of development atHangar 13, and so it could be years beforeMafiafans get their first look at it.
In the meantime, we can make some assumptions about the game based on Kotaku’s belief that it will be a prequel.Mafia 1was set in the 1930s, whereasMafia 2took place in the 1940s and 50s.Mafia 3was set in the 1960s. WithMafia 4said to be a prequel to the original trilogy of games, one would think that would put it in the 1920s or thereabouts. Maybe it will explore the origins of the crime families featured in the games, or follow the story of an existing character. Fans will just have to wait for an official reveal to find out.
Mafiafans are likely happy that Hangar 13 is reportedly working onMafia 4, but some may be disappointed that the studio’s other project is apparently not coming to fruition. Hangar 13 was reportedly working on a big budget new IP before it was canceled, with the game described asSaints Rowmeets Cthulhu.
