A report on Hangar 13 claims aMafiaprequel is on the way
It looks like theMafiaseries is looking further back to the past. A new report fromKotakuindicates that a newMafiagame is in early development at Hangar 13.
The report, which also covers studio head Haden Blackman’s departure from the studio after seven years, says a newMafiais in “very early” development according to a source familiar with the plans.
This game, reportedly code-named Nero, is expected to be a prequel to theMafiatrilogy. It’s set to be made in Unreal Engine 5, rather than theMafia IIIengine used for theDefinitive Edition.
Kotaku also reports that alongside Blackman, Matthew Urban is also departing. Urban was Hangar 13’s chief operating officer. The report indicates some more are looking for the door following those departures. 2K declined to comment on the report.
Back to the golden oldies
Hangar 13 has been in a strange position for a while, ever since shippingMafia III. Though it soldpretty fastat launch, reception wasdivisive. Several new projects were spun up and canceled afterwards, including thecode-name Voltthat was cut after a significant chunk of change had already been put into it.
Nick Baynes looks to be taking the lead at Hangar 13 now, as development on theMafiaprequel is underway. Baynes was previously the head of Hangar 13’s Brighton studio in the UK. Blackman, meanwhile, isoff to pursue a new endeavor.
According to Kotaku’s report, Take-Two has been making use of Hangar 13’s developers to assist on other games, like the recently launchedTiny Tina’s Wonderlands. With this reported newMafiaprequel, it’s hopeful that Hangar 13 will get something of its own out there. I’m definitely open to a newMafiagame from this studio, either way.
