Joystiq

Mafia 2 developer 2K Czech lays off 40

Justin McElroy — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:15:00 EST

Mafia 2 and Top Spin 4 developer 2K Czech has laid off up to 40 from its Brno arm and less than 10 from its Prague branch according to a report from Develop. The cuts represent a loss of between 20-25 percent for the formerly 200-strong 2K Czech.

The studio told Develop the cuts are more about slimming down than changing directions, saying it "has realigned its resources to streamline the development process, reduce costs and maximize studio performance."

You always hate to hear about job cuts of any kind, and you can count on staffers from 2K Czech to have plenty of colorful ways to express their frustration.

Mafia 2 developer 2K Czech lays off 40 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Prague-based dev studio, Warhorse, is ready to rock your RPG world

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST

Four eminent 2K Czech and Bohemia Interactive employees have split to form Warhorse, a new development studio in Prague, and are now working on a previously unannounced RPG. Mafia and Mafia II creator Dan Vávra is heading the team at Warhorse, co-founded with Martin Klíma, author of Dragon's Lair. Viktor Bocan, designer of Operation Flashpoint, and Mafia animator Zbynek Trávnivký complete the fearsome foursome.

Combined, the Warhorse crew's games have sold more than 11 million copies. They are hiring now for work on this mysterious RPG, requesting people who are willing to move to Prague to work with talented, successful, laid-back developers, which we're sure will be nearly impossible to find.

New Prague-based dev studio, Warhorse, is ready to rock your RPG world originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnLive marks Mafia 2 down to five bucks today

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST

2K Games' 1940s crime drama Mafia 2 is no stranger to being discounted on the PC -- but never quite as cheap as this. OnLive's weekly "$5 Friday" promotion has set its sights on Mafia 2, bringing the streamable title's price down to a single Lincoln until the end of the day.

Continue reading OnLive marks Mafia 2 down to five bucks today

OnLive marks Mafia 2 down to five bucks today originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2: Director's Cut revealed by Amazon

David Hinkle — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST

Some compelling evidence that we just can't fuhgeddabout has surfaced over on Amazon, suggesting a re-release of Mafia 2 impends. As you can see in the cover art above, Mafia 2: Director's Cut for PS3, PC, and Xbox 360 includes the original game and some additional DLC: three story packs and four car and clothes packs.

The story packs are most likely Joe's Adventures, Jimmy's Vendetta and The Betrayal of Jimmy, while the car and clothes packs sound like those retailer pre-order exclusives that were later offered separately. We've contacted 2K Games for comment.

[Thanks, No Name]

Mafia 2: Director's Cut revealed by Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 is three-quarters off on Steam during midweek madness

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST

Sales and deals no longer need to be relegated to the bookends of our working week -- Steam's breaking the mold with a "Midweek Madness" discount on Mafia 2. From today until Thursday at 4 PM PST, the open-world crime drama is 75 percent off, knocking its price to a meager $7.50.

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Mafia 2 is three-quarters off on Steam during midweek madness originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Spin 4 is Move compatible, but 'not Kinect'

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:10:00 EST

When Top Spin 4 was announced in September, publisher 2K Games busted out accolades like "uncanny level of realism" and "all-new innovative controls," which certainly sounded like euphemisms for "you're going to play it with swinging motions." At the time, associate producer Michael Kelly told ESPN that support for PlayStation Move and Kinect was "something we are looking into, but I can't confirm or deny that it will be in the final product."

Today, the publisher revealed Top Spin 4's box art, featuring Bald Agassi (his "Vintage" look will be available when you pre-order the game from GameStop) flanked by current stars Rafa and Serena. And the box art revealed that the PS3 version will be "PlayStation Move Compatible," which is corroborated by the Move logo's appearance in the new trailer.

The Xbox 360 cover, however, is curiously devoid of any mention of Kinect, and a 2K Games representative confirmed to us that Top Spin 4 is "not Kinect ... but it is Move compatible." Considering the strong sales of both Kinect hardware and associated software since the device's launch in November, not to mention that there's no licensed tennis sim for Kinect on the market yet, 2K must have good reason for passing up this opportunity (though the company has "no further comment" at this time).

Top Spin 4 is scheduled for release on March 15, 2011 for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360. Check out the full, 25-player roster and a new trailer after the break.

Gallery: Top Spin 4 (box art)

Continue reading Top Spin 4 is Move compatible, but 'not Kinect'

Top Spin 4 is Move compatible, but 'not Kinect' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 DLC 'Joe's Adventures' makes you an offer on November 23

David Hinkle — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST

The third DLC pack for Mafia 2, entitled "Joe's Adventures," will open up more of Empire Bay on November 23. It'll set back wannabe wiseguy types a cool $10 across the board -- $9.99 on PSN and 800 MS Points ($10) on Xbox Live and Windows PC.

Now, we know what you're thinking: sorry, it's not about how Joe had a falling out with Mac, found himself frozen for centuries only to be thawed out in Empire Bay and within the employ of the mob. In fact it's about Joe Barbaro, protagonist Vito Scaletta's best friend, and follows the events of Joe's life while Vito finds himself in prison. While the former sounds amazing, if there's one thing Encino Man taught us, it's that recently thawed cavemen are too pre-occupied with wheezin' the juice to commit any crimes.

Gallery: Mafia 2: Joe's Adventures

Continue reading Mafia 2 DLC 'Joe's Adventures' makes you an offer on November 23

Mafia 2 DLC 'Joe's Adventures' makes you an offer on November 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 takes Guinness f-bomb record; HotD: Overkill effing dethroned

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Mafia 2's rap sheet now includes a Guinness World Record for "most swearing in a video game." The mob saga surpassed House of the Dead: Overkill's 189 permutations on the word "f*ck" by ... well, they're still counting. Seriously.

A representative for Guinness World Records tells Joystiq that at the moment the company has accepted that there are over 200 f-bombs in the game. He elaborated, "The number associated with the record is liable to change in the next few weeks, as 2K have promised to supply us with a copy of the game's full script under NDA so we can count the number of f-bombs ourselves and update the record with a complete figure." The company hopes to get the record into the 2011 Gamer's Edition that will be available in January.

The prolific profanities were first noticed by Achievement Hunter and compiled into a video. Take a listen to the NSFW montage after the break.

Continue reading Mafia 2 takes Guinness f-bomb record; HotD: Overkill effing dethroned

Mafia 2 takes Guinness f-bomb record; HotD: Overkill effing dethroned originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 banned in United Arab Emirates

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

According to a report from ME Gamers, the United Arab Emirates National Media Council has officially banned the sale of Mafia 2 within its borders. No statement has been formally issued by the NMC regarding the ban, though a report from Arabian Business (via Gamasutra) cites "excessive violence and nudity contained in the game."

Mafia 2 joins a laundry list of other titles deemed inappropriate by the UAE's media governance body, including this year's Heavy Rain and Darksiders. That said, reports in the past have pointed out the relative ease with which UAE residents can still pick up various "banned" games.

Mafia 2 has been criticized by UNICO National, an Italian American organization, as a "pile of racist nonsense." The game was also criticized by Joystiq for forcing us to spend "way too much time in shallow block-counter-repeat fistfights or behind the wheel of a clunky automobile."

Mafia 2 banned in United Arab Emirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 faces Jimmy's Vendetta on September 7

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

After the Betrayal of Jimmy, it only makes sense that Mafia 2 players would be present for Jimmy's Vendetta. 2K Games announced today that the next piece of Mafia 2 DLC will be available on September 7 for $9.99 on PC and PS3, and 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360.

"Jimmy's Vendetta" adds "more than 30 new quests and leaderboard ranking" as players step into the role of Jimmy, taking care of business left unfinished by other mobsters. As you progress through the series of assassinations and car chases, we'll find out if the storyline sets up our idea for the next content pack, "Let's Leave Jimmy Alone for a While, He's Had Kind of a Rough Couple of Days."

Continue reading Mafia 2 faces Jimmy's Vendetta on September 7

Mafia 2 faces Jimmy's Vendetta on September 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See Mafia 2 and get ... a haircut

Justin McElroy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We, as it turns out, are in a race with PR to the end of civilization. It goes a little like this: they keep coming up with more obstinately dumb ways to promote games and, since we too are dumb, we fall for it and write about it. Then they get dumber and we have to write about it harder. And so on.

So we're going to do our part and tell you that 2K Games is offering free haircuts to gamers in the UK to entice them to check out Mafia II (full details after the jump). But we do so with the understanding that we're propagating a cycle that terminates with "Hurl Your Feces at Halo 4 as You Screech in Delight" in the not-too-distant future.

So, sorry. For that.

(P.S. The title of the press release literally includes the phrase "Invite You To Become A Mane Man." We didn't add that.)

Continue reading See Mafia 2 and get ... a haircut

See Mafia 2 and get ... a haircut originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Mafia 2

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Much like the mafioso antics of Mafia 2's Vito Scaletta and co., review scores for the game are all over the place. 2K Games probably wants people to fuhgedabout those on the lower end, but we've collected a sampling of the whole gamut for you below. And hey, if you haven't read our review yet, you should read it first -- capisce?

Game Informer (90/100): "In an era when video games are moving away from relying on cinematics for storytelling, Mafia II draws on the rich mobster film history to weave a gripping drama about family, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and pragmatism. If you're fond of quoting Don Corleone and Tony Soprano, don't miss this game."
GameSpot (8.5): "Mafia II is an excellent return of a franchise with great promise. Vito and his associates are memorable characters in a city bursting with subtle visual details and violent undertones ... While you might be disappointed with what Mafia II doesn't do, it's hard to be disappointed by what this excellent game does do: deliver fun shoot-outs and pockets of shocking brutality in a world you're delighted to be a part of."
Giant Bomb (3/5 Stars): "Playing Mafia II gives you the feeling that the developers put more emphasis on telling a great mob story than designing a great video game, but had to split their attention too much to effectively do either one ... There are a lot of great mob stories out there already, and this one needed more focus to stand out next to all the memorable tales that came before."
Eurogamer (4/10): "Mafia II gets the last word by destroying the myth that the mafia is interesting at all. It contends that the mob world is a hell of boredom populated by aggressively stupid automatons. These drones wake up each morning, carry out a series of repetitious tasks, and return home. The message: thug life is nothing more than it appears. And Mafia II is even less."

Gallery: Mafia 2 (7/21/10)

Metareview: Mafia 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Mafia 2

Justin McElroy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:35:00 EST

There's a bit early on in Mafia 2 where war veteran and budding crook Vito Scaletta tries to go straight. He takes some grunt work at the docks, just like his late old man, loading hefty wooden crates onto a truck bed. After a few minutes of player-controlled hauling, he abandons his short-lived foray into working stiffery permanently.

But after playing though the entirety of his criminal career, after seeing the gameplay and narrative drudgery he was in store for, it's hard to say for certain that he made the right choice.

Gallery: Mafia 2 (7/20/10)

Continue reading Review: Mafia 2

Review: Mafia 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU PlayStation Plus subscribers get Mafia 2 demo early

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sony announced this morning via its EU PlayStation Blog that the demo for Mafia 2 will be a "24-hour exclusive" to PlayStation Plus subscribers on the EU PSN (people presumably still reeling from their bonus copies of LittleBigPlanet). Non-subscribers in the EU will get the demo tomorrow. The demo went live via Automatic Download and on the PlayStation Plus section of PSN this morning.

If you can patiently outlast today, you'll find the demo available to every European PS3 owner tomorrow. It's also available worldwide on the Xbox Live Marketplace right now and should be added to the US PSN later today.

EU PlayStation Plus subscribers get Mafia 2 demo early originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See Jimmy's betrayal in these new Mafia 2 screens

David Hinkle — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Remember that famous scene in the The Godfather where Michael tells Fredo to never take sides against the family? Well, in the world of Mafia 2 -- set in post-WWII America -- that movie wasn't filmed yet, so PS3-exclusive DLC protagonist, Jimmy, never learned that lesson. Feel free to see what we mean in our gallery of fresh screens below.

The Betrayal of Jimmy DLC will be free to all who pick up Mafia 2 for the PS3 new (via an included voucher) and available for download through PSN for $9.99 when the game launches on August 24.

Gallery: Mafia 2 -- The Betrayal of Jimmy

See Jimmy's betrayal in these new Mafia 2 screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 kicking in heads with latest trailer

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST

If you didn't know, we've got a pizza slice-shaped hole in our hearts ready to be filled by Mafia 2's mafioso charms. The latest trailer, revealed "exclusively" on the latest episode of GameTrailers TV, only helps a little to abate our excitement for the game's impending release.

Continue reading Mafia 2 kicking in heads with latest trailer

Mafia 2 kicking in heads with latest trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 demo is in business August 10

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:35:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Now for an offer you can't refuse: Mafia 2's demo will hit Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on August 10. Take a ride on the wise guy side and test drive the family business simulator before its August 24 launch.

Although we aren't exactly sure what's in the public demo, you can check our latest preview, or the one from E3, for an idea of what to expect. So far, we haven't been disappointed of what we've seen from the game -- and, no, nobody is holding a gun to our head to say that ... maybe.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Gallery: Mafia 2 (7/20/10)

Mafia 2 demo is in business August 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 adds Steam support, serves up Mafia 1 for digital pre-orders

David Hinkle — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Take-Two sent over a press release announcing a partnership between 2K Games and Valve, whose Steam platform will power the PC version of Mafia 2's online multiplayer and bestow upon those who pre-order a free copy of the original Mafia game -- available to download and play immediately prior to the sequel's August 24 launch date. Don't use Steam? No matter - the deal is good through "select digital retailers" including Steam and applies to both the standard and collector's edition, so you've got some say in the matter. Talk about an offer you can't refuse!

Steamworks will help our friend Mafia 2 through its unique feature set, including auto-updates, Steam Achievements, and all of the other data provided by the latest version of Steam.

Gallery: Mafia 2 (7/21/10)

Mafia 2 adds Steam support, serves up Mafia 1 for digital pre-orders originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Mafia 2

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST

For a story that has so much in common with a Godfather film, Mafia 2 still manages to stand out from its influences. The world crafted in 2K Czech's Illusion Engine is truly impressive, with a snow-covered Empire Bay of the 1940s giving way to a sunny version ten years later. The progression of time gives the already realistic locale even more life, and the change in weather represents a turning point in the game's story.

The two story missions that I played at a 2K press event last month were structured similarly to any old Grand Theft Auto mission, though I found myself enchanted by Empire Bay -- a mashup of various cities, I was told -- and its fiction, complete with music appropriate for the era. I was not to be sidetracked into a sandbox murder spree on my way to the job.

Gallery: Mafia 2 (7/20/10)

Continue reading Preview: Mafia 2

Preview: Mafia 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 PS3 exclusive DLC revealed - 'Jimmy's Vendetta'

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Finally, the first details on Sony's exclusive Mafia 2 content (announced at E3) have surfaced. An early look at the game's Trophy list reveals that ~~the PS3 version~~ the game (see update below) will have free add-on DLC titled "Jimmy's Vendetta." From the Trophy descriptions, it appears the add-on includes several missions and an arcade-style points system, multiplier included. With one Trophy requiring 1,000 kills, it would appear that the add-on is lengthy (or repetitive!) enough to allow players to rack up such an impressive body count.

Update: An official statement from 2K Games on July 16th tells us that "Jimmy's Vendetta" is actually the second planned DLC pack for Mafia 2. "The Betrayal of Jimmy" is the first, PS3 exclusive pack, available for free at launch with an in-box code, or from the PSN for $9.99. "Jimmy's Vendetta" will come later, and pricing and availability have yet to be announced as of this update. The trophies after the break are presumably from the second pack.

Continue reading Mafia 2 PS3 exclusive DLC revealed - 'Jimmy's Vendetta'

Mafia 2 PS3 exclusive DLC revealed - 'Jimmy's Vendetta' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 takes a tour of Empire Bay

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST

In a new Mafia 2 developer diary, 2K Czech explores the fictional city of Empire Bay. Seen during two distinct time periods over the course of the game, the city is the product of thousands of photographs and intense bouts of wireframe modeling. There's so much to see there -- certainly more than you could process in a single drive-by.

Continue reading Mafia 2 takes a tour of Empire Bay

Mafia 2 takes a tour of Empire Bay originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Mafia 2 (and Mafia 2 3D)

Alexander Sliwinski — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST

Mafia 2 feels, from the demo we played, like it could just as easily be called Grand Theft Auto: Godfather. If that's what you're looking for from the mob-o-rama sequel, then celebrate by throwing someone off a pier with cement shoes.

It's actually pretty hard to note anything unexpected or different in the Mafia 2 demo. Almost everything you'd expect from a game that borrows heavily from the GTA IV template is there, both the good and the bad.

Gallery: Mafia II

Continue reading Preview: Mafia 2 (and Mafia 2 3D)

Preview: Mafia 2 (and Mafia 2 3D) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overheard@E3: What to do with a Playboy magazine

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Mafia 2 has vintage Playboy centerfolds in it. This we knew. Sitting down for our hands-on with the mob simulator the 2K Games representative mentioned on the sly, "If you want to know how one of the Playboys work it's on the kitchen counter."

Our eyes widened and heart raced as we began the demo. The dim lighting and comfortable couch in the room urged us to make the game's protagonist approach the magazine. With a press of the X button we were presented with the first of five centerfolds in the demo (out of 50 in the game). So that's how it works if you care about that sort of thing.

Gallery: Mafia II

Overheard@E3: What to do with a Playboy magazine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 'Made Man' trailer teaches about family ties

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST

In more ways than one, being the "new guy" in your local mafia chapter is similar to your first day at high school. Check out the following trailer for Mafia 2, and witness the plight of Vito Scaletta, relative newcomer to the Empire Bay crime syndicate.

Watch the bizarre hazing rituals his new family subjects him to, and catch a glimpse of the sweet life that awaits players who ascend the ranks of the mafioso. But those who betray their brothers in crime could end up getting pantsed during gym class. Or rather, shot to death in a discreet warehouse.

Okay, so it's not exactly like high school.

Continue reading Mafia 2 'Made Man' trailer teaches about family ties

Mafia 2 'Made Man' trailer teaches about family ties originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 demo pumps Xbox 360, PS3 and PC full of lead in August

David Hinkle — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

During today's quarterly earnings call, Take-Two's Ben Feder confirmed that 2K Czech's wise guy sim, Mafia 2, will be chopped up into little pieces -- you know, for a demo release. "In August, 2K will launch a comprehensive demo program on Xbox Live Marketplace, PSN and the internet that will allow gamers to experience the game up until its launch," he said. Feder offered no exact date for when the demo was expected to fall off the back of the (virtual) truck.

Mafia 2 shakes down retail on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on August 24.

Mafia 2 demo pumps Xbox 360, PS3 and PC full of lead in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 dev diary takes care of some business

David Hinkle — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:00:00 EST

For gangsters, it's not all slick suits and waiting around to scoop up whatever has fallen off the back of the truck. Sometimes, you have to roll up the sleeves of that expensive suit you can't explain how you have come to possess and put in some work -- some dirty work. And that's the focal point of this Mafia 2 developer diary.

Protagonist Vito Scaletta shows he's just as good at slinging lead as he is throwing his fists around. But, he's also not afraid to do more damage by setting cars on fire and leading the coppers on a chase around the city. Our personal favorite, however, has to be his proficiency at rolling grenades beneath cars. We like to call that move "The Lebowski."

Anyway, hit the play button on the player above and enjoy. Consider it an offer you can't refuse.

Mafia 2 dev diary takes care of some business originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia 2 dev diary introduces us to Vito's mother

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:45:00 EST

She may only play a cursory role in the first Mafia 2 developer diary from 2K Czech but main character Vito Scaletta's mother really stood out to us when we watched the video you see embedded above. She's certainly not lacking in the character department, with "character" being one of the two themes the clip focuses on, and "story" making up the other half -- even though she's only allowed a few short lines in welcoming "her boy" back home. We're hoping, however, for some good old-fashioned early 20th century maternal scolding as Vito dives deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld of 1940s slash '50s America. He's just doing what he's gotta do to get by, Ma!

Gallery: Mafia II

Mafia 2 dev diary introduces us to Vito's mother originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia II ready to hit retail August 24, 2010

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:23:00 EST

Take-Two announced today that Mafia II is ready to offer North American retail an August 27, 2010, release date -- we doubt they'll refuse. We guess that leaves LA Noire or Max Payne 3 (we'll be shocked if it's Civilization V) as the game that could potentially be delayed by the publisher. (Umm, assuming this final date doesn't get gunned down at the last minute.)

The game will also be playable by the public for the first time at PAX East, which starts tomorrow in Boston.

Update: August 27 in the UK.

Mafia II ready to hit retail August 24, 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Q4 release for Mafia 2 (re)confirmed; Payne, Noire, Civ V still on hit list

Christopher Grant — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:59:00 EST

Earlier this month, Take-Two announced the potential movement of one of the titles planned for release in its fiscal fourth quarter, extending from August to October. The choices were: LA Noire, Mafia 2, Max Payne 3, or Civilization V. During our demo of Mafia 2 on Wednesday, we were told the game would make its Q4 release, removing it from the list of potentially delayed titles. If we were the betting type, we'd be looking at one of those two Rockstar titles; after all, we've seen Civilization V at this point while LA Noire and Max Payne 3 remain shrouded in mystery.

Q4 release for Mafia 2 (re)confirmed; Payne, Noire, Civ V still on hit list originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on: Mafia II

Randy Nelson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST

It seems like almost a year ago that I first saw Mafia II. That's probably because it was almost a year ago that 2K Czech (formerly Illusion Softworks) demoed live gameplay from the title (which had been announced nearly a year and a half before that.) Today, it was time to finally get my hands dirty as a virtual wiseguy, but first I had to put some clothes on.

In all seriousness, protagonist (I guess he's that, right?) Vito Scaletta had just woken up after a pretty wild night (judging by the various undergarments strewn around his bachelor pad) when my demo kicked off, so I of course jogged around turning on faucets and flicking light switches before actually doing what the game was instructing me to do: Get dressed. Leaving Vito's apartment, I stepped out into a world as pitch-perfect in its depiction of the 1950s -- the cars, the clothing, the architecture, the music -- as I can imagine. So what if the car that I hopped into and the place I was driving around -- Empire City -- never existed in any real era?

I spent the first few minutes of the demo causing all sorts of mayhem. Heck, the very first thing I did was get into a fender bender (putting it mildly) from which I fled, only to learn that the punishment for a hit-and-run in the '50s was, evidently, only a few dollar fine. But my trouble with the fuzz didn't end there.

Gallery: Mafia II (GDC 2010)

Continue reading Hands-on: Mafia II

Hands-on: Mafia II originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia II trailer needs guys like you

David Hinkle — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST

It doesn't take much to excel in this thing of ours. You have to have brass whatnots, be willing to do some unsavory acts and put the family above all else -- basically, don't be Fredo. It's not that hard, when you think about it, but the latest trailer for 2K Games' Mafia II disagrees. Apparently, in post-WWII, there weren't a lot of guys who had the stomach to use cover-based shooting mechanics and traverse a sandbox-style environment. Frankly, we're shocked that The Greatest Generation had any shortcomings at all!

Mafia II trailer needs guys like you originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioShock 2's 'Capture the Sister' mode isn't kidding around

Randy Nelson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:20:00 EST

The citizens of BioShock 2's undersea dystopia, Rapture, love them some ADAM -- especially when it's been freshly harvested by a Little Sister. It's with this in mind that Digital Extremes tweaked the tried-and-true Capture the Flag multiplayer contest to place one team in charge of abducting one of these adolescent creepsters while the other must lay their lives on the line to protect her.

As the above first look at the mode explains, the "attacking" side's goal is to return the girl to a Little Sister vent. The defenders -- well they defend, of course ... but one of them gets to be a Big Daddy. We'll have our hands-on impressions of BioShock 2's single and multiplayer modes tomorrow, so look for more details then.

BioShock 2's 'Capture the Sister' mode isn't kidding around originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESRB: 2K Games making point-and-click 'Axel and Pixel' for Xbox 360 [update]

Justin McElroy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:00 EST

An OFLC listing spotted by superannuation and a similar ESRB listing (pictured above) point to a new point-and-click adventure called "Axel and Pixel" being developed by ~~2K Czech, the studio behind~~ ~~Mafia II~~ [Update: 2K was kind enough to clarify that the game is being made by another Czech dev called Silver Wish Games.] According to the ESRB (which rates the game "E for Everyone"), players will "guide an artist and his dog through surreal and abstract environments." The game apparently presents environment puzzles that involve "redirecting a ray of light, throwing rocks at birds, and spraying water at a creature."

Unlike the OFLC listing, the ESRB entry indicates only the Xbox 360 as a platform, so it would seem that the game is exclusive to Microsoft's console (and a potential candidate for XBLA), at least for the moment.

ESRB: 2K Games making point-and-click 'Axel and Pixel' for Xbox 360 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia II trailer looks at the art of persuasion, not lifelike animation

David Hinkle — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EST

Getting people to do things for you is an art as old as mankind itself. Nobody knows that better than the mafia, who've extorted their way from rags to riches in America (and The Old Country!) for years. But that's all besides the point because we can't stop focusing on the first few seconds of this Mafia II trailer.

We get it, the game has a lot of atmosphere and really pins down that crime family feeling, but our fascination with this footage cannot possibly extend beyond the awkward sipping of a beverage. Why is it so hard to animate that in games? It's almost enough to drive you to drink ...

Mafia II trailer looks at the art of persuasion, not lifelike animation originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consider these Mafia II screens a gift

David Hinkle — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EST

Click image for extortion size

You know, we were going to hold off on showing you these new Mafia II screens, but then our daughter decided to get engaged. Yes, today is our daughter's wedding and as such, it's customary that we must honor the request to see these new screens from GamesCom. Hit up the gallery below to check 'em out.

Gallery: Mafia II (8/19/09)

Consider these Mafia II screens a gift originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia II developer walks us through E3 demo

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST

One and a half months after we got a chance to check out 2K's next open-world crime drama, Mafia II, the developer has released a video walkthrough of the segment we laid eyes on at E3. We were quite taken by the excellent voice acting and explosive action featured therein, but we're curious what you think!

Check out the video after the break, but be forewarned -- they bleeped out all the totally sweet cursing out for this particular demo. What kind of third person, open-world crime drama doesn't have profanity? That's just f---ing silly. Whoa, what the f--k? Where did those f---ing letters -- oh s--t! What the f--k!?

Continue reading Mafia II developer walks us through E3 demo

Mafia II developer walks us through E3 demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impressions: Mafia II

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:30:00 EST

The original Mafia won critics and gamers over with its deep storytelling an intriguing new gameplay conventions -- but for some reason, it never seemed to become a mainstream hit as much as the industry's other huge, crime-riddled sandbox franchise, Grand Theft Auto, did. Perhaps it's because its creators weren't backed by humongous, multi-billion dollar juggernauts. Or maybe the name just wasn't as catchy.

Regardless, developer Illusion Softworks, now operating under the moniker 2K Czech, is hoping to capture more of the gaming public's brainspace with their upcoming organized crime epic, Mafia II -- and from what we recently saw of the game at E3, 2K's well on its way to producing a product that could very well be the heir apparent to the sandbox genre throne.

Gallery: Mafia II

Continue reading Impressions: Mafia II

Impressions: Mafia II originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mafia II trailer is all snow covered streets, bullet ridden corpses

David Hinkle — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:59:00 EST

Wiseguys finish first, and it's usually thanks to gallons of unwillingly donated blood and plenty of expended bullets, as this Mafia II trailer demonstrates. The family always comes first (unless you're Fredo, of course), and never lets anyone get in its way. If they try, well, you need only reference the above trailer to see how such problems are solved.

Essential reading: Joystiq impressions: Mafia II

Mafia II trailer is all snow covered streets, bullet ridden corpses originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq impressions: Mafia II

Randy Nelson — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:01:00 EST

click to enlarge

It's been almost a year and a half since 2K Games announced Mafia II, and several months since we've seen much related to the game. Nevertheless, it's still very much in development -- in fact, during a brief demo 2K recently held in San Francisco, we got a chance to see it played.

Since the original game released on last-gen platforms and PC in 2002, 2K bought its Czech developer, Illusion Softworks, renaming it ... 2K Czech. The studio has not only been working on the technology behind Mafia II, the Illusion Engine, since then, but also one of the first game's standout elements -- the script. Our demo was a single mission out of about two dozen planned for the final game; a game that may seem like a 1950s era Grand Theft Auto at first blush, but actually tries to be very good at a few things, rather than pretty good at everything.

Gallery: Mafia II (04-20-09)

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Mafia II

Joystiq impressions: Mafia II originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Mafia II gameplay video features gunplay, cursing

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:30:00 EST

Norwegian news site Dagbladet recently got its hands on some fresh gameplay footage from 2K Czech's upcoming mobster sim, Mafia II. It's since embarked on a long, tumultuous exodus from its Norwegian homeland, braving arctic chill and aquatic peril to reach it's final destination: Right here -- on this very site, after the jump, anxiously awaiting your viewership.

It looks pretty solid -- the gameplay revolves around a tried-and-true cover mechanic that third-person action fans will be no stranger to, and the cutscenes will likely appeal to that part of your brain that prevents you from turning the television off in the middle of a Godfather marathon. It's worth checking out -- but be warned, it's pretty NSFW. Mobsters have some serious potty mouths.

Continue reading First Mafia II gameplay video features gunplay, cursing

First Mafia II gameplay video features gunplay, cursing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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