Mob violence victim calls for Mafia II ban

By Fred Dutton Published 17 December, 2010

Makes "players identify with brutal killers".

The daughter of a Sicilian journalist murdered by the Mafia has called for 2K Games' Mafia II to be banned.

Sonia Alfano, a member of the European Parliament and president of Italy's association for the families of Mafia victims, told Bloomberg, "It really, really hurts. We can't allow this to happen, our wounds are still too fresh."

Alfano's father Beppe, was murdered by the Mafia in January 1993.

"These games transform the Mafia, a reality of death and destruction, into a thrilling and hands-on virtual pastime," she continued.

"Even if momentarily, players identify with brutal killers and for us who have experienced violence firsthand, it's appalling."

Alfano has called on the European Commission to consider banning the title as well as others like it.

Publisher Take-Two was quick to refute claims that the violence depicted in Mafia II was gratuitous or irresponsible.

"Mafia II tells a compelling story about organized crime in America - a subject that for decades has been featured in award-winning movies, television shows and novels such as The Godfather and The Sopranos," explained communications VP Alan Lewis.

"We fully and completely stand behind our creative teams and products, including Mafia II."

This isn't the first time that the game has attracted controversy. Prior to its launch earlier this year, a group of Italian-Americans called for the title to be shelved, insisting it encouraged "demeaning" ethnic stereotypes.

Eurogamer's John Teti awarded 2K's crime epic 4/10 when it eventually made it into stores in August.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (49) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • airjoca #1 1 year ago

    How about banning the actual Mafia?

  • Tetsuo_Shima #2 1 year ago

    Make her an offer she can't refuse

  • Syrette #3 1 year ago

    So no mention of banning any Mafia-related films as well?

    They also allow the viewer to identify with the mob member.


    If anything needs banning, it's John Teti's reviews.

    ;)

  • photoboy #4 1 year ago

    Yes, we should also ban cars to show sensitivity to anyone who was killed by one, and also we should ban hospitals because people die there all the time and the continued existence of hospitals is likely to upset people.

    Why not ask for the Mafia itself to be banned? Or is this just a prelude to suing someone for some money?

  • Feanor #5 1 year ago

    Ban all The Simpsons episodes with Fat Tony, too.

  • makeamazing #6 1 year ago

    Its bad if someone is a victim of crime, but its unfortunate when games get picked out. As others have said there are movies, books, songs, and more importantly the real criminals.... which lets be honest should be first on the list and the first to have any comments directed to
    Edited by makeamazing at 17/12/10 @ 22:22

  • bad09 #7 1 year ago

    I'm truly sorry for your tragic loss lady but, quite frankly, fuck off. No one, NO ONE, should not be demanding the banning of anything, you have no right whatsoever to dicate what media anyone else consumes. If it touches a matter so close to your own life it causes you distress that's terribly sad, but at the end of the day you can avoid it rather than calling for banning of something 95% of the population see as a harmless story.

  • AbracadaverAK #8 1 year ago

    Hang on. He was killed in 1993, so Mafia II should be banned?!

  • ReaperOscuro #9 1 year ago

    I guess people in grief will strike out at anything that reminds them of their trauma, and that is understandable: wouldnt be if the game gets banned though. In that case we should ban all war-themed games to respect soldiers and their families.

  • DrugCrazed #10 1 year ago

    I'm sorry, but you can't call for a game to be banned when its been on general release for the time it has. Its just stupid.

    EDIT: That might seem harsh. I'm harsh because if there were truely a reason to ban it, then they'd know about it beforehand and there'd be the actual call for it to be banned at general release. Gamers would cry that they were being idiots, mainstream media would be useless (as usual) and nothing would happen. The only difference here is that the mainstream media aren't involved.
    Edited by DrugCrazed at 17/12/10 @ 21:09

  • bad09 #11 1 year ago

    @ReaperOscuro

    Don't forget racers so we don't offend victims of speeding drivers, or any FPS for gun crime victims or zombie games out of respect for the dead.

  • intpleeus #12 1 year ago

    Why don't we just ban violent thoughts? We'll call it a "thoughtcrime" or something. That's her point: some people enjoy Mafia II in the "wrong" way. Presumably, it is better for them to indulge their sadistic impulses on real-life victims, like small animals.
    Edited by intpleeus at 17/12/10 @ 21:39

  • intpleeus #13 1 year ago

    Wait, this lady is a member of the European Parliament? Talk about a dangerous mob.

  • BabyJesus #14 1 year ago

    Ban it for being shite.

    Worst 40 quid I spent this year.

  • s3kShUn8 #15 1 year ago

    Hey! You There! Random obscure politician! Want some free publicity? All you have to do is become an overnight video game bigot, it's that easy!

  • CraigMcG #16 1 year ago

    crap game, got a bug near the end of the ps3 version where the game just stuck on the loading screen

  • metalangel #17 1 year ago

    I hope they come back to finish her off.

  • Skire #18 1 year ago

    Yeah! Let's ban everything! What is this, 1942?

  • Phantom_Dynamite #19 1 year ago

    If he died in 1993 why not speak out against the original Mafia or Godfather games. Hpw about the actual films Casino, good fellas, the Suprano's.

    Maybe actually campaign against the gang related violence and crimes caused by said organisation. And help other victims who have suffered at there hands.

    No i will wait 17 years and say ban this filth, she doesnt seem very commited if she will ignore every other mafia sterotype in every entainment media.

  • intpleeus #20 1 year ago

    I wonder how many real-life gangsters play games like Grand Theft auto IV or Mafia II. Maybe they complain about them being too unrealistic ("why is every mission a gunfight? This is stupid";). Perhaps they prefer to play Viva Pinata or Kinectimals for the escapism. More likely, they don't know and don't care, because playing videogames has no significant connection with organised crime. Why is that so difficult for some people to grasp?

  • ISmoke #21 1 year ago

    I quite enjoyed Mafia II one of my favourite games to come out this year. Didn't see much wrong with the PC version.

  • metamorphic #22 1 year ago

    It shouldn't be banned because of these reasons; it should be banned because it's a horrible, brainless and incredibly flawed game.
    Edited by metamorphic at 18/12/10 @ 00:46

  • EthanWoods #23 1 year ago

    Agreed with the first comment - the butcher knife scene did not make me want to hang around these guys. I liked them, but I'm quite capable of recognising they're borderline insane.

    I'd love to know from her hands-on experience with the game of what parts in particular she-

    Yeah, right.

  • Oh-Bollox #24 1 year ago

    into a thrilling and hands-on virtual pastime

    She's obviously never played Mafia II.

  • darkmorgado #25 1 year ago

    Does she think we should ban the Godfather trilogy as well then? Or is this only relative to media created since her own personal tragedy?

    This sort of shit is why I'm now collating and analysing EG user politics. Please participate!

  • Nicolas19 #26 1 year ago

    All this over-sensitivity about other people's past-times. If you don't like it, don't buy it, but banning products because of one individual's background... inadmissible.
    Call me malicious, but I think this outburst is merely a build-up to a well-published lawsuit, where all her mental scars will instantly be healed by a huge settlement.

  • Syrette #27 1 year ago

    Can't agree with these wildly critical comments (all 2 or 3 of them) of the game itself.

    Thought it was brilliant - but not without a few flaws - myself. Nowhere near as bad as some believe it is, imo.

  • NimbusTLD #28 1 year ago

    ... a subject that for decades has been featured in award-winning movies, television shows and novels such as The Godfather and The Sopranos.

    Argument over.

  • bloodflowers #29 1 year ago

    Yeah - just because you had a bad experience, everyine else has to stop what they're doing. Sigh.

  • Stompy #30 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 23:13:35 17-04-2012

  • king26 #31 1 year ago

    I've asked for this for xmas, looks like a cross of GTA and Godfellas.

  • metamorphic #32 1 year ago

    Honestly, it plays like a cross between dung and insect repellent. I don't know a single informed fan of mob fiction and film who'd even tolerate 10 minutes of this; it insults basic human intelligence.

  • Paul_cz #33 1 year ago

    "If anything needs banning, it's John Teti's reviews. "

    *chuckle*

  • funkateer #34 1 year ago

    Pfft, this is getting old.

  • Bluetooth #35 1 year ago

    Mamma mia!

  • Smoped #36 1 year ago

    I guess this was to be expected after the success of the Talibangate.

  • TheJuriel #37 1 year ago

    Because the real Mafia is influenced by the videogame, of course!

  • Zebula77 #38 1 year ago

    Well, hey this is evidence that the game actually makes you identify with the characters. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all (certainly not 4/10 bad).

  • SAMagic #39 1 year ago

    "Even if momentarily, players identify with brutal killers and for us who have experienced violence firsthand, it's appalling."
    Honestly, it's been said here and elsewhere, but you REALLY can say the same about Godfather and Goodfellas. Though the script in Mafia 2 was lacking, towards the end of the game Vito realises what the mafia life is costing him - for all of the money, he lives in constant fear, has no real friends (besides Joe) and generally has a violent existence, one he can't easily escape from.

    The proportion of inane 'murder simulators' to actual games with plot and depth to them is enormous, something that idiots will never appreciate while they wallow in sheer ignorance.

  • kangarootoo #40 1 year ago

    The usual predictable response from us.

    The basis of a game really makes no difference to us whatsoever. We can take it or leave it, its not like we are short of choice.

    This woman, on the other hand, lost her father as the result of a murder.

    But we, as anyone might expect, jump up and down like children, outraged at the very thought that someone might mess with our games. And we defend our right to whatever game we choose, regardless of what that means to anyone else. Some of us even fire insults at her.

    As another poster (I forget who I'm afraid) once said on a similar thread, it matters to her, it doesn't matter to us, so why not leave well the fuck alone.

    I'm not saying this game should be banned, or that it shouldn't have been made. But I would hope that one day we might at least be able to respond like intelligent and balanced individuals. It is threads like this that will make the masses continue to view some gamers with disdain, like we are a bunch of sugar rushing teenagers who are raging because our BMX has been stolen. And so they should.

  • homerramone #41 1 year ago

    Maybe they need a rethink on sex in video games. Because if they allowed sex in video games and video games are indeed as influential as is claimed then porn video games would have us all going about shagging all the time - which would surely be better than all the other evils that video games (apparently) make people do...

    :-)

  • kangarootoo #42 1 year ago

    @homerramone

    Strawman, much?

  • TheJediWookie #43 1 year ago

    Very sad at someone losing their father, but come on IT'S A GAME!! The only people that would be influenced by a game are just as likely to be influenced by books or films. I for one get very annoyed by 'Daily Mail' rubbish like this.

  • kangarootoo #44 1 year ago

    @TheJediWookie

    "Very sad at someone losing their father, but come on IT'S A GAME!!"

    Well firstly, that is hardly a response to fire at someone who is grieving. Secondly, who said anything about games influencing anybody? The lady in the article didn't (she said identifying with, which isn't the same).

    My point is, why do we always come out on the defensive? And not only on the defensive, but with utter disregard for the feelings of those involved? As I said before, I'm not personally in favour of this game being banned or censored, but if somebody who father was very actually murdered, IN REAL LIFE, says its presence upsets them..... really, it simply beggars belief that anyone would think "its just a game, get over it" is a worthwhile way to respond to them.

    I know we all like games, but we need to keep in mind just how important they really are (i.e. not very important, at all). To respond otherwise in situations like this, in the eyes of some, makes us look quite inhuman.

  • Marshall2008 #45 1 year ago

    I think that she has been hired by take 2 to raise the profile of mafia 2 which had shit sales. Remember how many copies of Manhunt shifted after it became controversial.

    Good move by Take2, watch Mafia 2 climb the charts now.

  • TheJediWookie #46 1 year ago

    Kangarootoo; influencing or identifying, either way you are arguing semantics and I fail to see your point. Additionally, I am not disregarding the feelings of those involved as you have implied, I said it was very sad and I meant that.

    You also seem to be trying to contradict me (or belittle me, I'm not sure which), but you actually go on to strengthen my point by saying that games are not important; isn't that what I implied by saying "it's a game"?

    Your point as you put it is also equally flawed. The presence of far too many things to list offends me (and no doubt millions of others) "in real life", but I don't go spouting off to the press about them Daily Mail style.

    If you want to be critical of others I would advise that you look at some of the more glib comments on here before you do.
    Edited by TheJediWookie at 20/12/10 @ 12:59

  • kangarootoo #47 1 year ago

    @TheJediWookie

    "influencing or identifying, either way you are arguing semantics and I fail to see your point."

    Are you kidding me? Its not even remotely arguing semantics. The two words have entirely different meanings ffs.


    "I said it was very sad and I meant that."

    Well you will excuse me for missing the sentiment when the sentence ends "but come on IT'S A GAME!!"


    "but you actually go on to strengthen my point by saying that games are not important; isn't that what I implied by saying "it's a game"? "

    No, not at all. When I say games aren't really important, it is aimed at US, and I mean that we shouldn't hold their defense higher than the grieving of someone who has lost their father. When you say "its just a game", it is aimed at HER, and you mean that SHE shouldn't be complaining that it makes her upset. The two are entirely different, and I'm sorry you can't see that.


    As for whether you should go running to the press, "Daily Mail style" about your various complaints about life, with some of them, perhaps you should.


    I'm not aiming all of this at you, your post just happened to include a few key button pressers. I say again, I find our response as gamers baffling with faced with REAL human misery. Did some people perhaps miss the opening sentence of the article that read "The daughter of a Sicilian journalist murdered by the Mafia". Do you comprehend what that means? Her father was murdered, yet you suggest that she should just get over it and stop complaining "Daily Mail" style, because its just a game?

    Put yourself in her shoes for a moment. You might well, in your grief, misdirect your anger and upset at targets that aren't truly responsible (as I fully accept she is doing here). But your EXCUSE would be that you are grieving the murder of a parent, and those. What excuse do we have in responding the way we do?
    Edited by kangarootoo at 20/12/10 @ 14:36

  • TheJediWookie #48 1 year ago

    Dude, chill out or I may have to fetch my handbag and challenge you at dawn ;)

    It's a game, in the real world games do not influence or help people identify with anything. They are simply games, people kill people, not games, films, books or anything else.

    And I still think that influence and identify in the context used in our respective posts and the article have very similar connotations.

  • Lunatic4ever #49 1 year ago

    Mafia 2 aint even worthy of causing controversy...I soooooo regret buying that game,seriously.