Mafia II Accused of Racism, Take-Two Responds

[Celtic_Kerr]

You know what Unico? You're right. Let us ignore that the Italian-American Mafia was the largest organized crime syndicate in American History. While we're at it, lets ban all the God father movies and Video games too (because you didn't say a fucking work about those, now did you... Take a long nap, were you?)

While we're at it, lets make it an Irish mafia instead... Oh shit that actually existed too... So it must be racist... Let's instead conform the world to your expectations... Lets get members of EVERY races and ethnicity in there...

But seriously. What the hell? Other gangster movies and games have come out. Have any Russian federations told all of out FPS devellopers that they're tired of being the lebelled "Terrorists" in all their games? No... Shit. That means they realize IT'S JUST A GAME!

Besides, this shit happened in real life! It's a depiction, not racism

Edit: MAFIA = MY FAMILY in Italian... You know, what the italian organized crime mebers called one another...

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

OK, this kind of "racism" really bugs me. It reminds me of the time I heard someone accuse the movie "Crash" of racism, for having a black character who was a criminal. I wanted to slap him, grab him by the shoulders, and start shaking him while screaming. Just because a black character is a criminal, that doesn't insinuate that all black people are criminals. Just because it's a stereotype, that doesn't mean that it's never true. Are all black people criminals? No. Do black criminals exist? Obviously, yes. Just like the Italian/American mob existed.

 

[Void(null)]

Didn't 2K already say the game was Racist, because that's how the times were? It wasn't all leave it to beaver and neighbors being neighborly, there were some amazingly harsh social issues going on and organized crime was at its height.

So the characters will use racial slurs and stereotypes fitting of the time.

Also, the game is not just about Italian-American Organized Crime, but features a host of Gangs all with their own motivations and origins.

 

[WanderingFool]

My ability to focus has just beem impaired by the stupidity of Unico National, did they forget that the Mafia did actually exist? and that a good size of the Italian Mafia was made of fucking Italians!?

 

[Quid Plura]

I think Germans should try to stop all games about WW2, since they're all depicted as nazi's.
Same for Russians in Cold War games.
And while we're at it, all decendants of Goths, Germans and Kelts should try to stop every game based in the Ancient World, where their ancestors are depicted as barbarians.

The reason why the mafia in Mafia II is Italian, is because it's based in the 1940's, 50's. The mafia was Italian back then.

 

[Jared]

Should have seen this coming...have they neever seen, perhaps, the Godfather?!

 

[Discon]

This is retarded. It's like saying that Der Untergang is rascist towards Germans, in that "they're all nazis". Referencing to what a small group of people actually DID once in history has nothing to do with an entire people.

 

[Brnin8]

I agree completely with final paragraph, but I do find something odd here... If they don't want Italian-Americans to be defamed, then why don't they target The Jersey Shore?

 

[Rigs83]

I agree with UNICO because this is far more an accurate depiction of Italian Americans.

Spoiler: Sarcasm!

or this

and this

 

[Prophetic Heresy]

All Unico is saying is that maybe some Italian-Americans might react a bit...strongly to his game. Maybe they might go out and show their appreciation by getting Zelnick a nice new pair of concrete shoes.

 

[Legion]

It's kind of depressing really.

We get a game about the Italian Mafia, and someone complains it's racist.

We get a game about the Japanese Mafia (Yakuza 4), and the Japanese Mafia discusses how realistic they think it is.

 

[Dioxide20]

Zelnick has responded to Unico's attack with this statement: "Mafia II tells a compelling story about organized crime in America -- a subject that for decades has been featured in movies, television shows and novels. Neither Unico nor any other organization purporting to represent Italian-Americans has seen or played Mafia II." He also points out that Mafia II is rated "M" for mature audiences and not marketed towards young people. Zelnick says that he stands behind his studios and products "fully and completely."

Good, they're not backing down and giving in. There is no reason that they should have to.

 

[Flamezdudes]

Hey Unito! Come here, i wanna speak to you...

*Slap* BAD UNITO, DON'T BE SUCH IDIOT'S!

Seriously, they're stupid. It's not like the Mafia didn't exist.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

'In other news, Germany demands all references to Nazis are removed from World War II games, and Americans ask that no rednecks or Republicans are to be shown in games set in the southern states.'

Seriously, go read a history book on your country, then quietly apologise and bow out before you look like an even bigger fool. There is a difference between depicting the 1920's mafia as existing in exactly the same way that it did then today, and in depicting it in a pseudo-historical representation of the period in which they actually existed.

Also, possibly go and watch Godfather, I think you may take offence to it, and it's never too late to point the finger of racism.

 

[Corpse XxX]

Its statements like this that make me loose all respect for groups such as Unico..

Its so utterly stupid it is amazing how someone can manage to utter such dribble..

But then again, its stuff like that wich earnes them a living.. When there are matters this small that get their attention, you know that they dont really have much to do anymore, and should probably just seize to exist..

 

[tomtom94]

Racism and sexism are no longer issues in the media.

The issue lies with those who try and portray them as such.

(We have no problem with a Caucasian villain in a film but heaven help the Hollywood casting agency who cast any other ethnic group - or indeed the Hollywood casting agency who casts a Caucasian as the hero, or the love interest, etc)

The double standards wound me.

 

[JordanMillward_1]

Doesn't this just make it sound like Unico is the Mob, and is trying to shut it down to make sure people don't notice?

Hell, in his "demands", I was almost expecting him to end with "This is an offer you can't refuse" or something.

 

[Irridium]

So they want them to remove all Italian-Americans and references to them from the game... and apparently thats less racist?

 

[Blackjack 222]

Son of a *****... And i once thought Italians were cool. Its not racism(is Italian a race?) its jsut stereotyping.