Italian-American group protests Mafia II stereotypes

people are so sensitive really.i'm a latino and i wouldn't make a fuss over us being in a movie or sumthin as drug dealer or maid or something cuz that's what alotta latinos do its just life.

These ppl that are complaining got no life!!... Mafia 2 is a game!! A Game.........Cmon why dont u just o preoder riht now ... have fun wit it

Interesting how Mr. DeMino didn't notice that fact that the guys Vito, Joe and Herny whack in the Demo are of Irish descent...plus the free area in the Demo is controlled by an African-American gang, the Bombers. There are also few speculaions regarding Irish gangs, Chinese and other non-Italian organized crime crews. This ain't racist, this is history. We all have to live with it...Mr. DeMino as well PS As a former resident of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY, these Italian-American Ph.D "prominenti" should be focusing on the REAL issues of our people...not some 3D designed mobsters.

They just can't wait for something because they're bored, and they can't stop complaining. Seriously, these ppl need to get life. Mafia 2 is a game, A GAME! And it's based on a mafia, Italian folk that just loved to do illegal stuff. But no, it's racism! It's history!

The game takes place in the 1950s. Of course there were some mobs out there, but the Italian (or more precisely Sicilian)-American Mafia was the biggest crime syndicate of all, unrivaled by any other. That's a fact. The game will be realistic, that's all.

As an Italian Canadian I can honestly say that i take no offense at all to portrayal of Italians as mobsters in games or movies. Every culture has its criminals, and mafioso are ours. I don't hear Japanese rights groups getting up in arms about the Yakuza series, nor did the Cubans make a big stink about the Scarface game (which ironically had an Italian actor portraying a Cuban criminal). Chill out people, the game isn't saying that ALL italians are criminals, but SOME are; just like in real life. To try to argue that throughout time all Italian americans were squeaky-clean law abiders is more ignorant than making a game that explores that chapter of our history.

that is pretty stupid since the directors can tell any story they want to why can't they just make up an italian mafia group. It's not necessarily only italian, it's just that they are the main characters in the game. And they want to submerse players in a game that looks and sounds realistic. If they mixed in all races it would just feel like GTA.

I think these special interests need a hobby other than being so sensitive over every little thing they do not like in life. The problem is though that is beyond them.

As an Italian-American, those people do not speak for me.

As an Italian I am embarrassed by this group. Guys check the history books of American gangsters they were Italian. My dad grew up with them in his Italian neighborhood (no he and my family had no connections he was just located in their turf) it is juts a fact of life.

And thus, another protest group trying stop us gamers from playing something that is very fun because of one little thing that is offensive to the protesters

And yet japanese companies keep making Yakuza games. I guess some people can't handle their own heritage.

i played the demo and i wasnt able to go into the water or jump... something a person in the mafia cant do? its only a game

What? The Mafia aren't Italian? Not all Triads are Chinese and not all Yakuzas are Japanese? I guess all Organizations of Crime need some sort of human resources department.

Also Mafia II looks rad and historically speaking there were and I guess maybe are organized crime syndicates run by primarily italian folks. To me it's less a steroetype than caricature. I wish they had got all up in arms about that phucking Jersey Shore show, that was way more culturally degrading than this game will be.

whack, I hate special interest groups. If they want to jump something for steroetypes they need to hit em all. Injustice anywhere is injustice anywhere; if they are going to tackle the overall proplem of prejudice and cultural insensitivity then cool otherwise, they need to STFU.

Someone get these people history books and televisions.

Next thing you know, there will be an organization for Blondes complaining about unjustified stereotypes in chick-flicks. Makes about as much sense...

When you live in Russia, you know that it's not exclusive to Italian people in the slightest.

Their whining is more than enough proof that they are INDEED, a bunch of mafiosos. It's a FACT that those things existed, their denial is ludicrous. Say hello to my little friend, UNICO.

I've played the demo extensively and i haven't noticed any ethnic stereotypes, I've seen every video related to this game as well and all I noticed was a striking resemblance to Goodfellas, Godfather, The Sopranos and Casino. if anything the people bringing up this suit should have a sit down with Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorcessi and other Itialian American directors and actors and see how they feel about it, better yet get Henry hill to talk on the subject......

Why? because its popular. otherwise they would give a rats behind. They just want a make a fuss over something thats not out yet and no absolutely nothing about. There may be more racialy diverse groups in the game. How would they know its not out yet. They simply are starved for media attention like many others that try to pull this exact same complaint every now and then.

RABBLERABBLERABBLE! Move along, nothing to see here. I don't have time for UNICO's nonsense. I'm off for a bit of GTL. Also, I'm out of hair product and sausage.

Its not Rockstars fault the primary mafia in the US is Italian, and that pretty much all mafia movies in the last 50 years have been based on said Italians. So of course games are going to follow that same path.This is just like when the African American community cried racism because of the early RE5 screenshots... if you're in Africa, and the local populace turns to zombies, they would be almost all black. Hence why the game was going to have hords of black zombies. But noooooo, because its logical and true to life, it MUST be racism. Thats the same damn logic here...

mailto:uniconational@unico.org Better yet. Drop them a e-mail. I'll bet they would love to hear how pissed off gamers can be. Their web site and little club is crap. Their stance on the "Jersey Shore" is total bull*&^%.

Not all Italions such as myself are protesting..Its a game lighten up holy cow..Next thing you no every thing you make in games will be protested..If its not one thing its another..Dont feel its racist these things actually took place in america pall..Our own mafia in new york an in chicogo..So dont go away mad just go away an let the rest of the world enjoy games..

UNICO should spend more time worrying about "The Jersey Show" than this game. And what about all the gangster movies? Yeah, screw off UNICO, you too AIPAC, for meddling in American politics.

Hmmm. There have been lots of war games that deal with killing russians, yet you don't hear anything from them.

So.... UNICO is under the impression that everyone thinks all Italians are mobsters and can't differentiate a fictional story with reality, and wants to s-#-%-t on everyone's parade because of their own narrow-mindedness? Retards...

Another "special" interest group that "thinks" its in the interest of everyone else. This country would be alot better if groups like these would just go away and let everyone live their own lives.

@crabapple87 same here. I don't understand what their protesting. History? Cause you know that italians ran crime syndicates in the early 20's and 30's. Maybe they don't want people knowing that lol.

THEY WILL PROTEST MAFIA II BUT NOT JERSEY SHORE???

They tried to take away jersey shore and they failed, and now there protesting mafia 2. there just going to lose this battle too

im half italian and i could care less

ahhh Italians...always wanting to keep low key ;) But seriously, it's not the first time happening in an entertainment product. They've been stereotyped this way for decades and I think it's too little too late to protest. Plus this stereotype is from half a century ago and that's what mafia 2 is depicting.

Me I'm protesting no grass :(

Meh, like I give a crap what unico thinks about anything. I should probably just buy this game to spite them.

I live in Italy, and I can tell you that no one cares about that, we are waiting for the game here. Italian americans are crazy to get mad about this and not crap like Jersey Shore.

DiMino needs to grow a pair.

Yeah contrerversy.

LOL I have decided Im getting this game now. Downloading the demo right now.

They're right. This game should have been about the Yakuza gang.

I Can Wait To Play This Game!

@hanslacher54 I couldn't agree more, Jersey Shore isn't what real Italian is...Anyone who watches it and thinks thats what being Italian is, should get slapped across the face...Really hard. Jersey Shore is more offensive than this.

Wow, I'm part Italian and I could give less of a crap. This is just dumb

What? Italian mobsters are awesome.

As an Italian, I'm not offended... And I stick up for my heritage. Mafia 2 is based on real American history, if anything its a glorified tribute to that history.

They should focus on Jersey Shore...

Jersey Shore?