Italian-American group protests Mafia II stereotypes

People need to get a thicker skin, thats all.

Facts: During the early to mid 20th century, New York City and the wider state had issues with very powerful organized crime families. These families were nearly exclusively italian. How then, is it *racist* to tell a story from that period of time, about those people? :?

As an undead Zombie, I too agree that too many games promote unfair stereotypes of certain groups. I have seen my people portrayed as mindless, flesh-eating drones enough times to understand that Italian-Americans have a legitimate complaint regarding in-game depictions of unfortunate and innacurate generalizations of their ethnic group. I propose an alliance between Zombies, aliens, Nazis and Bowser to counter this trend by offering positive and uplifting messages about groups that are constantly cast as the bad guy in the video game industry.

I cant believe this, this is so crazy. If they get outcome from this claim, every game in the world will be sued because of the same nonsenses. I think, game companies should return to Atari console game until every stupid association get consented.

Next on their list is Super Mario, This is just another ridiculous lawsuit against videogames.

I dare not say anything to offend anybody but, those opposed are just being stupid, plain and simple, they wouldn't have made the game if it didn't follow something that was true to how people acted then, they're just looking for something to complain about.

Jersey shore does more damage to the Italian community! ...lol...worry bout those morons...not this beautiful game!....ps..y don't you sue the people who made the godfather then!....ridiculous!...this is going to be a great game!

OH PS. I hope this game made lotsa spaghetti!

Am I the only person who upon reading this could only think of the scene in an episode of The Simpsons where a Mexican standoff between two rival Mafia families in an Italian restaurant prompts another man to stand up: "I'm from the Italian-American Anti-Defamation League," *withdraws and cocks two pistols* "AND THIS REALLY BURNS MY CANADOLES!"

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This may be one of the most ridiculous examples of a lawsuit threat to a video game company I've ever heard.

This is beyond stupid. UNICO needs to realize that it's just a game and move on. I bet they would enjoy playing it too! :)

The part that I notice is: "Why would [Take-Two] foist a game on their targeted audience of young people wherein they will indoctrinate a new generation" Sounds to me like someone hasn't figured out this game is for a MATURE audience, not for youngsters. Another example of people automatically assuming all games are for kids.

They obviously haven't watched much Jersey Shore. Also, what's this about the "unsuspecting public", I'm in school for Media / Cultural Theory, so I know all about this junk; don't patronize me. I'm not going to play this next week and think "DERP, All Italian Americans were, and are like this. HURR DURR".

It would be a mistake for 2K games to even care about these accusations. Just keep going, move along. Just nonsense IMO.

How many people are protesting in front of Take-Two office? Do you think any of them are going to be buying this game? Most likely not, so Take-Two doesnt even need to worry about it.

Sure, ignore other Italian "stereotypes" in the media like Sopranos, The Godfather, or (god help me) Jersey shore and not criticize them; despite how those are much more popular in mass-media. But a videogame with gangsters that have been portrayed for over 60 years? We HAVE to go after them! (I'm 60% Italian BTW and laugh at the idea that my heritage is advertised as a bunch of Mafia guys)

So....does this mean those guys are going to be suing Nintendo because Mario furthers the stereotype that all Italians are plumbers who wear blue suspenders and red shirts/hats and randomly shout "MAMA MIA!"?

I seriously think the mainstream public should be educated about the ESRB rating system.This group UNICO National thinks the only people who plays videogames are all children. This game is clearly aimed for the 18+ above crowd. They are protesting about the Mafia 2 videogame. Where were the the protest for the first mafia game came out, The Godfather Trilogy, Sopranos, Goodfellas,Casino,etc.

... but it's okay to slaughter masses of Russians, Arabs and Koreans in whatever war propaganda game/movie/tv show is popular this holiday season right? Unico is made up of wannabe political celebrities... so talentless that this is the only way they figure they can grab 15 seconds of fame.

The Italian mafia is a part of American history, and having a game that draws from that history is the same as a game that draws from Russian/Chinese/Japanese crime syndicates history(as there are titles that do). At one point, the Italian mafia was a very present identity in US daily life (helllllloooooo prohibition!). UNICO seems to be missing that fact. What UNICO is demanding is akin to demanding a visceral, dramatic, gripping, and violent WWII game set in Europe to not be released because it features violence against Nazis who may be portrayed in a negative manner. The bottom line is that the Italian mafia in America was extremely brutal, violent, organized, and powerful. Though fiction it may be, this game is still a historical piece based on a time period. It does not depict Italians in 2010 United States. I understand and feel for them, but their sensitivity and defensiveness is being directed at the wrong material.

I can see how the italian community can be upset about Mafia 2 but it's a game they are not trying base it on the italians they are trying to tell us about the mafia in the early-mid 1900's and most of the mob just so happend to be italians. there was irish mobs and others but the most infamous was the italian mafia.

Eyyyy...you see mah pal over derr in the tie and raincoat? He's got an arm like a fuggin' eggplant! Discriminate dis'!

Every ethnicity has its own element of organized crime, the Italians just do it with more style and flare, just like their fashion and automotive industries. America's fixation on the Italian mafia should be viewed as a compliment and nothing more.

*sigh* So stupid. And please don't tell me they didn't complain about the Godfather movies + games, Mafia 1, and Sopranos. Oh yeah so it a problem now?-_-

Eyyyyyyy! Went to school for three years!

These.. italians want to stop a game. A game that makes them look totally badass. I dont understand. Is there a part of the story we arent being filled in on..

Is this the same group of flunkies that were calling for the Sopranos to be taken off the air? Welcome to 1999, gentlemen.

@Vuud I lol'd. Hard.

@crunchb3rry DUDE! Check this out! they did! hahahaha. "UNICO National has taken a strong stand against MTV's "Jersey Shore" series. To watch video of President André DiMino speaking out against the negative portrayal of Italian-Americans by this program, click on "Press/Media" below." - unico.org other than that, I still have to profess my love for mafia games. i wish they would make more triad games. where's the love for my chinese fellows?

HAHAHAH should indians protest red dead?

Thats just sad UNICO

Groups like these are worthless.

"targeted at young people" Why does it seem like anyone who complains about a game doesn't make any effort whatsoever to check facts before making outlandish claims? The ESRB gave Mafia 2 a M rating for Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol. yeah that really sounds like a game targeted at young people /sarcasm

you are what your known to be. but this is just a game so don't take it personal just like movies and music its all the same

When the stereotype makes you think "be very nice to all Italian-Americans" how is that bad?

I actually think italian mafias are cool LOL i don't see their problem

I'ts a game. I'ts for entertainment. I'ts not real. Andre DiMino you're the criminal here, because you're the one trying to get money to whatever cause.

people need to relax. its a game.

its just a F... game for our entertainment & to release the mental stress from this real world

Eyyyyy, yo! Why you'z guyz breakin' my bawls? It'z justa game, fugheddaboudit! Let's have some gabbagool.

In other news, the bodies of several 2k Games employees were found in bodies of water nearby the studio. We'll be following this story as the details unfold

It's a video game's take on the Mafia life popularized by films like the Godfather and shows like the Sopranos, not a politically correct version of criminal families.

How about half of america sue the other half then the other half counter sues then we never have to sue again we would owe each other. These stupid PC and non PC law suits have our courts boggled down and nothing real ever gets prosecuted. Gee I think i should sue every film and cartoon and game that make gamers look like over weight nerd/dorks that all they do in life is play games. Just dumb that ppl allow their feelings to be hurt and offended so fast anymore. America needs to wake up, brush it off and stop being childish. That starts with the Italians and end with the Hispanics. Heck I am of Native American decent. I should sue all of you and demand that you all give back my forefathers land , that includes the damn white house and the bunch in there.

they know this will be a good game , and it will sell like bred so they want a share from the pie, frikin gangsters

These interrest groups never learn, everytime they criticise a game it always improves the sells of the game, and it creates alot of free publicity for the game. They can yap as long as they like, they always end up achieving the opposite of what they wanted in the first place.

I'm Italian but I don't care if the game is racist. First of all, I don't think the game is going to make fun of Italians at all.

where was this lawsuit when The godfather came out? please watch this>>>>>>>>><< LINK REMOVED >> and um, im mad that Inglorious basterds was so mean to germans, not all germans are nazis. << LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

The group is a bunch of Mafia .... Obviously the only reason they have a problem with it being released!