‘Mafia 4’ release date, gameplay: Los Angeles-inspired setting, prequel plot may have been suggested by ‘Mafia: Definitive Edition’ cards

The future of the “Mafia” video game franchise is still unknown, but many fans now believe that future installments are still possible following alleged Easter eggs found in “Mafia: Definitive Edition.” Certain in-game cards have sparked speculations that, if “Mafia 4” were to be released, it could feature a new location inspired by the city of Los Angeles.

‘Mafia 4’ setting to feature Los Angeles and pre-‘Mafia 3’ plot?

The “Mafia: Definitive Edition” lets players collect cigarette cards designed with familiar characters that represent key locations introduced throughout the video game series. However, since the original game’s remaster was released, two particular cards have caught the attention of many because they feature new characters and mention cities that were not used as in-game locations in the game. These items have now become one of the reasons fans’ hope for “Mafia 4” is revived.

Cards number 15 and 16 feature Fredo Clemente from Havana and Louie Romeo from “Los Ondas,” respectively. Havana is obviously derived from the real-life city in Cuba while Louie’s card description suggests Los Ondas could be a fictionalized Los Angeles. Per PowerUp!, card number 16 indicates Louie was assigned to oversee the families’ operations in the West Coast including gambling dens, Hollywood, and “prime targets for the Mob.” Aside from money laundering, part of Louie’s job is blackmailing studio executives.

If Los Ondas ended up being the main location for “Mafia 4,” it would mark the first time the game is set in the West Coast. The first three games were, respectively, situated in fictionalized cities in Illinois (“Lost Heaven”), New York (“Empire Bay”), and Louisiana (“New Bordeaux”).

The same report also noticed that Louie and Fredo’s cards were placed between Empire Bay and New Bordeaux mobsters. This led to the speculation that the new characters were part of a plot set after the events of “Mafia 2” and before “Mafia 3.” In this case, there is a possibility that “Mafia 4” would feature a prequel storyline, which might also lead to a number-less title.

Will 2K Games release ‘Mafia 4’?

Developer Hangar 13 and publisher 2K Games have not mentioned anything specific about their plans for “Mafia 4.” On the bright side, they have also not closed the doors in adding an all-new title in the series.

Hangar 13 president Haden Blackman previously told Gamespot that they have more ideas for the series, but suggested that the market success of “Mafia: Definitive Edition” could influence the future of the franchise. It is then worth noting that “Mafia: Definitive Edition” debuted at the top 3 and the “Mafia: Trilogy” took the no. 6 spot in the UK sales charts in the same week. This should give fans a reason to still keep an eye out for “Mafia 4” in the future.