Mafia Boss Says GTA Comparisons Are Just an Internet Thing

Mafia: The Old Country Developer Responds to GTA Comparisons

Nick Baynes, head of Hangar 13, has stated that comparisons between the studio's upcoming title, Mafia: The Old Country, and Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series never come up during internal development discussions, describing the rivalry as strictly an "internet thing" among fans. This statement addresses the ongoing community discourse that frequently pits the two open-world crime franchises against one another. The core topic entity is the public statement made by the studio head regarding the perceived competition between the two game series, clarifying the developer's internal perspective on the matter.

Key Facts

What Did the Head of Hangar 13 Say About GTA Comparisons?

Nick Baynes, the head of Hangar 13, said that comparisons to Grand Theft Auto never come up during the development of Mafia: The Old Country. He characterized the frequent fan discussions and online debates as strictly an "internet thing," indicating that the development team does not focus on competing with Rockstar's franchise.

It's strictly an 'internet thing' among fans.

— Nick Baynes, Head of Hangar 13, via Kotaku

This clarification comes as anticipation builds for the next installment in the Mafia series. The statement suggests that while the community often draws parallels between the two open-world crime games, the developers are focused on their own creative vision rather than direct competition with the GTA series. The exact context of the interview or the specific questions that led to this response are not detailed in the source material.

Hangar 13's head, Nick Baynes, explicitly stated that GTA comparisons are an "internet thing" and do not influence the development process of Mafia: The Old Country.

Why Are GTA Comparisons Considered an "Internet Thing"?

According to Nick Baynes, the comparisons between Mafia: The Old Country and Grand Theft Auto are a phenomenon driven by fan communities online rather than a topic of discussion within the development team. He frames the rivalry as a creation of internet discourse, not a factor in the studio's creative or technical decisions.

The open-world genre has long been dominated by the GTA franchise, making it a natural reference point for fans and media alike. However, Baynes's comments indicate a clear separation between public perception and internal development focus. The source material does not provide specific examples of the online comparisons or any data on the volume of such discussions, but it confirms the studio head's awareness of the trend and his dismissal of its relevance to their work.

The studio head's comments confirm that the perceived rivalry between Mafia and GTA is a product of fan culture online, not a consideration for the developers at Hangar 13.

How Does the Development Team Approach Mafia: The Old Country?

Based on the statement from Nick Baynes, the development team at Hangar 13 approaches Mafia: The Old Country without GTA comparisons in mind. The focus is on the Mafia franchise's own identity and the specific setting of the game, rather than on how it measures up to Rockstar's open-world titles.

This approach suggests a commitment to the series' unique tone and historical setting, which has traditionally distinguished it from the more satirical and modern setting of GTA. The source material does not include any further details on the game's features, story, or gameplay mechanics, so the specific elements the team is focusing on remain unknown. The statement serves as a clear signal that the studio is not altering its course based on external comparisons.

Hangar 13's development of Mafia: The Old Country is conducted without internal consideration of GTA comparisons, according to studio head Nick Baynes.

Who Is This Statement For?

This statement is for fans of the Mafia franchise, followers of open-world game news, and industry observers who track the competitive landscape between major game studios. It addresses the community's tendency to compare the two series and provides clarity on the developer's official stance, which may influence how fans discuss the upcoming title.

For those who have been engaged in online debates about which franchise is superior, this news offers a direct response from a key figure at Hangar 13. It also serves as a point of reference for future discussions about the game's development and marketing, as it establishes the studio's public position on the matter.

Common Questions

Did the head of Hangar 13 say GTA comparisons come up during development?

No. Nick Baynes, the head of Hangar 13, said that GTA comparisons never come up during development. He stated that the comparisons are strictly an "internet thing" among fans, not a topic of discussion for the team working on Mafia: The Old Country.

What did Nick Baynes say about the Mafia and GTA rivalry?

Nick Baynes said the rivalry is an "internet thing" among fans. He indicated that the development team does not focus on comparisons to Grand Theft Auto while working on the upcoming Mafia game, suggesting the perceived competition is not a factor in their process.

Is Mafia: The Old Country being developed to compete with GTA?

According to the statement from Nick Baynes, the game is not being developed with GTA comparisons in mind. The head of Hangar 13 said such comparisons never come up during development, implying the team is focused on the Mafia franchise's own identity rather than direct competition.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: a report from Kotaku titled "Mafia Boss Says GTA Comparisons Are Just an Internet Thing," published at the URL https://kotaku.com/mafia-boss-claims-gta-comparisons-never-come-up-during-development-2000725026. The facts, quotes, and attributions presented here are derived exclusively from that report. No additional sources were used, and no data was synthesized or extrapolated. Specific details such as the game's release date, price, and platform availability are not included in the source material and are therefore marked as unknown. This article was last updated on May 20, 2025.