2K and Hangar 13’s Mafia 4 is unlikely to be set within Las Vegas or another urban setting featuring a large city, based on the latest information.
A series of job listings for the position of Senior 3D Environment Artist at Hangar 13 suggest that the studio’s upcoming game, Mafia 4, is unlikely to take place within a large urban city, such as Las Vegas. The job responsibilities in each of the listings mentions the creation of assets for a AAA game in a large-scale virtual environment with the focus on organic models using a combination of procedurally generated landscape and manual sculpting, modeling, texturing and lighting.
Additionally, the job description for each of the listings clearly states that the new recruit will develop and maintains high-end-run game environments and contribute to the new Mafia franchise game i.e. Mafia 4. The mention of organic models and a procedurally generated landscape suggests that Mafia 4 will not be set in an urban setting featuring a large city.
Previously, based on a previous job listings for the positions of Lead AI Designer, Principal AI Designer, and Senior Systems Designer, it was reported that Mafia 4 will feature “Stealth and Combat gameplay loops” and may also have multiplayer/live service elements.
The listings for Lead AI Designer and Principal AI Designer stated that “the next iteration of the Mafia franchise”, Mafia 4, will feature “Stealth and Combat gameplay loops”. It further mentioned that both AI designers would drive the creation of AI systems, archetypes and behaviors from prototype through to release for the game. Furthermore, they would be responsible for the design and development of combat and non-combat NPCs. They would design new archetypes that fit the vision of a Mafia game, all the way from creative and technical design prototypes to enemy behaviors and abilities. They would also ensure that players can understand AI intention and plan their combat accordingly.
