2K Games has announced that it’s partnering with Playboy magazine to bring the front covers and centrefolds of yesteryear to Mafia II.
The license will allow 2K to integrate more than 50 such centrefolds and covers to the highly-anticipated gangster title, due for release late this year. The magazines will be in-game collectables.
Mafia II is set in the fictional city of Empire Bay during the ‘40s and ‘50s. 2K promises the game will be “dark and unforgiving” – one where the clothing, cars, citizens and advertising will meticulously recreate the post-war era. It was in the ‘50s that Playboy rose to become a publishing empire.
“While most mob-inspired games’ emphasis is solely on action, Mafia II features a deep and compelling narrative that is embellished with a sophisticated, era-evoking atmosphere,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “In partnering with Playboy, we are able to add a unique element of authenticity to the game by using vintage images from the magazine that illustrate the power of Playboy’s influence on the attitudes and culture of that generation.”
“For more than 55 years, Playboy has been a part of America’s pop culture landscape, engaging its readers with insightful features, interviews and fashion spreads, as well as pictorials of some of the world’s most beautiful women,” said Playboy magazine’s Editorial Director Jimmy Jellinek.
“Mafia II is set when Playboy first came into vogue and features characters whose style and attitudes mirror content from our early issues. We’re excited to bring an element of authenticity to the game that is unmatched in the men’s publishing category,” he continued.
Mafia II is in development at 2K Czech for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
