'Mafia 3' release date: possible reunions expected when game is released next year

A screenshot from the game trailer of Mafia IIIYoutube Screenshot/ file

Fans of the "Mafia" game franchise were thrilled when it was announced last August that a third installment of the game is underway. Developer Hangar 13 did not hold anything back for "Mafia III" and in a brand new twist, it decided to go in a different direction and have the game set in 1968 in New Orleans.

Creative director Haden Blackman said that though the upcoming title is very different from its predecessor, "Mafia III" will answer a lot of questions about "Mafia II."

"At the end of the day, you're going to feel like this is a true Mafia experience and a true Mafia story," said Blackman to Game Informer. The developer said that people have been worried that they were just going to ignore "Mafia II."

"From a narrative standpoint, we are absolutely committed to making sure a lot of your questions about 'Mafia II' are answered in 'Mafia III'," he added.

Blackman gave some new details about the game, and the developer said that there will be a tutorial for the game, but it won't be set in Vietnam like the World War 2 section of "Mafia II." The goal of the new tutorial is to introduce the player to New Orleans and the new characters.

He also said that there will be a possibility of more reunions in the game, and that there will be collectables, just like in the second installment of the franchise. There will also be a greater variety of items to collect in "Mafia III."

The time span for the game will be around nine months, and while there will be weather changes, gamers shouldn't expect to play in a snowy terrain. Weather effects will come in the form of rain and players will see how vehicles get to handle the weather change during that time.

"Mafia III" is expected to be released for PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime after April 2016.