Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has praised the performance of this year's Mafia: The Old Country, stating it confirms demand for shorter, narrative-driven single-player games. Released in August by 2K, the title exceeded internal sales expectations despite its contained scope. Zelnick's comments suggest a potential shift toward more focused projects at the publisher.
Success and Sales Performance
Mafia: The Old Country, developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K—a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive—launched in August 2025 at a price of $50. The game offers a linear semi-open-world action experience that takes approximately 11 hours to complete, with no online components or in-game purchases. In a recent interview with The Game Business newsletter, CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed that the title beat internal sales projections, contrasting with underperformance from Borderlands 4, which he attributed to PC-related issues but expects to improve long-term.
CEO's Perspective on Game Design
Zelnick emphasized the appeal of contained, story-focused titles. “What we suspected was confirmed,” he said. “Which is just…if you give consumers a great narrative experience that’s a lot of fun, somewhat contained, and at a fair price, then you can have the perfect result.” He positioned the game as evidence of player interest in non-bloated experiences, reminiscent of earlier eras like PS2 and Xbox 360, amid a modern industry trend toward live-service and expansive open-world games.
Implications for Future Titles
The success of Mafia: The Old Country could influence Take-Two's strategy, potentially leading to more single-player projects similar in scale. This comes as the company anticipates major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6. Zelnick's remarks highlight a market for accessible, high-quality narratives that fit busy schedules, without the demands of lengthy commitments or multiplayer elements.