Coalition of Italian Americans Brand Mafia II Launch Party A 'Dismal Failure'

After protesting a launch party, UNICO National is claiming victory in their campaign against the portrayal of Italian Americans in 2K Games’ Mafia II. "I have no doubt our efforts resulted in the Mafia II Launch Party, at the 92nd Street Y's Tribeca Center, being a dismal failure," said Andre' DiMino, chief media executive for UNICO and spokesman for the group that represents Italian Americans.

DiMino had originally demanded that parent company Take-Two "halt release of the game and cleanse it of all references to Italians and Italian-Americans”, claiming that the game “directly, blatantly and unfairly discriminates and demeans one group to the exclusion of all others."
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick, responded publicly to UNICO’s previous claims: "We balance our right to free expression with what we believe is a thoughtful and responsible approach to creating and marketing our products… We aim to distinguish creative and compelling story telling that advances artistic expression from subject matter that gratuitously exploits or glorifies violence or stereotypes."