- Mafia III setting: The open-world city of New Bordeaux, a fictional reimagining of 1968 New Orleans
- Time period: 1968, amid the Vietnam War aftermath and the American civil rights struggle
- Nine districts: Delray Hollow, River Row, Pointe Verdun, and six more form the takeover map
- Story role: The city is divided into Sal Marcano's rackets that Lincoln Clay dismantles piece by piece
- DLC expansions: Faster, Baby! adds Sinclair Parish, a countryside parish outside the city
The Mafia III Setting: New Bordeaux, 1968
The Mafia III setting places players in New Bordeaux, a fictional southern American city heavily inspired by New Orleans in 1968. Lincoln Clay returns from the Vietnam War to a city controlled by the Italian mob, where segregated neighborhoods, bayou waterways, and neon-lit nightlife districts define both the atmosphere and the gameplay map.
Unlike the earlier Mafia games set in fictional stand-ins for Chicago and New York, Mafia III builds its entire revenge story around the city's social tensions. The result is a crime drama where the setting itself drives the narrative: who owns each district, who profits from each racket, and who gets left behind.
Video Highlights:
- Official launch trailer introducing Lincoln Clay and New Bordeaux
- Overview of the revenge storyline against Sal Marcano
- Glimpses of the open-world city and its districts
New Bordeaux reflects 1968 America: the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, and organized crime's grip on Southern cities. Understanding this backdrop explains Lincoln's motivations and the game's documentary-style interview framing.
The Nine Districts of New Bordeaux
New Bordeaux is divided into nine takeover districts, each with distinct geography, enemy presence, and rackets to dismantle. Lincoln's campaign is structured as a district-by-district war against Sal Marcano's organization.
| District | Character | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Delray Hollow | African-American neighborhood, Lincoln's home | Racket takedowns, Cassandra's base |
| River Row | Dockside working-class area | Smuggling rackets, Vito recruitment |
| Pointe Verdun | Irish mob territory | Burke's operations, protection rackets |
| Tickfaw Harbor | Industrial port district | Contraband and shipping rackets |
| Barclay Mills | Heavy industry and scrapyards | Union and labor racket content |
| Downtown | Commercial center, tall buildings | High-security Marcano operations |
| Southdowns | Entertainment and nightlife | Gambling and club rackets |
| Frisco Fields | Affluent suburban outskirts | Dixie mob and political influence |
| French Ward | French Quarter-style district | Prostitution and tourism rackets |
Every district you capture must be assigned to Cassandra, Burke, or Vito. Consistently favoring one underboss creates resentment, possible betrayal, and fewer ending options later in the campaign.
How the Setting Shapes Gameplay
The New Bordeaux setting is not just scenery; it defines the core gameplay loop of investigation, sabotage, and takeover.
Racket Investigations
- Informants reveal racket objectives
- Wiretaps expose enemies and collectibles
- Sabotage increases takeover value
District Takeovers
- Damage racket revenue sources
- Eliminate the racket boss
- Assign the district to an underboss
Empire Management
- Underboss earn unlocks services
- Weapon, vehicle, and cash support
- Loyalty affects dialogue and endings
Beyond the city itself, the setting expands through the DLC. Faster, Baby! introduces Sinclair Parish, a countryside parish with high-speed driving missions and racing activities, giving the 1968 Louisiana setting a rural counterpoint to the urban core.
Exploring the 1968 Atmosphere
The period setting enriches exploration with era-specific collectibles and a licensed soundtrack rooted in 1960s soul, rock, and blues.
| Collectible Type | Theme | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Playboy Magazines | Period adult publications | Bars, bedrooms, offices |
| Hot Rod Magazines | American car culture | Garages, auto shops |
| Album Covers | Licensed music artwork | Homes, record stores, venues |
| Vargas Paintings | Pin-up artwork | Private rooms, back offices |
| Propaganda Posters | Political/social posters | Walls, alleys, public buildings |
Gather Information
Recruit or interrogate informants to reveal points of interest across the district.
Activate Wiretaps
Use TL-49 fuses on junction boxes to reveal enemies, alarms, and collectibles nearby.
Clear the Racket
Complete the takeover so hostile guards no longer patrol the interior locations.
Sweep for Collectibles
Search every revealed interior and exterior before moving to the next district.
Work one district at a time and keep separate lists for magazines, album covers, paintings, and posters. This prevents repeated searches across the nine-district map.
Setting and Story: Key Figures in New Bordeaux
The setting comes alive through its cast. Lincoln Clay builds his coalition from figures tied directly to specific neighborhoods.
| Character | Role in the Setting |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Clay | Vietnam veteran seeking revenge in his home city |
| Sal Marcano | Head of the Italian mob controlling New Bordeaux |
| Cassandra | Haitian mob leader based in Delray Hollow |
| Thomas Burke | Irish mob leader operating in Pointe Verdun |
| Vito Scaletta | Returning Mafia II protagonist in River Row |
| John Donovan | CIA contact providing intelligence on Marcano |
| Father James | Lincoln's mentor and moral counterweight |
New Bordeaux Exploration Goals:
- Visit all nine districts of New Bordeaux
- Recruit Cassandra, Burke, and Vito
- Take over at least one racket per district
- Explore Sinclair Parish in Faster, Baby!
- Collect era-themed magazines and album covers
The final decision at the end of the campaign determines whether Lincoln leaves New Bordeaux, rules it with his underbosses, or rules it alone. Keep the three lieutenants loyal to preserve every ending option.
FAQ
Q: What is the Mafia III setting?
Mafia III is set in New Bordeaux, a fictional city modeled on New Orleans in 1968. The setting spans nine districts plus the Sinclair Parish countryside added in the Faster, Baby! expansion.
Q: What year does Mafia III take place?
The main story takes place in 1968, with Lincoln Clay returning from the Vietnam War to a city controlled by Sal Marcano's Italian mob.
Q: Is New Bordeaux a real city?
No. New Bordeaux is a fictional reimagining of New Orleans, capturing its French Quarter-style architecture, bayou surroundings, and cultural atmosphere of the late 1960s.
Q: How does the setting affect gameplay?
Each district contains rackets tied to the city's criminal economy. Players investigate, sabotage, and take over these operations, then assign districts to underbosses whose loyalty shapes missions, services, and the available endings.