- Mafia III year set: The main story takes place in 1968, in the fictional city of New Bordeaux.
- Location inspiration: New Bordeaux is modeled on New Orleans, Louisiana, with bayous and river districts.
- Era context: The 1968 setting ties the revenge story to Vietnam-era America and 1960s racial tensions.
- Protagonist background: Lincoln Clay is a Vietnam War veteran returning home to build a criminal empire.
- Timeline anchor: The betrayal at Sammy's bar kicks off the campaign shortly after Lincoln's return.
What Year Is Mafia III Set In?
The Mafia III year set is 1968, a deliberate choice by Hangar 13 that separates it from the 1940s–50s settings of the first two Mafia games. The story follows Lincoln Clay, a biracial Vietnam veteran who returns to New Bordeaux, a fictional stand-in for New Orleans, only to be betrayed and left for dead by the Italian mob. His revenge campaign against Sal Marcano's organization unfolds across 1968 and its immediate aftermath.
The 1968 timeframe is more than backdrop. It shapes the music, the cars, the weapons, the politics, and the social atmosphere of every district you take over.
Video Highlights:
- Introduces Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam vet seeking revenge in 1968
- Shows New Bordeaux districts, from Delray Hollow to the French Ward
- Highlights the betrayal by Sal Marcano's organization
- Highlights era-authentic cars, weapons, and radio soundtrack
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary year | 1968 |
| City | New Bordeaux (fictional) |
| Real-world inspiration | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Protagonist | Lincoln Clay, Vietnam veteran |
| Antagonist | Sal Marcano, head of the Italian mob |
| Release date | October 7, 2016 |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
Pay attention to in-game radio stations and collectibles like album covers and vintage magazines. They reinforce the 1968 atmosphere and often reference real period culture.
How 1968 Shapes New Bordeaux
New Bordeaux is divided into districts that each reflect a different layer of late-1960s Southern life. Delray Hollow is a struggling Black neighborhood, River Row centers on dockwork, and the French Ward hosts the mob-controlled nightlife. The city's geography, music, and architecture all signal the era without needing a date stamp on screen.
Social Backdrop
- 1968 racial tensions frame Lincoln's position in the city
- The Black mob under Sammy Robinson vs. the Italian Marcano family
- Police and community dynamics differ by district
Vietnam War Context
- Lincoln's special forces training explains his combat skill
- CIA contact John Donovan supports the revenge operation
- Wartime flashbacks anchor the prologue
Period Culture
- Muscle cars, vintage firearms, and 60s fashion
- Licensed 1960s soundtrack across radio stations
- Collectibles: Playboy magazines, Hot Rod magazines, Vargas paintings
| District | Character | Era Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Delray Hollow | Black community, Sammy's bar | Soul music, neighborhood decline |
| River Row | Docks and river commerce | Dockworker culture, smuggling |
| French Ward | Nightlife and mob control | Jazz clubs, casinos, vice |
| Downtown | Business and political power | Corporate 1960s architecture |
| Frisco Fields | Wealthy suburbs | Country clubs, exclusivity |
The conflict is fundamentally a clash between Lincoln's Black criminal organization and the entrenched Italian Mafia, a dynamic that only works because of the game's specific 1968 setting.
Timeline of Key Story Events
While the Mafia III year set is anchored in 1968, the story is told partly through a documentary-style framing device. Interviews and news footage set decades later look back on Lincoln's war against the Marcano family, giving the campaign a retrospective structure.
Return From Vietnam (1968)
Lincoln comes home from the war and reconnects with Sammy Robinson's family in Delray Hollow before the fateful heist that triggers the betrayal.
The Betrayal
Sal Marcano's men attack Sammy's bar. Lincoln survives, and Father James and John Donovan help him recover and plan revenge.
Building the Crew (1968–69)
Lincoln recruits Cassandra, Thomas Burke, and Vito Scaletta as underbosses and dismantles Marcano rackets district by district.
The Marcano War
Lieutenants like Olivia Marcano, Tommy Marcano, and Frank Pagani fall one by one until Lincoln reaches Sal's casino.
The Final Decision
After Sal's fall, Lincoln chooses to leave New Bordeaux, rule it alone, or rule alongside his surviving underbosses.
The framing interviews reveal outcomes before you reach them. If you want a completely fresh experience, avoid the intermission documentary segments until after key story beats.
Why 1968 Instead of the 1940s?
The earlier Mafia games covered the 1930s–1950s. Moving to 1968 gave Hangar 13 a new toolkit: automatic weapons, muscle cars, wiretapping technology, and a socially turbulent America. The era also justifies Lincoln's military-grade combat abilities and Donovan's intelligence-gathering support.
| Feature | 1940s–50s (Mafia I & II) | 1968 (Mafia III) |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Tommy guns, revolvers | SMGs, assault rifles, silenced pistols |
| Cars | Classic sedans | Muscle cars, performance vehicles |
| Tech | Minimal | Wiretaps, TL-49 fuses, electronic surveillance |
| Themes | Immigration, prohibition legacy | Race, Vietnam, civil rights era |
| Structure | Linear missions | Open-world district takeovers |
Wiretaps are not just period flavor. Activate junction boxes before a racket raid to reveal enemies, alarms, and collectibles across the district.
Setting Checklist for New Players
Use this checklist to appreciate the 1968 setting while playing through the campaign:
Experience the 1968 Setting:
- Listen to the licensed 60s soundtrack on in-game radio
- Collect album covers and vintage magazines across districts
- Notice district-specific architecture and culture
- Watch the documentary-style interview segments
- Explore the bayou and Sinclair Parish countryside in Faster, Baby!
Collectibles like Playboy and Hot Rod magazines are found in bars, bedrooms, garages, and offices. Search racket interiors after clearing them to combine story progress with era-appropriate collectibles.
FAQ
Q: What year is Mafia III set in?
The Mafia III year set is 1968. The main campaign takes place in the fictional city of New Bordeaux during that year, following Lincoln Clay's return from the Vietnam War and his war against Sal Marcano's Italian mob.
Q: Is New Bordeaux a real city?
No. New Bordeaux is a fictional city modeled on New Orleans, Louisiana. Its districts, bayou surroundings, river commerce, and French-influenced architecture all draw from real New Orleans geography and culture.
Q: Do the Mafia III story DLCs take place in 1968 too?
Yes. Faster, Baby!, Stones Unturned, and Sign of the Times are set in and around the same late-1960s period, expanding the New Bordeaux area with new locations like Sinclair Parish while keeping the 1968 atmosphere.
Q: How does the 1968 setting affect gameplay?
The era shapes the weapons, muscle cars, wiretap surveillance mechanics, and the soundtrack. It also frames the story's themes, including Lincoln's Vietnam veteran background and the social tensions of the late 1960s American South.