Despite perennial comparisons between the Mafia and Grand Theft Auto franchises, developers at Hangar 13 rarely, if ever, discuss Rockstar's series during the creation of Mafia titles. This is according to Nick Baynes, president of Hangar 13, who asserted that such comparisons are largely confined to the online fan community and do not influence the studio's development strategy.
In an oral history of the Mafia franchise, Baynes told IGN that "genuinely at the studio, we’ve got our own path." He further elaborated that the Grand Theft Auto series "genuinely never ever comes up in conversation as a touchpoint or steering our strategy or anything like that." Baynes suggested that the focus on Grand Theft Auto often arises from external discussion, particularly with Grand Theft Auto 6 anticipated to release later this year, rather than internal development considerations.
Historically, the Mafia games have offered a more linear and cinematic experience compared to the expansive open-world adventures typical of modern Grand Theft Auto entries. The exception is Mafia 3, which adopted a more open-world structure, a move that Baynes indicated was a response to player desires and industry trends at the time. Even so, the core design philosophy of the Mafia series, particularly its earlier installments, has diverged significantly from that of Grand Theft Auto.
Baynes' assertion that Grand Theft Auto is not a point of reference for Hangar 13 is notable, especially given that both studios, Rockstar Games and Hangar 13, operate under the Take-Two Interactive umbrella. While fans frequently pit the games against each other, the developer's official stance is that their creative process remains independent of those comparisons. The success of the original Mafia, which emphasized a focused, linear narrative, suggests that future entries in the franchise may continue to prioritize this approach over adopting the expansive open-world model characteristic of Grand Theft Auto.