Mafia II landed in 2010 and took place in a fictionalized version of post-World War II New York City. Another long gap led to 2017, when Mafia III flashed forward to the '60s in not-New Orleans.

Pennisi was born and raised in an Italian New York neighborhood where the mob had a huge influence. He speaks on how he ended up being an associate with the Gambino family through John Gotti Jr.