How can ‘Mafia II’ and ‘Joe Barbaro’ be considered an example of Post-Modernism?

Post – Modernism creates its own form of style by using existing forms of art/media and collaborating in a somewhat bizarre arrangement. This is seen as a new piece of art even though it has been recycled from old forms of media or art-work. This often gives the new creation a completely different theme and meaning than what it once had previously.

Videogames are a form of entertainment which are played using electronic images that manipulating a series of actions that are viewed by the user and they are able to control what the outcome of actions are; this is often acted out by the videogame’s character. The actions can be presented on either a computer screen monitor, television or a portable device.

The storyline for ‘Mafia II’ is that of a mobster drama with elements of gore, violence and some sexual references. The story is based on the life of Vito Scaletta the game’s main protagonist. We are witnesses to his life as well as playing a vital role in the decisions that the user choses for him. Throughout the story he is accompanied by his childhood friend Joe Barbaro. Joe on the other hand is our secondary protagonist as there is a DLC (downloadable content) in which the user can play just as Joe and undertake tasks and objectives for Joe’s life like they did with Vito’s. The storyline follows their journey to become part of the Falcone family and how they become “made-men”. Joe is considered by the players and the characters in the game to be a “loud-mouth” and “wise-guy”. He always has an answer for anything and it uncontrollable violent when he is proven wrong or gets angry. He is appeared to always wear a black coat jacket with Hawaiian shirt and black slicked back hair, this being a stereotypical nature of American-Italians.

“Mafia II” can be considered Post-Modern is the sense that the gamer is thrown straight into the heart of the Second World War as with the opening scenes and gameplay with minimal character development and storyline from  the start.  The fact that the game is set between the late 1930s to early 1950s is a form of Post-Modernism with all the features of the game being accurate to that era. Even when the character enters a car and switches on the radio all the songs are of the same time period. Characters are also revealed to us in a third person format so we can see all their surrounding and clothing. The game also incorporates cutaways of short films to add further character development later on in the story and progress through the plot.

Now, Joe Barbaro is a new form of outrageous character which gamers have not experienced in this era or played with in modern day. For example Trevor Phillips from GTA V is a character that has been developed form characters such as Joe. Joe can be seen as Post-Modern as he is a “bad guy” or “gangster” but the user feels certain emotions and wiliness for him to live as they get top known and learn his character.

In conclusion, I believe that the Mafia series is a massive form of Post-Modernism as it was in fact the first game series to incorporate the 1930s to 50s with a gaming content. And the fact that users are used to being the “good guys” are now in fact the “bad guys” is against the norm as this game was also one of the first to this.