Italian Outcry Over Mafia-Themed Board Game

Critics argue the game trivializes the violence of Sicily's 1980s mafia wars and disrespects victims of organized crime.

La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War, a German-made board game, has drawn backlash in Italy for its depiction of Sicily's mafia conflicts in the 1980s.
The game allows players to assume the roles of mafia bosses, using tools like car bombs to dominate regions of Sicily.
Maria Falcone, sister of murdered anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone, condemned the game as offensive to the memory of those who fought organized crime.
The designer, Maximilian Maria Thiel, defended the game, stating it focuses on fictional mafia conflicts and avoids depicting harm to civilians or historical figures.
Italian politicians and local leaders have called for the game to be banned, citing its potential to undermine efforts to combat mafia culture.