According to a press release issued by Italian American community watchdog UNICO, its public protest of a New York City Mafia II launch party yielded some impressive results. UNICO's Andrew DiMino is quoted as saying that its efforts -- which included a strongly-worded letter to Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick and a public demonstration -- led to the party being a "dismal failure."
It's difficult to comprehend DiMino and UNICO's idea of a "dismal failure"; pictures and video appear to suggest it was anything but. According to those who attended the party, hosted by Gamertag Radio and sponsored by Take-Two subsidiary 2K Games, the gathering was largely a success.
"I had a feeling in my bones that the night was going to be one to remember," says Joe Betancourt, community manager for Talking About Games, who said the party "surpassed [his] expectations. He calls the venue "classy" adding that "[Gamertag Radio] was on their 'A' game for this event." He also says that negative press generated by UNICO prior to the event didn't seem to have affect on the vibe of the party, which featured appearances from Hot 97's Miss Info and Playboy's Jo Garcia.
While UNICO did make an appearance at the event, standing outside of the venue brandishing signs like "End Anti-Italiansim[sic]" and "Enough Is Enough," not everyone took notice.
"To be honest, I didn't even think they were there," partygoer Mark Washington told us. "[Unico's] presence was not even recognized by anyone in attendance."
Despite what appears to be a failed effort to generate negative buzz and ruin a local New York event, UNICO vows this isn't the last we've heard from the organization.
"Take-Two and its major investors, and the entertainment industry in general, will be hearing further and forcefully from us," said DiMino.
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Contest:
9:00 PM on 08.31.2010
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"Dear UNICO, I feel the need to tell you that you are as influential as that guy who asked why the supermarket was closed on a Sunday"
And that's just the top of the iceberg! UNICO will be hearing from me, forcefully!
"That's a real nice video game company they got there. It'd be a shame if anything happened to it," he added.
*my butt falls off*
Seriously, I don't remember hearing any buzz about Mafia 1 beyond it being "an ok game", and I really don't remember hearing much hype and buzz during Mafia II's development.
Well, it looks a like it was an alright party anyway. I guess if you got the money, you're free to throw a party for whatever you want.
They perpetuate the stereotype of Italian Mafiosos more than any fictional game or movie could ever hope to.
Pretty much exactly the site design skill you'd expect from a filthy uneducated Italian!
Look, a long, long, LOOOOOOOOOONG time ago, there was discrimination against Italian Americans. But that died out in the 30's man, and most of it was confined to the 19TH CENTURY. We're in the 21ST CENTURY.
I have never seen or heard of any serious discrimination against Italians in modern times. UNCIO is an outdated organization, speaking for a group of people that no longer consider themselves to be a separate ethnic group. All the Italian-Australian people I've ever met just call themselves Australian, and don't even speak Italian. I suspect that's the case in the US as well.
Face it, Italian Americans are pretty much just white dudes these days. They don't need an organization defending them, because white people still hold a lot of power. UNCIO is just beating this issue up because it has nothing else to do.
Win
He's won his every battle on every step of his journey to everlasting victory.
That's why he's not a lawyer anymore!
And it is something ironic to note that UNICO is being relatively ignorant, themselves.
That is a terribly immature behaviour. First they cannot gather enough people for their wee little protest and then they go all "Yeah we rocked."
Disgusting.
True
and to UNICO you dare ask me this, the day of my Mafia 2 release party?