New Bordeaux
Where jazz whispers through iron balconies and blood pools on the cobblestones.
New Bordeaux is the fictional city that serves as the primary setting of Mafia III, a 2016 open-world action-adventure game developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K. Set in 1968, the city is a re-imagined version of New Orleans, composed of ten districts: Bayou Fantom, Delray Hollow, Barclay Mills, Frisco Fields, Pointe Verdun, Tickfaw Harbor, Southdowns, River Row, Downtown, and the French Ward. The city is mostly controlled by the Marcano crime family, alongside smaller organizations like the Irish Mob, the Haitian Mob, the Black Mob, and the Southern Union. Its design, including architectural styles, cultures, and lifestyles, was influenced by the real-life aspects of the southern United States during the time period, primarily New Orleans.
Quick Facts
- Setting
- Fictional city based on New Orleans, Louisiana
- Time period
- 1968
- Primary faction
- Marcano crime family
- Protagonist
- Lincoln Clay
- Antagonist
- Sal Marcano
- First appears
- Mafia III (2016)
Lore & Background
New Bordeaux is a city of festering wounds and gilded cages.
Reader's Guide
New Bordeaux is the central hub of Mafia III, divided into ten distinct districts: Bayou Fantom, Delray Hollow, Barclay Mills, Frisco Fields, Pointe Verdun, Tickfaw Harbor, Southdowns, River Row, Downtown, and the French Ward. Players explore the city on foot or by vehicle, engaging in missions such as assassinations, sabotage, and territory takeovers. The game's soundtrack features several licensed songs composed by various musicians who were active during the time period. New Bordeaux's role in the game is twofold: it provides a sandbox for open-world activities—such as side missions, collectibles, and environmental storytelling—and serves as a narrative stage for Lincoln Clay's revenge story. Key locations include Sammy's bar (a safe house), the French Ward's St. Louis Cathedral, and the Marcano family's estate in Tickfaw Harbor.
Did You Know?
- The game's map is larger than the Mafia and Mafia II maps combined.
- Several team members conducted field research around Louisiana to capture footage for the design team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Bordeaux?
It is the fictional setting for Mafia III, modeled after New Orleans during the late 1960s. The city features distinct neighborhoods ranging from wealthy suburbs to impoverished districts under mob control.
Who controls New Bordeaux at the start of the game?
The Marcano crime family dominates the underworld and influences local politics throughout the metropolis. Sal Marcano leads this organization until Lincoln Clay challenges their authority.
How does Lincoln Clay change New Bordeaux?
He dismantles the Marcano empire to establish his own criminal syndicate across various territories. His actions reshape the power structure of the entire city by the story's conclusion.
More in World & Locations
Elsewhere in Mafia
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