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Strange Goodfellows: 2K Games working with Playboy for Mafia 2

In one of the weirder partnerships since Virgin Entertainment put out McKids on the NES, 2K Games has announced that it has made a licensing deal with Playboy for Mafia 2. The seminal men's magazine will be featured in the guns-and-gangsters game, emphasizing not only the violence of the 1950's mob, but the style and culture of the era.

Playboy first started in 1953, and has been incredibly influential not only in adult magazines, but in American culture. The game will feature 50 authentic Playboy magazine covers and centerfolds from that era, and will let players actually collect issues of the publication.

"In partnering with Playboy," 2K Games president Christopher Hartmann stated in the press release, "we are able to add a unique element of authenticity to the game by using vintage images from the magazine that illustrate the power of Playboy's influence on the attitudes and culture of that generation."

I tend to agree. Playboy is often underrated for its cultural influence, and some of America's finest writers have contributed to the magazine. Also, it gives 2K games an excuse to include naked ladies in its game.