On Saturday, August 28, Gamertagradio hosted a well publicized community launch party at 92Y Tribeca, New York, for 2K Games new title, Mafia 2. This was the last of 3 community launch parties, including the Chicago Comic-Con party hosted by SFX-360, which took place on August 21, and another Gamertagradio party held on August 22 in Miami at Grand Central. The parties were officially sponsored by 2K Games, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Playboy and Nvidia.  The New York event was hosted by Gamertag Radio’s Godfree & Peterocc, Playboy’s Gamer Next Door Jo Garcia, and Hot 97′s Miss Info. Musical guests were DJ Sharpsound and Mayday.

2K Games had launched a massive marketing campaign for the game title, which was visible in every form of media including billboards, merchandise, TV ads and website banners. Just about anywhere you looked, Mafia 2 was present.

Adding to the publicity of the game and the New York event UNICO, an Italian-American rights organization, tried to have the game banned and the event shut down. They even went so far as to claim victory in a press release including many details that were simply fabricated by their imagination.

Speaking as someone who was in attendance at the event on Saturday, here are some facts:

• UNICO failed to convince the venue, 92Y Tribeca, to cancel the event.
• UNICO claims, “No Take-Two executives were anywhere in sight” when in fact 3 were present inside the venue along with a representative from Playboy.com. UNICO would have known this but the protesters only went inside to use the restroom located near the venue’s cafe in the front lobby.
• UNICO claims responsibility for the event “being a dismal failure” which is a bold statement considering the 10 protesters arrived at 7:30pm and left at 8:05pm. The party start time was 8:00pm. Although some participants came to the party early, most arrived after 9:00pm, long after the protesters had left.
• Accounts from attendees at all 3 parties have lauded the events as very successful community events. These comments can be found on various gaming blogs, websites and Twitter.

Congratulations UNICO, for trying to console yourselves with what you call a victory when the game you tried so tirelessly to halt from release did indeed launch on August 24, which was 4 days before the final party. The same party you claim failed, yet went on until 1:00am as guests left with Mafia 2 shirts in hand, some even with a free copy of the game. However, since you left early and missed the other 2 parties, here are the links to the official pictures from New York, Chicago and Miami. I can even ask Jo Garcia to autograph a picture for you.

UNICO, your myth has been busted.