If you are familiar with the Mafia franchise and enjoyed the first two games, you’ll probably be very pleased to hear that Mafia 3 has been reported as being in development at the moment for the Xbox 720 and the PS4. It has been exactly two years since we were last treated to Mafia 2 and now it looks like we may be getting a third portion next year.

The Czech branch of Eurogamer have published a new report, claiming that sources with 2K Czech, the developers behind the game, have said that the game is on the way. Originally Mafia 3 was thought to be in development for the PS3 and Xbox 360, but we’re now hearing that the lure of next-generation graphics and hardware was just too good to turn down.

After Mafia 2, fans may be a bit skeptical about buying a third game, but there’s no doubt that there is a big fanbase for the third-person crime adventure franchise. The first Mafia game remains the standout title in the series, but any new Mafia game on new hardware is obviously worth keeping an eye on.

Mafia 2 had some pretty breathtaking graphics, so it’s clear that 2K Czech are really looking to make this another primary focus if they take the next game to new consoles. With all these new tech engines being announced and unveiled, they are going to have their work cut out though if they are aiming to make Mafia 3 a must have next-gen launch title.

Are you a fan of the Mafia franchise or not? What are your thoughts on 2K Czech skipping current-gen for next-gen?