1 | INTRODUCTION

Cultural knowledge is significant for contemporary settings due to its impact on identity formation (Ott & Pozzi, 2011). It is crucial for nation-building and historical preservation. Archiving cultural heritage is important for economic, historical, and cultural processes (Hani et al., 2012). Archiving culture offers research scopes in products like films, video games, and digital media, as creating new cultural artefacts is a significant approach to demonstrate the importance of culture (Barwick, 2012). Video games not only represent culture from a particular time and location but also act a digital archive for a culture. Digital archive refers to the archiving of any information or cultural heritage through digital media like films, computer games, and audio. Representation on the other hand, refers to portrayal of any information within a media. The cultural representation in video games can be enhanced through cutting-edge computer graphics and artificial intelligence. The feasibility of digitally archiving a culture in a video game can be evaluated by the successful representation by the video game. Video Games can digitally archive the fashion of a specific culture through preserving, reproducing, and appreciating cultural content of a particular period or location (Laamarti et al., 2014; Mortara et al., 2014). Due to the functioning nature of video games, the audience can freely access the culture portrayed in video games than in traditional media (Malegiannaki & Daradoumis, 2017). Several studies have focused on the effectiveness of video games in archiving culture (Rapp et al., 2019). Scholars are interested in the incorporation of cultural heritage in commercial video games and its impact on game culture representation (Balela & Mundy, 2015). Realistic computer graphics and artificial intelligence in video games enhance communication, visual expression, cooperation, interactivity, and enjoyment while representing cultural heritage (Anderson et al., 2010; Cheng & Cairns, 2005). Furthermore, current games frequently use strategies to recreate recognisable physical space experiences, sometimes even reflecting actual geographical locales and landmarks, which enables the players to experience the culture of that particular geography (Uzunogullari et al., 2025). Video games also imitate different parts of reality, such as people, events, and cultural identities (Balela & Mundy, 2015). Several studies highlight the archiving of cultural heritage by faithfully portraying the arts, languages, music, intangible aspects of environments, peoples’ behaviour, and customs in video games (Balela & Mundy, 2015; Cheng, 2024; Malegiannaki et al., 2020; Ramírez-Moreno, 2019).

Fashion and identity are inextricably linked, showing the intricate connection between individuals and their cultural surroundings (Cao et al., 2013). It has become a way for people to recognise their cultural history, resulting in diverse fashion movements. Subcultures have always used fashion to represent their own ideology and values. Various subcultural movements use dress to express their rebellious attitude and alternative lives. Subcultural dress allows people to have a sense of belonging and solidarity with those who share their values while also distinguishing themselves from mainstream culture (Hebdige, 2012; Sklar et al., 2022). A prominent subculture, the Mafia or Mob culture from post-war America depicts a lavish lifestyle and fancy attire of the Mafia families, followed by the economic bloom of industries. Mafia attire is a subcultural style that helps mafia members define themselves and resist conventional ideals. It has been covered in a number of mainstream media outlets, illustrating the wealth and power of a violent and corrupt society. Understanding mafia fashion is to comprehend how it enables members of mafia families to transcend their class and pursue a life of power. The public learned about mafia fashion through criminal reports and movies. The Great Depression ushered in a new era of mafia fashion, with sharply fitted suits becoming increasingly popular (Chung & Yang, 2002; Hendley, 2013). To understand the sartorial hierarchy of the mafia subculture, Pierre Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital can be applied. A mafia member's attire and look are more than just personal preference; they are examples of "objectified cultural capital" that represent status, authority, and loyalty to the group's ideals. Within a mafia family, there is a tight hierarchy that extends from associates to capos, underbosses, and the boss. The more senior a member, the more likely they are to wear custom-tailored, high-end suits made of exquisite materials. This sartorial decision demonstrates economic achievement and non-economic capital, signalling rank and authority to both members and outsiders. A well-dressed mafia represents discipline, control, and importance, which is a type of symbolic power. The mafia's "made man" initiation ceremony is a sort of institutionalised cultural capital that formalises an associate's new status as a soldier in the family hierarchy (Bourdieu, 2018; Huang, 2019).

Currently, fashion in video games has become a significant part of one's identity, and how video game players express themselves in the video games is frequently more important to them than how they express themselves in the actual world (Choi, 2022). According to Entwistle's theory of embodied practice, fashion is a social activity inextricably linked to the physical body, a multisensory experience in which touch is central. The act of dressing provides the body with social meaning, whereas the body gives the attire a sensation of abundance (Entwistle, 2000). Digital attire transforms the physical practice of dressing into a virtual experience. Dressing an avatar in a virtual world is a new type of embodied practice that allows users to express their identity and situate themselves within a virtual social environment. The disembodied character of digital fashion has sparked research into tactile devices that seek to "re-embody" the touch experience. These technologies replicate materials and provide force feedback, making digital fashion more multimodal and in line with the embodied practice of wearing physical attire. The outfits of the protagonist often interpret the social norm, and fashion trend of the time and location featured in that video game, as well as the protagonist’s identity. Popular games that have represented fashion and cultural legacy include Assassin's Creed, Civilisation, Age of Empires, and Total War (Cole, 2021; Di Mascio, 2021; Mol et al., 2017; Sukhov, 2021). Video games like ‘Mafia’ and ‘The Godfather’ franchise, which portrayed the Mafia families from the 1940s to the 1950s, are great examples of integrating real-world historical research with artistic design. The research on real-world mafia fashion helped the game developers to implement a variety of wardrobe selections featuring attire from post-war mafia subculture. Furthermore, iconic gangster films such as “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas” have shaped public perception about mafia fashion, which helped game developers to combine historical accuracy with popular cinematic stereotypes to create characters that are instantly recognised and engaging to players.

This short communication explores the archiving of fashion in post-war mafia culture through a video game, Mafia II. Mafia subcultural fashion, a visual language of authority, wealth, and identity, emerged in 20th-century America. By the 1940s-50s, the mobster look, featuring tailored suits, silk ties, and signature accessories, shifted from street-level grit to elite power. This aesthetic influenced fashion designers and public perceptions of power, masculinity, and rebellion, leaving a lasting legacy (Art-Sheep, 2023; De Stefano, 2007; Hendley, 2013; Treadwell, 2008). Mafia II serves as a digital archive, preserving the aesthetics of the 1940s and 1950s American mob lifestyle. It provides an interactive experience of fashion in context, examining how it is worn in various social circumstances and how it reflects power relations. The game's attire choices represent class aspiration, masculinity, and ethnic identity. As mobsters advanced from immigrant working-class backgrounds to positions of power, their clothing evolved from grungy casual wear to tailored luxury, indicating integration and rebellion. Mafia II incorporates movement, narrative, and interactivity, providing insight into how fashion functions as both costume and character in digital narratives.

2 | MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 |  Research Method

This study uses a qualitative visual analysis within a case study framework to investigate how attires featured in a video game represent post-war American fashion and subcultural power dynamics. The visual study focuses on how clothing items represent cultural and status hierarchies inside the game's mafia system. The case study method allows for a thorough examination of single, highly detailed virtual clothing as a cultural artefact reflecting historical aesthetics and sociopolitical issues. To ensure credibility, the study developed a criteria eligibility checklist to select a suitable game among several games which featured post-war American Mafia subculture (see Table 1). During the evaluation of the criteria, only the protagonist’s attire was considered due to the freedom of observation.

Table 1. Eligibility checklist for game selection

Mafia II was chosen as the case study because of its historical accuracy, thematic emphasis on organised crime, and realistic wardrobe system that resembles real-life 1940s-1950s American menswear. The game tells a story of post-WWII cultural upheaval, with clothing serving as both an aesthetic choice and a symbol of authority. Unlike other contemporary titles, Mafia II combines fashion growth with character development and societal commentary, giving it a great medium for exploring the relationship between attire, status, and subcultural identity.

Visual data was obtained through in-game screenshots captured while playing Mafia II on a regular gaming platform. A methodical collection procedure was used to record photos of protagonist Vito Scaletta's attire during important narrative moments, including his initial civilian status, early mafia engagement, and prominence within the crime family. Four screenshots were chosen from over 20 captures based on factors such as outfit visibility, narrative value, and variation in garment styles. The selection of screenshots of four attires was a calculated methodological decision to coincide with the specific focus of the game. The intention was not to present a full database of all in-game attire, but to demonstrate the evolution of the protagonist’s fashion in response to his establishing prominence within the mafia family. These screenshots allow a precise visual analysis of garment style, fabrics, colours, and accessories. Each screenshot represented a significant stage of Vito’s journey and increasing status in the mafia family. For this reason, the attire from Downloadable Contents (DLCs) and the attire of other characters were excluded as they provided no insight about the narrative of Vito’s progression in the mafia family. These screenshots showed both the default and unlockable clothing obtained through gameplay progression and in-game fashion stores. By focusing on these screenshots, the study provides a precise analysis of attire that emphasises Vito’s progression in the mafia family. While larger data could provide a broader perspective on post-war American subculture, it could dilute the progression of status conveyed by the aforementioned four screenshots.

2.2 |  Game Context: Mafia II

Mafia II is a 2010 action-adventure game created by 2K Czech. The game takes place in the fictional city of Empress Bay during the 1940s and 1950s, a time of social and cultural upheaval in America. The end of World War II led to an economic boom, resulting in increased consumer spending and suburbanization. The Mafia, a significant presence in American society, engaged in illicit activities such as gambling, extortion, and loan sharking. The game depicts luxurious lifestyles and the pursuit of wealth among the protagonist, Vito Scaletta. The game uses period-appropriate fashion and culture to immerse players in the vibrant cultural environment of the 1940s and 1950s (Helgeson, 2011; Kelly, 2022; Mafia II). The game's costume system accurately represents 1940s and 1950s American fashion styles, with protagonists often dressed in smart suits, fedoras, and trench coats. As Vito's position within the mafia family improves, his attire becomes more refined, with fitted suits and fashionable accessories. The study uses numerous screenshots of Vito's attire throughout the game, which can be purchased from game fashion outlets or unlocked by progressing in the game. The clothing stores featured in Mafia II is a significant aspect of gameplay, providing the ability to change the protagonist’s appearance (see Figure 1). These clothing stores allow a precise depiction of 1940s and 1950s American fashion, containing leather jackets, shirts, trousers, suits, and overcoats to purchase. The high-end apparel store also gives the player the option to purchase three pieces of sharp-fitting suits, overcoats, with accessories like fedoras and ties. These in-game clothing stores allow players to customise Vito’s appearance throughout the games, thereby giving them the freedom to visually represent Vito’s status and identity as per the game’s narrative.

Figure 1. Clothing store from Mafia II (Image Courtesy: In-game screenshots from Mafia II)

3 | RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4 |  IMPLICATIONS OF FINDINGS