Electronic Arts and Paramount Digital Entertainment officially announced today that they are making The Godfather II video game. Just like the seminal movie of the same title, the game is set in 1960's Florida, Cuba and New York. The Godfather II will feature a new strategy meta-game called "The Don's View" where players will control their crime empire, give orders and carry out missions themselves.

"In the 1960's, a mafia Don was only as strong as his family," said Hunter Smith, Executive Producer of The Godfather II. "We found the hierarchical culture of organized crime intriguing. Running an organized crime family in a world defined by family loyalty is something that we felt could introduce a new strategic element to the genre. That is what the Don's View is all about -- laying out a strategy to pick off the competition one by one. The Don's View is so unique, it could fundamentally change the rules of open-world games by blending action and strategy to create something entirely new."

"The Godfather has become an exceptional gaming franchise for the Studio," states Sandi Isaacs, Senior Vice President of Interactive & Mobile for Paramount Digital Entertainment. "The videogame takes the story and gameplay to the next level with an innovative open-world action strategy that is both compelling and intriguing for gamers."

The Godfather II will come to PS3, PC and Xbox 360 in February 2009.