Mafia III FAQ: Multiplayer, Crossplay, DLC & Offline

This article answers the most common questions about Mafia III: it has no multiplayer or co-op modes, no crossplay support, and the single-player campaign can be played fully offline. The game does have three story DLC expansions, and all of them are also playable offline.

Background: What Mafia III Actually Is

Mafia III is a single-player, story-driven action-adventure game developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K Games. It was released in October 2016 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and later ported to macOS and Google Stadia. The game is set in 1968 in the fictional city of New Bordeaux, a stand-in for New Orleans, and follows Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam War veteran who builds a criminal empire to take down the Italian mob.

Because the entire game is designed around Lincoln’s personal story, there is no cooperative or competitive multiplayer component. You play alone, and the game’s systems—such as the “rackets” you take over and the “underbosses” you assign districts to—are all single-player mechanics.

Multiplayer: There Is None

Mafia III does not have any multiplayer mode. You cannot play the campaign with a friend, there is no separate multiplayer arena, and there is no online co-op. This is true for all platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the later Stadia version.

If you see any mention of “Mafia III multiplayer,” it is either a misunderstanding or a reference to mods on PC that attempt to add co-op—these are unofficial, unstable, and not supported by the developers. The official game is strictly single-player.

Crossplay: Not Applicable

Crossplay is a feature that lets players on different platforms (e.g., PlayStation and Xbox) play together online. Since Mafia III has no online multiplayer at all, crossplay is not applicable. There is nothing to cross-play between platforms.

Similarly, there is no cross-save feature. Your saved game on PlayStation 4 cannot be transferred to Xbox One or PC. Each platform keeps its own save files.

DLC: Three Story Expansions

Mafia III has three paid story DLC packs, which are also included in the Mafia III: Definitive Edition (released in 2020). All three are single-player expansions that continue or branch off from the main story:

Faster, Baby! – Lincoln takes on a corrupt sheriff and a cult in the rural area of the map. It adds new missions, weapons, and vehicles.
Stone Unturned – A story where Lincoln teams up with CIA agent John Donovan to hunt down a rogue agent. It includes a new district to explore.
Sign of the Times – Lincoln investigates a series of ritualistic murders in New Bordeaux. It adds new side missions and a new combat style.

These DLCs are integrated into the main game world. You can start them from the menu or they appear as mission markers after certain points in the story. They do not require an internet connection to play.

Offline Play: Fully Supported

Mafia III can be played entirely offline, both the base game and all DLC. On consoles, you can play without an internet connection as long as the game is installed on your system. On PC, the game uses the Steam or Epic Games Store client, which may need to be in offline mode, but once launched, you can play without an active internet connection.

One caveat: on PC, the first time you install and launch the game, you need to be online to download any patches and to verify your license. After that, you can switch to offline mode in the client and play normally. On consoles, you may need to set your console as your “home” console to play offline without a connection check.

There is no always-online DRM, so you will not be kicked out of the game if your internet drops mid-session.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent misconception is that Mafia III has a multiplayer mode because the game’s map is large and open-world. It does not. Another misconception is that the DLCs are online-only—they are not. They are single-player missions.

Some players also wonder if the “Racket” system (where you assign districts to underbosses) is affected by online features. It is not; it is a purely single-player mechanic.

If you are having trouble playing offline on PC, check that the Steam client is in offline mode (Steam menu > Go Offline). If the game fails to launch, try restarting the client or verifying the game files via the client’s library.

How to Choose: Which Version to Buy

If you are new to Mafia III, the Definitive Edition is the best choice because it includes the base game and all three DLCs at a lower price than buying them separately. It is available on all platforms. The original 2016 version may be cheaper but you would have to buy the DLC separately, which often costs more in total.

There is no difference in content between the Definitive Edition and the base game plus DLC—it is just a bundle. On PC, the Definitive Edition is the only version still sold on most storefronts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Mafia III with a friend?

No. There is no co-op or multiplayer mode of any kind. The game is strictly single-player.

Is Mafia III crossplay between PC and PlayStation?

No, and it is not crossplay between any platforms because there is no online multiplayer to connect.

Do I need an internet connection to play Mafia III?

No. You can play the entire campaign and all DLCs offline after the initial installation. On PC, you may need to be online for the first launch to verify the license, but after that you can switch to offline mode.

Is the DLC included in the base game?

No, the three DLCs are separate purchases unless you buy the Definitive Edition, which includes them all.

Can I transfer my save from PlayStation to Xbox?

No, saves are platform-specific and cannot be transferred.

Does Mafia III have any online trophies/achievements?

No, all trophies and achievements can be earned offline because there is no multiplayer component.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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