Hello
Sometimes idealism must be put aside and start thinking realistic. I personally, vote for standalone game, because mafia is an old game and as far i know not have digital release, both in steam and GOG. This is a bad problem, because beside this is and old game, it's hard to get in legal way, mostly. Sorry to say this sir, but comparing the amount of work you have done to this mod, it's not worth it, if you limiting the scope of your project into a modification of a classic (calling it old, is disgraceful, ^_^) game. You can have more freedom in developing your game, not bounded by limitation of classic tools and old game logic, especially after i read that mafia didn't release a SDK.
But, in developing a stand alone game. Still, there is their own problem, like licensing issues, advertising and fan reaction that will be negative or positive. In the end, it will be worth it, your stand alone game will have more recognition, that will bring more players, and maybe if the stand alone game have something that make it different it will have it's own loyal base.
Developing mod is good and can be very good lesson for aspiring game developer. Beside making the game that you love more have replay value, mod also have tendency to make groundbreaking innovation. But, if the mod development taking too long, the feature to ambitious and big, and most importantly if the base game is too hard to get (meaning no digital release), there will be problems.
First, your mod will be have limited fan that will lead to small number of download. The mod will attract gamer that still playing mafia until now, but their number will be small and maybe if those people not liking the setting, the number goes smaller.
Second, because there is no digital release, the only way to get mafia the lost haven, is through piracy. Maybe the mod will boost mafia popularity, but for short term, most people will playing MTM through pirated mafia. For long term, 2K will be noticing the mod and mafia boost of popularity, they will, a) release mafia the lost haven in digital version or b)in the next mafia game, modding will be supported because the cause of this mod (if it succeed).
For conclusion, make the stand alone game. Modding is great to test your idea, but if it's too ambitious, make your idea as stand alone game. Don't worry about the licensing, as long both side is have clear agreement, it will move smooth. As long you keep releasing update, and good relation with MTM fan base, it will have helping the advertising, especially if the game have something special that will attract and inspiring dedicated people like you, your game will have it's own fan base, maybe it's own modding scene.
Have a nice day, sir
Maggol
Anggita joined
Someone that love deep storyline and good gameplay and excellent maps