Dimma Davidoff, the creator of the popular party game “Mafia,” has expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition from the producers of the reality show “The Traitors.” Davidoff claims that despite the show’s clear similarities to his game, he was never contacted or credited by the producers. “Mafia,” which Davidoff created in 1986 in Moscow, involves players taking on the roles of Mafia members and Villagers, engaging in a battle of deception and deduction. “The Traitors,” which premiered in the U.S. in 2023, follows a similar format, dividing contestants into two groups: the Faithful and the Traitors.
In a recent interview, Davidoff mentioned that he had attempted to reach out to the show’s producers through their website but received no response. “Of course, they know about the Mafia game. How can they not?
If you do any kind of due diligence, you see that Mafia is my game, under copyright. My email is right there,” he stated.
Creator seeks recognition for Mafia
Davidoff emphasized the importance of acknowledging and rewarding the work of game designers, noting that this issue extends beyond his personal experience. “It does not help game designers to create better games. If even a well-known game such as Mafia could be pirated by big organizations, and a young game designer sees this, they think, ‘What chance do I have?’ It sends a message that all of their work is up for grabs,” he said.
The creator’s fight for recognition highlights a broader issue in the creative industry regarding the acknowledgment and intellectual property rights of game designers. Davidoff’s call for proper crediting and rewarding of original game designers underscores a critical discussion about intellectual property in the ever-evolving entertainment industry. “The Traitors” is based on the Dutch series “De Verraders,” which premiered in 2021 and has since inspired versions in various countries.
While Davidoff acknowledged that the show is entertaining, he called the lack of proper credit to the original game a “disappointment.”
Peacock, the streaming platform hosting “The Traitors,” has yet to comment on Davidoff’s claims. The cast for the show’s fourth season was recently announced, featuring notable personalities such as Lisa Rinna, Stephen Colletti, and Donna Kelce. A premiere date for the new season has not been set.
