Since the premiere of The Traitors in the U.S. in 2023, many fans have noticed striking similarities between the reality competition show and the popular party game Mafia.
Both games involve two groups—one group of players trying to deceive the others while the other group works to identify and eliminate the deceivers.
The show, which is set in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, pits the Faithful against the Traitors, with the Faithful attempting to unmask the Traitors before the Traitors eliminate them one by one.
However, Mafia creator Dimma Davidoff is now speaking out about his frustration with the show’s producers. In an interview with Vulture published on July 1, Davidoff revealed that the producers of The Traitors never contacted him about the game’s similarities to Mafia, despite his claims that the show borrows heavily from the game’s rules and structure.
Davidoff’s Claims: No Contact, No Credit
“I tried to contact them through their website portal some time ago but did not get any answer,” Davidoff told Vulture. He emphasized that the producers of The Traitors were fully aware of Mafia, saying, “How can they not? If you do any kind of due diligence, you see that Mafia is my game, under copyright.”
The creator pointed out that his contact information is readily available in the public rules for the game, which include the copyright dates of 1987, 1992, and 1998. “Game designers’ work deserves recognition and reward,” he added, arguing that creators should be acknowledged for their contributions, especially when their work is used in such prominent ways.
Intellectual Property and Creator Rights
Davidoff also expressed concern about how The Traitors has utilized the core concept of Mafia without crediting him as the creator. He argued that it sets a dangerous precedent for aspiring game designers, saying, “Not respecting other creators is bad for everyone.”
By failing to credit the original game creator, he believes the message being sent is that intellectual property in the gaming industry is up for grabs.
“I don’t just say this for myself,” he added. “It’s a problem for anyone who creates something.”
The Traitors vs. Mafia
Davidoff, who created Mafia in 1986 in Moscow, went on to comment on The Traitors, which was inspired by the Dutch reality series De Verraders, which first aired in the Netherlands in 2021.
The Traitors has since been adapted in several countries around the world, with NBC even calling the show “basically a more complicated version of the classic party game Werewolf (sometimes known as Mafia).”
While Davidoff acknowledged that The Traitors is an entertaining show, he expressed disappointment in how the creators approached the concept. “They have made an entertaining show, but the way they went about it is disappointing,” he said.
What’s Next for The Traitors
The Traitors franchise continues to grow, with season 4 set to premiere soon. On June 13, the cast for the upcoming season was revealed, including five Real Housewives stars—Candiace Dillard Bassett, Dorinda Medley, Lisa Rinna, Caroline Stanbury, and Porsha Williams—as well as Big Brother, Survivor, and Love Island alumni.
Additionally, Mark Ballas from Dancing with the Stars, Monét X Change from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Kristen Kish from Top Chef will be featured in the new season.
Despite the growing popularity of The Traitors, the show’s relationship with the intellectual property surrounding Mafia remains a contentious issue. As of now, a premiere date for season 4 has not been announced, but fans are eagerly awaiting the latest installment.
Davidoff’s frustrations over the lack of recognition for his work as the creator of Mafia highlight a broader issue in the entertainment and gaming industries: the importance of respecting intellectual property and the creators behind successful concepts.
While The Traitors continues to captivate audiences with its high-stakes competition, the question of proper credit and recognition remains unresolved.
