Paramount bringing new Godfather game to social networks

The Godfather is getting a second go-round in the video game world.

Paramount and game developer Kabam are teaming up to bring the story of the Corleones to social networks, likely including Facebook and Google+ - the first time the series has ventured into the casual gaming space.

The Godfather: Five Families will act as a prequel to the book and films. Set 10 years before the first film, the game will let players be a part of the rise to power of the Corleones, Straccis, Cuneos, Barzinis and Tattaglias.

Much like Kabam's other titles – Global Warfare and Kingdoms of Camelot – Five Families is an empire-building title. It won't be competition free, though, as Zynga's Mafia Wars has had a long-established presence in the social gaming space.

The Godfather had a high profile shot at becoming a video game franchise five years ago when Electronic Arts released a title based on the 1972 film that featured voice acting by Marlon Brando (the last performance by that actor), James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Abe Vigoda. It did well enough to warrant a sequel, but critics only gave both games a fair rating and EA ultimately decided to focus on internal properties.