5 Simple Fixes For Mafia Wars

I want to start by admitting that I play Mafia Wars all the time.  I've played the game for a long time.  

Quite frequently you can simply type "mafia wars" into the search box on facebook and come up with numerous posts by friends complaining about a new feature, a bug, a gift that did not go through, the new mafia invite that would not work, etc.  Well, after much consideration, I concluded there were 5 simple fixes that (I think) would make the game more enjoyable.

So, without further ado, here goes:

Fix #1 ~ PROPERTIES

If you are going to have us build so many properties, expand either the number of property gift/help clicks or reduce the timer.  And, please, give some thought to offering up periodic bonus days where you can build from every property you have at least once.

Fix #2 ~ GIFTS

Gifts.  Gifting limits.  Collecting Limits.  Gifting system.  Returning of Gifts.

It's simple: if we have to have 501 in our mafia then at least let us give and collect that many gifts per 24 hours.  Period.

Fix #3 ~ THE COMPLETE LACK OF BREAKS BETWEEN EVENTS

I understand the developers are bored.  Truly I do.  But it sure would be nice if they could suffer in silence for 1 day in between events every single time.  I'm not asking for much.  Just give us 24 hours to try to finish the old properties we did not get completed, etc.  One measly little day in between releasing events.  Put a banner up, let us anticipate the new, exciting event for a day.  It would not kill you, and I might just get to upgrade one of my Chicago properties one more level before I have to start collecting the next round of:

1. Secret District Consumables
2. Special Event Items (like the Incognito event)
3. Boss Fight Consumables
4. And so on, and so on, and so on.

Fix #4 ~ GET SOME VOLUNTEER BETA TESTERS TO AVOID ISSUES

Get some real, live, willing BETA TESTERS for the new stuff that's going to get released.  Trust me, there would be plenty of volunteers out there.  In fact, you could stick a silly pop-up ad in the game of a random number of people offering some RP for if they respond to a 5 question survey on a beta release of the newest property, event, etc. you want to try out.  Make it random and test stuff out before you release it.  It might just save you from the chronic roll-backs, delays, etc.

Botanical Garden is a classic example of why testing stuff might help.  It got rolled out too early by mistake and many people collected, built, etc. then got really irritated when it disappeared from their game.

Fix #5 ~ FAMILY PROPERTIES

(Not enough information or simply not worth it)

When you do release new stuff, like the family properties which got released today, try putting out a nice, clear, complete summary of what:

1. is the point or goal
2. needs to be done in order to get to that goal
3. is the bonus or benefit will be if we go through the hassle

I've pointed out #5 specifically because, while I typically consider myself smart,  quick to pick up why we have this new Event, Property, etc. I've yet to figure out why Family Properties will be worth my time, effort and just the overall hassle.

From my review of how the Family Properties works so far I say this:

GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.  

It bites.   

It wastes our gifts, uses up a ridiculous amount of stamina and just looks like a pain in the a^*.

And...that nifty issue with allowing all members of the family the option to issue or accept battle challenges...get it fixed right now.  You want us to encourage new players to play the game, buy RP, etc. - then don't let just anyone in the family have the option to make battle choices for us.

*Dusts hands off and says: enough already.  :Rant over:
~Anisty

What would I change about Mafia Wars?

OK, I confess. I love Mafia Wars. I am crazy about it. Not a day goes by that I do not log in to facebook and do something Mafia Wars related. I even have someone who can take care of my account for me in the event that I will not be able to play. But the game has its flaws. I was recently asked to share five things that could be done that would make the game better. Sheesh, only five? LOL. Well, without being petty or trivial, I have come up with 5 things I would change about Mafia Wars right now.

Fewer events. LESS IS MORE!!! Mafia Wars is supposed to be a game, not a second fulltime job. There is so much to do all the time (Just look at the picture). Ice Seasons, Missions (event missions and city based missions), Gifting and Spam Events, Limited Time Property Upgrading, Secret Districts, 3x Mastery (thankfully i am done with all cities) – not to mention the normal stuff like building in properties, Family Goals, collecting from Brazil properties, family boss fights, so on and so on. Zynga said they had heard us…..seems like they need to check the batteries in the old hearing aid.

More giftable loot, parts, and consumables. As more and more loot is introduced in to the game, it would make sense that more loot should be made giftable. And I do not mean an occasional addition of 1 or 2 items. I mean BLOCKS of items. New fight loot is due out this week. Well how about lets make all the old fight loot giftable? Anything under 100, giftable. All the Italy property parts and consumables. Make them giftable. Even the Brazil property parts and consumables.

Allow players starting at level 1 to get the same loot from fighting and robbing as higher level players. I do not care what the reasons are for this. It is stupid and annoying.

Fix the bugs. An example. Zynga has “blessed” us with all these properties in New York, yet, at least for me, only the old properties count toward my family progress. So I either have to use reward points to craft from an old property twice or I have to be sure and be around 18 hours later and craft again. Geez, nevermind that I might be sleeping or at work or, you know, having a life somewhere away from a computer when the 18 hours is up. And save us all some headaches and test out new features and events more thoroughly before releasing them.

More capacity for the ZMC. The ZMC desperately needs to be modified to hold more than 100 gifts. Since they changes have been made to gift collecting from facebook, gifts that are not collected before your ZMC hits 100 are lost. I’d like to see the ZMC at least double its current capacity.

So there you have it. One man’s opinions. I’m sure there is a lot more I could have said, and PLEASE feel free to comment on this post and add your opinions. Perhaps the only thing I enjoy more than playing Mafia Wars is discussing it (Gawd I’m such a freaking nerd…). I love this game, perhaps too much. I would hate to see it go. Zynga needs to improve a lot of things, but most of all Zynga needs to learn to make the game profitable AND enjoyable while retaining its players. In the mean time I’ll keep plugging away!!! Happy hunting

Stamina Pack FAQ

Stamina with a Twist and Shout

Instant Increase = Careful Opening

Be very careful how you plow through your gifts... the stamina pack refills the meter as soon as you open them... Use FGS / JGrabAll / or other click savers at your own risk.

Your first warning might come in the Facebook gift area:

Or if you first notice it in the ZMC (Zynga Message Center):

Once you click "Accept Gift:

Your stamina will be filled to the top... but no extra.

There is a 16 hour timer... but not a visible timer... just an internal clock. If you accept another one too early it will turn to a Mystery Boost...

Spreading the Love

As soon as you enter the game you will see them on the free gift page waiting to share stamina happiness throughout your family...

This is a limited time gift with no announced end date. Time to send send send and ice ice ice!