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:
- Secret District Consumables
- Special Event Items (like the Incognito event)
- Boss Fight Consumables
- 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:
- is the point or goal
- needs to be done in order to get to that goal
- 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
