| Letter from Justin C. |
 ...To the Mafia Wars Community,
As General Manager of Mafia Wars, I feel the need to communicate directly with you about some issues that I’ve been hearing a lot about over the last few weeks. We’re seeing some common themes in the feedback from our game community, including complaints about third parties who are selling reward points or loot, cheaters who take advantage of game exploits, players who use automated “bots,” some negative effects from feature changes that we’ve made, and a perception that our customer service team is favoring certain players. I’d like to discuss each of these issues in turn and then share our plan for addressing the problems.
Before I begin, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for playing the game that my team and I have spent countless hours developing. Your dedication to and passion for our work is beyond our wildest expectations. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of your lives and help you connect with your friends on a daily basis.
Now onto the issues:
1. Issue: Reward points and loot sellers – There are third-party groups that have been selling Mafia Wars reward points at extremely discounted rates.
Response – Zynga is well aware of these illegal point sellers. These sites are not affiliated with Zynga and our legal team is actively seeking out and taking action against those who violate our Terms of Service and break the law. To date, we have shut down more than 40 such individuals and/or sites. If you see evidence that someone is illegally selling reward points or loot, please let us know – we will go after them.
2. Issue: Bots – There is a minority of players that use bots to gain an unfair advantage in the game or harass other players.
Response – I personally have a strong distaste for bots. If you’re going to use a bot, why are you even playing?
For those that don’t use bots, understand that my engineers are constantly implementing measures to stop bots. The botters then spend time modifying their bots to circumvent the security measures we put in place to stop them. It’s a never-ending battle. We are currently working on some initiatives to make botting much more difficult and will continue to do whatever we can to improve the experience for those who play fairly.
3. Issue: Cheaters/Exploiters – From time to time, bugs in our code open up cheats or exploits in the game that unethical players take advantage of to get ahead.
Response – First of all, we have to acknowledge that bugs happen. There have been and there will continue to be exploits released into our game. We haven’t always done the best job at cleaning them up, but we’re learning from our mistakes. We are getting better and we will continue to improve over time.
That said, I’m pleased to announce that, moving forward, we’ll be taking much more aggressive action against cheaters. We are going to start freezing and suspending players that exploit the system to gain an unfair advantage in the game. It’s just not fair to the folks that have invested time and/or money into the game to be at any sort of disadvantage to cheaters.
4. Issue: Negative effects from feature changes/removals – Features in the game are sometimes removed or adjusted, so that they produce different results than they may have previously.
Response – This is a live game. We are constantly evolving it to make the user experience as good as it can be for all players. I understand that people get upset when we change the rules and think we’re just doing it to make more money. We’ve never changed or removed a feature for the sole purpose of making money. We ask ourselves, “What creates the best experience for all users?” In an attempt to make things fair, we’re going to be rolling out a feature that will allow players to reallocate their skill points. I don’t have an estimate on the exact date that this will go live.
5. Issue: A perception that Zynga doesn’t treat all customers equally – There is a belief among some players that Zynga has a bias towards some customers and gives free handouts of reward points and items.
Response – Our Customer Service team is growing larger all the time in order to be able to respond to our millions of players. We acknowledge that sometimes a new employee will make a mistake (unintentionally violating our internal policy) and give out items or points that they shouldn’t. News of such an action then spreads through the community (for example, “ person X got 1000 free points just for complaining”). If and when you hear something to that effect, please remember: (1) We don’t give away free points just for complaining. Points or items have only ever been awarded when there is a legitimate issue that affects a customer in a serious way. 2) When we make a mistake and give out a disproportionately large reward, we very often correct that mistake and restore balance. The Zynga Customer Service team strives to treat all customers fairly.
I hope this helps provide clarity to a lot of the concerns that you’ve raised. The team and I all recognize that we wouldn’t be able to make games if you weren’t there to play them. We sincerely appreciate your past, present, and future support.
Justin C.
General Manager – Mafia Wars |
· Leenkz_Mike on October 10 2009 04:37:07 ·
2 Comments ·
318 Reads ·
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| More to Moscow |
On Thursday, October 8, Mafia Wars Moscow will get a little bit bigger with the launch of two new add-ons: Episode 3: Bragadir and Episode 4: Avtoritet.
In Episodes 1 and 2, which were initially released with the Mafia Wars Moscow expansion -- you took up smuggling and drug running (depending on which Russian mafia faction you joined), now it's time to move on to more high-profile operations.
In Episode 3, you'll take on the Moscow Financial System, pulling off a heist of the RossijaBanc Central Repository. Then you'll work your way toward this episode's boss -- bank president Gregor Belikov. Let's just assume there's not going to be a bail-out package for this banking fat cat (see image below). Two new loot items in this episode include the Taiga Combat Shotgun and the Ex-KGB bodyguard.
Episode 4 will take you deep into the Russian military where you'll work with the Vory or the Mafiya to take down the corrupt General Osipov. Use your mafia members and major firepower to defeat the General and his commanders. New items in this episode include the Orel Armored Helicopter and the Razoritel Grenade Launcher.
Reminder: you will need to be at least level 70 to access any episode in Mafia Wars Moscow. |
· Leenkz_Mike on October 07 2009 00:12:32
6 Comments ·
368 Reads ·
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| New Moscow Preview Items |
Weapons
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VSK-94 Sniper Rifle - 28 Attack 12 Defense
IZH-35m IZH-35m - 25 Attack 15 Defense
.45 ACP Pistol - 18 Attack 12 Defense
PPSH 41 Submachine gun - 22 Attack 8 Defense
Grach - 20 Attack 10 Defense
Dragunov - 36 Attack 14 Defense
Armor
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Ushanka - 10 Attack 20 Defense
Vehicle
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Impression - 20 attack 36 defense
Once you have found all 8 you will receive the Bonus Weapon
BONUS
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Shturmovik - 45 Attack 28 Defense |
· Leenkz_Mike on August 30 2009 04:32:56
6 Comments ·
482 Reads ·
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| Game update 08/20/09 |
Zynga has introduced several new additions to the game. these are:
***Boosts***
These one-shot items can help you fight or defend better, and even give you discounts on energy required for jobs.
***Be aware***
Before you waste all your loot items these boosts are only good for 24 hours.
Each collection is different and provides you increased attack, defense, robbing strength, or energy.
Once consumed they are gone, so plan your actions wisely. You can only buy up to 20 of each boost each day.
*** New job level***
the new job level in Cuba is El Cacique.
for those over level 151
The new level in Cuba is heavy in energy and experience points.
There are two new loot items available also in the new level
Canonazo (cannon)
valued at 42 attack & 22 Defense
Track Loader
valued at 37 attack & 32 Defense
They have also brought back, after a short break, the "critical hit" feature when fighting. Also the fight screens have now changed too.
Please, we ask you, DON'T publish when you get a boost, as it clogs up the home page. Thank you |
· emlouise on August 21 2009 15:01:51
4 Comments ·
959 Reads ·
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| Daily Chance |
If you have received the new Daily Chance part of the MW Lottery, here are the rewards you can receive for each ticket you get (up to 6).
Daily Chance Prizes
1 of 6 You can win 1 Collectible Item
2 of 6 You can win 10 stamina points
3 of 6 You can win 30 energy points
4 of 6 You can win a free ticket
5 of 6 You can win 1 skill point
6 of 6 You can win reward (Godfather) points |
· Leenkz_Mike on August 17 2009 02:47:17
2 Comments ·
1255 Reads ·
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| CUBA UPDATE |
BODEGA
Free to aquire gives out canned goods at C$2
Full Capacity = 800
Full Output = 100 every 3 Hrs
BRIBERY RING
Gives out A Politico Corrupto
Full Capacity = 10
Full Output = 5 every 3 Hrs
And, once a day you can spend Pesos and buy them directly!!!
MORE ABOUT POLITICO CORRUPTO
Politico Corrupto acts just like a camera, ITR, BMP, etc... so you will need a few of them.
****If you have already finished Cuba, it just adds in the extra job as Level 3 mastered, so no need to do it again...NO LOOT DROPS FROM THE NEW JOBS***
Politico Corruptos start in El Jefe Tier:
Bring The Local Teamsters Under Your Control
Need 1 Politico Corrupto
El Patron Tier:
Establish A Loansharking Business
Need 3 Politico Corruptos
El Padrino Tier
Set Up A High Volume Smuggling Operation
Need 5 Politico Corruptos
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· emlouise on July 24 2009 22:46:56
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1189 Reads ·
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| Lotto Update 24th July |
| Lotto Tickets now on sale! All new tickets for next week's lotto are on sale for 2 reward points. |
· emlouise on July 24 2009 22:43:17
7 Comments ·
1098 Reads ·
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| Zynga Upgrade |
July 24 This just in from Zynga
We're upgrading! Bear with us. We're making changes to our servers that will improve the overall experience of Mafia Wars. Some temporary delays may be experienced during the upgrade. Please be patient and let us know if you're seeing more significant issues. Thank you.
Lets hope it IS an improvement |
· emlouise on July 24 2009 15:25:01
6 Comments ·
557 Reads ·
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| BEST TIME TO PLAY? |
This tip from Spencer Graham. Thanks Spencer.
Humans are very much creatures of habit. We do the same things, at the same time each day in many circumstances. Like playing our Mafia Wars character! It seems to me that there are some key times during the course of the day that there is a flurry of activity on Mafia Wars here on Facebook. Good times to be "lurking" to pick up some extra jobs by "HELPING" others is around 4:30 PM... 5:00PM when people are winding up their work day. Then again around 6:00PM before they eat dinner. Also around 8:00AM-8:30AM when people are getting to sit down for their day at work... they often do a few JOBS to get the morning going and to spend their ENERGY before their busy day starts. Then around the noon hour is also a good time to catch a few extra EXPERIENCE POINTS as they eat their lunch at their computers. BUT STRIKE FAST when you see the job come across your screen! If you wait more than just a few seconds you will miss out! |
· Leenkz_Mike on July 24 2009 01:37:53
3 Comments ·
1014 Reads ·
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| Colosseum Crates |
Common Items
Puggio .......................17 Attack 23 Defense
Roman Mace ...................12 Attack 28 Defense
Pilum ........................26 Attack 14 Defense
Uncommon Items
Parma ........................15 Attack 25 Defense
Lorica .......................18 Attack 32 Defense
Gladius ......................24 Attack 16 Defense
Rare Items
Galea ........................18 Attack 42 Defense
Chariot ......................48 Attack 12 Defense |
· Leenkz_Mike on July 23 2009 22:54:25
4 Comments ·
1158 Reads ·
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| Latest Lotto Information |
Every day you will be givin one lotto entry. You can also purchase additional lotto entries for 5 godfather points each. The drawing will be once a week and you can have a maximum of 50 entries a week.
Here are the prize payouts for the lotto:
Lotto Prizes
5 matching balls
1000 reward points
4 matching balls
30 reward points
3 matching balls
A lotto collection piece
2 matching balls
An unused lottery ticket
1 matching ball
Ramdom loot item
They have also added a new collection tier to go along with the lotto.
Any energy packs won during the first week of the Lotto will have been added to your stash. This means they can only be used if, and when, you don't get sent an Energy pack from a member of your mafia.
After numerous complaints from game players Zynga changed the prize for matching 1 ball to a ramdom loot item. The reason they gave, as always, was that the Lotto feature was still in Beta testing.
Good luck with your entries. Let us know when you win big.
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· emlouise on July 19 2009 08:30:29
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1127 Reads ·
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