So, I snooping around the site and I happened on Help/Game Stats. It's a nifty page that cites some interesting statistics about the game. One number immediately alarmed me.

Total Available Cash In Game: $920,970,683 that means an average of $1,724,664 per user (based on 534 users)

I could care less about the money, but 534 users? I could of sworn it was nearly 600+ a week or so ago. So I then decided to tally up the number of sponsored members. Did the mathematics twice. 436 sponsored members.

Referencing the statistics on the login page -> Users active in last 24 hours: 390.

So – what’s going on people?  Are these numbers cause for concern?

_{Courtesy: http://mafiareturns.com/war/wackstats.php}

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Its been a growing concern for many that the numbers are dropping. This happens though, we've had major cities killed in recent weeks, people tend to take a break when that happens to their character. You might check next month and were back over 600...or maybe not. Guess only time will tell really.

I'm not 100% sure, but it's less than 400 at certain hours. Specially at hours when I log on. (Asia time)

I suspect that as chicago and new orleans reopen more cities, the size will grow again. at this point, we're at a low point.

Would you believe that my recent thread in the streets was just a coincidence and that I totally did not rip off your idea? :(

Squishy, would you say a decrease of 25 is something that catches your eye or it's a normal part of the fluctuation as long as it doesn't decrease more?

Squishy, given all the cool kids have iphones and ipads, what about a an app?  Would that help numbers?

Yeah that kind of application would help me for sure :)

DROID DROID DROID

Are you able to see how many NEW people are coming into the game and whether or not they are staying active? I've put this game on the back burner several times over the past few years because of the difficulty in getting assistance in learning the ropes.  If you don't have someone you already know helping you out it is easy to get discouraged. I wonder if as you send the PM from anonymous that you could reference tips on the new feature added with each rank, so that as the new people rank, thy learn another step or three. Obviously I know there are threads to read to assist, but that does get all jumbled up to someone just coming into the game, and alot of the features/rules are left out. I just wonder if this would help keep new people active and interested.

There definately is a learning curve. Maybe a visual tutorial section might come in handy.I recently brought two referals into the game. I know off the bat that one of them is going to end up on someone's kill list for going IA.

When I first joined, I benefited from my friend sitting down right next to me and guiding me through the basics, I taught myself the in-between afterward. If someone where to make some images laying out the user interface and explaining features - could we get those included on the site somewhere?

What about one of those little 'like' buttons added to the site, I'm sure plenty of facebookers here with hundreds of friends, maybe a few will then pop along to check it out when they see it liked on thier facebook?

Likewise for the google plus +1 thing?

triangle, i'm pretty sure such a thing alreaedy exists for FB. not sure about G+

Triangle, if you go to the first page ( http://mafiareturns.com/ ) you will see the FB thing.

Also, Sal. I think that is what the sponsors are for. I agree that you could make tutorials easier to understand, but I think the whole point of this place is to interact as much as possible.

The basic rules of the game are clear cut set in stone. They're easy to read and easy to understand. The user intalled rules are a bit more complicated, but a piss poor crew leader you are if you dont take time to education each new player that comes into your crew. If you're too lazy to teach new players, then have a crew member that can do it. User retention is the key to the surival of the game, but if players arnt willing to each new players, then we're doomed.

That's the thing. Half the people don't know to check the blinking envelope to read messages. As obvious as it may sound and look to us. Most of us have been playing for years.

Really, Sal? (Honest, not the sarcastic one) Have you really met several people who didn't know what to do with a blinking envelope?

tbh, and I know it may be harsh, if somebody can't even figure out a blinking envelope by themselves, I don't think we want anything to do with such a person...

I'm being honest. I don't think it's a reflection on intelligence. When a new player comes about there is critical time between the player and game, where the player decides do I want to bother with this? It could be minutes, maybe an hour. This type of game isn't for everyone, but some of the numbers lost could be alleviated by removing some of the frustration from the learning curve. Simply explaining and visually laying out the user interface. When I get some time I'll see if I can throw something together and show you what I mean.