Not seeing what's in the pipeline for active development, user count seems pretty low, is there any path to returning to some level of activity in these parts, or is a slow bleed from here?

Miss the days when Izzy was around and IRC was very busy. But feels like we're long past this.

Some events/features (poker, new features, more dynamic changes, etc) to keep people involved + reducing the number of cities to bring more people together feels like what this place needs.

Part of the problem is the writers have left. Yeah a few of us are still around, and some like to dabble, but no one is in power who cares about the RP aspect, the true written RP aspect of the game. And so its not something thats held to any sort of standard and you can absolutely see that when you look at the mandatory threads CLs have to post. 

No one gives a shit about being creative. The game went from a 70/30 split with creatives in the lead and being the focus to whatever this is now, but the only time most of the userbase cares about writing is when they're desperate for credits from VIP or they need to rank and can't jail anymore. 

It's dying...

Short answer - Yes.

Slightly longer answer, numbers consistently under 300, and continuing to slowly drop.

Active in last 24: 292

Hey Squishy! Thanks for jumping in.

I'm back after a long hiatus, so I can only assume what “the game isn’t in the mood for new players” means. If the issue is bloodline-hunting and old grudges, that’s partly a rules problem and partly a player problem, but only rules can fix it, as I think this is the natural inclination of players.

I’ve never taken MR too seriously, so people digging up my past characters doesn’t affect me directly. From a growth standpoint, though, it’s obvious: if staying on top carries no downside, vets will keep auto-killing newcomers because they can keep their spot with no downside.

Even with a huge ad budget, we’d still struggle. The gaming landscape has drastically changed, and we’re working within several small niches (RP, Mafia, Clickers, etc.). The game is also hard for newcomers: the loop is predictable (build gun, make money, die, repeat), key features are hidden, the wiki is outdated, and you need a separate IRC tab just to track somewhat core features(?) Rogues, Rougette, Loaded BGs, and so on.

Anyway, here are some ideas to fix things from a player who has been around for a bit, but haven't really played through the gameplay loop.

1 - Events, Events, Events

A live calendar beats any banner ad. We need more events- poker nights, gambling tweaks, dynamic drug pricing, gun-building contests- whatever keeps people engaged. The game is a ghost town without a schedule, and players have no clue what’s cooking.

Incentivize players to propose ideas, features, and so on.

2 - Re-open the Investment Fund  

Give players real skin in the rebuild. Offer 6- or 12-month bonds with perks and a real-time funding meter. Make it clear this is a team effort and list exactly what unlocks when each funding goal is met. Plus, if the goal is to go into a massive ad spend at somepoint, this is going to be the only way to have the funds aside to move into it.

3 - Incentivize RP 

Pay credits for stories or events that become canon. Add dynamic content that changes the world. Hand out fun badges/icons. Anything that boosts RP should be on the table.

4 - NPCs to Fill the Gaps & Add Risk  

We need more danger from non-players. NPC patrols that can wound or kill careless or inactive characters would help. The game feels empty; random NPC threats would spice it up and introduce natural risk for mid- to high-level players. Not sure if this is a good idea, or just good in theory, but anything to spice up the gameplay loop imo. Probably can just start a thread into feature requests and see what users think haha.

5 - Insight into Updates  

I’ve been gone a while, so maybe I missed some thread or whatnot, but I have no idea what’s being worked on. A new user certainly wouldn’t. Cleaning up the forums, flagging new features more visibly, and “building in public” would go a long way.

6 - Rule Changes

As you mentioned, some rule tweaks are needed. But we also need broader game changes, because players will always default to safety—forming big groups, dominating, and repeating the cycle.


Just my 2 cents. I'd love to help in making this come to fruition in some way!
 

the game has been on what feels like life support for a long time,  the simple fact is the older players like me have kids and grandkids who we would rather be around and some of us have more responsibility at work that has come with our old age/   So you got the olders going or coming in and out and no real new blood as maybe seen as a hider and shot.

I can undersand why squishy doesn't spend on advertising as much, as when n00bs leave either due to lack of teaching by bosses, toxic leadership, being shot as maybe somene hiding, etc it makes the game pointless, same as if only made leader or hand as filler, before eventually being shot due to you got too strong...   there is very little to motivate people to play.

do i miss the days of thousands of players on org, of course, do i remember how many dupes there were etc back then to, of course i do.   the fact is MR is a niche game which is not going to be for everyone anyway, i know my kids laughed at the idea of commodore and spectrum graphics yet alone NES graphics compared to modern day titles.   With game especially like fortnite, rocket league, warzone, league out there is a far different market when org started, i was still prbably on 33kbps modem back then and they joys of dialup tones

TY for the input Squishy. appreciated.  If the current crop of idiots running the show would listen, I would probably waste time here again, sadly, they have proved over and over again that the only interests they will consider are their own.

C'est la vie hey, I'll certainly take a look at the new game when it comes, and it is encouraging that you are "still" working on it.  I look forward to better things.

*Tips his hat

I have been playing off and on a couple years after mafiareturns was created and was playing on .org as a kid where I was told about a better improved version of mafia.org. I started an account and have always come back no matter of my life having changes or the ability to play AAA games on my xbox or PC. Throughout this time it has always been the issue that there are cliques and groups that run the game. Bleeding dry any new talent, no made men ceremonies, instant gratification, lack of communication in crews, no events being hosted by crew leaders, lack of well thought out street threads(just bashing and harassing people)-Which I think is a breaking of a rule(?) The way the game is now it has fostered people that have held the reigns too long and will do anything they can to hold on. Even after death, joining a friends crew who has survived and lo and behold they are authed at minimum requirements.  Thus destroying any chance of keeping new players. Why the fuck would someone want to play in a game where they are ignored, not included, and taken out on the whim they have the ability to move up. Much less throw money at a game that is floundering.  The game needs a clean wipe, and a marker to where if you were a CL and you died, you cant be a CL for a period of determination set forth by Squishy. If you want to give the game a breath of life start listening and implementing what people have been screaming for and griped about. THANKS

This is an OOC thread not a street thread. No disrespect here. 

the fact that leaders and ranks are dropping still, and most people go on apathetically says it all fro the niche gaming this is.   or how people plunder the durdens instead of proing their made and aboves..   The thing is, if you don't feel you belong and can't get anywhere as someone things you may be someone else, why bother trying in the first place.

I feel like MR always had its up and down periods. I feel like the activity right now is quite decent.

Once we leave the game, we usually return at some point :)