Gameplay
Mafia Wars is set in New York City with the option for players to travel between New York (or Manhattan), Las Vegas (level 18+), and Italy (level 6+). The game revolves around fighting other players and doing jobs to earn cash, items and experience, with the goal of establishing and advancing one's criminal empire. Players create mafias by recruiting other players. In-game generated mafia members can be added to the player's mafia by Social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster allow players to recruit from friends to build their mafia and fight against other players. Players can also improve their stats by visiting the Marketplace (i.e., making a micropayment).
Gameplay is limited by 3 timers: players have limited energy (for doing jobs), and health and stamina meters (for fighting other players), which slowly recharge over time. With the help of other mafia members that have been recruited, players can fight other players, which may or may not result in the theft of cash, "icing", or "death" of the other player. Fighting is based on the strength of each player and their mafia. When 2 players fight, the stronger one wins and does damage to the weaker one's health meter. Strength of the player and their mafia is calculated with the number and quality of 5 kinds of fighting items: Weapons, Armory, Vehicles, Animals and Henchmen. The items can be bought in different locations, achieved as rewards for doing jobs or fighting, built in special properties, or gifted between players. The game operates on a level up basis. The player earns experience points by completing jobs and fighting. Players who manage to complete special tasks (for example, winning fights against bigger mafias or winning fifteen fights in a row) are labeled as having accomplished an "achievement", resulting in a bonus for the player. As they level up, more jobs and features become available, such as the ability to visit Las Vegas to expand their criminal empire.
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