Ignorant Question

[jlgarner84]

Hello all!  I am curious about how the mafia game works, I have read the rules and such but I cannot find anything that explains the objective of the game or how to play.  Would someone point me in the right direction to read more info related to this. I apologize if this question seems ignorant, but the only basis for the Mafia I have to go on is the criminal organization. 

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

This is a good basic guide for beginners, though not all games work exactly this way, and different forums have different vocabularies, styles, and types of games

 

http://wiki.mafiascum.net/index.php?title=Main_Page

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

This is a really good thread for beginners on the dm main mafia board

 

http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/76698-new-player-tips-and-information/

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

This is a good list of common acronyms and abbreviations you'll find, especially on dm

 

http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/91720-fun-list-of-mafia-acronymsabbreviations/

[Sooh]

I like mafiascum... and also just talking to people and perhaps having a mentor for a game or two or five

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

It's a good idea to read a basic game or two and then start by playing a basic game because until you play it's a bit difficult to understand what's happening.

 

It's become popular for new players to have a mentor in their first few games to chat with privately about what's going on, etc.

 

I'm not sure if I like how that works out all the time. I feel like people do better getting their own perspective on things by playing their own game at first, and perhaps after a couple games take a mentor if they feel the need. But most folks seem to like the idea, and I don't play anyway, so you do what you decide best. They're both valid options.

 

Good luck!

 

Oh and of course, check out the stickied threads in the arena of the BT and on the main mafia board (in the general discussion board of dm), and read the rules of the forums and sign off with an R&U (read and understood) on the rules before playing.

 

Mostly common sense stuff, but stuff you should be familiar with before jumping in.

[Clovdyx]

I hope this helps.  
 

• What is Mafia, and what is the goal?
  
  Mafia was originally created as a live party game and was later adopted to online play, typically through forums. At the most basic level, Mafia pits an uninformed majority - the town - against an informed minority - the mafia. The objective of the town is to remove all members of the mafia from the game. The objective of the mafia is to overpower the members of the town.
  Mafia is a game of intellect, logic, understanding, trust, and emotion. It is also a game of lying; Mafia requires manipulation, deception, aggression, and often passivity. 
  
  Mafia is NOT a guessing game, nor is it meant to be played [entirely] as a game of "darts" - that is, randomly choosing targets and hoping you're right all game. It is not meant to be an instrument for bullying or a tool to release one's anger, though there is a case to be made that both of these can be appropriately incorporated into the game in a way that assists in completing one's win condition. Lastly, Mafia is not meant to be a game of true, extended inactivity; the game is predicated on participation and cannot be completed, as intended, without a certain level of effort.
   
• How does one win?
  • Town wins by removing all opposing players. Most basically, this encompasses the mafia. The primary weapon for town is the daily lynch. Each day, each remaining player is given a vote to cast for who they feel should be "lynched" (removed from the game); the player receiving the most votes at the end of the day phase is removed. This end of phase is typically when a majority is reached against one player but may also be through a time limit.
  • The mafia wins by overpowering members of the town. This is typically outnumbering the remaining town players but may be equaling in numbers. The primary weapon for the mafia is a killing ability during the night phase, where the members of the mafia choose one player outside of their faction to remove from the game. Each member of the mafia also receives a vote during the day phase to participate in the lynch and typically attempt to cause a "mis-lynch".
  • Third party factions or independent roles often have unique win conditions that are unaffected by the efforts of town and the mafia. These can range from surviving until the end of the game to targeting a certain player or using abilities on a specific number of players, among others.
• How is the game played?
  
  A basic game is played in two locations: the game thread and the mafia discussion. All players are able to post in the game thread until their death or the end of the game, unless otherwise noted - typically as the result of a night ability. Additionally, members of the mafia are allowed to communciate with one another in secret outside of the game thread. This channel of communication allows for the coordination of lynch votes, night abilities, and the development of both short- and long-term strategies.
  
  The game is divided into three phases: "Day", "Night", and a limbo (sometimes referred to as "Dawn" on other sites) phase. During Day, players will argue and vote for the candidate they feel is most likely to be mafia. At the end of phase, the player with the most votes on them is removed from the game, their identity revealed, and Night begins. During the Night, the mafia will choose a player to remove from the game; this will occur at the end of Night. Additionally, any players with other night abilities are able to use them via a PM to the game moderator. Night phases typically last 24 hours or until all PMs have been received.
  
  Dawn/limbo lasts from when the moderator announces night phase has ended until the results of night actions have been sent out via PM and the write-up has been posted, revealing the likely death of a town member. The next day begins when this write-up has been posted and the cycle repeats.

[Darthe]

Here is a link from the mafia website that really explains everything quite well.

 

http://wiki.mafiascum.net/index.php?title=A_Beginner%27s_Guide_to_Being_Awesome_At_Mafia

[Niniel]

Oh, a potential mafia player. :) 

 

Just sign up for a basic game. It´s hard to understand if you just read it. *nods*

[jlgarner84]

Thank you all for the helpful information

[Thane Vakarian]

Thank you all for the helpful information

if you want something helpful, here's one:

 

don't start with it, it'll ruin your social life and sleeping patterns

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

 

Thank you all for the helpful information

 

if you want something helpful, here's one:

 

don't start with it, it'll ruin your social life and sleeping patterns

This is true

 

It is addictive to many and seems to have a negative impact on many aspects of life.

 

Nonetheless, it is compelling.

[Niniel]

Thane is telling the truth. But still, it´s fun.

[Talya]

you'll get tied up in it that you stop doing things in RL you should be..

 

You can ask for a mentor on your first game, who can help you through it. 

 

the way the new games are played, I think I need one!