SGN, the company behind many of the popular Wii-like games on the iPhone, has just released a new game to the App Store. Dubbed “Mafia: Respect and Retaliation“, the game joins a growing number of mob-based games on the App Store, some of which are growing to become immensely popular.
Among the features that differentiate Mafia:R&R from its competitors are the ability to play the game while offline (other games typically require a network connection), use of the iPhone’s accelerometer to train in a virtual shooting range, and 3D graphics. The game is available for free, but also comes in a half dozen premium versions available for 99 cents, $5, and denominations up to $50. Premium versions grant gamers more skill points and higher rank, allowing them to establish their dominance more quickly.
The app has been a long time coming. In January David Maestri launched a game called Mob Wars on Facebook Platform while he was employed by Freewebs, the company that SGN spun off from. The game has grown to become incredibly popular, with millions of users and rumors of monthly revenues topping $1 million. However, because Maestri was employed by Freewebs/SGN when he built the game, the company felt that the IP was theirs (as is commonly stipulated in tech employee contracts). For more on the legal drama, check out this post.
After months of legal wrangling, Maestri and SGN reached a settlement, granting Maestri control of the Mob Wars app but rewarding SGN with a undisclosed monetary payment along with the rights to develop Mob Wars-like games.
SGN’s Mafia game is one of the products of that agreement, and it certainly looks like it stands a chance at becoming another hit for the company. As with other similar mob-based games, Mafia:R&R is primarily text based, allowing gamers to complete jobs to rise through the ranks of organized crime, buying improved items along the way. These games can take some getting used to, but they can also be very addictive.
Other popular mob games include iMob (covered here and Mafia LIVE!, currently the 7th most popular paid app on the App Store.
so this game is just text base. and grossing one million + for the version on facebook .just wow
My friend code: 9495
I take it back, I think they have been developing this since 2007.
Again, I hope this works out. They do have a good graphic design person. I don’t think it’s all that great of a concept though.
http://tinyurl.com/ahzvtb
Very addictive game actually.
Looks ok but iMob is better ADD ME 100000654
I prefer own your friends.
Expect games like this to come by the dozens. I don’t know what the IP situation is behind these games – but I know tons of people that developing these games all the time. We get orders to build mobwars related games everyday.
The potential is high for others to earn. As far as iphone is concerned – it sucks because marketing it is difficult. Also the game play can be lacking for those who don’t have other friends with iphones and hence are limited by the amount of people they can have in their ‘mob’.
I currently own a website that thrives off the myspace applications games. It is definitely a good business to get into if you know how to play your cards right. Check out http://www.MobsterAdd.com or http://www.AppsAdd.com for examples. Cheers.
When do you reappear?
so this is what everyone wants me to join huh?
-Jim
(new forum, so please help by registering at the link in my name)
This game is cool! It’s really interesting to have it for the iPhone.
The economy is finally coming back. This is my appreciation post for the stimulus.
http://picasawe...912168099660786
Winner, winner, chicken dinner. 3 days running.
This game is the best…..
Check out this site and join the family…
http://www.mafi...cruitcodes.com/
I want this game! Wanna try it on iPhone.
Sounds good. Having been very addicted to Mob Wars on Facebook (it was the only reason I used Facebook actually) I am keen to check this out.
Does it work in a similar way to Mob Wars?
Been playing iMob for the past two weeks now and enjoying every minute of it. Though, it lacks with the amount of cheating that is going on there.
Gonna give Mafia R&R a run for its money.
First impression seems to be great, except for a few connectivity issues.
My code if you would like to join me on R&R.
5406
We’ve actually also just setup a Mafia: R&R mob code database with Google Spreadsheets here:
http://ri.ms/mafia
Add your code via this form (it may take a minute to appear):
http://ri.ms/addmafia
If you play this game, go to http://www.ri.ms/mafiarr to add your code to a growing list. Go to http://www.ri.ms/mafiarrcodes to see the list and add everyone on there!
I like the location-based concept… really cool… but I haven’t managed to find time playing it… I’m very afraid I’d just get hooked-on and never stop…
Oh, one of the things I did the first moment I start one of these games: go whack up some people… lol…
add me 3086
8625 and 3676!
MAFIA RESPECT AND RETALIATION
ADD ME 146290
ADD ME 146290
ADD ME 146290
ADD ME 146290
add me:210463
867 351 088
add me….. 55348
ADD ME
274 171
add me lvl 60
206912
ADD ME 2 7 5 6 9 0
This game is so addicting!!!
Add me, accepting all invitiations
309064
Add me 246876
em i lvl 120 boss with exp of 271.62k/1
100% attack potential over 2942 fights won and lost 944
death counts only 77 where kill counts is 438
if u want a gud force on ur side add me
251 350
add me plz 810-237
Add me now, I will be there for you –
40445
Add me please
300254
373212