Elite Mafia Game Development
A blogg about the progress of the games development
Development Progress
Oct 29th
Just a short update on the progress as the week is soon coming to an end.
Have gotten to spend a lot of time working this week as well ast last weekend. Though more time have went into each page that first intended. Especially the garage, yes had to re writte it once again, as the “new garage” that was has been lost.
Making the game fully translatable is also taking its time. As things such as items, cars and ranks used to be stored in text value.
The following features of the game is complete, in both English and Norwegian.
Complete pages
- Crimes
- Car theft
- Garage
- Hacking
- Extortion
- Inbox
- Send message
- Outbox
- Block list
- Family profile
- Family creation
- Getaway
- List of families
- Saved messages
Back stage changes
- Dynamic list of countries, supporting any number of countries
- Money transaction logging, can be used to show player complete account statement
- More game stats
- Changes to how items are used in game, support unlimited types of items. (Combine items to make new ones)
- Anti scripting measures, make life hard on cheaters not the players. Using not bulletproof annoying captcha but rather base it on simple things like checking a box, and then track failure rate. “Click the box”, “Dont click the box”, “click the right box”, “click the left box”. If a high failure, show captcha. The old saying says: A car alarm will not make all cars safe, but it will make yours less attractive if its less work to steal the one next to it.
Further the game is no longer based on frames, making a better fit for all screen sizes as well as making it easier to show updates stats without the use of big place taking header.
The terpf pages will be omitted. Killing will be simplified to be more like it used to be.
Thanks for reading, think you all agree that there is no hurry to release a non functional game.
Family Structure and cash flow
Oct 19th
HowStuffWorks.com
Working on the family pages and figuring the setup of roles of family members.Those familiar with EM in the past knows it used to be Boss, RHM, LHM and the rest as members.
The game will have a family structure more similar to the actual structure of the Mafia.
Family Roles
Boss
Full control of all the family assets and members. Assigns permissions to the underboss and consigliere. The boss will be able to set the permissions for his helpers using a form similar to the one posted below.
The boss sets the family takings. This is the cut that is taken from the family members income. The taking set by the boss is in addition to the cut the Capo gets from his crew. See the cash flow section for details.
Adding more flexibility and dynamic to the game. Its up to the boss how he wants the family to be managed.
Underboss and Consigliere
Their role will be much defined by the boss according the permission level they get by their boss.
Capo
New to the family management is the Capo. Family members assigned to be a Capo can setup crews with up to 4 soldiers. Soldiers in a capo’s crew can be force moved to their location, even if not online. Soldiers can also be assigned into an OC by their Capo. A capo is protected by the soldiers in his crew. If an attempt is made on an Capo’s life, any crew soldiers that are in the same location must be killed first.
Soldiers
They do the daily dirty work. Carry out kills and bring money and the resources needed.
Prospects
Before a player can be made, they become prospects while the family managers decide if a player is worthy.
Permission setting page
| Underboss | Consigliere | Capo’s | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invite prospects | |||
| Approve new members | |||
| Access family bullets | |||
| Access family bank | |||
| Kick Members | |||
| Assign Capto’s | N/A | ||
| Manage Public Profile |
Cash flow
As mentioned before, the boss can set a taking from its family members. And get a % from the income they generate. In addition I consider an additional Taking setting for the Capo’s to set in his crew. But with a twist. While amount of money for the Soldier to hand his/hers Capo is calculated, the payment is not automated but to be paid once a week (or every x day).
Time based or credit based game actions
Oct 16th
In earlier versions of the game, actions such as crime and gta was based on a time limit. Since the game is changing the core code. It could be changed so the player has a set amount of action credits.
Pros
Harder for macro users to cheat
You always know when you can do the actions. And know how long you need to wait before you have a new set of action points.
Cons
Sucks to run out of action points
Is there any drawbacks I have not thought of when using this kind of system?
Experiences players, please comment
New family creation mock up
Oct 16th
Mosh up of new create family page
Click the image for full view
This also shows the basics on how each page will be built with tips as the ease of a mouse over.
Total Makeover
Oct 15th
It has been decided that the game will be made over from scratch.
While many elements will remain in the game, all code and design will be written from scratch. The code has been edited and added to a lot over the last years. Resulting in cluttered code and lack of possibilities for improvement such as translation into multiple languages. Once released, the game will have periodic updates, instead of on the fly development as it has had in the past. with all the bugs and possible exploits that brought with it.
Going true MMORPG
The game will be made to be a true browser based mafia role playing game. Where playing characters will have room for development. In fact a new character will need to be approved before being allowed to enjoy all features of the game.
- Select characters race
- Home city
- Write details of characters background
- Different abilities and traits that increase with leveling up
- Explosives
- Driving
- Strength
- Weapon use
- etc
Design
First the game will only be developed with one clean simple style. Usability and compatibility is at top priority. There is a plan that players with CSS knowledge will be able to use their own style and will be able to share it with other players.
Game play
When doing a remake, anything is possible!
Since just about every single line of code will be re written, and the database re created any feature is possible. Here is some possible high lights.
- Unlimited amount of countries and cities
- Unlimited amount of items
- Multiple types of mafia families, depending on what kind of character you are playing. Italian or Russian mafia, street gang, bikers, triads etc
- Realistic setup of crews and the way a family is managed
- Different features in different places of the world. Some countries are good for producing drugs, others for selling. Some countries has good borders and low corruption rate… The possibilities are endless.
Time frame
The game will not be available for the public until it is completed, development is estimated to be 3-6 months. Staff will consist of people from Scandinavia and the UK. Mainly southern Norway. Currently not looking for anyone.
Finally, terrible sorry for the disappointing all you hard core EM players that has been waiting for a final good release of V3.
Hope you will give the new version a go. And perhaps even take active part in the development of the new game.