Mafia City
{{Short description|2018 video game}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Mafia City}}{{Infobox video game
| title = Mafia City
| image =
| developer = Phantix Games
| platforms = Android, iOS, PC
| genre = Strategy
| released = March 30, 2017
| publisher = Phantix Games
}}
Mafia City is a mobile game from developer Phantix Games.{{Cite web |title=Phantix Games - Mafia City homepage |url=https://www.phantixgames.com/ |website=phantix games}} The gameplay involves constructing and levelling up buildings, while battling other players in a PVP environment.{{Cite web|date=2019-01-09|title='That's how mafia works' has become January's biggest meme (sorry Big Chungus)|url=https://www.newsweek.com/thats-how-mafia-works-pewdiepie-mafia-city-meme-big-chungus-1285920|access-date=2022-02-20|website=Newsweek|language=en}} Since the games introduction there have been cross-over events with the properties such as Yakuza,{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Iwan |date=2024-05-02 |title=Mafia City brings back their collaboration with hit series Yakuza |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/mafia-city/teams-up-with-yakuza/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.pocketgamer.com |language=en}} Black Lagoon{{Cite web |last=thechanger93 |date=2022-05-29 |title=Mafia city X Black Lagoon event promotions material on Instagram |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/blacklagoon/comments/v0hqt3/mafia_city_x_black_lagoon_event_promotions/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=r/blacklagoon}} and Peaky Blinders.{{Cite web |last=Alive-Doubt4152 |date=2023-08-11 |title=Mafia City X Peaky Blinders |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/PeakyBlinders/comments/15o7ghk/mafia_city_x_peaky_blinders/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=r/PeakyBlinders}}
Gameplay
Mafia City: War of Underworld is a strategy game centered on the role of a gang leader.
Players establish businesses such as casinos and pawnshops, gather resources, recruit and train members, and develop their reputation and base. The gameplay primarily involves building and upgrading territory, with additional elements of engaging in conflicts with rival gangs.
The game also incorporates aspects of clan politics, interactions with other gangs, smuggling operations, and investment management. Additionally, players navigate personal relationships within the game's narrative.{{cite web |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/mafia-city-war-of-underworld |title=Parents' Guide to Mafia City War of Underworld |website=Common Sense Media |access-date=19 June 2024}}
Reception
Upon its release, Mafia City spawned multiple advertisements and received a mixed reception from critics. While praised for its polished visuals and mafia-themed strategy gameplay, the game faced criticism for its pay-to-win mechanics. According to Blue Moon Game, the title offers "great visuals and overall polish," but its monetization model, particularly the reliance on microtransactions, dampened the overall experience.
= Advertising and availability =
In August 2018 an advert for the game in which players were given the option to either "torture" or "finish" a female hostage was removed from Facebook and YouTube.{{Cite web |last=Ye |first=Josh |date=2018-10-23 |title=A controversial mafia game from China is a hit with overseas players |url=https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3028916/controversial-mafia-game-china-hit-overseas-players |access-date=2022-02-20 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Rob |date=2018-08-24 |title=Facebook removes video game ad showing woman's torture |url=http://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/aug/24/mafia-city-video-game-ad-does-not-breach-facebook-guidelines |access-date=2022-02-20 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} The adverts are not representative of the gameplay.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-20 |title=In the world of expectations vs. reality, the game 'Mafia City' and its fascinating advertisements (fakes) take the cake |url=https://techreen.com/mafia-city-fascinating-advertisements/ |access-date=2022-02-20 |website=TechReen |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Mafia City Review and Guides Is it worth it? |url=https://www.bluemoongame.com/game-guides/mafia-city-review-tips-cheats/ |access-date=2022-02-20 |website=Blue Moon Games |language=en-US}}
The app was banned in India (along with other Chinese apps) on 2 September 2020 by the government, the move came amid the 2020 China-India skirmish.{{cite news |date=2 September 2020 |title=Government Bans 118 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1650669 |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=Press Information Bureau, Government of India}}{{Cite news |last1=Yasir |first1=Sameer |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |date=2020-09-02 |title=India Bans 118 Chinese Apps as Indian Soldier Is Killed on Disputed Border |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/world/asia/india-bans-china-apps.html |access-date=2022-04-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}