A modest Mafia proposal

[Lord Blackadder]

Hi guys,
I’m going to throw this idea out, and you can all tell me to get stuffed. But I would like some thoughts on this.
It appears that there are certain forumites addicted to Mafia – strange, I know. It also appears that although many are keen to play on a regular basis, unless people get a significant head’s up, it makes it difficult to plan real life around Mafia. For example, Bolero had to miss out on a few choice games, and Xeno’s Gods and Demons Mafia didn’t get the patronage it deserved.
Hence, the following proposal: a Mafia game calendar.
The Mafia game calendar would allow two things: firstly, it would allow games to be scheduled on a regular basis – I propose every two weeks. Mods could book a slot, giving a general description of their game and its level.
Secondly, it would allow players to see what games were coming up, and show their interest. This would then give GMs an idea of how many participants they had for their game, allowing them to adjust accordingly or, in a worst case scenario, abandon the game for another date.
I could see the calendar structured something like this:
i) Games run every two (2) weeks, starting on a Monday morning.
ii) Games run cyclically, alternating between a Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced game (for more on that, see below).
iii) Close off for game participation is 12:00 EST Sunday before game starts (this gives GM time to sort their shit out)
iv) If a game does not reach required numbers (determined by GM), the game is abandoned with the option to reschedule at a later date.
v) Calender runs on following game cycle: Beginner – Intermediate – Advanced. This would be a six (6) week gap between a game of same level.
GMs would also rate their game according to the following criteria, which would allow players to choose which level of mental torture they want to suffer:
1) Beginner: A fairly straight-forward Mafia game, with the basic structure of town versus scum. Generic, common special roles, with the ability to PM other players. A good game for the absolute newbie, and good practice for aspiring GMs. 10+ participants. For a good example, see Bolero’s Mafia game here.
2) Intermediate: still fairly straight-forward, but with additional challenges, such as role-playing to a particular theme. PMs may or may not be allowed. Specials include generic plus additional roles (e.g. the stage hypnotist, the cult leader, the pimp) which throws some confusion out there. 12+ participants. For a good example, see Durro’s Casino Mafia game.
3) Advanced. Also known as the Mind Fuck Level. Usually run to a theme (Ninja, Greek Gods, whatever twisted fantasy Durro comes up with). Many additional special roles and powers, with clues, recruiting and general mind-fuckery involved. Roles and powers are usually in flux. PMs may or may not be allowed. Guaranteed to give you at least one sleepless night. 15+ participants. See Durro’s Ninja Mafia, Bolero's Sherlock Holmes game and Xeno’s Gods and Demons for ideas of how your mind can be toyed with.
I may have missed some things here (Past GMs are welcome to add details). But the overall idea is to keep the interest high for games, which everyone seems to enjoy, but also make best use of the GMs’ time (as preparing a game is quite timely).
I’m also looking to put together a game wiki just for our forum, but I will get to that in another thread.
Thoughts?

[Durro]

Sounds entirely reasonable to me.

[Threat]

Cool.

[Xeno]

We should probably be specific about organising a mix of games, to make sure there are occasional simple and intermediate games to give new(er) players the opportunity to get started. For example, at least four starter games a year.

[Lord Blackadder]

Originally Posted by Xeno

We should probably be specific about organising a mix of games, to make sure there are occasional simple and intermediate games to give new(er) players the opportunity to get started. For example, at least four starter games a year.

Exactly. Hence the idea of rotating games to allow new players to dip their toe in the turbulent Mafia waters. Beginner level games also would give new/aspiring mods practice before they tackle more complex games. Working on a six week rotation, we would have eight games at each level per year.

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[Bolero]

My only problem with a set-in-stone schedule/calendar is that my work timetable changes pretty much from week to week. I don't always know when I'll have enough downtime for a game until maybe a week or two in advance. Plus there are those trips to Melbourne that crop up every now and then....just so hard for me to actually plan properly.

But I'll go with whatever flow is working for everyone else.

[Leighjones]

Sounds like a plan =D

[Lord Blackadder]

Having a calendar means the Mods can plan ahead, so Bolero, you will be able to see what game slots are coming up and you can work it in around work.

Again, this is work in progress. Trying to find the right set up at the moment, but I hope to have a prototype thingy by the end of this year (or, if I pull my finger out, sooner).


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[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Lord Blackadder

Having a calendar means the Mods can plan ahead, so Bolero, you will be able to see what game slots are coming up and you can work it in around work.

See, that's my whole problem. I can't work anything in around work. The work timetable is so totally variable that I often have no idea what I'm doing from one week to the next...sometimes one day to the next. I usually end up working work in around life.