Bootleggers is a Mafia game set in the 1930’s Prohibition Era. Right? It is a Mafia game isn’t it? Well in the words of a player from 03-06 who had just recently returned to the game, ‘wow everyone is much nicer now’.
Every day I look around on the game forum and I see help readily available for everyone. There are mission guides and constant mission questions and answers. There are people freely giving away money saving plans. Others are openly disclosing tricks and tips they have discovered which would help make a tidy profit. I see constant giveaways and sharing of money through different games. Beggars are placated and gamblers are enabled. What this game needs in order to maintain competitiveness is some real mafia mentality.
So what is the mafia? According to the dictionary it is:
‘A hierarchically structured secret organization engaged in smuggling, racketeering, trafficking in narcotics, and other criminal activities in the U.S., Italy, and elsewhere.’
Dictionary said
Does this sound like a group of individuals who are willing to help and disclose information to their rivals? No! They would shoot and stab to gain even a small advantage over their rivals. As the hierarchical aspect suggests, you need to gain an advantage over your rivals to rise to the top.
This is an online mafia game where each and every one of you is playing the role of a gangster. Having knowledge of or inside information about a subject should be precious and be used to gain an advantage, not shared on the forums for all to use.
Would Al Capone, arguably the most famous bootlegger of all time, have disclosed information on how to negotiate booze prices for a larger profit to all his rivals? I think not. Would Don Corleone, the most famous fictitious gangster in the world, do large giveaways to his rivals in a public domain. The answer would be no. I think you can see where I am going here. It is all fine and dandy looking after your friends in the game but the minute we start showing too much love and kinship to strangers, we are diminishing the competitiveness of this GANGSTER game.
A possible reason behind this excessive friendliness is the active need and want of some players to become a Help Desk Operator. But does wanting to become an Help Desk Operator really necessitate that you need to give away information that can gain you an advantage? According to Mika someone who just answers basic game questions and behaves professionally is just as likely to be noticed to be considered for the office of Help Desk Operator as somebody who gives away tips/tricks and information about game mechanics.
Why is it that many people are now afraid to get shot and value their accounts greatly. They tiptoe around and actively try not to upset others. There was once a time when people would shoot others to gain an advantage, not only for revenge. People would be shot for property, for a lack of respect, to prove a point or sometimes, just for the sake of it.
Whilst there are still some players left who are hugely competitive, the majority is made up of ‘nice guys’ who want to help their fellow players. Whilst there is nothing wrong with a little bit of help to newbies, I feel it is not necessary to disclose inside knowledge about missions and bootlegging. Would it not be beneficial for all if some players did not complete every mission on their first try and made less profit from them?
I implore you guys to get more competitive and keep your tips and tricks to yourself. Don’t forget this is a mafia gangster game not some Disney role playing game.
