The Sims Online:
Trouble in Alphaville
24 April 2004

Introduction

You need to assess how far you want to go into TSO's recent developments; the main contribution you can make is the cognitive analysis. The point about this page is that what Urizenus has achieved is create a scandal and then sustained a narrative that might actually make the game a bit more interesting. Much of the game still appears to take place in people's heads and on the Internet outside of the game, but there are now secret love affairs, scandals, intrigues, and so on. It will be interesting to see how far these narratives can be sustained. They suggest a somewhat more charitable interpretation of the game: it may be possible to make it interesting, precisely by turning it into a narrative stage.

Sites

• The Sim Mafia: This ain't no kids game
  
• New York Times (15 January 2004, local copy)
• Alphaville Herald
• 2004-01-15 NYT article (local)
• 2004-01-15 Independent article (external)
• 2004-01-15 Slashdot article, with comments (external)

Contents

• First mafia interview
  
• The Sim Mafia: commentary
• 2004-01-15 Slashdot article, with comments

E: What kinds of “services” do you provide for the characters of Alphaville?

JC: We offer all kinds of services. Currently in the Our Services section of our website you’ll find a majority of the services we offer. We will be adding new ones this week as well. We do pretty much anything from simple assaults to protection. If a sim has wronged you in some way, we have a service to fix it more than likely. We’re not all about beating Sims up too. Some of the non-violent things we do include: debt collection, mediation, bribery, city retirements and moves (not to be confused with city-trading), and more. Our website really does have most of the information a person may want to know about us. Soon we will be adding new features too. Just like The Sims Online, hopefully our content will always be changing.

E: How would one go about contacting your group? Does your Group have a house where potential clients can meet?

JC: We never discuss business in open rooms. Maxis records all chat windows and PM’s. The best way to hire us or talk about a job is to use our websites Contact Us section. May take a day or two for a reply with all the mail I get now, but you will get a reply.

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The Sim Mafia does not endorse cheating at all, these are simply anti-carpal-tunnel devices.

All prices are subject to change and are negotiable for the most part. Some fees may seem high, but remember we have to split it and we are known world wide for how effective our services are.  We will never openly violate the EA Terms of Service, so don’t ask us to. Some of the stuff listed on here is borderline already.  A 72-hour suspension or a 90-day ban is very bad for business and we look at it as getting pinched and going to jail.  For this reason, we will not necessarily take the job you offer, it just depends on the circumstances at the time of the request and how legitimate your beef is with the intended target.  We investigate all jobs before we take them on.  We do not and will not harass or pick on innocent Sims! We have a good reputation and we wish to keep it.
   

$10K to $25K; Pay up front in full
Did another Sim beat you up? Steal from you?  There are lots of reasons for wanting another Sim assaulted.  Whatever your reason may be, we’re more than happy to handle the situation for you.  We have several ‘mean’ options available and muscle with high body ratings to bring the victim’s social, fun, energy, hygiene, and hunger down until they pass out or log out. We can tag too, and will, but we think tagging is for first graders and we try to avoid it.
   

$10K flat fee per background check; Pay up front in full
Have recent times caused you to rethink inviting Sims to be your roomy?  With our help you can run a background check on anyone wishing to become your roommate, join your organization or whatever else you may find fit for a background check.  Background checks run smoother if the party in question knows about the background check. We require that you inform them that a check will be performed and to cooperate with the investigation.  We will find out everything we can about that Sim and give them a roomy rating.  It is just a recommendation for or against the Sim in question.
   

$100K to $250K; 25% down payment
Want to break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend guilt free? Perhaps you think your husband or wife is cheating on you. Maybe your running for office and want an edge over the competition. We can offer video images, still images and logs as evidence of what you think is going on.  We will send in one of our under covers  to either capture them in the act or set them up to appear to be in the act.  No hacking involved!!!
   

$10K to $25K per 10 minutes; Maximum of 1 hour per guard; Pay up front in full
Piss someone off?  Afraid to be home alone?  Maybe you just want to look cool and have a couple of bodyguards hanging around you?  Whatever the reason you may need for protection, we’re the people you want protecting you.  More secretive than the Secret Service, the Sim Mafia will make sure no Sim interrupts your game play under our watch. Bodyguards also help your visitor bonus if protecting you on your lot.
   

25% of the bribery amount to get unbanned from a lot (or any other bribery reason); No payment if not unbanned; No down payment
Did you make someone really mad and get banned from their lot? Are you an innocent person and have no clue why you got banned?  With our help, and a little cash, we can get you back on that property in no time flat. You tell us your monetary limit and we’ll negotiate your reentry onto that property without going over the amount you specify. If you don’t get unbanned there is no payment.
   

Minimum $5K bet; Maximum $250K bet -TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO A LONG OVERDUE GAMING RULES REMODEL-
We offer all sorts of gambling options.  For more details go to ‘The Sim Mafia’ lot in Alphaville. Bet limits depend on the dealer. High rollers are always welcome. We have the dice games that people can’t get enough of...  Texas Poker, Vegas Style Craps, Hi-Lo, Italian Roulette, Triple X, Match Game PM, Rock Paper Scissors, 21 and Up and much more!  Some odds are as good as 49:51. Sims have won millions playing our famous games! Many try to copy us, but there is only one true Sim Mafia casino. We also have the basic casino games like slots or roulette if your broke or bored.
   

25% of the debt collected is our fee; $20K minimum debt amount; No down payment
Someone owe you money? Having a hard time getting them to pay up? Let us try.  Our patented methods are sure to give you a better chance at getting your money.  Our fee may sound high, but if you get paid that’s more money than you were going to get before we got involved.  If we are unable to get your money back for some odd reason, there is no fee.
   

$25K per 15 minutes; 30 minute minimum; 60 minute maximum; Pay up front in full  -CLOSED DUE TO SIMSUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES-
Want to get laid tonight?  Like being talked dirty to? Maybe you like to be the one talking dirty?  Whatever your fetish is we have the woman for you.  We have some of the hottest lipped Sims in Alphaville to please you and tickle your fancy.  ID’s are checked with each customer...  No, you may not bring a note from your mother saying it’s OK.  And remember..  NO ABUSING OUR WOMEN UNLESS THEY ASK YOU TO.
   

25% interest rate (every 3 days interest accrues); Maximum loan amount of $100K; Collateral may be required
Short on cash? Looking for the financing to expand? Owe a debt?  Let’s face it, we all need money at some point in our lives.  We can help you get the cash you need today. No credit check required!  Have the right type of collateral and you have a loan!  Collateral is returned once loan is paid in full with interest owed and can be anything from a lot to a set of objects.  Loan due dates very from loan to loan, but usually go no longer than 9 real time days.
   

$100K to $250K; 50% down payment
Want to hurt someone’s business? Want to send a clear message?  A Raid consists of a crew or several crews coming onto a property and slapping around a few of the customers to let them know how you feel. Once we’re done with the customers we go after the intended target and assault him in front of all his lot’s visitors. Raid’s can get messy and are rarely done.  For this reason, we require 1/2 down payment if we decide to take the job on.
   

$10K per 10 minutes of mediation; Pay up front in full
Have a dispute with another Sim? Want to work it out, but don’t want to contact them directly?  Maybe your on there ignore list?  Either way, let us be your messenger and try to help you work it out by offering a non-biased opinion in your dispute. We’re very effective businessmen and know how to mediate in any given situation, no matter how hostile it might be. We’ll communicate between the two of you and try to find a common ground to work out your issue as quickly as possible.
   

$10K to $100K; Pay up front
Want to get your point across to someone or a group of people? Old fashion tactics not working? Try the Sim Mafia. We’re the masters of sending messages.  We’ll make sure your point gets across whether it wants to or not.
   

$250K to $500K; 50% down payment
Want to take a Sim out of the picture? Maybe you want to make sure that Sim never messes with you again?  A Hit is something that we cannot discuss on this website or in-game.  Let’s just say we take the victim out of the picture for a few days to think about what they have done. Unlike raids, hits are very clean and effective and a great way to remain anonymous if you want to. Our fees are high for this service, but we’re very good at what we do. Call us Murder, Inc. Remember, this is partly what made us famous.  We are the original inventors the hit.
   

Always good prices; Excellent and humorous selection; Sim Mafia merchandise, unofficial TSO merchandise and more!
If you click here, it will take you to our store. It has official Sim Mafia merchandise that is professionally made, as well as, unofficial TSO merchandise. It has a huge selection of items for sale at good prices. We also have a lot of humorous non-Sim Mafia and non-TSO merchandise to choose from. All products were designed internally and were professionally created. Let us make you an offer you can’t refuse..  Check us out and give us 3 minutes of your time. That’s all we can ask. This is how we pay our web hosting bills.  Gratzie!!

© Copyright 2003-04 The Sim Mafia, all rights legally reserved.  For legal information, click here.

Below you will find the five principal values, aka our code, all Soprano family members must vow to obey as a made member of the family.  Those who break their oath to the family will be dealt with swiftly and harshly, but fairly.. Everyone makes mistakes. All the quotes on this page are from real life mobsters. For more Mafia quotes, please visit our Mafia University section today!!!

Mafia is a process, not a thing. Mafia is a form of clan-cooperation to which it's individual members pledge lifelong loyalty...  Friendship, connections, family ties, trust, loyalty, obedience - this was the glue that held us together.
Joe Bonanno, Boss - Bonanno Family
   
       

It’s gonna be a Cosa Nostra 'til I die.  Be it an hour from now or be it tonight or a hundred years from now when I'm in jail. It's gonna be La Cosa Nostra.
John Gotti, Boss - Gambino Family
A cold war is always going on between the families, haters, EA, anti-Mafia, and all wannabe Mafioso’s. A protector of the family is one who will defend the family’s good name from those who will speak unkindly of it. However, a true protector of the family is one who will never do anything to tarnish the family’s good name or any members reputation whether directly or indirectly. Honor is also a state of mind. Be proud of who you are and what you do.
   

There are certain promises you make that are more sacred than anything that happens in a court...  I don't care how many bibles you put your hand on.
Paul Castellano, Boss - Gambino Family
It seems these days lots of players are family hopping (act of changing families), spying and/or showing no sign of loyalty what so ever.  Once your in this family, your in. You are a part of it and it is a part of you.  Until the day you die or retire you are family. We ride together, we die together. Always stay within the family and never betray your friends within the family. It’s our loyalty as a family that allows us to grow and run a successful operation.
   

He didn’t rob nothing. Know why he’s dying? He’s gonna die because he refused to come when I called.
John Gotti, Boss - Gambino Family
The whole purpose of checking with management before doing any job or starting a business is so you don’t get into any trouble with EA or interfere with other operations.  Without obedience there would be anarchy within the families. Discipline must come swiftly and hard for those who violate this code. However, one of the easiest ways to get promoted is from following this code and the orders given to you.
   

Things change because there's too much conflict. People do whatever they feel like. They don't train their people no more. There's no more respect.
Aniello Dellacroce, Underboss - Gambino Family
Respect means you don’t talk back, question the orders given to you or simply not follow them. Respect is also about your presence. How you present yourself to others.  Meaning, if you want to get respect you must earn it. If shown respect, show it. If you don’t get respect, maintain respect. If all else fails, kill ‘em with kindness. Remember, it’s the quiet kid in the back of the class that’s always the most dangerous one.
   

You heard of the double cross? In this business you gotta watch for the triple cross. You gotta always be alert. There's so much jealousy.
Nick Carmamandi, Soldier - Bruno Family (Philadelphia Mafia)
Of our five values, none is more important than trust. All of the other values in our code are built on trust, as is the family.  We must be able to trust each other.  Otherwise, what’s the point?  We are family and family should be able to trust one another without a doubt. Without trust there is nothing but paranoia.  Plus, if you lose the family’s trust, you also lose your respect and your honor to boot.  Trust is key.

© Copyright 2003-04 The Sim Mafia, all rights legally reserved.  For legal information, click here.

Joseph Laszlo writes about Second Life on 11 August 2003, a game

I've written previously here about MMOGs and "virtual worlds." I've always been a bit skeptical of such things, but, well, I may have finally found one that feels like it could be home.

Second Life, from Linden Labs, is a 3-D virtual world where design and building are the name of the game. The application comes with a suite of tools, and a sophisticated scripting language, that let you make, well, most anything you can imagine. Doing complex things pretty much requires coding and/or Photoshop skills, and so the average person may not get out of the experience what a hardcore hacker/designer would. But Second Life seems to be attracting very creative people, who are undertaking an astounding variety of projects.

I bought a plot of land on an isolated bluff last week, and have been crafting a small reproduction of Stonehenge (see the "photos"), which I'm finding strangely gratifying. In the context of the game, you simply wave your hands and a giant rock appears, which you can effortlessly levitate into position, and shift at will. Perhaps that's how the druids (or whoever) did it.

This is all reminiscent of There and Sims Online, but with more freedom of customization than the former (the avatar customization tools in Second Life are the best I've ever seen.), and no mundane demands of bathing or eating as in the latter.

In second life, I've seen 5-story martini glasses, complete with olives on a stick; opulent seaside mansions of marble and glass; several castles; a beanstalk; any number of UFOs; a giant dock for airships of all description; and any number of odd and interesting structures built unconstrained by zoning laws and, in some cases, gravity.

Laszlo on the Virtual Underworld

Virtual Underworld

"Controversy" is apparently brewing in the otherwise peaceful communities of the Sims Online, as enterprising players aim to create a virtual mafia for the virtual world.

EA has let it be known that it isn't thrilled with the antics of "JC Soprano" and his gang of capos and consigliere. And, dutifully, the AP and CNN have picked up the thread, creating the first positive buzz for The Sims Online since its launch.

Sure, CNN says EA's mad, and has found shrinks to dutifully pontificate:

Psychologists who study online behavior say in-game spats and the visceral responses to them aren't surprising. With simulations becoming more lifelike, the line between real and fake is blurred.

"The more real you try to make these online worlds, the more the problems are real-world problems," said John Suler, a Rider University professor who specializes in the psychology of cyberspace. "It's not always easy to contain this stuff in the fantasy world."

But let's be clear here: the Sim Mafia is the best thing that could possibly happen to the Sims Online, a game that has been sadly lacking in excitement, plot, controversy, or action. Indeed, I think the main reason the Sims Online has grown slowly to about 100,000 users is because it emulates the real world too well.

I just wrote a Jupiter report where we discuss our take on MMOGs. Basically, the genre is inherently appealing to a small segment of the total online audience. Not many people want an experience like what Everquest or Asheron's or Sims Online has to offer. But the very last thing those people want is a boring game experience.

JC Soprano gets this. He and his mob are spicing things up [Stratics.com interview] in a way no amount of game design or scripting could. And whatever EA says, that is the best thing to happen to Sims Online in a while (and I think EA knows it).

Posted by Joseph Laszlo at 10:50 AM