Mafia Wars from Zynga, the free social-networking multiplayer browser-based RPG game that you can play via Myspace, Facebook, Yahoo Games and on your iPhone, etc., has passed the 4 million users mark!
This makes it one of the most popular social networking online titles. According to Gamasutra, the number of daily players taking part in the game has doubled over the last three months.
And although the game is free, microtransactions are offered which allow the company to make some direct cash. Zynga also believes that microtransactions are helping the game on its way to becoming a true “cult classic”.
Zynga itself has even been building its own company just like in the game. They recently added game designer Brian Reynolds of Alpha Centauri and Rise of Nations fame as their “chief designer”.
I’m actually surprised that the game has only reached 4 million. Given that every single young person I know seems to play it and other games of its type fairly regularly.
Via Gamasutra