Any tip for newbies?

[Noobie]

I played mafia before in facebook and how different is this spies?

[spies8helper]

Read some past games. It is quite different, in that it's much more involved and you have to be very dedicated; I don't know how facebook mafia and forum mafia differ so I can't really help much there.

[Samson]

Facebook and forum mafia are totally different to each other.

Spies is different because:

A) everyone is an alias, so you don't know ANYTHING about anyone when you start. Its a fresh start.

B) there are twists and challenges.

C) you chat, PM and post in the burg so there are many forms of communication

D) you keep a confessional which is a lot of fun

E) some of the aliases are crazy and entertaining to watch

F) its intense

[Appropriate]

I think it is appropriate to ask my question here.

One of my friends in this Survivor game told me to try this out and it looks pretty swell if you ask me. I know I have to find Spies like people who lie to me but is that all? If I am a spy I just have to outwit outplay and outlast them til all the good guys are dead right?

[hoping to help]

In a manner of speaking yes that is what the spies have to do. However it's still not quite the same. The spies have a whole team that needs to work together, and it's not going to be as simple as creating a block of votes together to get others out.

Have you played a game of mafia before? If you have, then just think of spies as a mafia game with some extra surprises, and you'll be ok. If you haven't played mafia before, I'd suggest finding a place where you can learn the general basics of mafia before spies starts so you have an idea what you're getting into.

www.epicmafia.com is hardly perfect, but it might be a good spot to pick up how the game works if you need it.

[casey!!!11]

if you have only played mafia:

• be prepared for the alias aspect. create a character that has a fun quirk or way of speaking, and is interesting, but that will not distract you from the game.
  
• realize the social aspect. this game is wayyyy more social than any other mafia game you would play on another site. you will post in the burg/message board, and send private messages to other players, but 75% of the game is played over instant messaging.
  
• don't be afraid to make friends. along with the social aspect, getting to know other people is so important. if you haven't played a game like this before, being cool/funny/interesting gets you a long way (despite what others may tell you). much longer than forum mafia.
  
• every situation may not be 100% balanced in your opinion. usually a plant gets killed night one so everyone who signed up for the game gets to play at least until the first vote. sam does a wonderful job of keeping this game balanced, but there are rare instances that it does need to be sacrificed just a little bit when you take into account the time and energy that everyone puts into the game. accept it.
  
• not everyone will realize your lingo. if you come from an intense mafia environment, know that not everyone comes from where you do, and may need some help getting there.
  

if you have only played ORGs:

• brush up on how mafia is played. basic rules, lingo, etc. nothing too major
  
• be prepared for the bluntless of this game. in most orgs a lot of secrecy is involved, but not in spies. people who you have a good time talking to one minute will rip apart a post you made the next. it's kind of a jolt, but you should be able to get used to it.
  
• don't ever base your votes/decisions based on your org way of thinking. like, "i don't like this person, so i'm voting for them" or "this person is so abrasive, we should exile them next". you get the deal.
  

in general:

• get some thick skin.
  
• get an AIM client that logs your instant messages.
  
• make sure you have enough time to properly enjoy the game.
  
• write in your confessional. not only does it help organize your thoughts, but they are really fun for everyone to read afterward.
  
• don't take things too seriously
  
• be respectful to the host and viewers (it pays off)
  
• triple read all of the rules so you don't inadvertently break one of them. such as DON'T REVEAL YOUR ALIAS and DON'T COPY/PASTE ANYTHING SAM WRITES IN YOUR CONFESSIONAL
  
• take it slow. you don't want to go in with guns blazing and either a) be promptly exiled or b) burn out after five days.
  
• don't let the people or atmosphere intimidate you. if it seems like it may be hard for you, just go with the flow and you'll be fine. no one will even know if you've played mafia for 10 years or if you just learned how yesterday.
  
• have fun!!!!
  

[Izzie]

Omgaw, like, characterwise, the key is to totally make a character that you can, like, roleplay without it, like, interfering with game play. So like, a character that, like, only ever talks about one thing, or like, doesn't like talking to anybody ever is like, totally not working, but like, a charming goddess like me is totally a yes.

[Samson]

casey's post was aweseome! also try be a acharacter that casey actually likes unlikes me last 2 past game lol.

also ACTUALLY dedidcate yourself to the game, sam puts so much heart into the game and its annoying when someone just fizzles out or doesnt play after allignment reveal

but otherwise nobody really idles out its such agreat game, i love it so much and wish i could play again

[Kristyn]

Casey is spot~on. So is Samson with his advice on Casey liking your character! Casey is one of the highlights for me, so let's hope this cast has some great people in it.

Good luck to every one for this final game ~ so sad to see it end.

[casey!!!11]

omg i forgot to post this but kristyn

luv u

[kjenzen]

Awwwwe.

I love you more.

[GerTysoReiMarthEllCuddles]

Even though I can't play this game (boo), I'm going to repeat my advice from the last one.

1) Play hard.
2) Play fair.
3) Respect the host.
4) Have fun.
5) Don't get personal.

Oh, and I'd echo the advice above about character, but would put it another way: choose a character you find interesting and would like to meet in real life.

Good luck!

[tonisha]

Like me! I'm an awesome character!

God bless all the players!