iGames Summit 2009

Playmesh have failed miserably with their iMafia game. Slow servers, bug-ridden updates, and a greed-inspired cash-grab to SELL previously FREE games on the appStore in order to give iMafia players some in-game points that can be used in the game to gain advantage over players who have not purchased the points. It's akin to playing Monopoly, and letting players buy Monopoly money with real money....whoever has the fattest wallet wins. This totally skews the gameplay in iMafia. In addition, Playmesh haven't released any new in-game functional aspects since the game was first released. They've candy-coated it a little by making some things pretty, but they've not bothered to add any new missions, weapons, vehicles, properties or establishments to the game since day 1. I'd love to be at the summit to hear how Charles Ju would answer the critics of his game, and his tactics.

In a tech support email I received on 2/24/09, someone from Playmesh said that "there will be Godfather points for free." It's probably in the pipeline, so be patient. The new v. 1.3 is supposed to address some speed issues.

If you read the review of iMafia at:
http://www.frapstr.com/2009/01/28/imafia
you will see that PlayMesh originally wanted to charge microtransactions just for in-game perks, such as maybe directly charging in-game for honor points with real money, or perhaps charging real money for other in-game perks, like weapons or something, but Apple didn't approve of that. This practice, apparently, according to the review, is *common* in networked console games, such as X-Box. As an opinion panelist, I was certainly asked, in reviewing the new Lord of the Rings game about my opinions of paying real money for in-game character enhancements. It seems, though, that iMob *IS INDEED* just flat-out allowing players to pay real money for "Respect Points." What are you crying about? Do you want a computer programmer who ought to be making at least $28/hr ($60k/yr) or maybe a *lot* more, to work HUNDREDS of hours and get NOTHING out of it? He SHOULD charge for the game, but it's FREE! You're playing it AND enjoying it. You can *still* compete against those who have bought honor points, if you have a good strategy, and with the system as it is now, players can only purchase each piece of software only once, getting Honor Points just once for each app. Besides, the guys wearing the hats (denoting purchased Honor Points) have now painted targets on themselves. I can sort of feel for you, because I stopped playing the actual collectable card game "Magic: the Gathering," because I couldn't compete against players who were buying cards *by the case*.

Charles Ju CERTAINLY deserves to somehow monetize his game and get compensated for his time. Really, though, I think that he needs to come-up with a better line of games that have a broader appeal and maybe reconsider the price points of his current line, as I think that iType Mafia, iChuzzles, and iShapes are too expensive, compared to other apps you can get, such as Brothers in Arms, Hero of Sparta, SimCity, or iDracula. He CERTAINLY deserves a check sent to him just for the enjoyment we get out of iMafia, and I'd *PAY* $5 for something, or maybe $7, but:
1) I don't think a "typing tutor"-style game makes any sense, because that's only really useful for a real, full-sized computer keyboard
2) I'm not into chess, so iChuzzles doesn't interest me.
3) I just think that $20 is far too much for iShapes.
4) With iShooter ($1), which I would consider buying, 5 honor points isn't going to really buy me anything worthwhile, as the only things I value at this point (with 13 mafia members) are two members, four skill points, and *maybe* perhaps full energy.

When he adds being able to get free honor points by working for The Godfather, things will improve.

You have to also understand, he's invested money into having the server services moved to a professional hosting site. I just think that the popularity of the game has overwhelmed its capability. Perhaps he should just charge 99¢ for downloading iMafia.

I agree that Charles and his crew should be paid for their efforts. For the first two weeks on the Playmesh chat area there were dozens of comments made letting Charles know that he should have charge a buck or two for the game. These type of games could have a few playable levels for free, and if you want to continue the game, you pay. These games are very addictive and this model would work really well. Unfortunately Charles wasn't interested in hearing any of our input, and just kept stating that "the game would get much better once the honor point system was in place".

You state that 'When he adds being able to get free honor points by working for The Godfather, things will improve.' Charles promised free Godfather points from day one. I'm not holding my breath! And besides, these points are really an unimportant part of the game as it stands today. You don't need these points to complete the game and, in fact, using the points only shortens the gameplay.

Charles had the idea that he would identify the "supporters" of the game (the people who bought the honor points) by giving them the in-game hats (of various colors dependent on which of the "points games" they bought). This idea totally backfired on him, and was the major reason behind the v1.3 release. The "hat people" realized that they were now identifiable in the game as "cheaters" because they hadn't earned their position in the game by pure gameplay, but rather "bought their way" to their positions. They complained to Playmesh and Playmesh responded by allowing them (in v1.3) to remove the hat from their character.

FWIW I would still pay for this game, provided that I had assurance from playmesh that they would continue to add new game features (not candy-coatings that have no value). As it stands, I reached the end of the game in less than a month without the need for using any honor points, including the freebies you get at the beginning of the game. There are loads of others in the same position as me.

Wow, what a spirited conversation! I'm sad to say that Charles Ju won't be joining us at the event anymore - he had to cancel.

LOL... maybe he read this! What do they say??...If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!

Surprise. That's about as much follow-through as he shows in supporting his own products.

He's a crook. He sells broken games and abandons his customers. Go to Toucharcade.com and read the forum thread about his iMafia game. Dickweed

Ju is a burnout and a dipshtit. I hope he talks about the importance of FOLLOW THROUGH and CONTINUAL SUPPORT of products you create.

But he's LIKELY to talk about CHANGING THE RULES WHENEVER YOU REALIZE YOU FUKKED UP, THEN CHANGING THEM AGAIN WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN'T DO MATH.

charles please sort out the up keep on the ak47 or update it because im loosing money for ne reason or dont you care about imafia anymore because yr rich from the honor points. please Charles Ju

The above statement regarding the "multiple games" that have broken into the top 15 games on the app store is mistaken; assuming that iMafia was at one time briefly on this list, none of PlayMesh's other offerings have been so ranked.

I am curious to see if Mr. Ju addresses (at the iGames Summit or elsewhere) the widespread criticism from discontented PlayMesh app purchasers regarding the company's apparent ongoing misrepresentation regarding the retention of purchased iMafia points following a character reset.

Do the comments need to be soooooo long?