Mafia Wars Shakedown looks like Jackie Brown gone social [Video]

At least from the looks of the trailer (and probably without the incredible direction). Zynga recently released a trailer for its upcoming mobile version of Mafia Wars, Mafia Wars Shakedown. Of course, like most game trailers from the company, the footage is devoid of any gameplay or a release date. However, at least it sets the scene and tone the developer looks to be going for.

Apparently, the don that runs your crime ring has been assassinated, and now the race has begun to see who will become the new don and take the reins. So, it'll be your job--we guess--to find out who killed the don, fighting back other players and tough bosses like a trollish butcher. Of course, there will be lots of treasure, loot and coin in it for skilled digital criminals.

But we really take away from the trailer is style. If the game is going to follow the '70s crime and blaxploitation style, complete with funky car chase tunes, then we're so in. More importantly, it tells us that this version of mobile Mafia Wars is going to be more than a companion game like Atlantic City was, but we're sure those elements will fit in one way or another. Check out the trailer below, and tell us what you think in the comments.


Have you been following the release of Mafia Wars Shakedown at all? What do you think so far of the game, based on early images, details and this trailer?

No More Heroes Royal maker starts social games company with DeNA

Will No More Heroes bring the blood and gore to mobile phones for good? That much we doubt. The Japanese creator of what is said to be "the social game with the most blood," Grasshopper Manufacture, has inked a deal with social game giant DeNA. The partnership has created a new company called Grasshopper Social Network Service, and company CEO Goichi Suda--aka Suda 51--sounds psyched.

"Our new venture with DeNA will allow us to explore creative ways to bring Grasshopper Manufacture's universe to a new world of players," Suda said, according to Gamasutra. "Mobage's world-class entertainment network and the power of social mobile games will unlock new types of experiences for our fans."

The deal will result in a number of mobile social games created (in addition to the three already in the making) solely for DeNA and now ngmoco's Mobage platform for smartphones. Grasshopper Social Network Service will begin operations in Japan this November, and will bring a number of new mobile social games to Japanese mobile smartphones and abroad.

No More Heroes Royal, Frog Minutes, Humans vs Zombies and Alien Busters--Grasshopper Manufacture's existing projects for Mobage--will all shift to this new joint venture once set up. DeNA has some big names on its side in this battle for mobile social dominance. Just last week, the company announced the first Final Fantasy social game with Square Enix. Look, if this means we get to see the social action fest that much sooner, then go at it, Suda.

Do you think Grasshopper Manufacture is making a good move getting this deep into mobile social games? Which of the companies announced social games are you most psyched for?