Mafiascene is down

[Muggy]

This will be a difficult decision to make and will in a lot of ways be
a sad moment, but to be honest Mafia Scene is no longer the full
active community that it once was and there is the possibility that
we will have to shut down. Of course I know some will say

"what about the downloads and mod discussion"

Well, what discussion?, apart from the spasmodic log in by a minority
of members.. this hardly constitutes an active community, plus MS
was about the community of discussion of other topics other than
just downloads and mods.

Of course should we get a huge influx of activity then..well who
knows.

[The Disciple]

It has seem to of been down as of late again; I think today was the first day back up.

[Muggy]

Yes I know but even when it had been up and running we have not had a huge number of members
logging in.

[Muggy]

connection to the server is not responding, not sure what this means but until I hear from riddian I cannot give you any
further news.

[eXistenZ34]

all this is very sad
but it's true that there was nobody, these days

[Andrashi]

And so the dream was shattered. Once so colourful, shiny and pretty, now lies in grey pieces within our feet. One after another we slowly fade away, paying attention to other projects, other communities...

Meanwhile in shadows, some of us still dream the coulourful, shiny dream. And step by step they crave to know how to paint it once again ^_^.

[Muggy]

^
a very good way of saying that it was time to move on.

Oh hmm we seem to have progressed to the age old error:

General Error

SQL ERROR [ mysql4 ]

Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2) [2002]

An sql error occurred while fetching this page. Please contact an administrator if this problem persists.

unfortunately I am just a member of staff and have no idea of the coding or the MySQL.. I think
riddian is still away atm.. whether this means he will sort it out when he returns, I cannot say,
but these constant downtimes are also a contributing factor and have not really helped the site
in any way whatsoever.

[Fugue]

will be a shame if it goes, but 10 years on is probably enough for most kudos for keeping MS running so long.

[The Disciple]

This is a sad time; I have just joined the forum and with so many ideas in my head. It just a shame the forums been down so often as of late. Typical for me; just join a community at the end of it's days

[RubyDragon949]

This is terrible!!!!

I've worked so ☺☺☺☺ing hard on my Commission mod for Mafia 1. Now with with MS possibly going down how am I supposed to get it out into the public eye!?

Please. Don't tell me all my hard work is now going to go to waste. I've been working on this thing for nearly a year. I've even just yesterday released the first trailer for the mod http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYHxQ-6Eb2U.

*sighs* then again, I've seen this coming for a while. The Commission Mod was ment to be my (or any mafia fans) ultimate tribute to Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven. Yet since its announcement it has always gotten very little attention. To the extent of me even wondering why I continue. And, to be honest with you all. I guess its just my love of the original game and the fact that I really want to keep its slowly dieing flame from going out completely. This was my last attempt.

Should MS go down forever I will no doubt finish Commission mod even it is only for me to play (and the select few that have stuck by me). I've worked too long and hard to just throw it all in the Recycle bin now. But, alas. If MS does shut down forever, I will probably stop modding. For what purpose is there in modding and making the game better if there is no one to share it with

Regardless though. I'll always have my memories.

Its been really nice knowing you all (Mafia Scene members I mean)

Best regards for everyone in the future

*Ruby*

[Muggy]

Unfortunately as I said previously the sudden drop in members logging in did not help
and on top of this phpBB3 does not work with WordPress and we cannot get away from
this. Also I got an email from riddian a few minutes ago, he cannot even log in to the
site to do any changes or repair the problems with MySQL server which keeps falling over.

I know it will be a loss, but we have tried everything to keep the site going. It
has been a good 9 years the site has/had been running (6 for myself).. but time
moves on and things do come to an end.

Well not sure what is happening here, but the site is up again. However what riddian
is deciding I cannot say at this juncture, but rest assured I will let you know or if
riddian makes an announcement on MS you can read it there.

[eXistenZ34]

MafiaScene is OK, he's back.

[The Disciple]

Well i'm doing my bit; started a new thread and will add to it as I get free time.

[That Gamer Girl Pwns]

The downloads do not work - try clicking on any of the M2 downloads - they just reload the same page? So much for downloading the freeride mod for M2.

Besides, modifying a game to do what the first game did by design is just wrong. They want the money, but do not want to work for it... Typical.

EA is having specials all week on STEAM. Time to switch to another Developer - Take2 and all it's shriveled up fingers has tanked in my book.

Bye all...

HUGGS

[Muggy]

Mafia Scene is not just about downloads but we are aware of this problem and as and when this is fixed
is up to the owner.

and you can google for Mafia II mods, they are stored on other sites.

[Codex]

Lets keep this thread on topic with Mafia scene, which has no affiliation with 2K other than the game. Thanks.

[Fugue]

EA is having specials all week on STEAM. Time to switch to another Developer - Take2 and all it's shriveled up fingers has tanked in my book.

and EA are what? the model of good business? don't think there is a publisher immune from the cries of money grabbers from gamers, that's what game forums are for

tbh I think maintaining a site with few visitors is not worth the cost/hassle, MS had a good run, and all the downtime will do is turn more away....

[Fugue]

EA is having specials all week on STEAM. Time to switch to another Developer - Take2 and all it's shriveled up fingers has tanked in my book.

and EA are what? the model of good business? don't think there is a publisher immune from the cries of money grabbers from gamers, that's what game forums are for

tbh I think maintaining a site with few visitors is not worth the cost/hassle, MS had a good run, and all the downtime will do is turn more away....

[Muggy]

tbh I think maintaining a site with few visitors is not worth the cost/hassle, MS had a good run, and all the downtime will do is turn more away....

well yes I agree, but we are getting some posting in the Mafia Mods and Mafia II Mods forums. Plus there are still help pleas
for running both games. It is not entirely up to myself as Chris K (riddian) actually is the designer/coder and leader of the
site. Unfortunately we have discussed Mafia CoLH until we are blue in the face, there is nothing really new we can find
and Mafia II although yes I like it didn't quite zap us with the OMG factor and so people just stopped logging in. We had
this big hope that once the game was released that it would knock the socks of Mafia CoLH, there would be a huge increase
of new registries, much discussion would be made, ideas for mods, easter-eggs; you know the usual fun parts of a game.
Alas this resulted in a slap in the face with a wilted lettuce.

No one has been removed from the database so should they want to there is nothing stopping them from coming in and
saying hi.

Most people came for the downloads of course, which annoyed us (not that we begrudge anyone), we are not a shop we
are a fan site, but we also love to talk on the site. And that was the problem talk dried up which was a big pity and great
loss to the community.


Who knows what will happen!

I have made an anouncement on MS which you can read, this is not to say that we are necessarily closing but explains
some of the contributing factors that could cause a shut-down, unless some things are changed or improved.
To Be or Not To Be

[Muggy]

Site will definitely be closed after June 9th, unless:-

Wanted!

[Muggy]

Well we are still hoping for someone to step in to do the site maintenance.

On other news for those here who are members of MS.. there is a new
forum for modding support. This is for questions and help and will provide
teaching and advice for those who want to make mods for Mafia: CoLH
and Mafia II.
Modding Support Group

[Relight]

If you don't find a technical person who can handle all that server admin stuff, and the site closes, my offer to host the downloads and especially some kind of copy of the Wiki information about modding Mafia II, on Empire Times, still stands. Anyone posting or updating mods for Mafia II is always welcome to have them hosted, with any information you want to accompany them, on my site.

[Muggy]

We have not gone yet..lol and I damned sure ain't going without a fight.
Mafia Scene is too big a site just to let go. The irony of it all is that once we
can get a site coder who can fix the flipping problems with phpBB3 and WP
I think or am guessing that a lot of new registrations which have not been
sent the activation emails should start coming in.

Also for those who can successfully log in, there is that modding support
section I posted about earlier.

...and who knows, you might even be invited to join the team (if you are a
creator of mods)

[Relight]

I was going to check the forums last night and this morning, but all I get is a blank page?

[Muggy]

unfortunately this will be a recurring problem until the site is fixed properly.

[pumpkin727727]

well im very sorry to see the Mafia Scene closed the mods where totally awesome for mafia 1 & 2 hopefully if mafia 3 is realised the site might re open as i belive the Mafia Scene kept the game alive i did not see any real mods on the forms here fingers crossed this may improve in time

[AndrewR]

Sometimes you just have to let things go and if needs be start over. You can't expect that people will retain an interest in a decade-old game indefinitely.

I'd say the best route forward would be to setup a Wordpress site at MafiaScene and just turn it into a blog but make it a blog about the Mafia in a broader sense, not just Mafia 1.

Muggy, you can put your Mafia 2 videos on one article for example and then people can comment on them and it won't be lost in a forum.

You can have a downloads section that just has a list of mods and users can add to the list via comments etc.

The best thing is not to let it balloon out of proportion so you can't manage it. Keep it very small and keep it current. Think about how many times people on this forum read or add to threads older than a month. Almost never and it's frowned upon so there's no sense in designing a site like that.

Just have a Blog, Gallery with albums and Downloads. 3 pages.

Have articles about the top 10 Mafia movies, top 10 Mafia games, articles about the real-life Mafia from actual news and not just what Mafia 1 said:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...Godfather.html

Just one or two articles a week and allow article submissions so you don't always have to do all the legwork.

[RubyDragon949]

Well, should Mafia Scene not return. All those who still stay true to the original game can sign up here.

http://rubymafiamods.forums-free.com/

One thing I will say right now (and I enforce this rule very strictly on my site) is absolutely no Mafia II talk what so ever (read the forums Omertá for more details) My site is purely a Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven fansite and I intend to keep it that way.

Hope to see some Mafia 1 loyalists sign up soon. My site also teaches people to mod the original (for those interested in doing so).

Regards

*Ruby*

[Matteo]

What begins with a bang, often ends in a whimper. MafiaScene had a good run, for a good game and lasted years beyond its shelf life because of the promise of a sequel.

Mafia 1 was perfect
Mafia II could have been, it shows all the signs .....and the damnable shame is that it wasn't

Long held hope, followed by bitter disappointement......whimper.

[Buccaneer]

"Dreaded Enemy" Mafia II. That's mature.

I have found it fascinating how perception can alter history. Even back when Mafia 1 first came out, the several forums were riddled with reported issues and criticisms. It is one of my very favorite games but calling it perfect when almost no one did back then seems to be a stretch.

[Matteo]

"Dreaded Enemy" Mafia II. That's mature.

I have found it fascinating how perception can alter history. Even back when Mafia 1 first came out, the several forums were riddled with reported issues and criticisms. It is one of my very favorite games but calling it perfect when almost no one did back then seems to be a stretch.

I really tried to give the game the benefit of the doubt, but the more positive I saw in it, the more I realized how great it could have been.....and the more disappointed I became. It promises greatness, but the wash rinse repeat game play of drive kill sleep and the lack of any depth of character ...its off my computer 9 months later.

Mafia 1 is still on my computer 9 years later....that is a quantifiable difference

[AndrewR]

Mafia 1 is still on my computer 9 years later....that is a quantifiable difference

How long have you had Minesweeper on there?

I really tried to give the game the benefit of the doubt

Uh huh and it just failed to meet the expectations you didn't have I suppose.

Sooner or later, you'll come to the sad realisation that you are in a very small minority. When communities are unwilling to embrace change, they die out as you get out of touch with people who have moved on to better things.

You can still hold an opinion that Mafia 1 is superior but if you do that by trying to create a cocoon where Mafia 2 is excluded or perpetually derided then your cocoon will become irrelevant and filled with a handful of bitter people that no one will care about.

Either embrace change or die trying to avoid it - you can't stop progress by holding onto the past.

[BiteMyBios]

How long have you had Minesweeper on there?



Uh huh and it just failed to meet the expectations you didn't have I suppose.

Sooner or later, you'll come to the sad realisation that you are in a very small minority. When communities are unwilling to embrace change, they die out as you get out of touch with people who have moved on to better things.

You can still hold an opinion that Mafia 1 is superior but if you do that by trying to create a cocoon where Mafia 2 is excluded or perpetually derided then your cocoon will become irrelevant and filled with a handful of bitter people that no one will care about.

Either embrace change or die trying to avoid it - you can't stop progress by holding onto the past.

Woah woah woah wait wait....Thought we were speaking of a game D: who has to die for avoiding Mafia II? And avoiding it also makes people antisocial? Oh noes D:

Seriously if someone prefers Mafia I then so be it, it's not like prefering Mafia I makes you some sort of...insect...
Last time I checked anyway, there were no rules over personal taste.

[Codex]

Lets stay on topic and try not to attack people for having differing opinions, please. As said above, there is no rule against personal taste and choice of games, so long as they're expressed respectfully for all involved.

[Buccaneer]

I really tried to give the game the benefit of the doubt, but the more positive I saw in it, the more I realized how great it could have been.....and the more disappointed I became. It promises greatness,

I think that's a key difference. I don't really know, nor care, what was promised. I just enjoyed the game and the atmosphere when I finally got around to playing it 8 months after release. I'm 50+ yrs old and I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I based my well being on all the things in my life that "could have been". Somewhere along the line, my outlook in life changed when I accepted the things I could not change.
[

but the wash rinse repeat game play of drive kill sleep and the lack of any depth of character ...its off my computer 9 months later.

Mafia 1 is still on my computer 9 years later....that is a quantifiable difference

Mafia 1 is still on my PC as well, as Mafia 2 is. I disagree, however, on the lack of any depth of character. Joey has more character than most everyone in Mafia 1...combined. Too bad Vito was flat though.

[RubyDragon949]

For those interested in this. Read my tribute to Mafia Scene.

http://rubymafiamods.forums-free.com...&t=30&p=95#p95

Regards

*Ruby*

[AndrewR]

Thought we were speaking of a game D: who has to die for avoiding Mafia II? And avoiding it also makes people antisocial? Oh noes D:

Communities are built round common interests. They die out when those common interests become stale. Obviously the people themselves don't have to die.

It's also not the case that they become anti-social but they limit the social groups to ensure the desired interests remain. You can see from the Ruby site that it's less than 5 posters just going round and round the same tired old topics.

It's not about it being right or wrong, people are free to like whatever they want for as long as they want but it's just human nature for your passion for something to fade over time. Whether you play the game 10, 20, 30 times over, there will come a point when you have had enough.

When that point comes, it doesn't make it bad all of a sudden, just irrelevant and it's time to move on.

Seriously if someone prefers Mafia I then so be it, it's not like prefering Mafia I makes you some sort of...insect...

You must not be familiar with metaphors/analogies etc. My cocoon metaphor was just to symbolise isolation, not a resemblance to an insect.

[BiteMyBios]

Communities are built round common interests. They die out when those common interests become stale. Obviously the people themselves don't have to die.

It's also not the case that they become anti-social but they limit the social groups to ensure the desired interests remain. You can see from the Ruby site that it's less than 5 posters just going round and round the same tired old topics.

It's not about it being right or wrong, people are free to like whatever they want for as long as they want but it's just human nature for your passion for something to fade over time. Whether you play the game 10, 20, 30 times over, there will come a point when you have had enough.

When that point comes, it doesn't make it bad all of a sudden, just irrelevant and it's time to move on.



You must not be familiar with metaphors/analogies etc. My cocoon metaphor was just to symbolise isolation, not a resemblance to an insect.

As flat as my words might've seem, I was mostly pointing out how metaphors and analogies don't work here...seriously, you sound like an extremist whenever it comes to Mafia I :/

Mafia I/II are not social revolutions, they're just games really, I don't see where's the whole "isolation" and "eventually reaching an end" is going, people still plays and enjoys the good old Mario games, as well as the ooooold Final Fantasies and Resident Evils, just using examples though, as for Mafia, I DO believe the second game beats the first one in terms of...well, everything I guess, it just takes a hell of a lot of playthroughs to realize....

Mafia I however, was a hell of a fun ride, it had a great story, and an awesome FRE mode which at least kept you hooked after you were done with the story...everything Mafia II has is it's story, Mafia I was more of a game, Mafia II was more of a completly cinematic experience aimed towards a mainstream public, sides, I completly support the site Ruby is making for 2 reasons...

1. Even though few, people still works and enjoys Mafia I mods.

2. You can't mod pretty much anything out of Mafia II....so there's no way in hell you're going to see a "Mafia II modding site" when all you can mod is the clothing and models.

So while I heavily enjoy Mafia II, I understand why a site would be Mafia I exclusive, putting M2 mods in there would be...pretty much a filler, and whilst the site may not be very active, least it's got people on it, the Mafia II section over mafiascene was pretty....err...dead i guess, while the Mafia I section was still getting few posts every day...so I guess something's better than nothing.

[RubyDragon949]

Thank you very much for your support of what I am doing BiteMyBios. I am simply looking out for the Mafia 1 community of Modders and gamers that helped make Mafia Scene what it was It'll probably never be as big as Mafia Scene was. But so long as (no matter how small) a community exists then I am happy . The modders of old games (like myself) never let them die out.

Regards

*Ruby*

[Muggy]

@AndrewR: The site's problems with MySQL have nothing to do with
MS having had a good run or if that any plans to turn it into a WP blog.
We are considering two possible site coders who expressed interest in
helping out. The domain was renewed for another 2 years and until
Riddian is free to reset the MySQL server, the ongoing downtimes will
continue; we are not necessarily finished.