A controversial mafia game from China is a hit with overseas players

Mafia City, developed by the Shanghai-based Yotta Games, is a simulation game. You play as the head of a gang who runs a counterfeit ring, trains “bikers” and desperados, plays strip games with your secretary, and calls “babes” on speed dial.

Similar to the Chinese harem-building game that we played last week, the game mostly involves a lot of tapping of buttons to collect resources and rewards. And if you want to quickly expand your turf, you can pay cash to buy resources and virtual currency in the game.

The game actually isn’t new. It has been on the market for almost two years but is becoming more popular now after a series of upgrades and marketing campaigns. It currently has a 4.5 score on Google Play, from more than 250,000 players.

Not all of the marketing went well. In August, Facebook and YouTube took down an ad for Mafia City that asked players to torture or “finish” a gagged female hostage. The ad was also spotted on Pandora, triggering plenty of outrage. One comment said the ad implies the “rape of captured women”.