# Mafia: Mutiny on the SS Insipid \[Game Over\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 31, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896 "2009-07-31T18:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/21 "2009-08-03T14:11:32Z")
It seems to me that promotion / demotion aims to ensure that your side bubbles to the top of the rank list, giving your side control of the brig. sensors, and sickbay (Jail, Little Tommy, and Day-time Detective, if I understand the standard role terms properly). ---
**Author:** ![ColdPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@ColdPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/22 "2009-08-03T14:41:09Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/23 "2009-08-03T15:17:48Z")
Yay! More players:1. Scuba\_Ben 2. ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies 3. Hal Briston 4. DiggitCamara 5. Chronos 6. Ichini Sanshigo 7. Normal Phase 8. Darth Sensitive 9. Inner Stickler 10. ColdPhoenixWe’ve enough to start, but I’ll wait until tomorrow to start, in case any one else still wants to join. Still room for 5 more players! Don’t be shy. **Scuba\_Ben** has it right. In this game, the “Town”'s power roles are given to the players in the top ranks. Promotion and demotion are non-lethal ways of changing which player has those powers. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/24 "2009-08-03T16:05:48Z")
I’m a little confused how a released officer wroks. If there’s a Doctor in the Brig, f’rinstance, and another one promoted to fill his shoes, and the first doc gets released, do they work side by sidein SickBay? Or does the second doc get demoted? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/25 "2009-08-03T16:30:31Z")
Players will be in a ranked order. I’ll randomize for the actual game, but let’s say the order is as listed above. **Ben** would be Captain, **Cookies** the XO, **Hal** the Security Chief, **Diggit** in Engineering, and **Chronos** the Doc. Each player’s alignment would be unknown, of course. Let’s say **Ben** doesn’t like how **Diggit** is playing, and puts out an arrest warrant. **Hal** concurs, and so **Diggit** is tossed in the Brig. He loses his position (but is still ranked 4). **Chronos** advances to Engineering, and then **Ichini** fills the Doc position. So far, that should be clear? Let’s say **Ben** gets offed by the mutiny during the Night. The new Day would show:1. ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies – Captain 2. Hal Briston – XO 3. DiggitCamara – Brig 4. Chronos – Security 5. Ichini Sanshigo – Engineering 6. Normal Phase – Doctor 7. Darth Sensitive 8. Inner Stickler 9. ColdPhoenixEveryone advances a rank, but **Diggit** is still in the Brig. If the new Captain **Cookies** likes **Diggit** and cancels the warrant, and then the Security Chief **Chronos** agrees, he’s out of the Brig. He’d get the Security position and **Chronos** to Engineering and **Ichini** to Doc. **Normal** would be a regular crew again. So, in summary, one player per officer position. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/26 "2009-08-03T18:06:55Z")
Couple more questions: First, on tied votes: With people able to cast multiple votes, the highest-ranking officer might not be a tie-breaker. If, say, the Captain has voted for both of the leaders, I presume the tiebreaker proceeds like a poker hand? That is, if both hands have an ace kicker, then you look for a king, then a queen, and so on? What if the voters for the two leaders are identical? Suppose, for instance, we’re in an endgame scenario where we have 5 players left, 3 of whom are confirmed town? The three confirmed town all vote for both of the other two, and the other two do not vote for each other. How is the tie resolved? Second, when do the Doctor and Engineer get the results of their investigations back? During the same Day, or at Nightfall? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/27 "2009-08-03T18:23:50Z")
Ah, you’re right about the vote tie-breaking. It’s possible for the players tied for the most votes to have identical lists. I don’t consider it likely, but just in case, **if a tied vote cannot be resolved by rank, there will be no lynch.** Similarly, if no player has at least a majority of votes, there will be no lynch. The Doctor will get their result at the end of the Day, after the lynch. The Engineer gets their result at the end of the Night, after other Night actions are resolved. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/28 "2009-08-03T19:15:16Z")
Hey **Pleo** , I’d like to follow along this game spoiled. Can you hook me up when you get it set up (assuming you will have a spoiled thread, that is)? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/29 "2009-08-03T19:31:03Z")
And if the current Doctor is lynched, or the current Engineer is killed by the mutineers, is the information given to the old, now-dead officer (and thus lost), or to the replacement? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/30 "2009-08-03T19:40:07Z")
Information goes to the player who used the power. That means that if the Doctor role switches players during the Day, it’s the player who gave the examination order that will get the info. A new Doctor can’t give an exam order if the old Doc already did that Day. Same for other positions. So use your powers early if you suspect you may shift positions. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/31 "2009-08-03T19:42:47Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Hey **Pleo** , I’d like to follow along this game spoiled. Can you hook me up when you get it set up (assuming you will have a spoiled thread, that is)? Thanks! Are you sure you wouldn’t rather play and be spoiled after being killed? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/32 "2009-08-03T20:33:30Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Are you sure you wouldn’t rather play and be spoiled after being killed? 😃 No, I’m not, but I’m trying to resist the tempation 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/33 "2009-08-03T21:17:20Z")
With 9 people twisting your arm, we’re likely to dismember you. Seems the safest bet to just come willingly. Don’t you want a cookie instead? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/34 "2009-08-03T21:32:17Z")
NETA: 10 counting Pleo :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/35 "2009-08-04T13:51:00Z")
I’ll send out role PMs in about five hours. Up to five more players can join before then. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/36 "2009-08-04T14:24:37Z")
Just to confirm – **ranks will start out randomized, right**? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/37 "2009-08-04T14:41:50Z")
Yes, everything will be randomized. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/38 "2009-08-04T15:06:28Z")
> [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](#): > > With 9 people twisting your arm, we’re likely to dismember you. Seems the safest bet to just come willingly. Don’t you want a cookie instead? 😉 I really would like to play - it’s an interesting set-up and a great group of players - but I just don’t think I have the time right now. I don’t like to sign up when I cannot give it my all. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/39 "2009-08-04T19:05:13Z")
Yet another monotonous duty cycle of scanning yet another field of asteroid debris and yet again finding nothing of interest to report. Hmm, what’s this? An asteroid seems inexplicitly high in water content… That’s no asteroid, it’s Captain **ShadowFacts**! Unfortunately, the Captain and his space suit seem to have been rendered non-functional by an inanimate carbon rod protruding through his chest. Looks like those rumors of a mutiny have come true. The ship’s computer reports the new crew complement:01. ColdPhoenix – Captain 02. Normal Phase – Executive Officer 03. Ichini Sanshigo – Chief of Security 04. Inner Stickler – Head of Engineering 05. Chronos – Ship’s Doctor 06. ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies – Crew-member 07. DiggitCamara – Crew-member 08. Hal Briston – Crew-member 09. Darth Sensitive – Crew-member 10. Scuba\_Ben – Crew-memberRole PMs will be sent out immediately. Day One has started. Days normally last three weekdays, but Day One will last longer to give you time to digest the situation. **Day One ends on Tuesday August 11 at noon PT (3pm ET).** As of now, send all rules questions to me via PM. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896/40 "2009-08-04T19:21:59Z")
PM received (although I won’t see any serious game time until tomorrow). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-mutiny-on-the-ss-insipid-game-over/504896.md?page=3)