Mafia Wars 2 shut down on December 30, 2012. Zynga’s Facebook sequel is no longer available to play through its original service. It was a separate game from the original Mafia Wars, with a more visual world, home turf to develop and rival players to fight.
If you came here hoping to get back to Jobs, a growing mob and player rivalries, Mob Wars: La Cosa Nostra (LCN) is our recommendation to try next. It offers its own mafia character to build in a desktop browser or on Android and iPhone.
What was Mafia Wars 2?
Zynga launched Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook in October 2011. It took the franchise in a more visual direction: players moved an avatar through crime-filled locations, developed their home turf and competed with rivals. Businesses, story missions and battles gave players different ways to grow their criminal operation.
That distinction matters if you are trying to find the game you remember. The original Mafia Wars centred on choosing activities through menus. Mafia Wars 2 was its own sequel, with a different presentation and structure. The two names refer to separate releases.
| Game | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|
| Mafia Wars | The original Zynga game, known for Jobs, equipment and building a mob |
| Mafia Wars 2 | The Facebook sequel with a visual world and home turf to develop |
| Mob Wars: LCN | Kano’s separate mafia RPG, available in a browser and as mobile apps |
Looking for the first game instead? Read what happened to the original Mafia Wars.
When and why did Mafia Wars 2 shut down?
The announced closure date was December 30, 2012. Contemporary reporting placed the shutdown within Zynga’s wider reduction of its game catalogue. The sequel had struggled to gain traction, according to coverage at the time.
That does not tell us every internal reason behind the decision. What is clear is that the sequel’s service ended; it was not simply renamed Mob Wars or moved into LCN.
Can you still play Mafia Wars 2?
No. The original Zynga service has closed. Finding an old trailer, screenshot or game page does not restore the online world or your account.
Mafia Wars 2 depended on an online service. A browser change cannot bring back that service. If your goal is to play a mafia RPG now, choose a game that is currently available and start a new character.
A mafia RPG to try next: Mob Wars: LCN
LCN suits players who enjoy choosing Jobs, collecting equipment and developing a mob to take into Fights. Property income supports another side of your character’s growth, while Syndicates let you join other players. Boss battles and events give you more goals to work towards.
Choose it for: character building, equipment collecting and mafia rivalries. If the feature you miss most from Mafia Wars 2 is moving an avatar around a visual world, LCN offers a different style. It focuses on the choices you make for your mob.
You start a new LCN character. Mafia Wars 2 progress, purchases and accounts do not transfer. Our LCN beginner guide explains the first Jobs and Fights, and our Mafia Wars alternatives guide helps you compare the activities you miss.
Common questions
Is Mob Wars: LCN Mafia Wars 2?
No. LCN is a separate game from Kano. It is a recommendation for players who want mafia character building and rivalries, rather than a continuation of Zynga’s sequel.
Can I play a mafia RPG on my phone?
LCN has Android and iPhone apps as well as a desktop browser version. Our best mafia games for Android and iPhone guide compares character RPGs with empire-building games.
Do I need to download LCN on a computer?
No game download is needed for its desktop browser version. Use the play button to reach the destination for your device. LCN is free to play with optional purchases.
Build your next mob
If Jobs, equipment and player rivalries are what you want to return to, begin with LCN’s tutorial. For other browser options, explore our best browser mafia games.
Historical sources
The launch and game description are supported by Zynga’s 2011 filing and Shacknews’ launch report. The closure date comes from the player announcement reproduced in MCV’s December 2012 coverage.
