I'm really excited to let everyone know about Mafia Wars' latest and greatest expansion to Bangkok! Just launched, this new city destination is the first major expansion that is accessible to early players, yet definitely challenging enough for high level players. I think our very own Mafia Wars team member Mike Humphrey summed this one up best below.

And here's a write-up from Games.com that you should check out: http://blog.games.com/2010/01/28/mafia-wars-bangkok-everything-you-need-to-know/

"Sawatdee! The latest expansion city for Mafia Wars will grant players the opportunity to expand their criminal empire into the heart of Southeast Asia - the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok! Upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, aspiring crime bosses will need to immediately establish a presence in the city. Their efforts will not go unnoticed, however. The Japanese Yakuza and Chinese Triad criminal organizations already have substantial interests in the region, so establishing a good relationship with one or the other will be key to success in Bangkok.

Mafia Wars: Bangkok introduces a brand new faction system, where completing certain jobs and defeating players who have aligned with the opposite faction will allow the player to earn reputation with the criminal enterprise they have chosen to side with. Increased reputation will unlock one of two final episodes, located in Hong Kong or Tokyo, depending on their reputation with each faction. However, betrayal is always an option for players. If they grow tired of helping one faction, they can complete certain jobs for the other side and attack and defeat members of their own faction. Doing so will improve their standing with their new friends while slowly decreasing reputation with their old allies.

Additionally, we are including a brand new faction store where players can purchase a selection of special armor, weapons, vehicles, and even a unique business that produces boosts. New items for purchase will become unlocked as the player improves their reputation with their chosen faction. Each of the factions in Bangkok has adopted a different strategy:

• The Yakuza believe that the best defense is a good offense, and offer aggressive players a selection of items to enhance their attack power.
• The Triads prefer caution, forcing their enemies to fight where the Triads are strongest; they offer defensive players new items to improve their ability to fend off attacks.

We also plan to introduce additional items to the faction store in the coming months to ensure that supporting a faction remains an important element of play in the expansion.

Mafia Wars: Bangkok will be accessible to players of a lower level than previous expansions. Players level 18 and above who have discovered the items to unlock the expansion - the Yakuza Sake, Triad Coin, Thai Note - can obtain their Passport and travel to the new city. In order to create a system that remains challenging to higher level players, but still allows lower level players to progress, we have discounted energy costs, and reduced experience payouts as appropriate, on a sliding scale for players between levels 18 and 200. This means that lower level players can still progress through the new jobs, although not quite as quickly as more experienced players. Above level 200, energy costs and experience payouts for completing jobs will remain fixed.

Finally, Mafia Wars: Bangkok will include much more of what our players enjoy: 4 episodes packed with dozens of jobs including 4 faction-based jobs per episode, 2 unlockable episodes, tons of new items, an assortment of businesses to muscle in on, as well as collection sets and achievements. We hope both new and veteran players will enjoy the expansion as much as we enjoyed creating it."