The game, in many aspects, will remind you of your standard Text Based MMO. When you create the "Don" of the Mafia, your actual character, you can choose between three types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages:

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The Mogul - Increased Cashflow
The Fearless - Increased Health Regeneration
The Maniac - Increased Energy Regeneration
Once you've designed your Don, you can then begin doing missions! Doing missions is the form of money making in the land of Mafia. Your missions can range from bank robberies, to your good old' muggings. (Not there is much 'good' about them).
As you do more and more missions, you will gain experience in these missions, which upon 100% experience, gives you a reward point. These Reward Points, we'll get into later.
Some of these missions require items to actually complete, which is where money comes into play of being needed. As you rack up your money, you can purchase the items you need with it, and also some property!
Every Hour, you get a set income, and that amount can be increased by purchasing properties. Properties, which start as vacant lots and are upgraded, can be anything from apartments, to restaurants, to resorts. The more and better facilities you have, the more cash that flows inward.