Real power is never given, its merely taken...
GANGSTERS:ORGANIZED CRIME
HotHouse Creations
Eidos Interactive
Win95
Requirements:133 Mhz,cdrom,16mb ram,Direct x6.0
Gangsters is a game simulating 1930's gangsters and there illegal actions.It
acts
of recruiting hoods
to killing hoods,donating to churches to bribing churches.If you think you can
handle gangsters then
step up for a real challenge.
Yet,this game is old,though people still play it,i wrote a guide for it.
Index
1.Starting up
2.Starting fundings
3.Dealing with people refusing your wishes
4.Taking care of enemy hoods
5.Winning
6.Terms to know
7.Fronts
8.Hints And Tips
9.Famous Gangsters and Mafia Men
10.Copyright and Credits
===========================
1.Starting up
===========================
If you freshly started a new game,first things first, recruit all the hoods you
can,the useless hoods
can still be used for something(donating,collecting protection).
By week 3 or 4 you probably will be running low on dough, so by expanding your
territory and gaining income
extort from local(yes local,and il explain this to you later).On the left button
in the Lieutenants section
lies the actions you can use, by clicking on the tab "Minor Crimes" you can
start
extorting by clicking
extort and selecting the local business's.
Now you've got territory and paying business,but you got to collect protection
ya
know.Under the Business
orders you can order hoods to collect protection by selecting the business's
paying you protection.
After reciving the normal 2k of protection,you might decide you need more,so
under the business orders,
select the "Adjust Protection" order to modify how much money business pay you
for your protection,but
as of under week 10, modifying this is not advised as the FBI WILL get
suspicious
and arrest you, so keep
it normal for now.After about 2 more weeks of collecting protection,you are
ready
to start the fundings
and make real money.So extort local and far business but BE CAREFUL,taking
territory out from under a gang
leader might irritate them.So stay kinda close to you.But if your feeling
bold,then extort the city.
===========================
2.Starting Funding
===========================
By week 10,you will need 4 things,an accountant,a lawyer, some high business
hoods,and plenty of money.
Why you may ask?To buy legitimate business, and cover your illegal money,but for
a backup, a lawyer to
get your dudes out of jail.Anyways,the protection racket is good,but you'l need
more money to deal with
weapons and vehicles,so to make some real money,first,buy a legal business,but
something that will blend
with your illegal business you might make later.For example a place dealing with
milk or sodas would shield
a speakeasy.At the end of this guide il list almost every shield for illegal
business.The first illegal
business you should set your mind at is destroying prohibition,and the best tool
for that is a moonshine
still,but that brings no profit,a speakeasy brings the most money for a illegal
business if you send your
best hood to deal it.On your territory,send a low quality business hood to buy a
drug store, then another
low quality business hood to run the still.Next,the bar(speakeasy),get another
low quality business hood
to purchase a milk bar or cafe(some place where citizens will eat or drink,drink
things like milk or soda)
,find your best hood at Business and Organization to buy the empty land behind
the business and run the
speakeasy.After buying the empty land, click on business orders in the
Lieutenants section,then click on
Set Up Business and click on "Speakeasy",then find your front for the speakeasy
and click it,he'll then
run it,and do the same thing with the moonshine still.
After making about 4000 bucks at the minimum with a speakeasy,you still may need
or desire more money,time
to think about other business's,legitimate or illegitimate,the main legitimate
business the bring the
most money are Department stores and Hotels,BIG Hotels,plus the Large Bank is
another,if they are on your
territory,you have the option of making a ton of legal money,which also shields
illegal money.By Sending
another high quality hood at Business and Organization to buy the
store,depending
on what you purchased,
you have another option of making lots of illegal dollars.For instance,buying
the
empty land on a Department Store,
which costs very little money,you can set a Casino up,a Department Store is a
rich business,so a business
that makes a lot of money behind it would be a idea,but for the Hotel or
Bank,theres only a few things
that will go behind them,for the Hotel(Large) a Whorehouse would go there cause
they like to bring them up
to there room and do the nasty,but for the Bank(Large),a Loan Shark or a
Counterfeit press would go there
because if a citizen cant get a loan from the bank,they can from you,and
counterfeit dollars would screw
the citys economy up and ofcourse gangsters will screw anything up(including
your
mind).By buying more
legal business you can shield more illegal business's money and make more money.
============================
3.Dealing with people refusing your wishes
============================
By week 13, the protection racket may go bad,people will decide you might not
protect them and refuse to pay,
so its time to take care of them,first,look at the job index and see whos not
paying,if its someone far away,
there just defying you,if there close,someone else probably took them as
territory,oh anyways,first thing to do,
is send about 2-4 hoods with high quality Intimidation levels(4-5 stars) to
attempt to scare them back on the racket,
if else fails,send a low quality or high quality hood to rob your money out of
them aka a raid.Else fails,time to
climb the latter,take a high quality hood at intelligence to smash it up and
screw its windows up and everything
inside to.If this fails,rob your money back out of them,then,violence must be
started,send about 4 high quality hoods
at Fists to give them a official mafia-like beating,but a low knives skill,but
not too low,they must feel pain,about 2
and a half-4,if higher,the assualters might stab the dude to death and murder
him
(though ive never witnessed this,ive heard it happens),if this fails,give him a
last chance and
try to extort from him,still refusing,now violence is required,time to
eliminate
him once and for all,depending on how you want to kill him is your decision,if
you want to do a direct
kill which is advised,
because if you bomb it or set fire to it,citizens inside might perish,leaving
the
bombing/torching hood
with extra deaths which isnt good.But bombing it might be faster if the police
are around cause your hood will
rush to the vehicle and flee
,that is,IF you supplied him a vehicle.
Citizens sure the hell aint the only people who might say no to your
wishes,hoods,police,mayor,judges,DA,FBI head,
they might irritate you and need to be taken care of,first,
enemy hoods are always a threat,even with peace diplomacy,if a hood is on your
territory,
you can either kill or give him a beating,giving him a beating wont threat the
peace setting,killing
him will,your decision.Later in the game they might decide to start a war
which is a basic hell for gangsters,not only do they shoot at your hoods on
little contact,
they also put a contract on you(put a hit on you)and the mess your organization
up by killing business owners
paying you valuble protection,and they aim toward getting you arrested or going
broke,or flat out dead.
By destroying your legal business,your illegal business will attract the
attention of the FBI,
who might arrest you or your hoods,depends on how much you extort.And buy
destroying your business your
hoods demand money and will cause you to eventually go broke.
But if there really mad at you they will wipe
you off the gang history by killing you or bombing/torching your office.If hoods
and citizens aint enuf,
the officials willaim toward you,
Police officers are the #1 people for your hoods deaths or arrest,depending on
how hostile they are toward
you(you can find this out by looking at the city map and clicking
hostility,white
is the most hostile)they might
decide to look the other way when a rival hood will shoot at you,or they will
arrest you when you
dont expect it.Police are influenced by the police chief who is influenced by
the
Mayor.
The Mayor is the first person you want to bribe,he controls
mostly everything,Police chief.Treat this dude with care,cause the more hostile
he is on you,the harder
it will get.Should the police decide to arrest a hood,he is given a fair trial
in
court,this is when your lawyer,
comes in gooood handy,fortunately this is 1930's,everyone and thing is about
corrupt,judges dont stand in
that way either,bribing the judge results in the case be IMEDIATELY thrown out
and your hood released.
DA(District Attorneys),are also dudes you can bribe to get a list of the witness
or jurors,yet,
bribing these dudes help,but,if not,intimidating
them normally takes care of them,but if not,you might have to give 'em a beating
or just kill them.
The number 1 dude who will stand in your way is the FBI head,theres always one
dude who aint corrupt,
and this is him,this dude needs ULTRA care,though you cant bribe him,you still
need to watch out for him
his opinion,but violence will make him very mad and raid your illegal
business.Killing a FBI agent searching for your
illegal business wil make you public enemy number 1,but it eliminates those
raids.
============================
4.Taking care of enemy hoods
============================
By week 20,the enemy will most likely be at war with you or about to start
one,one way of getting enemy info,
is a snitch(very nosy citizen),pay him the right money,he'll leak you valuble
rival information,but another way
is kidnapping a enemy hood.Trying to kidnap them from a gym or pool hall is very
very dangerous and risks
getting killed.A better way is to open the clipboard and select a hood on the
street which will be
abducted by your hoods.After being kidnapped the hood will be brought back to
your HQ where you can take
care of him by firstly,interrogating him usually lets him tell you information
about the others,if not,
maybe you need to hurt him,click assualt 1 TIME,then if not,keep repeating,just
dont kill him.After finding
rival information you may need to start exploring to find there illegal business
and office where you
can start attacking the rival enemy.First thing,find people paying him
protection
then start bombing,
killing,and setting fire to these places when hopefully youll weakn his
organization,and hit his
legal and illegal business's.Next,his hoods will shoot back at you on the street
so arm your hoods
with rifles,shotguns,tommyguns,and pack pistols(pistols if you cant afford
anything else)
.These will defend your hoods good even at 2 star firearms.After wiping his
hoods
and business's out,
its time to take him out,if you havent found his office explorethe city and find
it,now that its
found starting torching it or bombing, but send low quality hoods,
cause many will die.Soon he should be dead,then repeat this with the other
enemy.Since many will die,
you need to recruit more,so send a very high quality hood at intelligence to
recruit from all the
pool halls and gyms.Sort which hoods you'll need and which will be cannon
fodder.By now,
you should buy about 2 warehouses to store whiskey and export(this brings in
TONS
of dollars).
These exports will buy your hoods guns and cars.Find business paying the other
rival gangsters
protection,then send a few hoods to raid these to hurt them,not to mention,to
bring a little
bit of money.Try to keep the enemys money and hoods low.
=========================
5.Winning
=========================
There are numerous ways to win,go straight,be mayor,or kill all rivals.going
straight requires
a lawyer,money and land.Being mayor is a little bit harder,while yet again you
need a lawyer,
lots of money,and plenty of land.You will have to get everyone happpy by
donating
to churches,
not collecting protection,and send patrols to make citizens happy.But one way of
highering
your votes are the Teamsters,but a trade union and the land behind it then setup
a teamsters
business.This will boost 10 % of your votes.The hardest way to win is completely
dominate the
city or kill all rivals.This is easy put,destory all rivals and his business's.
========================
6.Terms to know
========================
This section shows you the words youll need to understand and know.
Hoods=Gangsters,the dudes doing your orders.
Lieutenant=Hoods that are higher in rank,the give orders to the lower ranking
hoods
Accountants=These dudes are vital,the cover illegal money and determine how much
money is being skimmed.
Lawyers=These dudes are also vital,he gets your hoods out of jail.
Mayor=This dude is the main dude of the city who influences the police.
Police Chief=Boss of policemen,needs to be bribed frequently.
FBI head=This dude know for his ability to be incorrupt.
Judges=This dudes do your hoods trials.
DA=The prosecutor of your hoods.
Reporter=Youll see these dudes on the street after you commit a crime,there the
ones with a camera sounding like a pistol.
Editors=These people are the ones controlling the newspapers articles.
Intelligence=The main key for getting a job done.
Organization=Basically leadership.
Business=Determines the hoods profit being brought in.
Firearms=This is a vital key for hitmen incase there caught in a shoot out.
Fists=This used to assualt someone,the higher the skill,the harder they will get
hit.
Knives=This kills hoods without sound.
Arson=This determines if your hoods can set fires good or not.
Explosives=This determines how good a hood can blow a building to the ground.
Intimidation=This can remove violence if used upon people refusing protection.
Driving=If used right,drivers can get out of places speadily.
Stealth=A Ultra valuble skill,if caught in a shootout,hoods can actually dodge
bullets.
Pistol=This 6 shot revolver should be used to defend hoods doing a low priority
order like collecting protection.
Shotgun=A ultra powerful weapon if used up close,best used for patrollers.
Tommygun=This gives a gangster style,give these to people patrolling or doing a
hit.
Rifle=This is probably the best weapon to pick dudes off at a long range,give
this to people patrolling.
Twin Pack Pistols=Best used for a direct hit incase the hood gets caught in a
shoot out.
Bomb=This is used to blow a building to the ground if used by a good bomber.
Coupe=Standard vehicle made for transportation.
Truck=Best used for transporting large materials such as goods or hoods.
Speedster=The luxury car for speed.
Protection=In 1920,Al Capone starting extorting protection to business owners.
Extort=Pushes a business owner to buy your protection.
Intimidate=Scare
Raid=Robbery
Bribe=Buying your way out of trouble.
Kidnap=Abducting hoods.
Smash Up=name says it all.
Assualt=Gives people a beating
Torch=Sets fire to a business
Bomb=Bombs a business to the ground.
Kill=Word says all
Ambush=Gives hood a patroll/kill order.
Audit=Decide how much money is being skimmed from you.
Employ Police=This employs police to look the other way when commiting a
crime,some,but not all
decide to look the other way when a murder is in progress.
Card Games=Basically poker game with cards.
Casino=Big time gambling.
Counterfeit Press=Dollar bills copyd and printed,used as change to your
citizens.
Dice Game=Basically a dice game like craps.
Gambling Den=A small place where people bet with each other.
Grifters=Basically a pickpocket thefting place
Insider Trading=Trading illegally stolen goods.
Loan Shark=Place where loans are given,but are payed back in triple the amount.
Moonshine Still=A Big pot that produces illegal liqour.
Numbers Racket=Place like a lottery that bets on things like horse races and
things like that.
Office=A headquarters
PrizeFight Ring=Much like the numbers racket,this is where people fight and bet
on the winner.
Speakeasy=A illegal bar where liqor is sold.
Teamsters=These dudes control the industrial buildings i think.
Whorehouse=Basically a place where prostituion is sold.
Prohibition=The 18th amendment prohibited liqor to be sold,made,and
transported.21st repealed it.
============================
7.Fronts
============================
Card Games: These go in areas where paper is used,Book store.
Casino: These go in rich places like the Bank(Large), Bank(Small), Hotel(Large),
Department Store
Counterfeit Press: any place involving money or printing,Printers,Banks.
Dice Game: Pool hall is the only location I could think of these.
Gambling Den: Best place is pool hall.
Grifters: Pawnbrokers Or Jewels
Insider Trading: Best place finnace company.
Loan Shark: These bestly go anywhere.Best place is rich place.
Moonshine Still: Drug Store Plumbers
Numbers Racket: Convience Store is the best place.
Office: Anywhere
PrizeFight Ring: Pool Hall
Speakeasy: Restaurants, Milk Bar, Cafe, Breakfast Bar
Teamsters: Trade Union, Anywhere
Whorehouse: Massage Parlors, Dance Studios, Hotels, Health Center, Large Hotel
============================
8.Hints And Tips
============================
When recruiting,look for a mix,cause if your getting a hitman,and he has low
stealth,he is probable to fail.
Al Capone had a STD
Send patrols around your turf so the citizens feel protected.
Employing Police is probably the best thing you could ever do.
Bribe the mayor and police chief frequently,they lean on other dudes more.
During the beginning of a game,rob all the department stores and banks for some
income.
Use violence as a last resort.
RECRUIT ALL YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!!
When ready,EXTORT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT.
If a squealer squeals on you,KILL HIM.
Frequently employ police,bribe the mayor and police chief,and recruit.
Treat your hoods with care.
Guard your business's
Arm most hoods that risk being shot at.
Kidnap and buy info off of snitches.
If you are ultra active,the mayor highlights you to crack down organized crime.
Be ruthless,but use violence last.
==========================
9.Famous Gangsters and Mafia Men
==========================
Famous gangsters...
John Dillinger
Alphonse "Scarface" Capone
George "Bugs" Moran
Baby Face Nelson
Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd
Frank "Enforcer" Nitti
George "Machine Gun" Kelly
Jack "MachineGun" McGurn
Earl "Hymie" Weiss
Fransesco "Frankie" Yale
Dion "Deanie" Obanion
Vito Genovese
Tony "Gentleman" Genna
Joe "The Boss" Massiera
Charles "Lucky" Luciano
John "Papa" Torrio
Murder Incorporated's Hoods
Carlo Gambino
John Gotti
Bugsy Siegel
Sammy "The Bull" Gravano<-------- The dude who brought down John Gotti
Sam Giancana'
Reggie Kray
Ronnie Kray
Arnold Rothstein
Dutch Schultz
Joseph Valachi
Bonnie And Clyde(Clyde Barrow and
Carlos Marcello
Benjamin Siegel
Meyer Lansky
Tony Accardo
Anthony Accardo
Frank Costello
Santo Trafficante, Jr.
Carmine "Junior" Persico
Carlos Marcello
Raymond Patriarca, Sr.
Gaetano "Tommy Brown" Lucchese
Albert Anastasia
Stefano Maggadino
Joe Profaci
Vincent "Chin" Gigante
Joe Colombo
Paul "The Waiter" Ricca
Angelo Bruno
Frank Balistrieri
Joe Bonanno
Nick Civella
Vincent Mangano
John LaRocca
Sal Maranzano
Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria
Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo
Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce
Carmine "The Cigar" Galanter
Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo
Phillip "Rusty" Rastelli
Gennaro "Gerry Lang" Langella
Joe Barbara
Carl DeLuna
Simone "Sam the Plumber" DeCavalcante
Frank DeSimone
Johnny Rosselli
Jack Dragna
Paul Castellano
Peter Milano
Jack Tocco
Joe Adonis(Joe Doto)
Frank "Funzi" Tieri
Frank DeCicco
John Stanfa
Anthony Giordano-St
James Lanza
===============================
10.Copyright and Credits
==============================
Copyright 2001 Kevin Hipps
Email:Tormentor8@hotmail.com
if you got questions email me.
I. Intro
II. Getting Started
a) First Orders
b) The Hoods
III. Moving On In The Game
a) Buying Businesses
b) Illegal Businesses
c) Accountants & Lawyers
d) The Election
IV. Your Opposition
a) Other Gangs
b) Those Damn Cops
I. Intro Gangsters is a game of city wide domination. It varies from giving
orders, running business, dealing with other gangs and cops, committing crimes,
and doing whatever it takes to gain income. It may sound hard trying to all
this,
but it's not... well, it won't be if you read this damn strategy guide I wrote
up. Mainly, I learned these things either by myself, or by flipping through the
Gangsters manual. Heck, a lot of it was taken from the manual.. but that's how I
learned how to play the game. Everything else is original, nothing was stolen..
hell, to my knowledge, this is the first Gangsters FAQ out there.
I haven't been playing the game that long, so I'm sure there are some things I
haven't figured out yet. Look for an update of this strategy guide in about two
weeks or so.. if I feel like it =)
Go on, and let me teach you now.
II. Getting Started
a) First Orders You first orders should be to extort and recruit. Those two
things should be all you're doing in the first week. In the second, you should
add Money Collection to your priorities. Hence, the main three things to think
of
at start are: collecting money, getting more territory (by extorting) and
recruiting new hoods. Protecting your area is something you could consider, but
it isn't necessary since in the first weeks nobody will be starting a war.. not
yet.
b) The Hoods Your boys, your gang, your men. You need to use these guys in the
right way, or your orders will fail time and time again. The gang leaders are
called Lieutenants, and should always be high in two things: intelligence and
organization. Along with that should be a high rating in the skill needed for
his
team's task (ex. the Lieutenant of an extortion team should have a high
intimidation factor).
At start, you should build four teams. One for protection, extortion, money
collection and another for recruiting. The protection is the team that will
guard
businesses and patrol your territory. The hoods in this group should have high
rating in firearms (at least four stars), and a good rating in fists would help
as well. The extortion team will get more territory, and each hood in it should
have at least four stars in intimidation. The recruiting team should include
gangsters with high ratings in intelligence. As for the collectors team, it
doesn't really matter since anyone can collect cash.
Equipping your Lieutenants is important, and you should consider whether they
actually need guns or vehicles. Give weapons to those who really might need it-
patrol teams and gangs that are going in to commit a crime. Give guns to the
people who have a rating in firearms of at least four stars- they'll know how to
use it best. As for vehicles, give them only to the people who you are sending
far away. Cars don't come cheap- use them wisely.
III. Moving On In The Game
a) Buying Businesses Once you have some dough, think about buying a business.
This brings in legal money. Since the business are legal, the FBI won't raid
them
as they would your illegal businesses. Legal cash will hide the amount of
illegal
money you have, somewhat. If you're making too much illegal money, the FBI will
get suspicious- not something you want. However, if you have a good accountant,
you don't have to worry about this- a good accountant can cover up the amount of
illegal money you pull in.
Buying a legal business it pretty simple, and you don't need to worry about
sending someone to run it- it's automatically done for you.
b) Illegal Businesses Once you feel like it, set up some of these. However, as
with normal businesses, you have to place them correctly (ex. a casino would go
in a wealthy area, prizefights go in poor areas). Want to know more? Hell, I'm a
nice guy...
Card Games: put these only in the poor areas. Best location for card games is a
pool hall or a book store.
Counterfeit: these won't bring in any profit, but will be spread out throughout
your legal businesses. The best location for this is the Printer, however the
Bank is fine as well.
Casinos: put these in wealthy areas and you'll get tons of cash. The Main Bank
is
the best location.
Gambling Den: let's just call this "the casino for the poor." The best location
is the pool hall.
Dice Games: these go in the real poor areas of town. The best location is either
a pool hall or a hotel.
Insider Trading: these belong in the commercial centre. Good locations are
finance companies, banks and real estate.
Loan Sharks: these can be anywhere in the city, but do best in banks, real
estate
and finance companies.
Grifters: also known as pickpockets. They belong in the poor areas of the city,
and the best locations are poll halls.
Moonshine Stills: no profit comes from these, but they are essential for your
speakeasies. Best places to put them are drug stores.
Speakeasy: probably the best illegal businesses. It gets its liquor either from
the moonshine stills, or you can steal it from other places. These can be easily
hid in breakfast bars, cafes, milk bars and restaurants.
Teamsters: can only be set up behind the Union Building. This will let you
control the strike of the industrial area and can also call on the block vote
during an election.
Prizefights: boxing and gambling make a good couple. Doesn't matter what part of
town they go in, as long as they are located in a gym or pool hall.
Numbers Racket: the lottery with one catch- it's fixed so that nobody ever wins.
They do best in poorer areas and should be located in general stores, cafes or
printers.
Whorehouses: these can go anywhere in the city, since everyone wants to get laid
=) Good locations are dance studios, massage parlors and hotels.
Offices: no profit here, but they are important. Your hoods will depart for
their
jobs from the local office, so having more then one can improve your gang
efficiency.
To set up an illegal business, you'll need a front and an empty lot in the
center
of a block. Pretty simple.
c) Accountants and Lawyers You should get both of these early in the game. The
accountant covers up your illegal money, preventing an FBI raid. The more stars
an accountant has, the better he is at this.
A good lawyer is also a necessity. He helps keep your men out of prison and
bribe
officials.
d) The Election If you decide to enter an election once it comes around, you'll
need three things: an excellent lawyer, lots of cash and lots of land. Something
to try is reducing the protection money, which will make the people happy and
get
more votes for you. As said before, the Teamster building helps you in the
election. It will automatically give you at most 10% of the votes.
IV. Your Opposition
a) Other Gangs If they're bothering you, you'll have to take care of them- at
one
point or another. First off, try locating their office. Explore, and do it
often.
Try exploring areas in which you often see the opposing hoods, and sends a lot
of
people at once. Kidnapping is another way of finding the enemy base. To do this,
you must find a building in which you often see the opposing hoods. Pulling this
off will require a group of hoods that have high ratings in intelligence,
intimidation, stealth, firearms, and organization. Succeed, and you will gain a
list of businesses owned by the enemy. Investigate these buildings.
Once you find the office, decide what you really want to do. You can try to get
the leader arrested. Destroying that gang's legal business will increase the
suspicion of the police towards that gang. If the suspicion gets real high, the
leader will get arrested. You can also take the hard way to it- kill the leader.
If you decide to do just that, make sure you send a lot of hoods, make sure they
have vehicles and guns, and make sure you have a lot of cash to get new hoods
since many of yours will get killed. Send every hood that you can, and hit 'em
with all you got.
b) Those Damn Cops There's no way around this- the cops will be after you. They
patrol the city every week looking for crimes, or those who are accused of it.
Watch out for FBI agents near your businesses. If you see a group of them, you
better get ready 'cause they're about to raid your illegal business. You can
either attack them, or let them go forth with their actions if you have enough
money to bribe the Judge to get yourself out of trouble. If you see an agent who
is solo, it means that the FBI has some suspicion towards you. Either kill him,
or close down the illegal business.
If one of your men gets arrested, bribe the judge. OR, you can bribe the
District
Attorney. By doing this, you'll get the names of the witnesses and jurors. You
can either bribe them, or intimidate them... and if they don't work with you,
you
can kill them.
Strategy Guide
by "Madd" Matt Jedrych
Version 4.69 - 11/13/99
What all is in here?
I. Intro
a) The Game
b) What's New?
II. Getting Started
a) First Orders
b) The Hoods
III. Moving On In The Game
a) Buying Businesses
b) Illegal Businesses
c) Accountants & Lawyers
d) The Election
IV. Your Opposition
a) Other Gangs
b) Those Damn Cops
V. Smart Keys
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
VII. The Cheats
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I. Intro
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
a) The Game
Gangsters is a game of city wide domination. It varies from giving
orders, running business, dealing with other gangs and cops,
committing crimes, and doing whatever it takes to gain income. It
may sound hard trying to all this, but it's not... well, it won't be
if you read this damn strategy guide I wrote up. Mainly, I learned
these things either by myself, or by flipping through the Gangsters
manual. Heck, a lot of it was taken from the manual.. but that's
how I learned how to play the game. Everything else is original,
nothing was stolen.. hell, to my knowledge, this is the only
Gangsters FAQ out there.
Now, for the game specifics...
Platform: Win95
Publisher: Eidos
Developer: Hothouse Creations
Genre: Strategy
Origin: U.K.
Max. Number of Players: 4
Online Support: YES
Minimum Requirements: Pentium 133MHz; 4xCD-ROM; 16 MB RAM; 2 MB SVGA;
DirectX-6.0
b) What's New?
Let's take a look...
Version .69 - 2/24/99:
This was the first one I threw together. It had just the basic
strategy guide alone, nothing special. This was about a month after
I got the game and at that point, I was very interested in it.
Version 1.69 - 3/22/99:
This came out only about a month after the first version and I added
the hot keys to it as well as a Q & A section. I had been getting
many, many, many questions, so I decided to answer them. At this
point, I was still interested in the game, greatly.
Version 4.69 - This one:
Can you see the time difference? This was thrown together 8 months
after the last one and I'm doing this one for a single reason. To
answer more questions. Also, folks... I haven't played the game in
over four months, and EVERYTHING I know is in here. SO, if you're
question isn't answered here, chances are that I won't know it. Also,
I added a cheats section.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
II. Getting Started
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
a) First Orders
You first orders should be to extort and recruit. Those two things
should be all you're doing in the first week. In the second, you
should add Money Collection to your priorities. Hence, the main
three things to think of at start are: collecting money, getting
more territory (by extorting) and recruiting new hoods. Protecting
your area is something you could consider, but it isn't necessary
since in the first weeks nobody will be starting a war.. not yet.
b) The Hoods
Your boys, your gang, your men. You need to use these guys in the
right way, or your orders will fail time and time again. The gang
leaders are called Lieutenants, and should always be high in two
things: intelligence and organization. Along with that should be
a high rating in the skill needed for his team's task (ex. the
Lieutenant of an extortion team should have a high intimidation
factor).
At start, you should build four teams. One for protection,
extortion, money collection and another for recruiting. The
protection is the team that will guard businesses and patrol your
territory. The hoods in this group should have high rating in
firearms (at least four stars), and a good rating in fists would
help as well. The extortion team will get more territory, and each
hood in it should have at least four stars in intimidation. The
recruiting team should include gangsters with high ratings in
intelligence. As for the collectors team, it doesn't really matter
since anyone can collect cash.
Equipping your Lieutenants is important, and you should consider
whether they actually need guns or vehicles. Give weapons to those
who really might need it- patrol teams and gangs that are going in
to commit a crime. Give guns to the people who have a rating in
firearms of at least four stars- they'll know how to use it best.
As for vehicles, give them only to the people who you are sending
far away. Cars don't come cheap- use them wisely.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
III. Moving On In The Game
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
a) Buying Businesses
Once you have some dough, think about buying a business. This
brings in legal money. Since the business are legal, the FBI
won't raid them as they would your illegal businesses. Legal
cash will hide the amount of illegal money you have, somewhat.
If you're making too much illegal money, the FBI will get
suspicious- not something you want. However, if you have a good
accountant, you don't have to worry about this- a good accountant
can cover up the amount of illegal money you pull in.
Buying a legal business it pretty simple, and you don't need to
worry about sending someone to run it- it's automatically done
for you.
b) Illegal Businesses
Once you feel like it, set up some of these. However, as with
normal businesses, you have to place them correctly (ex. a casino
would go in a wealthy area, prizefights go in poor areas). Want
to know more? Hell, I'm a nice guy...
Card Games: put these only in the poor areas. Best location for
card games is a pool hall or a book store.
Counterfeit: these won't bring in any profit, but will be
spread out throughout your legal businesses. The best location
for this is the Printer, however the Bank is fine as well.
Casinos: put these in wealthy areas and you'll get tons of
cash. The Main Bank is the best location.
Gambling Den: let's just call this "the casino for the poor."
The best location is the pool hall.
Dice Games: these go in the real poor areas of town. The best
location is either a pool hall or a hotel.
Insider Trading: these belong in the commercial centre. Good
locations are finance companies, banks and real estate.
Loan Sharks: these can be anywhere in the city, but do best
in banks, real estate and finance companies.
Grifters: also known as pickpockets. They belong in the poor
areas of the city, and the best locations are poll halls.
Moonshine Stills: no profit comes from these, but they are
essential for your speakeasies. Best places to put them are
drug stores.
Speakeasy: probably the best illegal businesses. It gets
its liquor either from the moonshine stills, or you can steal
it from other places. These can be easily hid in breakfast
bars, cafes, milk bars and restaurants.
Teamsters: can only be set up behind the Union Building. This
will let you control the strike of the industrial area and
can also call on the block vote during an election.
Prizefights: boxing and gambling make a good couple. Doesn't
matter what part of town they go in, as long as they are
located in a gym or pool hall.
Numbers Racket: the lottery with one catch- it's fixed so that
nobody ever wins. They do best in poorer areas and should be
located in general stores, cafes or printers.
Whorehouses: these can go anywhere in the city, since everyone
wants to get laid =) Good locations are dance studios, massage
parlors and hotels.
Offices: no profit here, but they are important. Your hoods
will depart for their jobs from the local office, so having
more then one can improve your gang efficiency.
c) Accountants and Lawyers
You should get both of these early in the game. The accountant
covers up your illegal money, preventing an FBI raid. The more
stars an accountant has, the better he is at this.
A good lawyer is also a necessity. He helps keep your men out of
prison and bribe officials.
d) The Election
If you decide to enter an election once it comes around, you'll
need three things: an excellent lawyer, lots of cash and lots of
land. Something to try is reducing the protection money, which
will make the people happy and get more votes for you. As said
before, the Teamster building helps you in the election. It will
automatically give you at most 10% of the votes.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
IV. Your Opposition
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
a) Other Gangs
If they're bothering you, you'll have to take care of them- at one
point or another. First off, try locating their office. Explore,
and do it often. Try exploring areas in which you often see the
opposing hoods, and sends a lot of people at once. Kidnapping
is another way of finding the enemy base. To do this, you must
find a building in which you often see the opposing hoods. Pulling
this off will require a group of hoods that have high ratings in
intelligence, intimidation, stealth, firearms, and organization.
Succeed, and you will gain a list of businesses owned by the enemy.
Investigate these buildings.
Once you find the office, decide what you really want to do. You
can try to get the leader arrested. Destroying that gang's legal
business will increase the suspicion of the police towards that
gang. If the suspicion gets real high, the leader will get
arrested. You can also take the hard way to it- kill the leader.
If you decide to do just that, make sure you send a lot of hoods,
make sure they have vehicles and guns, and make sure you have a lot
of cash to get new hoods since many of yours will get killed. Send
every hood that you can, and hit 'em with all you got.
b) Those Damn Cops
There's no way around this- the cops will be after you. They patrol
the city every week looking for crimes, or those who are accused
of it.
Watch out for FBI agents near your businesses. If you see a group
of them, you better get ready 'cause they're about to raid your
illegal business. You can either attack them, or let them go forth
with their actions if you have enough money to bribe the Judge to
get yourself out of trouble. If you see an agent who is solo, it
means that the FBI has some suspicion towards you. Either kill him,
or close down the illegal business.
If one of your men gets arrested, bribe the judge. OR, you can
bribe the District Attorney. By doing this, you'll get the names
of the witnesses and jurors. You can either bribe them, or
intimidate them... and if they don't work with you, you can kill
them.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
V. Smart Keys
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
It's a lot easier sometimes to use your keyboard as a shortcut to
perform several actions, rather then having to do them using your
mouse. The following list comes straight from the Gangsters readme
text file.
THE GANG ORGANIZER
FUNCTION KEY
Help ?
Lieutenant Section F1
Accountant Section F2
Lawyer Section F3
Diplomacy Section F4
Newspaper F5
Graphs F6
City Maps F7
Game Options F8
Toggle City Plan / Rooftop view Space
Lieutenant 1 1
Lieutenant 2 2
Lieutenant 3 3
Lieutenant 4 4
Lieutenant 5 5
Lieutenant 6 6
Lieutenant 7 7
Lieutenant 8 8
Open Clipboard C
Hoods Section H
Vehicles Section V
Weapons Section W
Confirm Return / Enter
Reject Escape
Load Game CTRL+L
Save Game CTRL+S
Messages. (Multiplayer only) F9 to F12
Close Chat Window (Multiplayer only) Tab
Quit CTRL+Q
THE WORKING WEEK
FUNCTION KEY
Help ?
Pause P
City Plan Insert
Rooftop View Home
Street View Page Up
Toggle Street View / Rooftop View Space Bar
Cycle gangsters from team 1 1
Cycle gangsters from team 2 2
Cycle gangsters from team 3 3
Cycle gangsters from team 4 4
Cycle gangsters from team 5 5
Cycle gangsters from team 6 6
Cycle gangsters from team 7 7
Cycle gangsters from team 8 8
Accelerate time by one step >
Decelerate time by one step <
Remove / Replace buildings B
Kill Street Order F1
Assault Street Order F2
Tail Street Order F3
Go to Street Order F4
Cancel Street Order Escape
View Combat Messages F5
View Gangsters and Police Messages F6
View Failed Orders Messages F7
View Waiting / Priority Messages F8
Messages. (Multiplayer only) F9 to F12
Close Chat Window (Multiplayer only) Tab
Quit CTRL+Q
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Since putting out this FAQ, I've gotten quite a few questions. I've
decided to answer them through here as a future referance for any
others who may need my assistance.
Q: I want to know that how can i recruit accountant and lawyer???
A: Quite simple... just order your hoods to recruit. Then, to the
left of the map (on the bottom) you should see three icons. Each
one is for hoods, lawyers and accountants. Take your choice, and
you're set.
Q: (a) How can I do illegal business???
(b) I was Wondering how to setup an illegal business, my icon for
setup business wound show up.
A: To set up an illegal business, you'll need a front (or a legal
business) and an empty lot in the center of a block on which the
business is located. Pretty simple. Then, and ONLY then will
the icon become clickable.
Q: How do I make my hoods to be teamsters, speakeasy, moonshine
stalls???
A: The things listed are illegal business. Hoods can't "become"
them. Info on how to set up illegal businesses is above this Q.
Q: Are there any cheats in Gangsters?
A: Not that I'm aware of, and I've been searching hard.
Q: Are you interested in playing on-line against me?
A: No, I don't even play this game anymore.
Q: (a) I just bought gangsters few days ago. I tried playing but
every time i start a new game or scenario, all of my hoods are
behind bars, i cant use any of them. I tried waiting a few turns,
but then i get killed. Some of the scenarios, i can get hoods,
but then after 1 week (the first week), they are all arrested.
(b) I've just started out a new game...and all the hood I've got
have got bars in front of their faces and I can't make them do
anything...please help out...
(c) Why the &%(@ are all my hoods in JAIL?! I just started a new
game and they're all locked up!! WHAT THE %&@( IS GOING ON?!
(d) When the game starts, all of the gangsters in the pool are
behind bars, how do i get them out? I can't give them orders or
upgrade them when they're like that.
A: This is what happens if you have an illegal copy of the game, you
damn poor bastards. Get some cash and buy the full copy!
Q: the other gangsters keep moving in on my territory...why is this?
what is the best way to stop this from happening short of killing
the bastards? I'm looking for their bases so I can do just that
but there must be some other way to stop them in the meantime.
A: There's no way to stop other gangs from moving onto your
territory. Everyone wants to explore and find new buildings to
extort. The best thing to do at first is just to leave them the
hell alone. There's no need to start a war just because one
or two hoods are cruising around your land. However, if it
pisses you off... then KILL 'EM ALL. In this game, it's all about
the survival of the quickest.
Q: I have a question that i don't think I found in the page. I have
problems with stubborn store owners who don't pay their freakin'
collection. I have hard times finding out who's not up to the
offer. I tried looking in the clipboard, then under storeowners.
I see the empty icon that says "Won't pay protection." How come
its empty when I know someone isn't paying? Do I have to bribe
someone to get the list or something?
A: Simply go back to the previous week's order, and flip through
the cards. Whenever there is someone who didn't pay their
collection, it will be specified. A name IS given, so write that
name down, or remember it, and where that person is located. Then
you can kill, intimidate, bomb, or whatever you want to do to
them. If their building isn't available for a crime (and I do
not know why that happens sometimes), simply try getting your
collection again.
Q: what does raiding do? does it help you, or hurt you?
A: Raiding is simply put- a robbery. You can get a great deal of
money through this, but obviously only if you rob places that
you know make a lot of money. Places like this would be the large
banks and hotels.
Q: It seems that the FBI are only very suspicious about me, and not
the other gangs. After week 2 I mostly land up in jail! Do you
know what I do wrong?
A: If you're extorting a LOT and pulling in tons of illegal cash
right away, the FBI is bound to have high suspicion towards you.
Try to set up some legal businesses or get a good accountant to
cover up the illegal money. As for you ending up in jail already
by week 2... eeh.. I have no clue why you'd get sent to jail so
quickly, unless you're committing crimes right from the start.
Q: Hi, Can u explain how I take my hoods out of jail?
A: If one of your men gets arrested, bribe the judge... blah, blah,
blah. Grrr... I explained that already. Look under section IV,
part B. Try reading the FAQ before asking a question.
Q: What if I have even more questions?
A: If it hasn't been answered here, I most likely don't know the
answer. To be honest, I haven't touched this game in about four
months... but if you must, than send your questions to me at
SimFreak@aol.com.
Q: Hey, can you send me Gangsters?
A: Well... maybe if... NO!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
VII. Cheats
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Here they are, hooray (thanks to GameSages)!
-> Easy $50,000
Go to the Liutenant screen, than after hitting the CAPS LOCK
key, type in I LOVE HANSON. Than, if you're current amount
of cash it under $50,000, than that's how much you'll get.
-> Easy $3,000
Once again, go the the Liutenant screen. Once there, press
D + A + R + T and voila!
-> Money & Hoods Cheat
Go to 'Run' in the Windows 98 Start Menu and type regedit.
Now click through the following folders...
1. hkey_local_machine
2. Software
3. Hothouse
4. Gangsters
At 'Default Money,' change 2710 to 207101FF for about
544,000,000 bucks!!
At 'Default Hoods,' change A to FF to start with 255 hoods!!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>>> E-mail me... SimFreak@aol.com <<<
If you copy this strategy guide and try to take credit for it, I will
rip your heart out, and feed it to a mad goat who will then proceed to
wildly rape you. Got it? Good.
If you're interested in using this little FAQ of mine on your website,
simply e-mail me and ask. I won't bite... most likely. Redistribution
of it, especially for profit is forbidden, and will not be tolerated.
If you chose to do so, I will personally wipe out your entire family.
Copyright 1999 Mathew Jedrych
* In the first week, concentrate on collecting money, getting more
territory through extortion, and recruiting.
* Build four teams, one each for recruiting, extortion, collecting money
and protection. For maximum effect, members of the recruitment team should
have at least a four-star rating in intelligence; the extortion team
should have four stars in intimidation; the protection team needs high
ratings in firearms or fists.
* Get an accountant and a lawyer early in the game. They can help cover
up illegal business schemes, bribe officials, and keep your gangs out of
prison.
* Your Lieutenants should have high intelligence and organization to be
most effective. A Lieutenant of a specific team should also have a high
rating in the skill that will most benefit his team's task.
* Be careful how you distribute your vehicles. Make sure your
Lieutenants are equipped with guns and vehicles, and only give weapons to
those who need them (gangs going in to commit a crime) or can use them (a
firearms rating of four or more stars).
* Buy a legal business as soon as you have enough money. This will help
keep the FBI off your back. A good accountant can also help cover up the
amount of illegal money you're making.
* Illegal businesses do best when they're placed in the best areas:
casinos in wealthy areas like the main bank; insider trading in the
finance companies, banks or real estate; whorehouses in dance studios,
massage parlors and hotels; speakeasies at breakfast bars, cafes, milk
bars and restaurants; moonshine stills at the drug store; loan sharks at
the banks, real estate or finance companies; teamsters behind the union
building; counterfeits at the printer or the bank; card games, gambling
dens, dice games, the numbers racket, pickpockets and prizefights in poor
areas such as bookstores or pool halls. You'll need a front and an empty
lot at the center of the block to set up an illegal business.
* If you see one FBI agent around an illegal business, you can either
kill him or close down the business. Groups of FBI agents will sometimes
attack your illegal businesses. You can choose to attack them or bribe the
judge, depending on how much money you have.
* If one of your men is arrested, try to bribe the judge or district
attorney in order to get the names of witnesses and jurors. You can use
this list to bribe, intimidate or kill them.
* Having more than one office improves the overall efficiency of your
gangs.
* Make sure you have a great lawyer, lots of land and liquid assets
before you try entering an election. It's also best to have the Teamsters
on your side, which will raise your votes by around 10%.
* Try to locate the office of other gangs. The best way to do this is to
explore around the areas where you see other gang hoods. Send out a lot of
men when you do this. You can also kidnap an opposition gang member. Use a
group with high ratings in intimidation, firearms, stealth, organization
and intelligence and you'll get a list of buildings owned by your enemy.
* When you find the office, you can choose to get the leader arrested,
destroy the gang's legal business, or kill the leader. If you choose to
kill the leader, hit them with everything you've got, since it won't be
easy.
Hint: Get the gymnasiums, pool halls, and especially the docks under your
control as quickly as possible. The best way to beat rival families is to deny
them places where they can recruit "muscle."
Hint: Bribe early and often. Start with the Mayor as soon as you can afford it,
then go after the Chief of Police.
Hint: Recruit an Accountant and a Lawyer as soon as possible. The Accountant
will be needed for tax evasion, and you'll probably need a Lawyer sooner than
you'd like.
Type in the following codes in at any menu. You will hear a sound when typed
correctly. Type the cheat again to disable. Cheats are written to the
registry, so they will be available next time you play the game.
- BIGANDPINK - Hard Difficulty
- BRINGMEBACKTOEARTH - Restore Normal Gravity
- FLYMETOTHEMOON - Medium Gravity
- GIVEMESCORPIO - Scorpio League
- GIVEMETAURUS - Taurus League
- IAMALAZYBASTARD - Debug Menu
- I LOVE HANSON (in the lieutenant page [case sensitive])-cash in safe will be
50,000.00. NOTE: Don't type this if your money is more than that amount.
- JACKIMFLYING - High Gravity
- REFLECTIONS - Mirror Mode
- TROTTERS - Expert Difficulty
- WARPSPEEDMRSULU - Hyper Speed
- WRECKEDONSPEED - Mega Speed
Free Business:
In the Gang Organizer, go to the city maps. Bring up the info on any business
and let the mouse hover around over the box until a little 'Return to base'
tip appears. Click there and the business is yours. If you want, you can sell
it on the spot and the cash will go directly into your assets. Or you can wait
until next week when you can send someone to run the business.
-With the game CD out, go to run, type in rgedit, then go to
Hkey_local_machine after go to Software hothouse then to gangsters. Go to
default money and change it from 2710 to 207101FF to get lots of money go to
default hoods and change it from A to FF to get a lot of hoods
-Press and hold the D,A,R and T keys together to give each gang $3,000
-Get $50,000:
When at the Lieutenant Section Type I LOVE HANSON (all caps) to get $50,000.
-Easy Properties:
Extort some properties (it will not matter if they want to pay you the money).
After that week, look on the map and double click on the property that was
extorted. A picture of the owner will appear with details about the shop. Move
the cursor next to the picture in the "blank space" and the cursor will change.
Click when this happens and the property will become yours. Do not forget to
send
a man to run the place the following week.
-Free Items:
Go to the Lieutenant's page of the Gang Organizer, open the Cars menu, and go to
the "Black Market". Instead of clicking on the car you want and waiting for the
money clip to appear, quickly drag the car of your choice from the "Black
Market"
page to the picture of it on the Lieutenant's side. If this was done fast
enough,
the item will be yours, with no money being subtracted. This can also be done
with guns, but does not work with recruited hoods. Note: Try this first without
having enough money for the object, as it takes some practice. After each time
this trick is used (whether successful or not), exit the "Black Market" and
return.
The following is a "Registry Cheat". ALWAYS backup your registry before
attempting this cheat - if you are unfamiliar with editing the Windows registry,
you should not attempt this cheat.
1. Click "Start"
2. Choose the "Run" option.
3. Type regedit and press enter.
4. Navigate through the following:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" => "SOFTWARE" => "HOTHOUSE" => "GANGSTERS"
Change the TAG: "DEFAULT_MONEY"
Change it from 2710 to 207101a and you now start with $34,017,306 instead of the
usual $10,000.
Change "DEFAULT_HOODS" to ff and you now start with 256 hoods.