Omerta Game

It’s 1930s America and the mobsters rule from coast to coast. Rival Mafia families control a network of crime that includes bootleg liquor, illegal gaming, robbery, extortion and worse.

If you can’t beat ‘em maybe you should join ‘em, but the question is: are you tough enough to make the cut as a Mafioso? Do you have what it takes to work your way up the ranks of one of the powerful families and could you even have the makings of a Don yourself?

For anyone drawn to this murky, yet romantic, underworld of post-depression America, the virtual game ‘Barafranca’ was invented for you. Barafranca is a text-based massive multiplayer on-line role-playing game (MMORPG) which allows players to give vent to their fantasies as a member of the heavy mob back in the lawless days of alcohol prohibition. From faithful foot soldier to ruthless Dons, players must prove themselves as they make their way through the ranks and mind their backs in the process. 

Barafranca was originally the brainchild of a group of Dutch students when Steve Biddick, a Hull-based entrepreneur, discovered it.

Steve, who is chief executive of Omerta Game said: “I was immediately hooked and found I couldn’t tear myself away from the computer screen. The game was intense and it buffeted me through a storm of emotions from loyalty and revenge, as well as testing my resourcefulness on lots of levels. It really was addictive. More importantly, as an experienced hand in the virtual games industry, I realised the potential of the game in business terms. In fact today the game’s international appeal is reflected by 3.5 million registered users in 150 countries and the game is translated into 29 languages.

“Our biggest international business is in the Netherlands, where the game originated, followed closely by Turkey and Portugal. We are also now looking into the possibility of expanding into China where we have an agent.”

Omerta Game, based in Hull, now owns the Barafranca domain outright and UK Trade & Investment has been supporting the firm in its bid to expand international business.

Said Stephan Stahl, UKTI’s international trade adviser in the Humber: “We have been able to identity some funding support for Omerta Game which has been getting the company out to overseas markets to raise the profile of its products including the Omerta game. Yorkshire Forward’s Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS) has provided funding to assist various stages of the company’s export activity, including the trip to Hong Kong and Shanghai as well as to expand business in Turkey and Greece.” 

Steve Biddick believes that Barafranca is more than just an exciting game as it also builds up valuable social and language skills internationally. With as many as 70,000 players a day nurturing their allies and plotting against their enemies, the game provides a creative outlet for both old and young alike.

He commented: “In countries like Turkey where there is no drinking culture and many families on low incomes live together in small apartments, a few hours at the internet centre as a virtual gangster provides emotional space and enjoyment for youngsters at relatively little cost. The game is text-based so they will be communicating with players from different parts of the world and often it improves their English skills no end.

“However we have a lot of women in their thirties and forties who play the game and are very good at it, as women generally tend to have an edge when it comes to linguistic skills. For young mothers who may be bored at home, Barafranca lets them have a little fun with their ‘dark side’ while the kids are at school!”

As Steve continues to explore different international markets he has found the UKTI teams based overseas to be a valuable resource.

He added: “The teams based at the consulates in Shanghai and Hong Kong were exceptionally helpful in giving me the low-down on the different business environment in China and things to be aware of when meeting potential business partners.”

For further information on the company please visit www.barafranca.com.