From Rags to Riches, "How to Make it in Liberty City"

Introduction: Deciding What You Want To Be

Before you can make it big in Liberty City, you have to have a plan. A foundation of sorts, guiding you to your goal. Do you want to be a criminal mastermind? Or do you prefer being a rich, successful business man? Perhaps a politician?

There are many different ways to become successful in the RP, and no one way is better than the other. Some may take longer, but might be safer, while others end up taking less time, but are less secure, essentially, you have to have a plan, and this guide here should help you get started.

To identify what you view as "successful", you have to decide what you find most appealing. Money? Power? Money and Power? Territory? Influence? There are many ways to be "successful", but it is up to you to decide what "successful" means. To be successful to me means to have a lot of influence, and a lot of money. How would I go about doing this? Glad you asked.


Chapter 1: Planning for the Road Ahead

To plan for what you want to be can be difficult, as I've already said, there are many ways to get where you want to go. Some are quicker, some are safer, but in the end, you have to decide by yourself what path you want to take. Let's say for lack of a better example, you want to expand your influence. Well, the slower way is usually the safer way. It won't be quick, but as long as you do it right, you're almost guaranteed to come out on top.

Let's make a plan: First, let's somehow generate the income needed to buy up some businesses. Some quick ways to do this are to get a loan, sell a good or service, ask for handouts, and even some low-key illegal endeavors such as pinching people for money, or even being creative and offering something tangible in exchange for money, such as protection, votes, as well as other under-the-table services.


Chapter 2: Chasing Your Dreams

Once you've secured some money, we'll buy up a business or two. And then, after a couple of games of making money through the businesses and through other methods, we'll use those profits to buy up other businesses. If one property is already taken, we'll set up a meeting with the owner over some coffee and talk "business". Once we've secured maybe 5 or 10 businesses, we can start expanding in different directions.

Maybe buy one big business that would generate a lot of money, or a lot of small businesses to ensure that all income couldn't be crumbled if someone takes over a single business. But wait, what if you want to start dipping "under the water" into some more profitable, but illegal endeavors? Since those cops can make or break you with the single stroke of a "freeze account" button, what do you do to avoid "the fuzz"? Read on.


Chapter 3: Money is Power

Now that you've secured a pretty hefty income, those cops are going to start taking notice. At this point, some of your older tricks might not work anymore lest you get arrested. Though hopefully, you've saved some money.

If this is the case, then you're in luck. Because as luck would have it, cops are known to be pretty dirty, as well as politicians. They all make little enough as it is, why not "supplement" them a little bit? If you're feeling up for some under-water activities, set up a meeting with your favorite police commissioner over some more coffee. Let him know that there are certain things that "a man needs to do" to make it in this world. Try to make him understand that there would be a nice little lump sum in it for him if he turns the other cheek at some of these things.

Careful though, too much and he'll get suspicious, too little, and you risk blowing the deal. If of course, you have the good Samaritan commissioner running the police force, you can bet your life he isn't taking bribes. Time to take it to the next level.

Call up the mayor, and let him know that you need the police force to "ignore" you for a bit, and that you're willing to pay for it. Offer a little bit of money, and if he goes for it, wonderful! You now have the mayor and/or commissioner on the truck bed. At this point, you should be safe conducting yourself as you please.

Though be careful, the grass may not be greener on the other side, for as you cross the boundaries into true corruption, you yourself are tainted with the blood of lies and false pretenses, and you risk exposure. If anybody finds out about this, the mayor is going to go down like a flaming meteor, and he knows it. So buying him out might be pretty pricey, but he can certainly be a powerful ally to have.


Chapter 4: Securing Your Legacy

If you haven't already started considering either hiring employees or outreaching through Public Relations work, it's a safe bet that nobody knows, or will remember you. Now, there are different ways to secure your legacy, some being better than others. Some of the Rich give to the poor. Others, sponsor events, while others use it for less "honest" intentions. As said in Chapter 3, money is definitely power. Whatever you choose to do with your wealth is up to only one person, and that is the person who owns it.

At this point, it's time to ask yourself, "How do I want people to remember me?" Would you like to be remembered as a generous man who gave a lot, a tyrannical dictator? A glorious leader? A stingy rich guys with too much to spend, and too little to spend it on? You are now at a crossroads, and every path leads to a different array of challenges and new experiences.

When aiming for political power, there are different ways to go for votes. You could always buy people off, ~or~ give to charity, and give to the poor, and make yourself "look good", so as to get votes that way. You could also get votes through fear, or friends. If you just want to get rich, but avoid the hassle of political life, continue down the initial path. Keep buying businesses, making friends in high places if need be, and generating a steady income. You can also even buy homes and rent them out. If another player will pay you for something, then it's a profitable business. The trick is to come up with something that hasn't been done before.


Chapter 5: The Brightest Star...

You are now at the top. You've secured your fortune, or dreams of power, and your future is now in your hands. Your subordinates either love or hate you, and for good reason, as you come out standing above the rest, they will cheer or fear your name, as you walk along side of the most influential people to ever have walked the streets of liberty city, because as they say, "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars..."

~The End~


Thank you for reading everyone. I hope this helps everyone become more successful, either as a criminal or a business man, a political deviant or savior of the people. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to PM. In this roleplay, everyone has to remember that anything is possible. There is always more than one way to approach a problem, and I hope this guide helped demonstrate a few methods, or at least gave some ideas. I look forward to playing with you all very soon, as I'm seeing this as just the beginning. In February, we had good games. I think it's time to bring those days back.

Thanks for your continued support in making this roleplay possible. Without all your help, we wouldn't have gotten as far as we have. It's the fan base that makes the game, right?

Bravo! Great Guide! Pat Yourself On The Back!

yeah your doing a absolutly brilliant job

That was very descriptive, My Friend. Now people will have a idea in there ''mind'' and actually insinuate a story for there Character, instead of wandering around Killing indiscriminately, & plotting against The Mayor of this Great City......






-Frank Lucas