Every day, without fail, I log into Torn.com. It’s not something I put much thought into—it just happens. A few clicks, a few numbers shifting around, then I’m out. Rinse and repeat. If you asked me how long I’ve been doing this, I’d probably have to stop and think because honestly? It feels like it’s always been part of my routine.
The cycle is simple:
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Log in.
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Burn all my energy on training. Gotta keep those stats growing, even if it’s just a little bit at a time.
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Use all my nerve on crimes. The thrill of a quick hit of progress, even if the payoff isn’t always great.
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Travel to South Africa. Three-hour wait begins.
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Log off.
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Three hours later, log back in. Arrived in South Africa. Energy is back, so it’s time to go hunting. Maybe I’ll buy some stuff while I’m there, whatever's available, Xanax or plushies.
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Travel back. Another three-hour wait.
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Repeat.
It’s a cycle so ingrained that I don’t even think about it. It’s like brushing my teeth or checking my phone—effortless, automatic. I’m aware I’m doing it, but at the same time, I’m not. Semantic satiation? Temporal autopilot? Some kind of bizarre time loop I’ve willingly placed myself into? Who knows.
Early Game Struggles
The funny thing is, I don’t actually find it boring or repetitive. If anything, I’m constantly surprised by my progress. I started playing again on June 22, 2024, and honestly, it was boring at the time. I struggled to make money and apply to companies because my level was too low—something like level 5. When you’re too low, you don’t have stats, and only good directors give low-level players a break. And for it to work for their company, you need to be online every day. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I could commit because the game felt frustrating and complicated, and I might leave again.
But the opportunity actually came to me. My current director was the one who first reached out to me and offered me a position. With a pay I couldn’t resist—not for a low-level, no-income player like me—it was either that or a $300 daily pay at the casino. That moment made all the difference.
My First Wars & Learning Experience
Not long after, a good faction took me in. The previous leader was exceptional, carrying the faction with his wits and battle stats. We won some wars, we lost some. That was when my passive playing was challenged. Our leader never forced us to join fights, but I did anyway. We won, with me contributing some respect, and I earned my first-ever faction war payout. It felt good—like I had actually done something.
For me, it was a heavy challenge. I didn’t know how to do wars, the tactics of hospitalizing and leaving, and all the strategic elements. The leader sent us instructions via mail, but honestly? I didn’t fully understand it until the warring actually started. Nothing fancy happened—it was just a full-scale attack, utilizing hospital times, reviving at the perfect moment, then attacking again. It was a good experience, but also an exhausting one.
The second war, we lost. I didn’t contribute much because the enemy was too active. That loss took a toll on me. Even though I knew I did my best, other players were just too powerful, and that kind of thinking makes you doubt yourself. It’s a strange feeling—knowing you pushed yourself, but still feeling like it wasn’t enough.
How My Routine Evolved
Early on, I set alarms at work just to take a break and check Torn. Now? I don’t need alarms anymore. Not because I lost interest, but because it became natural. I already know when I need to log in and out—it’s second nature. Torn has blended into my daily life, just like everything else.
And surprisingly, it inspired me beyond just gaming. It sparked ideas for my crime-fiction novel—an immersive city like Torn, but with my own twist. But that’s another story that no one could care less about.
Faction Transformation & My Contribution
Not long after our second war loss, our good faction leader passed the mantle to another great leader, and in my view, our whole faction just got a whole lot better. The faction changed into a passive but still profitable type of faction. We don’t do wars anymore; we just focus on having fun and making money through organized crimes—especially now with 2.0. It felt like fate. Just as I started questioning where I fit in, my faction transformed into something that aligned with my playstyle perfectly. No more wars, just strategy, growth, and organized crime.
It didn’t change the way I play—it reinforced it. I was already playing passively, and now, without wars, it made me want to level up my crime stats even more. My crime type is as passive as I am—mostly burglary, pickpocketing, and shoplifting. The ones where you just click and click until your nerve is used up, hoping you don’t get arrested or hospitalized. That’s my lane, and I thrive in it. Maybe even improve other crimes when I level up my burglary to 100. Currently at 93 now.
My Progress Now
Looking back, the progress feels surreal. I started playing in June 2022, making only a little money from missions—not enough to buy anything significant. Now, I have over a billion in my account.
I had no education when I started, but I recently completed the Business education course and may create my own company soon. I owned no properties, but I recently bought my first palace, mainly to store money safely in its vault. Maybe even thinking to buy my own private island soon.
I began again at level 5, grinding my way through slow progress. Now, I’ve reached level 30. Small, but every bit of growth matters.
It’s strange how something that once felt complicated and frustrating is now second nature. Torn.com may be just a text-based game, but the grind, the progress, and the experience feel real.
My Preferred Playstyle & Mindset
Since I choose to operate in the shadows, do I ever get tempted to switch things up and play aggressively? The answer is yes. I have buy-mugged and mugged players with no stealth, just so they know it was me. Not because I was reckless, but because I just wanted them to see I’m an asshole attacking lower-levels. But that really isn’t me. I don’t want to beef with other players or provoke them.
Although, I do mug people out of boredom or if I have time. It’s not personal—it’s just the game.
Most of the times, if I mug cash less than a hundred-thousand, I'll even send them double. They don't deserve that. And that's me saying, "I'm sorry I mugged you, I had no idea. Here's your money and I added a little on the top."
As for balancing patience and progress? I see patience as the root of progress. Taking everything slow, leveling up methodically, and not hurting other players along the way—it’s all part of the routine. Some choose chaos. Some choose power. I choose the shadows.
The Never-Ending Cycle
It makes me wonder—how many other players are out there, doing the exact same thing at the exact same times every day? All of us running on the same invisible schedule, a quiet army of Torn players living in perfect sync without even realizing it.
And so, the cycle continues. Log in. Train. Crime. Travel. Wait. Log out.
Tomorrow, I’ll do it all over again.
