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Overview
Crime Score is a numeric tracker that increases every time a Zoi commits a criminal act. It was introduced in the v0.5.0 update (December 23, 2025) alongside the Small Business System and the Crime skill. Crime Score is separate from Karma; criminal actions lower Karma and raise Crime Score, but the two systems track different consequences. Karma affects social interactions and afterlife outcomes, while Crime Score specifically determines police response and arrest thresholds.
How to Commit Crimes
Criminal activities are accessed through the Suspicious Job Agency bulletin board. A Zoi must meet at least one of these conditions to begin the Crime skill at Level 0:
Own 2,000 Mew or less, or be in excessive debt
Be under significant psychological stress from family issues
Have the Rulebreaker trait or Malicious characteristic
Higher-level crimes unlock as the Crime skill increases. The Crime skill caps at Level 5 (unlike most skills which go to 10).
Thief Path
Thief crimes rely on Handiwork, Programming, and Fitness skills for success rates:
Action | Description |
|---|---|
Pick Door Lock | Break into homes or restricted areas. |
Break Down Door | Forced entry. Louder and riskier. |
Open Safe | Access locked safes inside buildings. |
Sabotage Surveillance Camera | Disable cameras to avoid detection. |
Steal from food stalls | Grab money jars from unattended stalls. |
Steal bags | Pick up bags found on the ground. |
Scammer Path
Scammer crimes rely on Rhetoric and Critical Thinking skills:
Action | Description |
|---|---|
Attempt Voice Phishing | Phone-based scam for Mew. |
Scam In-Game Items | Trick other Zois into handing over items. |
Impersonate Charity Worker | Pose as a charity to collect donations. |
Hold Fake Seminar | Run a fraudulent event for profit. |
Other Criminal Actions
Punching or fighting other Zois
Destroying public property
Robbing ATMs or hacking bank computers
Extorting others (including police officers)
Shoplifting from grocery store shelves
Police Response
The response escalates as Crime Score rises:
Crime Score Level | Response |
|---|---|
Low | Police issue warnings or fines for minor offenses. |
Medium | Police actively search for and chase the Zoi. |
High | Police arrest the Zoi on sight when encountered. |
Very high | Automatic arrest triggered without needing to encounter police. |
Thieves who escape a crime scene are placed under a Wanted Notice for one in-game day. During this period, any encounter with police leads to immediate arrest.
Arrest and Jail
When arrested, the Zoi is taken to a police station and changed into an orange jumpsuit. Jail is a playable space (not a time skip) with a bed, toilet, sink, mirror, vending machine, and water cooler. The Zoi keeps phone access.
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Sentence length | Approximately 24 in-game hours. |
Release | Automatic at 9 AM the next day, or click "Get out of Jail" for manual release. |
Bail | Pay an amount based on crime severity to be released early and prepare for trial. |
Trial System
After arrest, Zois can go through the trial and justice system. The process works as follows:
Appoint a lawyer: choose a free public defender (limited effectiveness) or hire an elite lawyer (better chances, costs Mew).
Complete a trial preparation mission: gather evidence, consult the lawyer, and make strategic decisions.
During the trial, opportunity cards appear. Choosing correct answers can reduce the sentence.
Free lawyers offer fewer opportunity cards. Elite lawyers provide better options.
Possible outcomes: acquittal (rare, requires excellent preparation), reduced sentence, fine, or harsher punishment if the acquittal attempt fails.
Jail Escape
Zois can escape jail by digging through the wall. Find a vulnerable spot between furniture (such as between the table and bed, or the bed and sink), then scratch at the wall repeatedly. After many attempts, a hole appears and the Zoi can escape. Changing clothes immediately after escaping helps avoid detection.
Escaping jail does not clear Crime Score or Karma. The Zoi can be re-arrested if police encounter them afterward.
Reducing Crime Score
Serving jail time reduces Crime Score. Whether Crime Score decreases naturally over time when avoiding criminal activity has not been confirmed. Karma can be reset separately using the Neutral Donut (removed in v0.4.0), but no equivalent item exists for Crime Score.
Related Systems
System | Relationship |
|---|---|
Separate tracker. Criminal actions lower Karma and raise Crime Score independently. Terrible Karma leads to ghost status at death. | |
Highest-paying career (2,169 Mew/day at Boss rank). Working it gradually raises Crime Score. | |
Gangster (Bliss Bay) and Street Soldier (Dowon) are rabbit-hole careers separate from the Thief/Scammer freelance crime system. | |
Court proceedings after arrest. Lawyers, evidence gathering, and opportunity cards determine the outcome. |