Revision 3

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:

Scammer Path

Scammer crimes rely on Rhetoric and Critical Thinking skills:

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:

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.

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