Overview
The Bustling World gives players the freedom to operate on the wrong side of the law. The dark side of the game includes a full criminal gameplay loop where players can commit various offenses, accumulate wanted status, and then deal with the consequences through multiple evasion or confrontation options.
Criminal activities
Players can engage in several types of crime. The approach varies depending on the player's preferred style and risk tolerance.
Stealing: Sneak into buildings at night to steal goods without being detected
Robbery: Break in during broad daylight and take what you want by force
Gambling: Participate in illegal gambling operations run by underground factions
Killing: Eliminate NPCs, whether for personal reasons or hired work
Gang formation: Organize criminal groups with other characters to conduct larger operations
Valid targets range from ordinary passersby to merchant caravans and even military convoys. The risk and reward scale with the target: robbing a lone traveler is simpler than hitting a guarded caravan.
Wanted status
If a crime is discovered, the player becomes wanted by the government. The wanted system is not binary. Several factors determine the severity of the consequences.
Severity: More serious crimes produce more intense government responses
Duration: The wanted status persists for different lengths of time
Intensity: Determines how aggressively authorities and bounty hunters pursue the player
Geographic scope: A minor theft might only make you wanted in one town, while a major crime can spread your name across multiple regions
Bounty hunters may accept government contracts to capture the player once their wanted status is high enough.
Evasion and resolution
Players caught up in the wanted system have several options for dealing with their situation.
Evade pursuit: Outrun or outfight your pursuers and continue living in the area
Flee the region: Move to a territory where you are not yet wanted
Destroy records: Infiltrate government offices and destroy your criminal records, a high-risk option
Bribe officials: Pay off the authorities to look the other way
Escape prison: If arrested, attempt a jailbreak to regain your freedom
Consequences
Criminal behavior affects the player's standing with NPCs and factions. Offended NPCs may sabotage the player's trade operations or refuse to do business with them. The system connects to the game's NPC daily life systems, where characters remember how they have been treated and react accordingly.