Why Co-op Changes Everything

Crime Simulator supports up to 4 players in co-op. While solo play is viable, co-op doubles payout potential and dramatically reduces risk. More players mean more eyes on security, faster looting, and bigger scores.

But without coordination, co-op can be chaotic and counterproductive.

Role Assignments

Assign roles before each heist for maximum efficiency:

Lockpick (Entry Specialist)

• Best lockpick and hacking tools
• Opens all doors for the team
• Handles electronic security
• Carries the Master Key (if unlocked)

Lookout (Security)

• Watches patrol routes
• Monitors police radio
• Warns team of approaching NPCs
• Carries sleeping gas for emergency neutralization

Hauler (Loot Specialist)

• Largest inventory capacity
• Prioritizes high-value items
• Services item requests (keeps requested items)
• Uses cable ties on subdued NPCs

Driver (Extraction)

• Stays near exit point
• Parks vehicle for quick escape
• Carries backup tools for the team
• Handles police evasion if team is cornered

Communication Protocol

Effective co-op communication follows a simple protocol:

Before the heist (hideout):

• Agree on target house(s)
• Assign roles
• Check everyone has required tools
• Set a hard limit (time or risk level) for extraction

During the heist:

• Call out NPC positions immediately
• Confirm each door is clear before advancing
• Use countdowns for coordinated actions
• Call "hot" for police alert, "cold" for all clear

After the heist:

• Meet at a pre-arranged extraction point
• Do not sell loot individually -- pool and split at hideout
• Plan next target while selling

Advanced Tactics

Split and Conquer

In 2+ player games, splitting up can clear a house faster:

• Player A takes the ground floor
• Player B takes the upper floor
• Player C works the basement

Each player calls out loot locations so the Hauler prioritizes pickups.

Decoy

One player intentionally distracts security while the team loots. The decoy:

• Creates noise outside the house
• Leads police on a chase
• Uses sleeping gas on external patrols
• Retreats once the team signals "clear"

The decoy takes the highest risk but the payoff is a completely unbothered looting experience for the rest of the team.

Multi-House Chains

Once your team is coordinated, chain 3-4 houses in a single outing:

1. Hit house A (low security, quick)
2. Drop loot at a safe spot
3. Hit house B (medium security)
4. Drop again
5. Hit house C (high security if team is ready)
6. Collect all drops and extract

This method triples loot-per-run but requires strong communication and a safe intermediate drop point.

Co-op Quota Pacing

In co-op, quotas scale based on the number of players:

The quota scales but payout potential scales faster. A well-coordinated 4-player team can clear 3-4x the loot of the same number of solo players.

Common Co-op Mistakes

• No role assignment before heist -- wastes time inside
• Splitting loot unevenly -- causes friction, use a shared stash
• One player going Rambo -- alerting police while team is inside
• No extraction plan -- getting caught separately after the heist
• Not sharing tools -- duplicating tool costs across the team

Heist Planning Checklist

Before leaving the hideout, confirm:

• [ ] Target selected from job board or free-roam
• [ ] Security level assessed (locks, NPCs, alarms)
• [ ] Required tools confirmed for each team member
• [ ] Entry point identified (front, back, roof, window)
• [ ] Extraction point agreed (vehicle, alley, rooftop)
• [ ] Role assignments confirmed
• [ ] Hard abort condition set (e.g., 2 police alerts = retreat)

Target Selection

Not all houses are equal. Evaluate each target based on:

Risk Factors

• Electronic locks -- require hacking tool, slow down entry
• NPC occupancy -- more NPCs = higher alert risk
• Neighbor proximity -- tight spacing = noise carries
• Security cameras -- must be disabled or avoided
• Police response time -- varies by map zone

Reward Factors

• Known high-value locations -- safes, jewelry boxes, electronics
• Item request matches -- premium payout if requested items are inside
• Gold bar potential -- high-security targets (Update 1.3)
• Tool upgrade materials -- special loot boxes

Decision Matrix

Entry Route Planning

Every heist should have two entry plans:

Plan A: Primary Entry

• Quietest available route
• Lockpick the back door or side window
• Crawl through basement access
• Stun and bypass NPCs

Plan B: Emergency Entry

• Smash a ground-floor window (loud but fast)
• Use blowtorch on a side wall (very loud)
• Rooftop access via fire escape

Plan B is for when Plan A fails (broken lockpick, unexpected alarm, NPC wandering to your entry point). Switch to Plan B quickly to avoid wasted time.

Inside the Heist

Once inside, follow the team's defined path:

1. Clear ground floor -- Lookout confirms no NPCs
2. Lockpick internal doors -- Lockpick opens the path
3. Secure NPCs -- Sleeping gas + cable ties if occupied
4. Loot sweep -- Hauler takes high-value items in priority order
5. Safe cracking -- Blowtorch or drill on safes
6. Final sweep -- Quick check for missed items
7. Extraction -- Regroup at extraction point

Extraction Protocols

Clean Exit

• All players exit through the planned route
• No police alert
• Walk to extraction point (no sprinting -- attracts attention)
• Get in vehicle and drive to next target or hideout

Hot Exit

• Police have been alerted
• Doors are being watched
• Exit through Plan B route immediately
• No further looting
• Each player escapes independently
• Regroup at a secondary hideout location
• If caught, minimize loot loss by dropping low-value items

Evacuation Routes

Know at least two exits from every major room:

Post-Heist: Share and Plan

After extraction:

1. Stash deposit -- All loot goes into the shared hideout stash
2. Item request check -- Pull requested items for delivery
3. Repair session -- Everyone repairs broken tools
4. Skill review -- Check if anyone found new skill leaflets
5. Next target -- Repeat the planning cycle

Dealing with Failure

Even the best plans fail. When things go wrong:

• One player arrested: Remaining team should abort and start over. Loot from a failed run can still be sold.
• Multiple arrests: Reset at hideout. Take smaller targets to rebuild momentum.
• Tool failure mid-heist: The Driver should have backups. Switch tools and continue, or abort if the backup also fails.