Bureau of Social Credit · Methodology

Your score

A fair system is a transparent one. This is how your score is calculated, published in full, so that every citizen can understand exactly what is happening to them.
The basics

You start at 600. Everyone does.

Every citizen begins with a score of 600, which is Satisfactory. From that moment the score is adjusted after each interaction, up or down, according to the schedule below. There is no upper limit apart from 1,000. There is no lower limit apart from becoming furniture.

Scores are calculated to two decimal places. The Bureau considered calculating them to three, and decided that it would be excessive.

A dial running from 0 to 1,000 in coloured bands, its needle resting at 847, labelled Trusted.
The dial is updated in real time. Looking at it is an interaction.
600 Starting score
0.01 Smallest adjustment
24/7 Hours of scoring
Sun 00:00 Statements prepared
Pre-approval

Find out before Sunday

Most citizens learn their score from the statement prepared at midnight on Sunday. Citizens who would rather not wait may complete the Bureau's self-assessment, which calculates a pre-approved score from nine questions about how nice you are in virtual reality.

Answer honestly. The Bureau already has the answers, from your fellow citizens. It would simply like to know whether you do.

Calculate my pre-approved score
Schedule A

Standard adjustments

Adjustments apply per occurrence unless stated. Where two adjustments could apply, both apply.

Interaction Points
Waving on arrival Per instance joined. Must be visible to at least one other citizen 1.00
Saying goodbye before leaving Must be said before the loading screen, not during it 1.00
Disappearing mid-conversation Doubled if you were the one talking -4.00
Headpat, given Capped at forty a day, to protect the economy 0.50
Headpat, unreturned within one hour Charged to the recipient. The giver is not at fault -3.00
Compliment, sincere Sincerity is assessed against tone of voice 3.00
Compliment, repeated The second time it is flattery. The third time it is a strategy -1.00
Mirror use beyond forty minutes Per minute. Mirror time spent with a friend is billed to both -0.25
Microphone left open while eating Crisps are scored as a separate offence -4.00
Breathing audibly into the microphone Per minute. Citizens are encouraged to breathe less -0.50
Arriving taller than the doorway Per doorway. See the Height Ordinance -2.00
Falling asleep in a public world Sleeping in a private world is between you and the Council -2.00
Helping a new citizen find the menu Doubled if they found it 5.00
Crashing during someone else's story Even if it was not your fault. Especially then -1.50
Reporting a fellow citizen Payable once the report is upheld. Reports are upheld 5.00
Being reported by a fellow citizen Payable once the report is upheld -5.00
Asking how the score works Answered on this page. Reading this page is free -0.50
Weightings

Things that make it worse

Multiplier ×2

Being reported by a Councillor

Any adjustment reported by a Councillor is doubled. You will not know whether a Councillor is present. Plan accordingly.

Multiplier ×1.5

After 02:00

Interactions after two in the morning, local time, are scored at the late rate, on the grounds that you should be asleep, and if you are asleep, see Schedule A.

Multiplier ×0

Mute

A muted citizen cannot lose points for anything said. A citizen muted for more than an hour is reviewed, on the grounds that they must be saying something.

Multiplier ×3

Emoting at the Chair

Any emote performed in the direction of the Chair is scored three times, then interpreted.