Programming Skill Guide (Level 0 → Level 10) (post–December update)
Settings: 96-minute day • Context: after the December update (much faster skill XP from activities)
Intro
In my rotational play I test money-making skills with Zois dedicated to one main skill. Below are my Programming observations after the December update, focusing on level-up speed, work completion time, and Level 10 benefits as they might be useful if you’re considering investing into this skill.
Key takeaways
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Fastest XP: programming at the PC (books give very little progress in my run). -
Stable leveling: ~3 in-game hours per level-up from Level 1 to Level 9. -
Work-time breakpoints: changes at Level 3, Level 6, Level 9. -
Level 10 spike: hacking options + high-value quality outcomes.
One-liner: Work time changes at Level 3, Level 6, and Level 9; skill gain per level stays ~3h throughout Level 1–9.
Project type unlocks (Programming)
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Level 0: Plugin, Game Mod
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Level 2: Utility App, Puzzle Game
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Level 4: Shopping App, Sandbox Game
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Level 6: Finance App, Antivirus Program
Core progression table (overview)
| Phase | Level-up time |
Work time (App/Game/etc.) |
 Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 0 → Level 1 | ~3 min | — | Very fast initial level at the PC |
| Level 1 → Level 3 | ~3 h per level | ~7.5 h | XP is much faster than finishing a full work |
| Level 3 → Level 6 | ~3 h per level | ~6 h | First major work-time drop |
| Level 6 → Level 9 | ~3 h per level | under 4 h | Another work-time drop |
| Level 9 → Level 10 | ~3 h | under 2 h | Big speed-up for finishing works |
| Level 10 | — | under 2 h | Endgame: fastest works + best bonuses |
Money notes (examples from my run)
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Around Level 6: “Good” sold for ~150 Mew -
Around Level 9: “Good” sold for ~200 Mew -
At Level 10: Excellent ~300 Mew, Perfect ~1000 Mew
Level 10 benefits (hacking + income spike)
Hacking Competition (Sundays)
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Available at Level 10
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You can participate on Sundays -
Outcome in my run: either you win 1000 Mew or you get nothing (luck-based)
Hack into a Bank
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Available at Level 10
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Takes ~10 minutes
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Success: +1000 Mew
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Failure / caught: −500 Mew -
Cooldown applies whether you succeed or fail
Quality/value spike at Level 10
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In my run, higher quality outcomes mattered most here:
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Excellent ~300 Mew -
Perfect ~1000 Mew
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Combined with under 2 hours per work, this is where Programming can be a sufficient money maker.