History Main / MoneyIsExperiencePoints

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. Unless the currency is literal money (i.e. coins, credit card or bills), it must serve at least one other purpose other than leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If buying something doesn't lead directly to a stat increase, learning a new ability, or some form of experience points, then it's not this trope.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. Unless the currency is literal money (i.e. coins, credit card or bills), it must serve at least one other purpose other than leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

* In ''VideoGame/LiesOfP'': Ergo functions as the main currency in this game and is used to level up P in addition to buying items and equipment.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. Unless the currency is literal money (i.e. coins, credit card or bills), it must serve at least one other purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. Unless the currency is literal money (i.e. coins or bills), it must serve at least one other purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

Games can use money to raise stats or learn new abilities much like how experience points are used to level up. This is typically seen in [[RolePlayingGame role-playing games]] and [[ActionGame action games]] that allow you to upgrade your character. Some games may use a skill tree to allow players to pick and choose which attributes to level up and which skills to learn. Other games may let you purchase new abilities or permanently raise your stats at a shop. Another way this trope can be accomplished is by allowing players to convert their money into experience or vice versa.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. Unless the currency is literal money (i.e coins or bills), it must serve at least one other purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. It must serve at least one other purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

People say that money is power, and this trope seems to interpret that literally.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a separate "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. It must serve another purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

Games can use money to grow their characters in various ways, such as raising their stats or teaching them new abilities. This is typically seen in [[RolePlayingGame role-playing games]] and [[ActionGame action games]] that allow you to upgrade your character. Some games may use a skill tree to allow players to pick and choose which attributes to level up and which skills to learn. Other games may let you purchase new abilities or permanently raise your stats at a shop. Another way this can be accomplished is by allowing players to convert their money into experience or vice versa.

This usually happens for a variety of reasons. First of all, experience points are not unlimited. While it can take many hours for players to level up their characters, they will eventually max out all their stats and learn every ability there is to learn. This means the game's experience points will be left without any purpose, especially if the player can carry over their level in a NewGamePlus. Combining EXP with the game's currency will give it a more sustainable use, allowing the player to continue purchasing items, equipment, etc after they have completely maxed out their character. Also, using money for character growth can add a huge MoneySink to the game by forcing the player to decide whether to invest their money in leveling up or purchasing goods. The game's currency need not be the only way to level up, but it can be a viable method for reducing hours of level grinding.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Nioh}}'', leveling up functions the same as From Software's games. The currency is used for both leveling up and buying items. Dying will cause you to lose all money and will be lost forever if you die again trying to retrieve it.

People say that money is power, but this trope seems to take that literally.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. It must serve another purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. See also PointBuildSystem for a more closely related trope. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

* In ''VideoGame/HiFiRUSH'', Gears are primarily used for buying abilities and upgrading Chai’s stats. You could also use them to purchase and upgrade chips, and you can eventually use them to purchase costumes for different characters.

Please note that this does not apply to games that use a "currency" exclusively for enhancing stats and learning new skills. It must serve another purpose outside of leveling up, such as buying items, otherwise they are just experience points. Also note that the trope doesn't count for buying consumable items that can later be used to permanently boost your stats or learn a new ability, like a RareCandy, the effect must be instantaneous upon purchase. If you have to go through any extra steps to unlock a stat boost or ability after buying it, then it's not this trope.

* In many of Creator/FromSoftware's role-playing games, such as ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'', ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'', and ''VideoGame/EldenRing'', the game's currency doubles as the only method for leveling up the player's avatar. If the player dies, they drop all their money in the spot they died, which is lost permanently if the player is killed again before retrieving it. This makes it beneficial to buy as many items as possible in between leveling up so that you have less to lose in the event that you die trying to retrieve your lost money.