Do We Have This?
A video game trope when a power up or special attack inexplicably uses up your in game
money, rather then your ammunition or
Mana Meter.
Some times it can be
hand waved as being a simplified representation of logistics costs and expenditures, but most of the times no
explanation is given in story.
Compare and contrast with
Money For Nothing and
Money From Nowhere.
- In Bio Shock and Bio Shock II, A player could 'buy out' vending machines and security system at a high cost.
- Used heavily in Mystical Ninja. Your basic ranged attack involves literally throwing coins at your enemies and later the magic attacks and power up grade all draw directly from your finances.
- In the very first The Legend Of Zelda firing your bow would cost you one rupee. Later games would include arrows as actual items proper.
- lacking the Magic meter in other games, the Magic armour in twilight princess would drain your supply of rupees at a extremely fast rate.
- Inverted in Metro2030. Post apocalypse society uses your in game bullets as currency.