Glossary Entry: Premium Currency

Quick Definition

Many games that use in-game purchases don't have you purchase the in-game items and perks directly. Instead, you trade real money for a fictional currency. This "premium" currency is different than the fictional money typically used by the game, and can only be used to purchase premium items and perks. Sometimes, games have a way for you to slowly earn this special currency without you spending money -- for example, you may have the option to receive some as payment for viewing a short video advertisement.

From a practical standpoint, this special currency acts like a credit system or virtual wallet. However, this concept has also been criticized as a means of hiding the actual amount of money the player is spending on their game.


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