Economy and Currency

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Economy and Currency

NuYen is the currency of Night City - digital credits that buy everything from street food to military-grade cyberware. Understanding the economy helps you acquire the equipment and resources needed to survive and thrive in the cyberpunk world.

NuYen: The Currency

What is NuYen?

NuYen (¥) is digital currency: - Stored electronically on credsticks and accounts - Universal currency across Night City - Used for all transactions - Cannot be physically stolen (digital security) - Transferred instantly between parties

Pronunciation: "New-Yen" (NEWin)

Symbol: ¥ (also written as "NY" or "nuyen")

Starting NuYen

New characters begin with: - Starting Amount: ¥1,000 - Enough for: Basic supplies and a few purchases - Not enough for: Expensive cyberware or advanced equipment

Your role doesn't affect starting NuYen - everyone starts equal economically.

Earning NuYen

Primary Income Sources

1. Combat Loot - Defeated enemies drop NuYen - Amount scales with enemy level/difficulty - Most reliable income for combat characters - Random variation in drop amounts

2. Quest Rewards - Quests pay NuYen upon completion - Major quests pay more than minor tasks - Some quests offer choice of NuYen or item rewards - Repeatable quests may have reduced payouts

3. Selling Equipment - Sell unwanted loot to vendors - Weapons, armor, and items have resale value - Sell price is typically 50% of buy price - Vendors have limited buying capacity (may refresh)

4. Services (Role-Specific) - Street Medics: Charge for healing services - Techs: Charge for repairs and modifications - Console Cowboys: Charge for hacking services - Fixers: Broker deals for commission - Set your own prices for player-to-player services

5. Crafting and Trade - Techs craft items to sell - Buy low, sell high trading - Acquire rare components and resell - Market prices fluctuate

6. Syndicate Funding (Future) - Syndicate treasuries pool resources - Group activities generate income - Split profits among members - Planned feature, not yet implemented

Passive Income

No passive income in Chatsubo: - You must actively play to earn NuYen - No daily login bonuses - No interest on saved NuYen - Encourages active gameplay

Spending NuYen

Major Expenses

1. Cyberware (Largest Expense) - Tier 1 (Levels 1-5): ¥1,000 - ¥5,000 per implant - Tier 2 (Levels 6-15): ¥5,000 - ¥20,000 per implant - Tier 3 (Levels 16-30): ¥20,000 - ¥100,000 per implant - Tier 4 (Levels 31-50): ¥100,000+ per implant

Installation fees: Additional cost for surgical installation

Why so expensive: - Cyberware permanently increases attributes - Most powerful character progression method - Designed as long-term goals - High cost prevents rushing to max power

2. Equipment - Weapons: ¥500 - ¥50,000+ (quality and type vary) - Armor: ¥300 - ¥30,000+ (protection level varies) - Tools: ¥100 - ¥10,000 (role-specific tools)

3. Medical Supplies - Medkits: ¥50 - ¥500 (healing amount varies) - Stim packs: ¥100 - ¥1,000 (temporary boosts) - Medical treatment: ¥100 - ¥2,000 (clinic services)

4. Skill Training - Training costs for skills above level 6 - Mentor fees or special instruction - Varies by skill and trainer

5. Consumables - Food and drink (minimal cost, mostly atmospheric) - Ammunition (if weapon uses ammo) - Repair kits and maintenance supplies - Drugs and stimulants (gameplay effects)

Minor Expenses

Daily costs: - Taxi fares (fast travel) - ¥50-¥200 per trip - Food and drink at vendors - ¥10-¥100 - Ammunition restocking - ¥50-¥500 - Minor equipment repairs - ¥100-¥1,000

These add up! Budget for recurring expenses.

Economy Balance

Income vs. Expenses

Typical economic progression:

Early Game (Levels 1-5) - Income: ¥500-¥2,000 per hour - Major goal: First Tier 2 cyberware (¥5,000-¥10,000) - Timeline: 5-10 hours to afford first major upgrade

Mid Game (Levels 6-15) - Income: ¥2,000-¥10,000 per hour - Major goal: Multiple Tier 2-3 implants (¥50,000-¥100,000 total) - Timeline: 10-20 hours per major upgrade

Late Game (Levels 16+) - Income: ¥10,000-¥50,000+ per hour - Major goal: Tier 4 legendary cyberware (¥100,000-¥500,000 each) - Timeline: 10-30 hours per legendary upgrade

Design goal: Cyberware feels like significant investment, not trivial purchase.

Wealth Accumulation

Saving strategies: 1. Don't buy everything - Focus on role-appropriate equipment 2. Prioritize cyberware - Best long-term investment 3. Sell excess loot - Don't hoard worthless items 4. Complete high-value quests - Better NuYen-per-time than grinding 5. Provide services - Role abilities can generate income

Spending strategies: 1. Plan purchases - Know what you're saving for 2. Don't impulse buy - Shiny items waste NuYen 3. Buy when needed - Don't pre-purchase unnecessary supplies 4. Compare prices - Different vendors may have different rates 5. Invest in power - Cyberware > consumables

Managing Your NuYen

Checking Balance

score

Shows your current NuYen balance.

inventory

May also show NuYen balance depending on implementation.

Transactions

Buying from vendors:

buy <item>
buy <item> from <vendor>

Selling to vendors:

sell <item>
sell <item> to <vendor>

Player-to-player trading:

give <amount> nuyen to <player>
pay <player> <amount>

Note: Exact commands may vary. Check vendor-specific help.

Vendor Types

General Vendors - Buy and sell common items - Equipment, supplies, consumables - Found throughout Night City

Specialist Vendors - Role-specific equipment - Cyberware specialists - High-end gear merchants - Limited availability, higher quality

Black Market - Illegal or restricted items - Higher prices, rare goods - Requires reputation or contacts - Risky but rewarding

Economic Tips by Role

Street Samurai

Income: Combat loot (excellent) Expenses: Weapons, armor, combat cyberware (very high) Strategy: Fight often, loot everything, save for top-tier weapons

Budget: Plan for expensive combat cyberware and weapon upgrades.

Console Cowboy

Income: Quest rewards, hacking services Expenses: Cyberdecks, neural cyberware (high) Strategy: Complete hacking quests, offer services to players

Budget: Cyberdeck upgrades are expensive but essential.

Fixer

Income: Quest rewards, brokerage fees, diverse sources Expenses: Social cyberware, varied equipment (moderate) Strategy: Jack-of-all-trades income, versatile spending

Budget: Balanced approach, invest in social advantages.

Tech

Income: Crafting sales, repair services (excellent potential) Expenses: Tools, components, workshop upgrades (moderate) Strategy: Sell crafted items, charge for repairs

Budget: Tools pay for themselves through services and sales.

Street Medic

Income: Medical services, quest rewards Expenses: Medical supplies, medical cyberware (moderate-high) Strategy: Charge for healing, essential in groups

Budget: Medical supplies are recurring cost, charge appropriately.

Economic Progression

Early Economic Goals

Level 1-5 priorities: 1. Basic combat weapon (¥500-¥1,000) 2. Light armor if combat role (¥300-¥800) 3. First medkit supply (¥100-¥200) 4. Save for first Tier 2 cyberware (¥5,000+)

Don't buy: Expensive items you can't use yet.

Mid Economic Goals

Level 6-15 priorities: 1. First Tier 2 cyberware implant 2. Upgraded primary weapon 3. Improved armor or defensive cyberware 4. Stock of supplies (medkits, ammo) 5. Begin saving for Tier 3 upgrades

Start thinking long-term: Plan cyberware progression.

Late Economic Goals

Level 16+ priorities: 1. Multiple Tier 3 cyberware implants 2. Legendary weapons and equipment 3. Full suite of role-specific tools 4. Begin acquiring Tier 4 endgame cyberware 5. Help lower-level players or syndicate members

You're wealthy: Use NuYen to build your legend.

Common Economic Mistakes

1. Spending Too Early

Mistake: Buying expensive items before you can use them. Solution: Check level requirements before purchasing.

2. Hoarding NuYen

Mistake: Saving millions while using basic equipment. Solution: NuYen is meant to be spent - invest in power.

3. Buying Wrong Equipment

Mistake: Non-role-appropriate purchases. Solution: Focus on your role's needs first.

4. Ignoring Resale Value

Mistake: Keeping worthless loot. Solution: Sell everything you don't need immediately.

5. Not Budgeting for Supplies

Mistake: Spending all NuYen on gear, none on consumables. Solution: Keep ¥1,000-¥5,000 liquid for recurring costs.

NuYen and Death

You don't lose NuYen when you die: - NuYen is digitally secured - Death does not affect your balance - No economic penalty for dying

But you might lose opportunity: - Time spent dead is time not earning - May need to buy medical services to recover

Future Economic Features (Planned)

  • Player housing - Rent or own apartments
  • Syndicate treasuries - Group economic management
  • Investment systems - Grow wealth passively
  • Black market expansion - More illicit trade options
  • Crafting economy - Player-driven market for crafted goods

NuYen is power. Earn it. Spend it wisely. Build your chrome empire.

Last Updated: October 2025

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