Bonusten

Bonusten is a term used in speculative fiction and role-playing contexts to denote a currency-like resource or measure of social capital within a fictional society. It is not a real-world economic concept, and its exact meaning varies between works. In general, bonusten function as a portable unit of merit that characters accumulate through public-spirited actions, artistic achievement, or civic participation, and redeem for access to goods, services, or privileges.

In many settings bonusten are tracked on a secure ledger or digital token system. Earned bonusten may reflect contributions such as volunteering, innovation, or leadership in communal projects; they can also be awarded by institutions for compliance, merit, or loyalty. Spenders may exchange bonusten for housing, education, healthcare, information access, or political influence, depending on the world’s rules. The exchange rate with real-world currencies is usually fictional and context-dependent.

Bonusten systems are often governed by central authorities, guilds, or corporations that issue or certify balances. They may include rules for redistribution, penalties for abuse, inflationary adjustments, or caps on earning to prevent monopolization. Some works depict bonusten as a digital credential tied to identity, while others present them as physical tokens or certificates.

Critics of bonusten in fiction examine issues of privacy, gatekeeping, inequality, and the tension between merit and opportunity. Proponents argue that a merit-based system can align incentives with social goals or reveal true contributions.

See also currencies in fiction; reputation economy; social credit systems; game mechanics.