A money sink is a game mechanic that serves to remove money from a game's economy. Removing money from the economy is useful, as it helps to combat inflation. This function counteracts systems, such as mission terminals, that continuously add money to a game's economy. Without the presence of money sinks, in-game money would gradually become more common, and the price of items would increase. While higher prices may not adversely affect established veteran players, newcomers, having low amounts of starting income, are particularly susceptible to fluctuations in the in-game economy.
Examples of money sinks in Star Wars Galaxies include:
- Shuttle/Starport travel
- Training
- Maintenance fees
- Bazaar fees
- Comas