Class System

The Class System is a system in Under the Electric Stars that ranks people based on the amount of cryptos that they have. It is used primarily as a tool of subjugation and is enforced by POTEN Co.

Importance in society
Class rankings are attached to government-mandated forms of identification, which in turn are often stored solely on comms. It is not uncommon for people to lose cryptos and be demoted--what is more rare is being Upgraded to a class, a process that is accompanied by a celebration and ceremony. Class mobility is a major motivator for most people in the world of Under the Electric Stars, especially because people who are not an Alpha, Beta, or Gamma class are not permitted to live in the wealthiest parts of their city, such as Glasshouse.

Epsilon
Epsilons are the lowest class in the class system, representative of the lower middle-class to those living under the poverty line. Epsilon classes are viewed extremely negatively, and the term is often used as a shorthand for being lazy or worthless. The derogatory term "86'er" is used to refer to Epsilon classes to imply that they are unwelcome.

Minors are all considered Epsilons until they turn 18, where any accrued cryptos that someone may have saved for them are transferred, which may or may not increase their standing. If parents/guardians have debts that are unpaid when their child comes of age, the child will also have the debt spread across to their account, even if the debt is unpaid due to death.

Some Epsilon classes lack a comms system that enables them to have dynamic cryptos account. Instead, these Epsilon classes need temporary identification cards printed for them which can only hold a certain amount of cryptos, all of which need to be spent before the next renewal period. This system makes it nearly impossible to save up enough cryptos to pay the fee for a permanent ID, so there is a black market for people who can flip IDs to permanent ones.

Delta
Deltas are the next class up from Epsilon and are representative of the middle-class. There is a proportionally much lower number of Delta classes than any other class. Delta classes may rent a home and own a business, but tend to still be living paycheck to paycheck. However, it seems more likely that Delta classes are able to afford things like sending their children to higher education institutions.

Gamma
Gammas are the next class up from Delta, representative of the upper middle-class. Gammas are the first class allowed to live inside of the Dome, at least in Metropolis West, but can also live in the surrounding neighborhoods. Gammas generally own their residences and multiple businesses. As they are usually the classes running businesses, Gammas are generally responsible for the "No Epsilons" policies in areas outside of their neighborhoods.

Beta
Beta classes are the next class up from Gamma, representative of wealthy upper class. Beta classes are frequently found living in specialized neighborhoods or residences and usually work for an Alpha. Beta class is notoriously difficult to be upgraded to without help from an Alpha class, so Beta classes are usually employed via a project or sponsorship from an Alpha class.

Alpha
Alpha classes are the highest class in the Class System and represent the ultra wealthy. It is impossible to be upgraded to an Alpha as it requires generational wealth. Not much is known about Alpha classes, but it is speculated that the heads of POTEN Co. belong to that class.