From what i understand, when you hit a certain amount of credits (cash+hardware), you advance a level. You will gain access to newer tech, better ships, better weapons, more systems and will trigger the next story line mission.


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the darkness at Tan Hauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain. Time to die.

Your worth seems to be a combination of not just your cash on hand, but also all of your equipment, and all of your cargo. If you use your shield batteries, use your nanos, or take damage to your equipment, you lose net worth because what you have isn't as valuable as it was.

I also think that the value of cargo items, while you possess them, is calculated at the best known price. For instance, if you mine a bunch of gold, the game will value them at your Best Known Price. If you sell them for less than that, then you are converting your potiental worth into a lower amount of cash, and even though you now hae a lot more cash, your overall net worth drops.