The whole game is nothing more than a template for imagination and content it's you who fill the gaps not Playtechtonics
Chances are if you want a game where you can run around free as a pig with wings, and get away with it then this is your game.. As an honest player you will get somewhere; but when push comes to shove investing your time into this game reaps no benefits. There is only one weapon if you'r an honest player on Starport and that is time.
The funnest thing in the game are Permanent Servers where nothing dissapears and you don't get a medal on your profile. The downside to this is if you spend time building an empire on a permanent server which is one of the greatest thrills a sci-fi player can have.; is that having used your time it can get washed away by pollution or occasionally and more often than you think a cheater on a rampage.
The graphics are two dimensional; what more can be said? They hardly ever change or improve.
The sound is ripped from various games like Subspace/Continuum. The value for supporting the game and donating via an in-game process to purchase "Admirals Tokens" asking the community to support the game when the developers have no system to indicate who buys/transfers or ammases "Admirals Tokens" through in-game resource trading or buying themselves.
Supporting the game indicators on a forum system may help the Administrators listen to the community and satisfy the loyal supporter's hunger for an ear.
As for the time needed to learn the game; you read the "Starpedia" in-game manual and you start playing; eventually it comes all naturally to you within a day or two and you are on your way to the longest time waster of your life as you helpless getting addicted to pressing the same buttons over and over hours upon hours.
Earn some money; use your sacred credit card and buy yourself a game that will actually give you enjoyment without the dip into a chore.