I've managed to wrack up some 5 billion in total assets, have over a billion credits liquid cash, never sat around scanning data ports or blowing up skimmers, stacked missions via login/logout, flown shiploads of passengers to the wrong tourist beacon, nor wasted hours on end hauling low-grade econo-passengers - or any of those other things that too-hard-working forum commanders decry as "exploits".
I just fly my ship. I do odd missions, take VIPs to places, and scan alien things. When I don't want to do any of that, I go blow up pirates. And when I don't want to do anything at all, I mine.
Been at this for coming up on four years now... lost a few ships here and there, it happens. I also take breaks, sometimes short, some times long. Been off-and-on with taking a break as of late while I explore some other titles that look particularly promising. Mostly early release stuff, all progressing at their own rates. I'll wind up back here for hours on end again sooner or later though. Elite is a great game, or will be, when they get that far with it.
