Short answer
This glossary briefly explains the terms new players encounter most often. Before registering or buying anything, make sure you understand referral codes, Game Packages, Standalone Ships, Free Fly, UEC, aUEC and wipes.
Currencies
UEC
UEC is the currency intended for Star Citizen's long-term economy. The official referral bonus is also stated in UEC; for details, see Star Citizen registration and referral code.
aUEC
aUEC is used in the current Alpha economy. Development changes and wipes mean it may behave differently from the eventual live economy, so treat it as useful progress rather than a permanent balance.
Account and purchase
Referral code
A referral code is an invitation code for new RSI accounts. Find out more on the Star Citizen registration and referral code page.
Game Package
A Game Package includes access to Star Citizen. This matters when you want to keep playing and no Free Fly is active. Game Packages explained for beginners.
Standalone Ship
A Standalone Ship is a ship without automatic game access. If you do not already own a suitable Game Package, the ship alone is not enough to play.
Pledge
Pledge is RSI's store term for purchases that support the project. As a beginner, review pledges carefully and do not buy more than you need.
Free Fly
A Free Fly is a limited event during which Star Citizen can be tried without a Game Package. Star Citizen Free Fly for beginners.
Game world
Persistent Universe
The Persistent Universe is Star Citizen's online game world. You travel between locations, ships, missions and other players within it.
ASOP
ASOP stands for Automated Ship Organisation Program. ASOP terminals let you retrieve or store ships at spaceports and stations.
Quantum Travel
Quantum Travel covers long distances within a system. You use it to move between planets, moons, stations and mission destinations.
Hangar
A hangar is the space where your ship is delivered. In Star Citizen, you usually travel to the hangar, board your ship and take off yourself.
Activities
Cargo
Cargo means freight or goods being transported. Beginners often encounter the term in deliveries, cargo hauling and trading.
Mining
Mining involves locating and extracting raw materials. It is quieter than combat, but requires an understanding of scanners, equipment and risk.
Salvage
Salvage means recycling wrecks, damaged ships or abandoned materials. More activities can be found on Star Citizen activities explained.
Bounty Hunting
Bounty hunting mainly consists of combat missions against designated targets. It can be exciting for beginners, but also frustrating while you are learning to fight.
Ship Combat
Ship combat means fighting from your spacecraft. It teaches you about shields, weapons, target acquisition, movement and energy distribution.
FPS Combat
FPS combat means fighting on foot, for example in bunkers, buildings or stations. It is often more demanding for new players than quieter missions.
Technology and Alpha
Wipe
A wipe can reset progress or specific data. During an Alpha, progress is not always permanent.
RSI
RSI stands for Roberts Space Industries, the official platform for accounts, the store, Spectrum, the launcher and official information.
Spectrum
Spectrum is RSI's official community platform. It hosts discussions, organisations and official community spaces.
Alpha
Alpha means that Star Citizen is still in development. Content, technology, missions and progress can change. Star Citizen Technology and System Requirements.