BGS (Back Ground Simulation) / Power Play

Factions are the smallest organizations in the game.  You can take cargo or passenger missions for them - or fight for / against them to affect their INFluence in a system.

The BGS takes the combined actions of both RNG and player activities and generates varying (generally economic) 'states' that each faction operate in for a period of time...The state affects security, prices of commodities - and the types of missions given

Power Play refers to 11 groups led by individual characters - who exert power and influence over a large number of systems.   Cmdrs can work for / against powers - which generate 'merits' - above certaiin thresholds - you receive special benefits and access to special modules