Hey, I know your questions are super old, but I just came back from a month of sick leave and I’ll answer them just to be sure. 
Technically, you always start out with a Faction. Factions are essentially NPCs occupying pre-determined sections of space, each with their own currency. If you are looking to create or and join a Corporation, which are player-operated, you can learn all about it here.
I’m not sure what you mean by that. The game’s graphics are very basic; although they’re going to improve, the overall focus on text in lieu of flashy visuals will remain the same.
Development has been slow, but steady. The team is going to grow soon, which will probably cause updates to be released at a higher rate. The PRO license is not required to play or keep playing; however, you need one to trade on Local Markets or the Foreign Exchange.