When did you get involved playing Space Empires?

[Gunthar]

I was just curious as to when everyone here got involved playing Space Empires.

I started WAY back with Space Empires 2, downloaded the shareware and received the full Version by mail on a 3.5" disk when I was in college.

I remember having 2-3 player 'hotseat' games which were fun, but it made the element of surprise a bit impossible when your ally who you are about to betray sees you parking cloaked sun destroyers in all of his systems, prior to declaring war.