I don't think this has been asked around here (at least as far as a quick search of the archives showed), and I thought it might yield some interesting insights.
So, how did
you find out about Space Empires (insert whatever iteration you started with here)?
I'll start. I occasionally visit a site called
strategypage.com, a public access site with military and wargame news. On their links page, under the Computer Wargames Category, was a link to Shrapnel. Being bored one day, I followed it and started browsing Shrapnel's selection. I saw the listing for "Space Empires IV", and looked up the game. I liked the concept. I was impressed with the reviews. And I
loved the demo. So I ordered it.