When did you get involved playing Space Empires?

[Will]

I found SEIII a while ago, in fact, I remember the exact Version number I found it at: v.1.13.
I played the demo up to Version 1.15, then ordered it. This was back when I was a little kid with no money... I saved for a month or so. When Aaron announced he was going to start on SEIV, and wanted the community to come up with suggestions, I participated in the e-mail list. I'm pretty sure it still exists... When the beta was announced, I signed up, and got picked. Probably one of the happiest days of my life
So now, I'm still a little kid, with no money... I haven't ordered Gold yet. I'm gonna (and a mousepad, too), as soon as I can convince the rents that it is worth their money, and it won't take away from my education