I dont remenber when... but I donwloaded a demo and liked, so I bought the game and played a lot, always giving a break and returning back. I think for a 2003 game it gives you lots of options. Than I found the discovery mod, it's enchanced the game 500%, it's quite the same of play a mmorpg, because of the variety of characters we all have, and without all that grind that I hate, here you depends mostly on your personal skills, you fly and kill because you are good and not because of your ship or xp points.
And the best aspect the RP is great, peple really knows what is happening around sirius and behave like his character was a real person, I mean in general they do what a real person would do in determinated situation.
To be honest I have no idea how I found the mod, it was pure luck, thanks god for that *smile*.