I have been a gamer since before the birth of the PC.  I used to play SPI war and strategy games back when they came in the mail with Strategy and Tactics magazine, e.g., circa 1976 (yeah I'm an "old guy"). 

I am really stunned by the effectiveness of the AI in my latest game, in which my custom, Arcean-like warrior race, (OK, well Klingons), have been slowly expanding via conquest in a gigantic galaxy against the Federation and others.  The Thalan have been the biggest thorn in my side the entire game, never giving me any quarter, even though I could effectively bully the other races into peace, as I slowly expanded.  The Hive wouldn't have any of it, repeatedly exhorting the others to battle me to keep me contained.  The secret of my power was my exploring and capturing three military resources and building maximally developed starbases to exploit them.  One of these bases is in what I'd call the Neutral Zone, near the front of battle but without any nearby inhabited planets.  I tend to use few large, powerful cruisers and battleships, whose powers are greatly enhanced by the starbases.  The Thalan just zerg me with lots and lots of little ships, and instead of attacking my planets, have focused on the seat of my power--the starbases.  I never thought I'd lose one to the AI, but I'll be damned--they took it right from me, instantly reducing my fleet's power.

Bravo, Stardock, and Brad.  Thank you for this game which will eternally remaiin on my hard drive.  (Curse you at the same time as I have to take my base back now).