was this not officially implemented as Stardock didn't think there would be a desire for hot seat MP? If not, one has to wonder why it was not delivered as a polished implementation as it does not breat their ideals of compromising the AI - unless they are of course concerned that the AI is balanced and optomised for one human player? I would find that unlikely as the AI is designed to play against multiple opponents and two humans are just two further opponents.
I am genuinely interested ina view here, particularly from Brad or one of his merry team.