2001 I think.
Very close. GW's first incarnation was late 2000 with GW1. Bartek relanched it in March (I think) 2001 though, which was where it really kind of started. I think it was just Bart, Nate and CyTWO who were involved at that time though.
It started as a splitter site from RPGMaker.net (not related at ALL to the current RPGMaker.net, which was founded when Bartek gave up the domain name [which ][/which]). He founded it due to not getting on with the administration of the original RPGMaker.net - they had a vendetta against Nate for some reason, and Bartek decided to PROTECT HIS FRIEND!!!
We made the BETTER FORUMS in November 2001, which is why there are like tons of registered users on exactly the same date in Nov 2001 XD!
Oh - and 15 when I first joined GW (but 13 when I first joined the NeXus - if anyone remembers that place - the old RPGmaker 95 community). From the NeXus I went to RPGMaker.net, following the development of RPGStudio (Airzone), RPGEngine (Rast), and InfinityRPG (Linguar - at least I think it was called InfinityRPG).
13 then, 27 now. In that entire time I managed to produce ONE game, which took five people to create, and was largely the least skilled person involved in creating said game. Santa Sled Racin' Mark II!!
SUNRISE...SUNSET.