When it comes to the choices, many are dividing across racial lines, and some are more reasonably looking at the longer term picture with what we’ll receive in the form of Fractals. However, I think there may be a little more to it than that suggested by the subtlety of both candidates’ messages.
TL;DR: I suspect that this entire event may be suggestive of an internal division of interest at ArenaNet, one side more financially driven while the other is more creatively driven, and that the former is represented by Evon, while the latter is represented more by Ellen.
Voting for Evon unwittingly supports the side more interested in making money to create more items for the Gem Store, while voting for Ellen may support the side more interested in improving the game and providing more interesting content for everyone.
Ellen Kiel, #TeamKiel.
On Ellen Kiel’s side:
She presents evidence of of Evon’s association with the Consortium, an organization known for its unethical and lifethreatening behavior by fooling people into signing away their rights to free movement and to moving into an unsafe location when that’s the last thing they need.
Ellen’s campaigning is I would say, more broadly focused.
Looking at the facts:
Her campaigning is focused neither on one individual, or one individual race. Her Fractal research promises, a little unusually, research into another race’s affairs than her own, the asura. However, while the gods have definitely influenced all of Tyria, their influence has arguably been waning for some time now, whereas the Inquest’s has been growing and it would seem Thaumanova may have affected all of Tyria more than we know.
Besides that, her discount on waypoints would actually help everyone that plays PvE and travels about often.
Evon Gnashblade, #TeamGnashblade.
On Evon Gnashblade’s side:
Evon ignores her actions to protect the settlers of Southsun Coves and eliminate the source of their problems at the same time. He completely lies about her actions and attempts to gain support through the old hometown pride strategy.
As mentioned, many are dividing this along racial lines, but here’s what’s curious: Evon is technically more human-centered in almost every respect regarding his strategy.
Let’s look at the facts:
His campaigning is riddled with references to Lion’s Arch, being there between the good and the bad, as have been many current and old time fans. His Fractal research promises, as some newer fans have caught on to being odd, research into an ancient human god’s downfall.
Also, for the lazy who glance over the page, he’s first. His placement is capitalizing on real-life human behavior. Not to mention the discount on keys to chests, which is arguably gambling, is also doing so.
Speculation Section:
Now, what does all of this come down to beyond what’s obviously stated? I’d suggest that it may actually present a reflection of internal divisions of interest at ArenaNet. I suspect some may be more financially driven, while some are more creatively driven, and I think that in large respects, this is shown in the benefits each side is offering.
The discount on keys ensures that more players will be more inclined to spend real money on gems for them.
The discount on waypoints arguably ensures more players will zip around the world more enjoying the creator’s creation.
The Fall of Abaddon Fractal arguably requires less imagination, since they’ve already worked out a fair amount of the backstory to it, even if it isn’t to the greatest depth.
The Thaumanova Reactor Explosion Fractal, however, arguably requires more imagination, since the extent to which they’ve messed with how it did anything was reduced only to its aftermath. Seeing the actual explosion’s effects at fever pitch/instant of happening however may offer more interesting results.
TL;DR: I suspect that this entire event may be suggestive of an internal division of interest at ArenaNet, one side more financially driven while the other is more creatively driven, and that the former is represented by Evon, while the latter is represented more by Ellen.
Voting for Evon unwittingly supports the side more interested in making money to create more items for the Gem Store, while voting for Ellen may support the side more interested in improving the game and providing more interesting content for everyone.
Member of The Archivists’ Sanctum [Lore], a guild for lore enthusiasts.
The Adventurer’s Log!