Guild Wars 2 Gets A Taste Of Cutthroat Politics

When video games and politics end up in the same sentence, it’s usually for an unpleasant reason. Not so in “Guild Wars 2,” where a race for public office is in the center of the special events running over the next two weeks — and promises to be a lot of fun.

As luck would have it (okay not luck, but an assassination), the Captain’s Council of Lion’s Arch has an open seat, and two viable candidates have emerged to fill it. Both of them are trying to prove themselves to players by closing a trade agreement with the Zephyr Sanctum, and they’ve even got their own campaign promises if elected.

Human war hero Ellen Kiel says she will reduce waypoint travel prices for a month and sponsor research into the Thaumanova Reactor explosion. Charr merchant Evon Gnashblade is countering by promising to cut prices on Black Lion Keys and sponsor research into the Fall of Abaddon. And both candidates say they will introduce a rotating schedule of activities if elected.

How can you support your candidate of choice? In a number of ways, actually. Support Tokens and coins earned between now and August 5 can be pledged to either Kiel or Gnashblade to help them win, plus there are Candidate Support Packs with banners and special buffs that allow Support Tokens to count double. Nothing like stuffing the old ballot box!

The Candidate Support challenge will pit you (and a group of friends, if desired) against waves of Aetherblade pirates. The longer you survive, the more Support Tokens you’ll earn — along with the chance at loot like are Aetherized weapons.

There’s plenty more, like exclusive back items and a new World vs. World update. It’s time to get into the campaign spirit, but only for the next two weeks.