Wow! I wanted to comment from a "historical" standpoint, since I seem to be one of the more veteran forumites who's voting this time around.
I also hope this generates some last minute interest in voting, because voting WILL make a difference, practically NO MATTER who you're voting for! Places are changing back and forth, in multiple categories!
I honestly have NEVER seen so much participation in the AARLand Choice AwAARds before! It seems to me like maybe there were more pages in previous contests, but I think there are more votes being cast in this than in those older ones (probably because more people are voting for multiple AARs, and not singles).
It's possible that our new voting format (i.e. not ranking, pooling for each game category) may have something to do with the increased interest. It could also be that there are more AARs, and more talent represented by the AAR writers. Or it could be both.
I don't know why I'm so obsessed with watching the voting, as it comes down to its final hours (btw I'm NOT running this or tallying the votes officially -- I'm just keeping track on my own). It's probably that there are just LOTS of opportunities to make a difference, because there are ALOT of close votes!!!
The first thing that stands out is how close so many AARs are, in multiple categories, jockeying for places!
The second thing I notice is how many total AARs are getting votes. Lots! I've run these votes at times in the past, and the number of AARs with at least one vote is pretty large.
So congratulations, voters! Congratulations, writers! This is exciting, for someone who remembers the very first AARLand Choice AwAARds, and how humble its beginnings were.
My observations (as of 1/30 with 1 day left to vote -- warning, my vote tally may be off by 1 or 2):
In
Crusader Kings, 30 separate AARs with votes, most with more than 1 vote.
Two AARs appear to be tied for 1st place at 13, the other contenders numbering 12, 10, 8 and 7 votes respectively. That's 3 AARs virtually tied for 1st, and another 3 not far behind! Wow! Just wow! Photo finish time, folks!
In
Europa Universalis, 20 separate AARs with votes, most with more than 1 vote. Consider that the EU franchise is the "oldest" -- not just the most history, chronologically, but the longest time passed since the latest version came out (everyone is anticipating EU 4, but normally you'd see EU 3 AARs less popular because it's "dated" -- NOT this year!).
In the EU category, one AAR has led just slightly since the very beginning, and over time has pulled away. But 2nd and 3rd place is very much in question as FOUR different AARs are within 1 vote of 2nd place!
Victoria has always lagged behind the other games because it's "more intellectual", I suppose, or maybe "more complicated". But this round there are 25 AARs represented -- quite AMAZING for Victoria!
One AAR spent most of the voting weeks in 1st place, but another has gradually gained ground and very recently has pulled AHEAD! It's 12 for one AAR, 11 for the other -- could still change! There's a 2-way tie for 3rd, with another couple AARs within 1 vote who could suddenly come up from behind!
ONE THING TO NOTE -- THERE ARE AT LEAST 5 VOTES CURRENTLY CAST FOR VICTORIA AARS WHICH ARE INELIGIBLE! CHECK YOUR VOTES! CHECK FOR START DATES, ETC.
There are 28
Hearts of Iron (or variant) AARs which have received votes!
This is another exciting race! One AAR led practically the whole voting period, with a whole gaggle trailing just behind. The AAR which HAD been in 3rd place for much of this time has recently surged and now is tied for 1st! That's 2 AARs tied at 11, one at 9, one at 7, and 4 different AARs tied at 6!!
I have rarely seen so many AARs competing for the 3 places in ANY game category, much less MOST of them!
Lastly, in the "not listed" (wild card) AAR category, we've also seen a comeback there. One AAR had led, and remains ahead with 7 votes, but another AAR surged from 0 to 5 in just 2 weeks, and could still win!
An amazing round of voting. I'm on the edge of my seat! Remember, I've watched every round of voting since this tradition started, in 2007 or so. I've even run some rounds. I don't ever remember a round that was this fluid, and had this much excitement.
Let's keep it going in the last 24 hours!
Rensslaer