Even if a noobies test net stats show they're as competent as established NN they've still got a disadvantage, (no established relationships, no reputation).

A small bribe levels the playing field, it's common practice for new businesses to offer incentives to help attract customers, is that appealing to greed?

The game theory is very interesting, if nobody offers any vote incentives it looks like a level playing field but IMO it's not, existing NN running for a 2nd or 3rd node have a big advantage over noobs, but if all candidates offered about the same % profit share it ends up advantaging none of the candidates and just becomes a transfer to voters.

It is competitive though!

Noobs need an edge some might do that through bounties, but then again, did the season 1 & 2 guys who promised bounties actually deliver? The vote bribe guys obviously did come through otherwise we would have heard from pissed off voters by now lol