They are not going to hand out prizes for being a free player, that would discourage gem purchasing. But you are right the biggest advantage in these games in having played longer. I started playing MW about a month late so I was always behind the top guys and am glad I started KA when I did.
*sigh* yeah, well it never hurt to dream. Maybe THIS time it will be different.
I just noticed the arcane defender in my inventory. That's pretty cool, considering I hardly play KA at all! I won the income event in CC too, but I actually play that game all the time so I was less surprised with that result.