You know who WON'T be going to BotCon this year?Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
But wait. A replacement guest has been announced, and ooh it's a good one.
Printable View
You know who WON'T be going to BotCon this year?Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
But wait. A replacement guest has been announced, and ooh it's a good one.
Perhaps. But the bodies Ironhide and Prowl have aren't based on their Combiner Wars toys.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulbot
Not yet.... but that's page one of the comic. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Verno
Hound has a good Beast Wars name to him, and now has a Combiner Wars toy as well... leaving them with just one more Gen1 character that has a Beast-ish name or a link to Beast Wars to make a Deluxe Combiner Wars toy for.
My vote would be Grimlock, from the Rook toy... as its big and bulky, and he was also in Beast Wars. Then you'd have an Autobot pre-Beast Wars combiner that would fit with the Beast Wars theme (and just sell Grimlock with the gimmick/bio of combining with the other four released toys).
That's so sad, for the fans who were going and wanting to see him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Agnew
In case the BotCon twitter disappears again, the first link is to an announcement that Scott McNeil will not be able to make it to BotCon this year.
The second link refers to Gregg Berger taking his place, from the recent FunPub email...
I'm actually quite surprised at how many sets are still unsold. 30% of the Primus allocation and 19% of the non-attending allocation... plus about a dozen Golden Tickets left.Quote:
Hello Members!
We have some exciting news! On Friday afternoon, BotCon registered attendees will be treated to a script reading panel starring Judd Nelson, David Kaye, Venus Terzo, and Gregg Berger! To see this you must be a registered attendee, so make sure you have signed up for your Primus, Golden Ticket Primus, MiniCon or Protoform package. Also, for those who have already registered, if you have not yet added your Judd Nelson VIP Pass to your existing package you can do that today! Visit BotCon for the details and then if you need to register, add the VIP pass or do both, you can do that here.
As you can tell from the above paragraph, there has been a guest change. Unfortunately due to personal reasons, Scott McNeil had to cancel. However, Gregg Berger will now be coming! We will all miss Scott, but we are very excited about seeing our old friend Gregg in a few short weeks.
Registration will close on March 21st so there is not much time left to register. Currently there are only 30% of the Primus packages, 8% of the GT packages and 19% of the Iacon (non-attending) packages, left.
Please note that March 16 is the last day you can join the Transformers Collectors Club. If you are interested in receiving the discounts for BotCon, the 2016 FREE Membership Incentive figure and/or purchasing the TFSS 5.0 (to be revealed in full at BotCon 2016) you will need to be an active member as of March 16. All memberships will end December 31, 2016. Hasbro looks forward to sharing new plans for the Collector’s Club with you in the future.
We appreciate your support over the last 12 years and wish the brand well in their new endeavors.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing each and every one of our Club members at BotCon 2016!
Brian
Even if they didn't reduce the number of boxsets this year (from not selling out for the last four years), having about a quarter (about 400) unsold, of an estimated 1500 boxsets (last year's number), is a lot of expensive boxsets that FunPub have to clear out before the end of the year.
As for the loss of their two main guests this year, it looks like FunPub is getting all sorts of karmic bad luck right now, just before they end their Transformers operations... and it isn't even caused by their mishandling of things this time.
If these things had happened six years ago before things started going bad for them with the Transformers fandom, they would have earned a fair bit of sympathy over the massive bad luck of both of their headline guests cancelling. As much as you want them to fail like this, it is the fans (attending the event) who will suffer most from this.
The latest Podcast that Pete guest stars on has shown off some closeups of BotCon toys, including what looks to be a sneak peak at Terrorsaur.
Some images and the podcast link can be seen here.
Quote:
teased the Terrorsaur figure, which was first revealed on the Predacus boxart, and seems to be - at this point - a straight recolor of Combiner Wars Airraid.
-Ramjet can be seen at around the 22 minute mark
-Skywarp can be seen just after at the 23 minute mark
-The torso mode for Predacus at around the 24 minute mark
-Seaclamp can be seen at about the 26 minute mark
-TFCC 5.0 Prime's head can be seen at the 39 minute mark
-Terrorsaur can be seen at the 1 hour 14 minute mark.
A review of the three Tripredacus council members:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S0pLTcqNzc
Also Botcon souvenir figure Terrorsaur (courtesy of Botcon's offical FB page):
http://i.imgur.com/TSXj31b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/veeWoff.jpg
So the best figure (so far) is the one you can't buy? Of course it would be.
I don't like the cheesy grin... it's disturbing. I do like how they've tried to break up the red with some other colours that match the cartoon, but for some reason, it doesn't feel right, as the original toy had blue and green, not grey and yellow.
And he looks a little too buff for Terrorsaur, who was always a skinny, scrawny character and toy. (even his Transmetal toy, which did look like it had hit the gym, but was still a work in progress :p )
All these years I've been saying to reveal the at-show toys but keep a couple secret (the attendee and Custom Class toys - as you get the same effect from 2 or 20 secret toys)... and they go and reveal the attendee toy, leaving the bulk of toys still secret.
It's no wonder they struggle to sell the at-show toys, because a lot of people don't have enough time to organise to get one, or would have registered to attend just to make sure they don't miss out (if in America).
I think that this year, since it doesn't really matter how it turns out, they should just reveal most of the at-show toys, and see what difference I think it will make.
Hah, very creepy face. First thing I saw. Colours will match Predacus pretty well though, and I like the pattern on the wings.
*yawn*
If they've made a new head for Terrorsaur, they may as well make an all-new Generations toy to go with it.
Well if you don't want yours..... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
He seems to be too low-ranked a character to be amongst generals, a celebrated warrior and a double agent?Quote:
Originally Posted by prjkt
That's actually pretty good, wouldn't mind that if someone was able to get it :D
That's... not how this works.Quote:
Originally Posted by Verno
Looks cool, but would have liked green spotting on the wings.
Today in America is the last day to register for BotCon, and they only now announce another guest - former designer Aaron Archer.
This custom is a billion times better than the toys despite being little more than action figures
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attach...l-dsc01035.jpg
Even though they aren't actually red.Quote:
Originally Posted by kup
The customs still work for effect :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Verno
Indeed. The work that went into that table alone is great.
People at TFW are saying that Aaron Archer is back at Hasbro. That's weird.... especially after he was working on developing toys that resembled Pretenders, which wouldn't have looked good to Hasbro.
(maybe they desperately needed him back after the big purge of employees and designers, which might have left them short-staffed)
I'd like to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with other various designers who deserve to have that sort of recognition.
Pretenders, hey? Would be a logical progression of the Prime Wars Trilogy gimmicks.Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
1. Combiners
2. Headmasters/Targetmasters
3. Pretenders
There's an inter-playability theme to all of them.
FunPub have sent out an email to let people know that they have set up a Saturday VIP Judd Nelson Pack for General Admission people... but it costs $60 more than the the cost for pre-registered people.
They must have really struggled to sell VIP tickets to create a Saturday VIP pack to get enough money to pay for him.
I feel bad for those who get the VIP pack, missing out on most of Saturday's panels, with up to 5 hours of waiting in queues for the two sessions.Quote:
2016 BotCon SATURDAY Judd Nelson VIP General Admission Ticket is now available.
For $189***, the Judd Nelson VIP GA PASS includes:
• One (1) Saturday General Admission**
• One (1) item autographed in person by Judd Nelson
• One (1) professional 5x7 photograph with Judd Nelson (Saturday afternoon)
• Exclusive Hot Rod art print
• Exclusive Hot Rod Cloisonné Pin
• First seating at the Judd Nelson Panel*
Please note that there will be no photography permitted during the autograph session.
Your autograph slot will be on Saturday morning 9:00am-11:30am and your photo slot will be Saturday afternoon 12:30pm-3:00pm. This autograph package for General Admission attendees is limited to 200 slots and can be pre-ordered now through March 30th. After that date, you will need to come to late registration and availability is not guaranteed.
*After Registered Guest Package Judd Nelson VIP Pass holders and Golden Ticket Attendees.
**General Admission Ticket ONLY valid on Saturday
***$189 is the GA Pass price. The registered attendee package price is $129.
Visit BotCon and order your Judd Nelson VIP Pass today. Please post this online so that non-club members will know of this GA pass.
See you in Lousiville in a few short weeks!
Brian
That last bit asking people to post it online for them sounds desperate... and shows that they have given up promoting things themselves on fansites.
I had similar thoughts when I saw this earlier on the Seibertron site.
it really sounds like they didn't sell enough with pre-registered people.
And you'd have to really want a Judd Nelson Signature and photo to be willing to give up nearly a whole day of the convention otherwise.
the main draw for me is all the panels, and toys of course.
For those going who registered for a boxset or non-boxset full admission pack, FunPub have just emailed out the pickup details, and it shows that there will be a casino night again this year (it might have been in the Brochure, but I musta missed it).
Some details for anyone else interested...
For non-GT people, they will be sent in their pdf attachment, a designated timeslot for their Wednesday or Thursday package pickup. Below are the details that should be on everyone's email, plus the Golden Ticket details.
SOUVENIR STORE will be in the GRAND HALL.
EXHIBITS will be in GRAND BALLROOM. Both are on the 2nd floor of the Suite Tower.
PANELS will be located in the Cochran Ballroom, which is on the 3rd floor, Rivue Tower.
Tours depart from the Galt House Hotel Main Lobby
Wednesday, April 6 @8:00 am – Horses & Kentucky Bourbon Tour
Return 4:30pm; Breakfast Included; Lunch is NOT included. After tour you are welcome to walk back to hotel or stay and shop for gifts and souvenirs.
Thursday, April 7 @8:00 am – Caving & Museum Tour
Return at 5pm; Lunch is Included. Walking distance of 2 miles over the day.
Custom Classes Meet in Nunn or Breathitt Room, 2nd floor, Suite Tower, Galt House Hotel
Check your invoice to see if you are in the Wednesday or Thursday Class.
Time: 8 am – 4pm each day, Late arrival will NOT be seated after 8:15am or be given a refund.
"Early Bird" Package Pick up time for Tour Guest or Class Participants Wednesday 9:30 pm Combs/Chandler, 2nd floor, Suite Tower, Galt House Hotel.
Bring your Invoice & Photo I.D.
By picking up your badge on Wednesday night, you can go directly to the Club Souvenir Store on Thursday night.
Your name badge gains you entry for the store.
Thursday store hours 6 pm–10 pm. (for at-show toys and merchandise)
The "GT Surprise" is the bonus toy... which would be unfortunate if it was related to one of the two guests who are now no longer coming, as the first Golden Ticket year had a bonus Botshots Optimus for each person, signed by Peter Cullen.Quote:
Package Pick-up for Golden Ticket Guest Only:
Wednesday 8:30 pm Combs/Chandler , 2nd Floor, Suite Tower, Galt House Hotel
or
Thursday 4:00 pm- 5 pm Combs/Chandler , 2nd Floor, Suite Tower, Galt House Hotel
Each person will receive one name badge regardless of how many packages were purchased. Spouses may pick up spouse’s packages. Parents may pick up minor children’s packages. All other adults must pick up their own package IN PERSON at
the convention. Exclusive in your package: Golden Ticket Cloisonne Pin, GT Surprise Bonus, $2,000 Casino Money, Souvenir Voucher for “3 Times the Limit” on 2016 BotCon souvenirs, Meet & Greet Reception on Friday evening, Pre-signed autograph print, First entry to Exhibit Hall each day, and reserved seating in the front rows of all panels.
Early Shopping Privileges Thursday from 5:00 pm-5:45 pm
We will have a separate CASH line and a separate CREDIT CARD line for purchases tonight.
Souvenir purchases are by a voucher system. Approved badges for souvenir vouchers are: any Primus, Protoform, or Exhibitor (no Mini-Con or Exhibitor Helper Badge). You will receive a souvenir voucher at package pick-up for this purchase option. This souvenir voucher entitles Golden Ticket Primus Badge holders to a “3 times the Limit” of each of the exclusive 2016 convention souvenirs sold in our Club Store.
This was also worth noting, for anyone needing to contact FunPub during the first two weeks of April - they will be too busy, or in Louisville to be able to respond to emails or phonecalls.
One thing I only just noticed after all these years of the Golden Ticket concept, is that you don't appear to need to be in a Tour or Custom Class to be able to pickup your boxset/package on Wednesday night (Thursday night is the regular night for those without a Class or Tour added). Not that I wouldn't still try to get into a Class or Tour (or both) to make the trip more fulfilling, but it is good to know for next time....Quote:
We are not able to accept phone calls or retrieve emails between April 1 – April 12, 2016.
Waitasec, there's not going to be a next time?
:p
Actually, I feel more bad for those who registered to attend BotCon just to see Judd Nelson (like people who live in Louisville, or people who would have just flown/drive in for the Saturday), and now could have spent a lot less as a walk-in for Saturday.Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
If FunPub had this planned out before pre-registration closed, that would be pretty low, as there was at least one person who lives near Louisville who paid the minimum US$210 protoform package plus the $129 for the Friday VIP ticket (total US$339), when they would have just paid US$189 for the Saturday VIP ticket (which itself was already forcing people to pay an extra $60 over the Friday VIP ticket). It just seems like a desperate cash-grab (or recouping of costs from another drop in attendance, as there was no announcement of boxsets or GTs being sold out this year), by not announcing this until after people had pre-registered... so protoform attendees can't even upgrade to a boxset to at least make back the extra money they had to pay out over Saturday people by selling the boxset and attendee toy.
One of the Seibertron news staff has claimed that the Custom Class toy is CW Bluestreak... but I'm not sure if that might be true, as an earlier announcement from Pete was something about the Custom Class toy having an official head that hasn't been used on a Hasbro release toy yet. (either unreleased, or a TakaraTomy head)
They are also claiming that Hasbro took back the licenses because they want to do the Transformers conventions themselves and make them more family-focused like the Star Wars conventions.
If true, I guess if FunPub lost the Convention license, there was no point keeping the other licenses, as the Transformers Convention license was probably their biggest money-maker (when they sell out their toys).Quote:
So people know, the custom class this year is for CW Bluestreak.
Also, if anyone is wondering what is coming next for Botcon type events, word on the street is Hasbro wants to reapropriate this event and do it themselves. It will be more family friendly (LOTS more money that way) with them using the Star Wars Celebration as a blueprint. I am sure it will still be fun for fans (Star Wars fans love Star Wars Celebration) but there will be more activities geared towards kids. They definitely aim to turn the event in a type of attraction that way.
The schedule has been released (not yet emailed though), for those going to now be able to plan out your BotCon days.
The pdf file can be seen here, or from the BotCon main page (click on the Schedule tab on the left column).
And the pdf file for the descriptions of the Panels this year, also from the main page.
Hmmm... no IDW panel again this year, which is odd.
Their excuse last year was that they had just moved buildings, so I wonder what their reason is this year.
Venus Terzo has two panels while the other VAs only have one... I wonder if that's to get more bums on seats on Saturday as walk-ins.
And I'm a bit worried about the Golden Ticket event being listed at the same time as the Hall of Fame presentations, which I hope is just to Vince Dicola (for the award he won a couple years ago) and not the entire HOF awards for 2016, as they should be done during the "Awards" dinner on Saturday.
Hopefully, the Golden Ticket dinner is at the Fourth Street Live precinct, as the Schedule only notes that we meet up at the Hotel Lobby... it doesn't say where it is going to be held. If it isn't, I'll be leaving after an hour to go see Stan & Vince.
Looking through the Schedule, they've got Sunday with hardly anything on again (like last year, and Sunday was like a ghost town compared to Saturday).
No News or Guest panels on Sunday at all, just fan panels or fans who are now working in official roles but are not presenting a panel on behalf of who they work for (like IDW).
Sunday only has four panels, and none are going to be newsworthy for people to flock to them...
- PANEL - 10am - The Art of Transformers with various Artists
- PANEL - 11am - Transformers Japan with Hayato Sakamoto & Andrew Hall
- PANEL - Noon - Cybercast Podcast
- PANEL - 1pm - BotCon Over the Years
Compared to Saturday, which has seven panels, almost double... and includes the feature guests, Hasbro and the Collector Club (who will be revealing the rest of their exclusive toys for this year).
- PANEL - 10am - Venus Terzo Q&A
- PANEL - 11am - Hasbro Product preview
- PANEL - Noon - Gregg Berger Q&A
- PANEL - 1pm - Transformers Cosplay with Rosemary Ward
- PANEL - 2pm - Aaron Archer Q&A
- PANEL - 3pm - Transformers Collectors’ Club Roundtable
- PANEL - 4pm - Judd Nelson Q&A
For me I'm likely to sit in the panel room all of Saturday (I might duck out to the Dealer Room during the Cosplay panel... or process photos on my computer)... but Sunday, I think I will be hanging out with other people more than I am in the panel room (or the Dealer Room, as I wouldn't be buying anything by Sunday, and I should have all the photos taken that I need in the morning before the first panel).
If they didn't do this last year I would say that FunPub were just giving up, as this BotCon isn't going out with a bang... it's going to wind down and fizzle out like it did last year (which they should have learned not to do it again). The only difference will be, people won't be sitting around the walls of the Dealer Room for the last couple of hours waiting for the prize drawing at 3pm. They are going to just leave after the first few hours of dealer room shopping (if they aren't a comic fan to want to sit in on the first two panels of fan-artists)... if they show up at all on the Sunday.
(and if you are a local who can only go in for one day, who's going to choose Sunday over Saturday... or even waste another $25 to come back to Sunday if they aren't a hardcore fanboy - where's the incentive by FunPub, when both days are $25, but one gets you the Hasbro presentation and all but David Kaye of the feature guests... while the other gets you fan-artists, a recording of a podcast and a "reflections" of an event that the majority of walkins wouldn't have been to before to care much about its history)
With every new post on this thread the more I find my decision not to fly over justified. It doesn't sound like it will be as good as '09 or '11. It sounds like atmosphere will be lacking on Sunday. I reckon I will wait for the second year of whatever comes next.
Onto something positive, after that rant... :o
IDW artist Matt Frank will be selling Beast Wars prints at BotCon at his table, and revealed one of them, featuring the original Optimus Primal (bat) and Megatron (alligator) fighting it out.
This was one reason why I wasn't planning to go this year (last year was so disappointing with the way it was planned out - the only thing that saved it was having Welker there), and I only changed my mind for this year when it looked like it might be the last one... so figured it would be worthwhile seeing off the event, and some people that I might not see again (especially if it will become a Hasbro-run family event, I just can't see a lot of the old-timer regulars going if it isn't still mostly fan-focussed).Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulbot
So this year (like in 2004) I'm actually more interested in spending as much time as I can with some long time friends for what might be the last time (which I thought was the case in 2004, so you never know I guess)... and I think I may be a little sad on Sunday afternoon as I try to process whatever I am likely to be feeling after the last panel (of the history of BotCon), and the subsequent winding down of the remaining 90 minutes (which I think will have a very empty Dealer Room).
According to a person whom I think did this year's BotCon comic, the story this year is set in 2035, and a promo image has been released suggesting that there could be an Optimus Primal toy and Rhinox toy at BotCon this year (as at-show toys).
Damn... that could change my mind...Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
Must have!!!!!!!! :p