TFCC Botcon 2016 theme - Dawn of the Predacus

[Deonasis]

I wonder what that Megatron 2005 hommage would be made from (if they do)?
There is an unused head from FoC Grimlock with a great likeness but surely they would use a dragon body if they could.

Of course the 2005 body would be first choice (with a new head) but a newer mold might be cheaper and easier for FunPub to use.

Maybe one of the voyager Prid Predakings (with a new head)?

[griffin]

Another activity has been announced - a live concert on the Friday night (April 8th) by Stan Bush and Vince DiCola, at a nearby live entertainment venue.
I think this will be the last time we will see the pair performing together as the numbers of us old timer fans who love their 1986 work, are very few now, and I'd feel really bad for them if they ever did a performance and only had about 20-30 people showing up.
The venue is near the Convention Centre, and is a free entry public venue, so this won't be an additional cost to attendees... but it will require BotCon attendees to walk there and back (instead of the popular room trading at the Hotel).
Hopefully this is the Friday Night event for the convention, and FunPub don't have something at the Convention Centre at the same time (like the Golden Ticket dinner or MSTF).

Looking at the maps, the Galt House and Convention Centre is on the northern end of 4th Street, and this entertainment venue is four blocks south... so it's a little walk of about 10-15 minutes, and hopefully not clashing with anything at the Convention Centre.

[Paul Agnew]

Apparently some turbo-revvin' young punk called John Bender will be attending BotCon next month.

[UltraMarginal]

I'm trying to figure out if this is a last minute thing to get more attendance/cash or if it's something they've been trying to plan for ages that's only just been locked in.

This is the first time I can recall them adding extra purchasable options so long after registration opened up.

[griffin]

A shame that this was so last minute, and unlikely to convince too many people to now go this year, just five weeks away... as this is one of those "celebrity" guests that BotCon rarely can afford. (a person who is more famous outside of Transformers, so commands hefty appearance fees)
I think if they had this locked in back in December, and announced like Frank Welker was last year before the Brochure was released, this could have helped sell extra attendee sets this year.

I'm trying to figure out if this is a last minute thing to get more attendance/cash or if it's something they've been trying to plan for ages that's only just been locked in.

This is the first time I can recall them adding extra purchasable options so long after registration opened up.

I'd say that this was a last minute addition, as it follows the same concept of Frank Welker last year, and that was included in registration as an add-on option... so if they knew about this (or had it confirmed some time ago), it would have also been a registration add-on.

Hopefully he'll be at the Golden Ticket event/dinner, as I'd be keen to see & hear him in person (outside of his Panel), but there's nothing on the US$129 VIP package that I want.
Autograph - don't really care for them, and only bother about the big names like Cullen and Welker.
Photo - I prefer to take photos of them, not of me with them. I know I've seen them, I don't need the proof of me in the same photo.
Print - I have hundreds of artwork and posters, and this isn't one of my favourite characters.
Pin - really don't care about the Pins, or FunPub's obsession with them.
Front Row seating at his panel - I get that already with the Golden Ticket.

If I was uber rich and didn't care about the money, I'd buy it, but there just isn't anything there I want, as long as I get to see and here him in some way (in person preferably, but the panel will do).

From the link posted above...

We are thrilled to offer the BotCon 2016 Judd Nelson VIP PASS. This package upgrade allows you access to our very special BotCon 2016 guest, Judd Nelson! This is the FIRST EVER appearance for Judd Nelson at a Transformers convention! The VIP PASS is $129 and is in addition to the cost of your Primus, Golden Ticket Primus, Minicon or Protoform package.

The Judd Nelson VIP PASS includes:

- One (1) autograph signed in person by Judd Nelson (Friday afternoon*)

- One (1) professional 5x7 photograph with Judd Nelson (Saturday afternoon)

- Exclusive Hot Rod art print

- Exclusive Hot Rod Cloisonne' 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 Friday afternoon 3:30-6:00 pm and your photo slot will be Saturday afternoon (time TBD). This autograph package for registered attendees is limited to 200 slots.

To sign up:

If you have already purchased your Golden Ticket Primus, Primus, Minicon or Protoform package, log in to the registration system and start a new Attending Registration. If you need more than one, you should put the number needed in the "how many are your registering?" box. On the next page insert each person's name, age and relationship to you. On the Package selection page select "2016 Attendee Bypass" (do this for each person you are registering). This will get you past this page as you already have an attending package. When you get to the Daily Events page you can choose the Judd Nelson VIP PASS for each person.

If you have not registered for your attendee package, you can now do all of this at one time. Just start a new registration and follow the screens.

Friday night is going to be busy for those with a Golden Ticket, VIP pass and wanting to see the Stan & Vince concert.

[griffin]

Well there we go, I definitely don't need the VIP pass... Judd Nelson will be at the Golden Ticket event, which makes the GT more valuable than the VIP pass, because you can actually rub shoulders and talk to him at the GT event (the VIP pass only gives you a few seconds to speak while the photo is being taken, and while he is signing your item).
Now I just gotta cross my fingers that the GT event on Friday isn't at the same time as the Stan & Vince concert two blocks away.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

The Stan and Vince concert would have been a good attraction for Botcon. No need for VIP/GT ticket shenanigens, just use a room at the hotel and let everyone there at Botcon enjoy the show.

THAT probably would have been a nice drawcard.

[reillyd]

Allspark is reporting IDW is doing the convention comic, and that it will fit into the IDW universe.


So Ravage becomes a combiner!

[Paulbot]

It fits in to IDW's Beast Wars universe (Gathering/Ascending) which has zero connection to its G1 universe.

[reillyd]

It fits in to IDW's Beast Wars universe (Gathering/Ascending) which has zero connection to its G1 universe.

Booo. I really wanted to see Ravage in a combiner form in the comics. I guess I'll have to live with just having him in the Botcon one.