The Energon Pub

What did you enjoy? what did you hate?

the party was a huge improvement over last years, which tbh was very poor.

The general handling and processing I found was quiet poor, ques were not delt with quick enough, one member of the staff was quiet rude to number of memebrs of the public (not me personally, but I saw him ignoring people trying to ask questions so he could talk to girls and generally being quiet obnoxcious).

They seemed largerly unprepaired for the numbers of people who were attending.

Many people were very disapointed as they never got to meet the stars they wnated or get thier autographs whilst some others were over represented.

As always there was going to be a popular set and they guessed wrong this year, with large amounts of exclusives, anmely the razorclaw set, not going even close to selling out whilst the sweeps were like gold dust.

Hasbro's presence was much better this year and seemed to be taking a greater intrest.

The range of guests was better than previous years an the exclusives whilst not the bests et ever were more consistant in their qualiy than some previous years.

The dealer room lacked variety, it all seemed to be the same over priced stuff with few exceptions, Robotkingdom BBTS TFsource and one japanese dealer seeming to stand out, although there was a distinct lack of parts and reprolabels that previosu years had

Over all Id give this a 6 out of 10 and probably the worst botcon Ive been to, considering Ive only been to 3 thats not too bad I guess

Well, the lines are always long and difficult. They were a little mismanaged this year due to the RotF toys.

I think the highs of the show were higher than ever before. The party rocked hard and having Weird Al appear was just f'n awesome.

The convention center was lousy, their staff was very rude. Though, there were good food options around.

The set is really nice. You haters out there? You just don't know.

The dealer room was great this year. I disagree with the op on this one. There was a very wide selection and there were really good deals to be had if you could get past the RotF stuff and look around.

I got some very cheap Battlestars toys, cheap Micron Legends stuff, and some excellent deals on G1 figures. The west coast infusion of new dealers was at the very least helpful for the year.

I'll not say too much more for now, but will probably add more as other folks discuss.

The only other Botcon I attended was 2004 as a general admission attendee. It was at the same convention center but was held in the building weird all signed in.

Lines were horrible. It wasn't so much standing in lines it was the lack of signage or info. Not knowing which line was for what was a bit annoying.

THe store line on thurs night.....Souvenier figures and ROTF stuff should have been handles seperatly. The ppl who only wanted the exclusives had to wait for the dealers buying up cart fulls of ROTF crap. Also the oderform lacked. especially for the ROTF stuff. Sure you could mark how many deluxes you wanted but once you got to the head of the line you had to ask someone for the deluxes you want and the girl who helped me didn't know the product well enough.

THe party was cool enough. Well worth the 50 dollars.

The dealer room was better than botcon 04! Even if overpriced lol

THe Box set was nice.

I personally had a great time and even my GF who isnt a TF geek enjoyed herself.

The lines this year was worse then the previous 2 years I have been to the con. I waiting in line for a total of almost 5 hours for toys. That was awful, I'm just happy that I had an amazing family of four to talk to in line, as well as other TF fans that were walking and talking back and forth.

This year's boxset is ok, but to me, the add-ons was what I was really happy about. I love all the add-ons.

The club comic was ok, short, but nothing spectacular. What I did like from the fiction were the character card bios for the add-ons. Loved it!! Now I want a set of "Skyraiders" to go toe to toe with Seekers.

And the best thing about this year's con...Everyone that attended. Wow. I had probably more fun at this con then any other year. You all really made this one of the best for me. All of my old friends, you know who you are, but it was great to meet new friends VectorA3 n Psychomud who regocnized me from my photo I posted. I'm glad you came up to say hi and I hope to keep talking to you both.

Well, this was my first one, so I don't have much to compare it TO, but....

Most of the Botcon staff were awesome. There was that one guy who was kind of a wanker who is probably the same one Neurie was talking about. Everyone else on the staff was really nice. The convention hall staff...not so much. The police were totally cool--did you know they volunteered for the duty?

The lines were pretty awful. I agree (and I wrote this on my form for them) that seeing a line with NO idea what that line was...not so much fun. I can't remember the number of times I just went up and had to ask people, hey, what's this line for? Half the time some of them weren't entirely sure. (Incidentally, that question was a great conversation starter!)

I can't complain about the dealer room: I got my Shattered Glass Starscream, so that pretty much makes everything sunshine and roses. A number of dealers I talked to were also super awesome--they not only knew their stuff, they were very very friendly and went out of their way to show me stuff--even stuff at another dealer's table! In general I was really impressed with how most of the guests, even, were willing to talk to us. The Hasbro people were great, the Activision people, also nice. The G1 writers, the IDW people--everyone was very approachable, which is MUCH different from my experience with New York cons.

And of course us fans--I think out of the whole experience there were only two people that I think were kind of jerks, and both of them were oooooold (as in even older than I am). I really liked how everyone would walk out of their way to avoid getting in someone's camera shot, and how patiently people answered some of my dopey questions. I didn't meet any of y'all, but everyone I did meet was very friendly, to the point that when I saw them again days later, they asked how I was enjoying it. Without that kind of friendliness, I probably wouldn't have had such an awesome time.

I'd heard, unofficially from one of the dealers that the numbers were waaaaay up. Last year 2600, this year 5000 admissions? That's a huge jump which might, maybe, account for some of the line constipation as well. That blessing/curse might be due to the upcoming movie, but me? I'm willing to endure if it means getting new people hooked.

I have no official opinion on the box set: it's my first souvenir from my very first Botcon. 'Nuff said.

I'm already squirreling away cash for next year. Henkei Ghost Starscream--you will be mine!

HK

For the most part I was very happy with this years Botcon. It upset me I didn't get a chance to meet Peter Cullen because I was in the Weird Al line. Maybe another year.

The Paramount party was all kinds of awesome. I lost my voice screaming when Michael Bay walked in the theater! Plust Ratchet and Ironhide were killer and the set itself was amazing.

I was happy with the dealer room. Overpriced? Yeah, but that's to be expected from any convention of any kind. I talked a few places down and got a decent price on what I wanted and in the end I walked out with everything I wanted this year with the exception of the City Commander set.

As for my complaints the lines were straight up silly, and I think next years panels should have question screeners because good Lord, some people shouldn't be allowed on a mic!

That's about it...a good year, the second in a row for me. See ya'll next year!

Oh, and I want to thank the fellow Seibertronian who was with Savage and me in his kick ass room. Remember we were up till like 4AM talking and doing our makeshift device Friday night. Sorry, but I forgot your name and Screename. Hit me up or send me a PM!

Hey gang, this is my first post on your site, which is awesome by the way. I'm a Cybertron.ca (good site too) convert, and I met so many people at the Con this past week I thought I would say hey and get some screen names from you. I'm the dude who proposed to his girl during the fan films (Shout!) presentations Friday night. Yes I know the video was kind of sucky, but the best I could do on short notice! Thanks for all the well wishes and congrats I received from you all, you made my trip! Now my opinion of the Con:

-Lines were Crazy, but look at the amount of people, maybe they didn't expect that.
-Dealer room, I found had OK variety, but definately was lacking in sheer volume of dealers.
-Hollywood tour was pretty bad, the thing that redeamed it was the people I got to know...mainly NEEERRRRDDSSSS! (if you were there you'd get it, its not an insult as I am one as well)
-Fanfilms- the one that won deserved it, prowl vs. barricade was just awesome.
-panels were better than years past, I agree that questions should be screened, many were in appropriate and were all asked by the same individual.
-party at paramount- OH MY GOD - I would have paid $200 for that ticket, it was awesome
-the hotel was overpriced, but again look at the location
-the hotels location was great, lots of stuff to do within a five minute walk, and lots of good beer!

I think it will be difficult to ever top this years con in ways of things that happened such as the party and such, unless there's another one for Transformers 3. Things to work on next year...more dealers, and a closer location to me in Ontario!

Seriously though the people that I met this time around were outstanding and I hope to see you all again next year, it was awesome.

Shadow-1 wrote:Hey gang, this is my first post on your site, which is awesome by the way. I'm a Cybertron.ca (good site too) convert, and I met so many people at the Con this past week I thought I would say hey and get some screen names from you. I'm the dude who proposed to his girl during the fan films (Shout!) presentations Friday night. Yes I know the video was kind of sucky, but the best I could do on short notice! Thanks for all the well wishes and congrats I received from you all, you made my trip! Now my opinion of the Con:

-Lines were Crazy, but look at the amount of people, maybe they didn't expect that.
-Dealer room, I found had OK variety, but definately was lacking in sheer volume of dealers.
-Hollywood tour was pretty bad, the thing that redeamed it was the people I got to know...mainly NEEERRRRDDSSSS! (if you were there you'd get it, its not an insult as I am one as well)
-Fanfilms- the one that won deserved it, prowl vs. barricade was just awesome.
-panels were better than years past, I agree that questions should be screened, many were in appropriate and were all asked by the same individual.
-party at paramount- OH MY GOD - I would have paid $200 for that ticket, it was awesome
-the hotel was overpriced, but again look at the location
-the hotels location was great, lots of stuff to do within a five minute walk, and lots of good beer!

I think it will be difficult to ever top this years con in ways of things that happened such as the party and such, unless there's another one for Transformers 3. Things to work on next year...more dealers, and a closer location to me in Ontario!

Seriously though the people that I met this time around were outstanding and I hope to see you all again next year, it was awesome.

Glad to see you over here with us! Definitely awesome to see your proposal, I wish you all the best.

This honestly might have been my favorite year ever. Sure the lines were longer but I was glad to see so many people participating. This arguably might have been the weakest boxset other than 2005, but consider this - it actually looks a lot better in person and the add-ons were just plain awesome, with a little something for everyone.

The guest list was clearly the best ever, surpassing even 2007. Getting to meet Weird Al Yankovic not once but TWICE was simply awesome and the Paramount Party was simply awesome. While trying to keep this family friendly, let me just say there weren't too many "dry seats" left in that theater after Michael Bay appeared and we saw that extended spoiler-laced scene.

Biggest thing though was getting a chance to hang out with so many of you. It seemed like everywhere I went I ran into someone new from the site, and that includes people like Robofreak, Sustain and Supreme Convoy. There were a couple others whose screen names escape me, especially the guy we shared the bus ride with who gave us his political take and the guy who I hung with in Savage's room and during the Hasbro Design/Tyrese Gibson party.

Of course, it was cool to see old friends like Prime Evil, Flux Convoy, Air Commander Starscream, Plasma Energy God and others.

Special thanks go to Counterpunch for letting me share a flight with him and my roomies, the man who keeps the News Crew flowing, First Gen and the big bot himself, Seibertron.

Finaly, a big "holla!" to Savage and his gf Katie who my wife and I shared so many good times with during this con. Crazy cab rides, extended ladieswear shopping trips, an exclusive interview with a world class voice actor, fine cali dining...you name it, we did it, my friend!

It was my first Botcon and I'd have to say it was awesome!

Sure, Thursday sucked, but after reading the veteran's survival guide, I was a little prepared.

The dealer room was great! There was one guy that had some stuff I wanted, but he was kinda rude, overpriced, and not easy to work with. I didn't buy anything from him, but he was the only guy I had issues with.

I got some awesome deals as well. Star Convoy for $50 along with the Lio Convoy vs. Galvatron set for $75.

My favorite item is the MIB Transmetal Megatron I got for $25 and had David Kaye sign. That was awesome especially since all the other Transmetal Megatron's were $75 and up so I can say I got a good deal.

The highlight for me was the Hasbro review and Q&A. I must have that Bludgeon figure that was revealed.

Outside of Botcon itself, The best part was meeting fellow members like Savage, Delicon, and Counterpunch. Talking to Savage and Delicon in line made the waits a whole lot easier.

Didn't go, to far too costly.
My friends who went were dissapointed.
Some echos of horrid lines and mismanagement by them as well.
Also, the Weird Al event was crap. It was for a set group(Primus) already with no option to buy into it even if you wanted to do so. Then no personal picture for those lucky enough to be able to see him.

Now, FunPub has had the show for a few years and Joe 'con before that. The fact there are still mentions of "mismanagement" should be seen as a disgrace and unforgivable. I sure do.

I've been seeing the exclusives all over and sadly with the exception of about 2 pieces they are all crap. Proof? They are going at/near or for what the 'con asking price was. I've seen many people who afte Ebay & Paypal fees are actually losing money.

With Hasbro seemingly making 90% of the TF's on the shelf RotF I'll be saving lots of money this year. The movie line stuff prior and now has few figs that are of interst. So sad to see Universe go away, even if temporarily and Animated reduced to leftovers.

Comments about the dealer room and figs available is discouraging. The 'con seems to be in retraction when with the brand at its most high profile it should be in expansion.

captain craig wrote:Also, the Weird Al event was crap. It was for a set group(Primus) already with no option to buy into it even if you wanted to do so. Then no personal picture for those lucky enough to be able to see him.

I was put off by the fact that to go to the awards party, I had to purchase toys that I did not want.

There did not seem anything interactive to do at the con during the day. If you got finished with the dealer room, all there was to do was sit in seminars. I guess you could have sat in some autograph line.

So how do you enter an art contest if you don't buy the toys to be able to pick up your award? I think the awards part of the Sat. evening program should be free and anyone can attend irregardless if you went to the dinner.

I didn't like the fact that it cost $50 for a dinner and you had no clue as to what is that you were going to be fed. What did you guys eat anyway? Last year was horribly planned. A very unpleasant experience.

I don't care at all the way FunPub runs the con.

Energon wrote:I didn't like the fact that it cost $50 for a dinner and you had no clue as to what is that you were going to be fed. What did you guys eat anyway?

Hamburgers, bbq chicken, corn on the cob, big ole' salads. There was a bunch of other stuff too, but that's all I had. Then there was a huge dessert table with a bunch of cakes and pies etc.

There was a coffee service as well and the usual cash bar.


The party at Paramount was insanely awesome.

Counterpunch wrote:

captain craig wrote:Also, the Weird Al event was crap. It was for a set group(Primus) already with no option to buy into it even if you wanted to do so. Then no personal picture for those lucky enough to be able to see him.

Site Moderator of Seiberton.com = V.I.P.

Posts about the net indicate regular joes couldn't get pics.
Also, what was with scheduling his session so close to Cullens?
It was mentioned in this thread some guy had to choose between the two. That factors into FunPub's further mismanagement.

captain craig wrote:Site Moderator of Seiberton.com = V.I.P.

Not so. We staffers get treated exactly the same as the "regular joes." We don't get VIP badges

I can back that up. Neither Ryan, Punch or First Gen had VIP stuff. Same badges as all other package holders. Anyway, I wanted to sound off about my 2 botcon experiences which were vastly different.

My first convention of any kind ever -2000 Botcon, Ft. Wayne, IN. It was fairly small that now that I think about it, only the 6th, TFCC had not partnered yet, nor was Hasbro there I don't think. I believe the con was under different ownership at the time as well. (I wish i had a program or some literature -but i think i was so green I forgot to get anything, still have photos though. Papers are probably buried). Very hard to remember since it was so long ago, but the highlights were the fan art section -about 3-4X larger than this year's, the 'master' collection (i forget the name of the family/group, but they had every domestic TF toy made from '84 to '99 MISB on display -never seen another collection so impressive); and getting John Moschitta's autograph. Really cool, got a chance to chat with him, the line wasn't long at all. I didn't buy the exclusive figs, thought they were ugly, so I just got the con T-shirt. (Botcon red logo on the front, prime & megs on back 'Legends Forever') Hope someone saw me wearing it Sat. I also got a G1 Megatron loose since I lost mine from when i was younger. Then a week later, my best friend was playing with it, decided to twirl it around, fell out of his hand and broke. I was ultra pissed. Anyway, the bad thing is I didn't know anything about panels, so I probably only went to 1 or less, can't remember what about for the life of me. Overall, I enjoyed it b/c it was my first con, but didn't get a ton of mileage out of it as I was a noob.

Fast forward to 2009 Botcon. By this time I had been to 3 SD Comic Cons, so I was much better versed with conventions. I wasn't pre-reg'd, couldn't afford it, so I went Sat. and Sun GA.

The lines - lines for anything in Socal are usually long and as I've lived here 8 yrs I've developed patience. Also, for those complaining about extra long lines -the general public was being recruited from the mall across the street mind you. They wanted to maximize ticket sales & I don't blame them, since it's great for kids anyway. The line for GA tix weren't that bad, as long as u got there early. Everyone in line both days was nice - and overall at the convention I didn't run into to very rude people. My only mistake was not buying Sunday's ticket on Sat. morning, that would've saved me from waiting twice. The autograph lines looked long, but I didn't see too many disgruntled people left over. The club store lines could've been arranged a little better -stanchions and rope, a lil more orderly, instead they did it 'fast food' style. They also didn't mark their spot very well, no signs. Wth? That's the 1st thing u do.

The panels - as a corollary to the lines, every panel I went to, it was easy to find seating. Even Peter Cullen's. Even if u were 5-10 mins. late. Beautiful!!! If u do that at comic-con you're screwed absolutely -with the only hope being people leaving the room & u going in after. I greatly enjoyed both of Hasbro's toy panels, the voice actor panels, and G1 writers panel. The multiple question people should've been ruled out for the very long lines, just to be fair. And I want to ask about it in the Cullen thread but, who was that numbskull at the end of Q line? That guy was a real douche.

Dealer room - pretty decent, compared to SDCC. Maybe that's b/c TF source and BBTS were here this year at Botcon. SDCC's tf selection is usually poor. Definitely more dealers than 2000. I don't think many had a hard time finding particular items. After transforming the sideswipe deluxe in H's play section, I wanted him. Went to the club store, sold out, just my luck. Come on -they gotta come better stocked than that. I wish Hasbro were selling the toys direct, I probably would've got one.

Party at paramount - missed it, didn't have ticket/couldn't afford. I have been on the lot many times though.

Hotel - my apartment was great! 22 min. drive to Pasadena. Sheraton hotel bar? 1 bartender for 100+ people? Maximum suckage. Ridiculous. Glad us seibertronians went to Yardhouse.

Hasbro booth - 2nd last thing I'll comment on, presentation: 10, activities: 10, games/prizes: 10, overall: 10. H's displays at SDCC were great each time over 3 yrs. But I must commend them for the job they did for Botcon. A little overcrowded at times, they probably should've allowed for more space. Games area was really cramped. But the handouts and toy displays were cool. They managed to keep everyone happy and for an event like this, it can be rather difficult to accomplish. I've worked a myriad of events in LA and I've never seen happier kids and a happier crowd. Hats off to them. Am I kissing their butt a little? Maybe so, but you have to remember that this is the same company that got us hooked on TF when we were kids. Can't imagine my childhood without my g1 toys.

Last, but not least, the people - my favorite thing besides the panels, was meeting up with my fellow seibertronians at sheraton/Yardhouse Friday night!!! What makes any convention fun is talking with fellow fans and those who are passionate about the same things you are. Joes, comics, SW, TFs, movies --all of that. Good times!!!!

Sorry this was so long, and if you've read this I hope some of my Alpha Trion wisdom rubbed off onto ya!!!!

captain craig wrote:Site Moderator of Seiberton.com = V.I.P.

Posts about the net indicate regular joes couldn't get pics.
Also, what was with scheduling his session so close to Cullens?
It was mentioned in this thread some guy had to choose between the two. That factors into FunPub's further mismanagement.

Though my massive ego appreciates the vote of confidence on the VIP issue, there's no truth behind it. We (I) got no special treatment.

I have to say that it's really interesting that all the people who got to go to the convention have been talking about how much fun it was and all their good experiences (with the usual minor inconveniences that BotCon offers, i.e. Lines), while you, who did not go, are belittling the event and referencing second hand information from people who aren't around to support their statements.

I suppose my point on the matter is, stop acting like you know, because in this instance, you clearly do not.

I ended up in line with Ryan, the seibertron.com creator, for at least three hours waiting to buy our club exclusives...If only I'd have known he had VIP status I'd have bypassed that line in no time!

I'm not sure where this rumour of "no personal pictures" with Weird Al is coming from. CP is no special case. I got a picture with him as well, and so did my girlfriend. He signed autographs Saturday morning for two hours. Then, at the Party at Paramount, he signed a few more and took pictures with a whole LINE of people, which he was by no means required or planned to do at all. Suffice it to say, if you wanted a picture with Weird Al, all you had to do was find him, and he was making himself readily available. The only folks who might have had trouble were Protoform packages or General Admissions who weren't included in the Saturday Night Party at Paramount.

Some may claim that's unfair, but let's face it, if the toys were the only perk of the Primus Package, a lot less people would get it. There's a reason we pay that much for Primus Package, and it's not just toys.

Savage wrote:Some may claim that's unfair, but let's face it, if the toys were the only perk of the Primus Package, a lot less people would get it. There's a reason we pay that much for Primus Package, and it's not just toys.

But the toys are really nice and the attendee figures are particularly awesome.

I didn't get a personal picture with Weird Al, but my dad did take a photos as he signed my album. I did get a cool personal pic with David Kaye though which was awesome.

After all is said and done, Fun Publications could care less about whether or some of the attendees are moderators on the sites. I met both Counterpunch and Delicon who got the same exact treatment as everyone else.

Did anyone else hear about the crazy guy who got into the Weird Al line at 4:30 in the morning?

My second Con and it was a blast. I like the boxset, its way better in person than I thought, and that horrid mold of a Transformer known as Energon Rodimus aka Thunderclash has grown on me so much that I now search for the eHobby Black Rodimus and Energon Checkpoint to go ahead and close that circle.


Friday was cool, getting figures and stuff (I got there late so no lines for me ha ha). Saturday was all work for me. I was trying to get you all the best news coverage that I could get and hope I did alright, but saturday night, Party at Paramount, was THE BEST!!!

I'm no VIP. The guys at Fun Pub couldn't care less as to who I am but I got to shake hands with, talk to and take a few pictures with Weird Al, who is amazing by the way, so nice and welcoming like you knew him for years. The chow was light years better than last years food, which you couldn't get much of as opposed to this year where you could ate your ass off (of course I didn't as I was too busy covering the party for you guys) and seeing Michael Bay was the capper.

Only bad thing was the idiot who's bus we rode on to get to the Party who drove in circles for about 20 minutes before we got there.

First Gen wrote:My second Con and it was a blast. I like the boxset, its way better in person than I thought, and that horrid mold of a Transformer known as Energon Rodimus aka Thunderclash has grown on me so much that I now search for the eHobby Black Rodimus and Energon Checkpoint to go ahead and close that circle.


Friday was cool, getting figures and stuff (I got there late so no lines for me ha ha). Saturday was all work for me. I was trying to get you all the best news coverage that I could get and hope I did alright, but saturday night, Party at Paramount, was THE BEST!!!

I'm no VIP. The guys at Fun Pub couldn't care less as to who I am but I got to shake hands with, talk to and take a few pictures with Weird Al, who is amazing by the way, so nice and welcoming like you knew him for years. The chow was light years better than last years food, which you couldn't get much of as opposed to this year where you could ate your ass off (of course I didn't as I was too busy covering the party for you guys) and seeing Michael Bay was the capper.

Only bad thing was the idiot who's bus we rode on to get to the Party who drove in circles for about 20 minutes before we got there.

And your roommates rocked!