The Energon Pub

[xRotorstormx]

Welcome to the latest edition of the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast! This episode features your MC for the evening, ScottyP along with Seibertron, Jon 3.0, Megatronus, Rotorstorm, and RodimusConvoy13!

Episode #118 "Countdown to Botcon 2015" is available directly and in our RSS Feed and should appear on iTunes, and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.

As we begin the countdown to Botcon 2015, in this episode's special segment the Twincast chats with Pete Sinclair of Fun Publications. Sit back and enjoy while we find out what really goes in to putting together one of the premier Transformers conventions. You might even hear a surprise or two

Thank you Pete for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down and chat with us!

As we transition now to some toy talk, we'll discuss our thoughts on a new video that has surfaced finally showing how one of the biggest sets of the year will combine. That set you ask is none other than Combiner Wars Devastator!

Images have surfaced of some pretty wild decos of our favorite fembots, Arcee, Windblade, and Chromia! Now revealed as an SDCC exclusive, will we be leavin' on a jet plane to add these ladies to our collections? Guess you'll have to tune in to find out.

Up next, images of the newest member of the Platinum Edition family, Trypticon have been revealed! Will the crew be picking up this big lug or are some of us just not ready to pull the trigger yet.

You can't resist it...It's electric!

Now comes time for one of our favorite segments of the show, another round of bragging rights! Tune in to hear what the cast picked up since the last episode.

It's the simple things in life

Well, that wraps things up for another episode! We really hope you enjoyed listening.

Don't forget, the show only gets better if you tell us how. Drop us a review on iTunes and be sure to tell us what you love, what you hate, and what you want to hear!

Not on the show to give your take? Probably not, so don't forget to keep the discussion going on the Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums by simply replying to this post!

Got a question for the Twincast? We take all of them, we just don't take them all seriously! Leave a question in the Ask the Twincast thread and, if it makes the cut, it may get read and answered on the show.

[SW's SilverHammer]

"I don't want to say we're catching up" yes that is exactly what's going on; Botcon is amazingly stagnate. Also, wow, Pete is amazingly obtuse about taking suggestions and answering questions. Oh Also, Portland, Oregon; The Oregon convention center is 20 minutes away from PDX; 6 hotels within 5 blocks, with multiple restaurants and pubs.

[Seibertron]

I love how staunchly I was defending my opinion about the Chromia/Arcee/Windblade Platinum set not being an SDCC exclusive. And then the next morning after we recorded, it was revealed that it was nonetheless ... an SDCC exclusive. Heh.

[ScottyP]

I love how staunchly I was defending my opinion about the Chromia/Arcee/Windblade Platinum set not being an SDCC exclusive. And then the next morning after we recorded, it was revealed that it was nonetheless ... an SDCC exclusive. Heh.

Hah, no biggie! If you backed down easily, that wouldn't be very fun at all

I also want to generally add (not as a reply to Seibertron's post) that Pete came on the show on incredibly short notice, with no hesitation, and came ready to chat, provide information (where he could), and was just generally a very fun "interview". Thanks again, good sir.

[megatronus]

There are apparently videos floating around of Trypticon's working electronics.

I didn't speak up enough during that part of the show, but I will unequivocally state it here: I WANT IT.

"I don't want to say we're catching up" yes that is exactly what's going on; Botcon is amazingly stagnate. Also, wow, Pete is amazingly obtuse about taking suggestions and answering questions. Oh Also, Portland, Oregon; The Oregon convention center is 20 minutes away from PDX; 6 hotels within 5 blocks, with multiple restaurants and pubs.

Yes, the location is challenging. Question is, are you going, and if not, is distance from ORD (O'Hare) the reason why?

[SW's SilverHammer]

" Oh Also, Portland, Oregon; The Oregon convention center is 20 minutes away from PDX; 6 hotels within 5 blocks, with multiple restaurants and pubs.

Yes, the location is challenging. Question is, are you going, and if not, is distance from ORD (O'Hare) the reason why?

I've said it multiple times, the trip to Illinois is expensive on it's own, counting the fact that unlike places like California where there is public transit, I would have to rent a car to get to the convention from O'hare. Those aspects alone make it cost way to much for me to go. in fact, in a vacuum, it's cheaper for me to go to SDCC than Botcon,

Also; I wasn't giving Portland out as an idea for a botcon location just because I'm self centered, and self serving, though I am, It's because of the location. PDX to the Oregon Convention is an 18 minute drive on the I-84,or a 20 minute train ride across one of the various bridges. There are no less than 6 hotels within 5 blocks surrounding the convention center, with dozens of pubs and restaurants, not counting the fact, Downtown Portland is literally 15-20 minute train ride the other direction; then you hit literally dozens of hotels, restaurants, pubs, and more adult businesses per capita than any other city in the US of A. Also from the research i've done, it's a little cheaper if not the same for someone in the midwest, south, or east coast to get to PDX than LAX. Also if you want an excuse for transformers lore purpose, the old Marvel G1 comic took place up hear; relatively speaking, Southern Washington/Northern Oregon. In fact Portland is name dropped a few times. Pictured below: a scenic Portland Day in 1984. (If you want an Idea of a scenic Portland day in 2015, replace the ballet girls with goth and punk chicks. My favorite kind* (*disclaimer i'm being an ass on purpose) )

[xRotorstormx]

Portland would certainly be cool to visit, I know it was brought up in the episode that no matter where you have the convention, it is going to be inconvenient for someone. That being said, when it was in Rhode Island and I was living in Connecticut, it was awesome. Florida was great because of the MEARS shuttles and typically flights to Florida are pretty reasonable. Flying out to California has been expensive, flights into LAX are never cheap so this year I am super happy that I only have a 4 hour drive and that money I am not putting in to airfare can be spent elsewhere.

I still think Nashville would be an excellent spot just because pretty much every airline company flies in to BNA, everything downtown is walkable and it's an easy drive for a huge percentage of the country.

[ScottyP]

I still think Nashville would be an excellent spot just because pretty much every airline company flies in to BNA, everything downtown is walkable and it's an easy drive for a huge percentage of the country.

I could get behind this.

Although just to plug my own hometown since I declined to do so during the show: we have a relatively new, really super crazy cool convention center. The NHL was able to do some insane stuff there for All-Star week a few years back:









It's freakin' huge, possibly the perfect place to emulate that insane convention in China (I think?) that had cases upon cases of almost every toy ever. If only there were also someone relatively close by with nearly 4,000 different transformers releases at their disposal...

[Kibble]

Haven't listened to the show yet, but have heard a lot of complaints about Botcon being in St. Charles. Is that because it COULD have been somewhere IN Chicago, or because it's just so damn 'far' from O'Hare? Because I'm curious when Botcon is in Pasadena every other year, how many people fly into LAX? Cuz the difference between O'hare and St. Charles vs LAX and Pasadena is like...5 minutes? Nobody ever seems to bitch about how far that is. Or do most people fly into Burbank for the bi-annual Pasadena show?

[chuckdawg1999]

While I understand the cost issues I'd love to see BotCon or JoeCon in NYC just for the enjoyment of watching people buy Ronex watches for $10

[ScottyP]

Haven't listened to the show yet, but have heard a lot of complaints about Botcon being in St. Charles. Is that because it COULD have been somewhere IN Chicago, or because it's just so damn 'far' from O'Hare? Because I'm curious when Botcon is in Pasadena every other year, how many people fly into LAX? Cuz the difference between O'hare and St. Charles vs LAX and Pasadena is like...5 minutes? Nobody ever seems to **** about how far that is. Or do most people fly into Burbank for the bi-annual Pasadena show?

Fair point, and one I'd considered. Not being someone that's attending, I may be wrong on this, but I think it comes down to transportation availability, cost, and complexity. For the three Pasadena Botcons I've attended, there were very reasonably priced shuttles right from LAX baggage claim to the hotel. My understanding of the situation for this year is that this is not the case, but my knowledge of the situation isn't complete since I don't have plans to go.

[xRotorstormx]

Haven't listened to the show yet, but have heard a lot of complaints about Botcon being in St. Charles. Is that because it COULD have been somewhere IN Chicago, or because it's just so damn 'far' from O'Hare? Because I'm curious when Botcon is in Pasadena every other year, how many people fly into LAX? Cuz the difference between O'hare and St. Charles vs LAX and Pasadena is like...5 minutes? Nobody ever seems to **** about how far that is. Or do most people fly into Burbank for the bi-annual Pasadena show?

I've flew into LAX for the last Pasadena show and like Scotty brought up, the shuttles were right there. When I got picked up from LAX it felt like it took forever to get over to the hotel, but at least from O'Hare it looks like ( from the map anyways ) a pretty straight shot.

From what I gather, they weren't able to secure a "discount" for shuttle busses and this is why they are pushing the trains / public transportation. Though I can't imagine that you couldn't still call super shuttle and book something. Every airport I have ever been to I see super shuttle or something similar picking people up.

Plus, when my hubby was looking into flying and then renting a car, he said car rentals were REALLY cheap so that is also another option for people. Yeah it's an extra cost but in that case your not paying for a shuttle and you don't have to wait for them or a train...

Just my 2 cents

[ScottyP]

From what I gather, they weren't able to secure a "discount" for shuttle busses and this is why they are pushing the trains / public transportation. Though I can't imagine that you couldn't still call super shuttle and book something. Every airport I have ever been to I see super shuttle or something similar picking people up.

Just for kicks, I looked up what it would cost were I took book travel right now for next week to O'Hare. This is one-way to get there on Thursday, then the cost of Super Shuttle to get to the Pheasant Run.

$249 before taxes/etc. $149 is the Super Shuttle

Yeah I'd say were I to go, it'd be rental car all the way. Maybe an UberXL with some buddies, even.

[SW's SilverHammer]

See this is exactly why we need more public transit systems; so we, grown adults in a privileged nation can get toys with the money we have, more easily. But no that would be Europeanizing Merica or some crap.

[Kibble]

Listening to the podcast now, and Alton Brown...I mean Pete just made the same LAX/Pasadena point. Guess I shoulda listened before posting it.

Oh, and I hate the Pasadena every year idea. Bad enough it's already every other year...

[ScottyP]

Listening to the podcast now, and Alton Brown...I mean Pete

You just blew my mind

[Kibble]

Listening to the podcast now, and Alton Brown...I mean Pete

You just blew my mind

Ain't it crazy how he not only sounds like him, but he looks like him too?

[AceMilo]

I've been stewing on this episode since I listened. You addressed it at the very end saying something vague along the lines of "If you're asking why we didn't lay into him you don't know what you're talking about." I really think you should have at least asked him a few REASONABLE questions. For example, I think asking him why registration went up less than a month before the con would have been a completely reasonable thing to ask. Or, why they haven't gone to something like eventbrite to handle registration instead of their god awful homemade system that obviously doesn't work. You could have found out why they didn't arrange any method besides public transportation to get people from the airport to the hotel. You could have given him an avenue of explaining things directly to the fans, without just ripping into him. You can have an honest and frank discussion in a respectful manor and actually get some real, useful information to the fans without being hurtful. Instead, you guys went the easy route and completely kissed his butt. You didn't ask a single question that any of us would want to know the answer to, you just let him go on about how awesome Shattered Glass Stepper is (it's not). I understand you attract more flies with honey, but you can still ask him real questions RESPECTFULLY without just kissing his butt for an hour.

[SW's SilverHammer]

I've been stewing on this episode since I listened. You addressed it at the very end saying something vague along the lines of "If you're asking why we didn't lay into him you don't know what you're talking about." I really think you should have at least asked him a few REASONABLE questions. For example, I think asking him why registration went up less than a month before the con would have been a completely reasonable thing to ask. Or, why they haven't gone to something like eventbrite to handle registration instead of their god awful homemade system that obviously doesn't work. You could have found out why they didn't arrange any method besides public transportation to get people from the airport to the hotel. You could have given him an avenue of explaining things directly to the fans, without just ripping into him. You can have an honest and frank discussion in a respectful manor and actually get some real, useful information to the fans without being hurtful. Instead, you guys went the easy route and completely kissed his butt. You didn't ask a single question that any of us would want to know the answer to, you just let him go on about how awesome Shattered Glass Stepper is (it's not). I understand you attract more flies with honey, but you can still ask him real questions RESPECTFULLY without just kissing his butt for an hour.

If you want the honest opinion, from an outsiders perspective, Seibertyron has been talking alot about getting in good with the club to net him and the site more gain. Whether that be decrying the third party or supporting most of the clubs decisions; It's office politics. At least that's how eye see it; earnest or not.

[Kibble]

I've been stewing on this episode since I listened. You addressed it at the very end saying something vague along the lines of "If you're asking why we didn't lay into him you don't know what you're talking about." I really think you should have at least asked him a few REASONABLE questions. For example, I think asking him why registration went up less than a month before the con would have been a completely reasonable thing to ask. Or, why they haven't gone to something like eventbrite to handle registration instead of their god awful homemade system that obviously doesn't work. You could have found out why they didn't arrange any method besides public transportation to get people from the airport to the hotel. You could have given him an avenue of explaining things directly to the fans, without just ripping into him. You can have an honest and frank discussion in a respectful manor and actually get some real, useful information to the fans without being hurtful. Instead, you guys went the easy route and completely kissed his butt. You didn't ask a single question that any of us would want to know the answer to, you just let him go on about how awesome Shattered Glass Stepper is (it's not). I understand you attract more flies with honey, but you can still ask him real questions RESPECTFULLY without just kissing his butt for an hour.

What would asking those questions gain...other than maybe making you feel a little better that the guy was being put on the hot seat? You think you're going to get any meaningful answers or it'll magically make FunPub better in the future? I think it's safe to say they know the reaction already...whether they do anything different in the future is another matter. You'd have probably only gotten the same generic answers they already gave and likely just helped to make sure he won't come on in the future. So take your pick...generic PR statements or some insight into the figures?