BotCon 2014 Theme: Pirates?

uh-oh. Despite offering up some okay looking toys, the themes of the last few years have been ones I could quite easily ignore in my collection. But I really like the idea of Robot Space Pirates, be they Star Seekers or no. My wallet really hopes they're made out of terrible molds.

This has potential...

Behold, the age of the Star Seekers!



I was kinda hoping BotCon 2014 would be Beast Hunters themed, though. Thought we'd get some cool FE Bee and BH Smokey repaints to correspond with the show. Maybe it's still a possibility.

In any case, I'm excited to see what happens.

Ridiculous, yet awesome. Just like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

If this is truly the theme, Cannonball's a given. Maybe from Arms Micron Breakdown, if FunPub's nuts enough.

Mindmaster wrote:Ridiculous, yet awesome. Just like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

If this is truly the theme, Cannonball's a given. Maybe from Arms Micron Breakdown, if FunPub's nuts enough.

Looking up the Star Seekers lineup, they all use names well within Hasbro's reach:

- Cannonball
- Axer/Axor
- Sandstorm
- Brimstone

And in Cybertron, Buzzsaw, Skywarp, Brushguard and Runamuck were under Cannonball's command. I see potential.

Awesome theme, an interesting other faction for them to battle could be like some kind of Autobot navy

I think the power rangers are pirates now, too



Let's maybe try to do a little better than pirates, eh botcon.

Reminds me, I need to go looking for a Cannonball.

If done right, this could have a lot of fun potential. It could also do what I always say the BotCon and Club exclusives should do which is to expand upon existing stories. The "story behind the story" approach. Fill in the blanks. Concepts like Shattered Glass aren't for me because all it does is further complicate an already overly complicated storyline. Stories like the BotCon 2006 Beast Wars storyline are what I prefer because it fills in an important part of Transformers history that we wouldn't get otherwise.

Oh de-yarr. This may not be good for me, like craggy.

Looking at you, Thundertron. Looking at you.

This could work, though it depends on how fun pub plays it. It could sound stupid as all get out but still be awesome like Assassin's Creed 4, or if they play it wrong it could be a piss-poor concept, like Cutthroat island. Hopefully it's more like seibertron's predicting more of a unseen part of whatever mythos this is connected to.

If I could get a Cannonball to free up the CYB mold as a generic Dcon medic, I'd be happy.

Intriguing. Definitely not what I was expecting. I really thought it would be a totally 30th anniversary themed set, perhaps a figure/character from a different continuity for each slot. But this could work. I like pirates. As long as they pick the right characters and right molds, as well as creative color schemes. We'll see.

dedcat wrote:I think the power rangers are pirates now, too

Gokaiger aired 3 years ago, those of us who pay attention to these things knew when it'd show up here. It's more coincidence than anything that a Pirate Botcon set happens this year, too.

Pirates are an interesting idea if done well, though still a bit underwhelming for a big anniversary year. If this theme turns out to be based on the Star Seekers, would it be better to align the club fiction to the modern/aligned continuity, or to G1 (or something else entirely)? It would be nice to justify Thundertron's existence in the TF Prime line, but I also love expanding upon the G1 universe with new concepts and stories (like adapting the Autobot Elite Guard from Animated into G1 via the Wings of Honor universe).

Watch - this is where they'll make that Bludgeon costume from TF Animated a reality.

If they don't I'll be somewhat disappointed.

Have to chime in... if Hasbro and Takara are doing this classic 30 as their year's theme... then that's going to be hands-off for Botcon. Guessing ANY G1 or anything that would "steal the thunder" or compete with the main line is a no-no.... thus the original (and solid, I think) theme of pirates this year.

They always have to steer clear of the main line — characters/molds/lines currently on the shelf... and Botcon is generally shooting for a self-contained story and set of figures. That's not a surprise.

You can't fault them for having to follow rules set down by Hasbro.

eh, it just screams "boring" to me. Like they're jumping on the "what's cool on the internetz?" band wagon.

It will not surprise me if next years theme is Zombies.

Burn wrote:eh, it just screams "boring" to me. Like they're jumping on the "what's cool on the internetz?" band wagon.

It will not surprise me if next years theme is Zombies.

Didn't BBTS already have the Terrorcon figures?

Arrrghhh shiver me timbers...

Soooooo, I'm strongly considering making this my first Botcon after nearly 40 years. If I go, I will be taking my wife, who absolutely has no interest in my appreciation for my childhood addictions. So, couple questions:

1) is it worth it to register her?
2) is it worth it to buy her the convention set(s) in hopes of selling them after market?
3) if I am only able to swing one or two days, is it better to hit the earlier day(s) or later day(s)? Can you buy all the exclusives if you only show up early or late?
4) any other first-timer thoughts would be appreciated. I listened way back to the twin cast that covered the topic. I probably need to hit it again.
Thanks!

This could be the most insanely-awesome Botcon theme of them all.

I usually don't buy botcon figures, nor have I ever attended botcon (one year soon I'm sure), but this sounds cool. Burn is probably right about the bandwagon theme, but as far as I know, black flag is the only major trend for pirates atm, and Thundertron was released before any of that. Either way, who cares, as long as it makes for some sweet characters and toys being developed, even if its repaints. I hope they manage to keep it cybertronian without going too crazy with being too human in how its doing pirates.

Doh! One year I'll get my Gobots theme!

nazan yar wrote:Soooooo, I'm strongly considering making this my first Botcon after nearly 40 years. If I go, I will be taking my wife, who absolutely has no interest in my appreciation for my childhood addictions. So, couple questions:

1) is it worth it to register her?
2) is it worth it to buy her the convention set(s) in hopes of selling them after market?
3) if I am only able to swing one or two days, is it better to hit the earlier day(s) or later day(s)? Can you buy all the exclusives if you only show up early or late?
4) any other first-timer thoughts would be appreciated. I listened way back to the twin cast that covered the topic. I probably need to hit it again.
Thanks!

Ive been to quite a few of the BotCons and I always drag my wife along with me (bless her for putting up with it). In my experience I would answer as follows.

1.) I have always registered my wife as a minicon so she can get into all of the panels and all of the days (mainly Friday). It also gets her into the dinner and game night / awards. It is also a must if you want her to be able to have her pick up the extra set and or exclusives.

2.) I personally have never tried to sell an extra set or exclusives to help pay for the trip but many do. Most of the years turns out pretty good but it depends on how popular the Botcon theme is. I think some people got burned with it last year. I personally liked last years set but there were a lot in the fandom that did not like it. My wife was actually thinking of maybe giving the Primus package a try this year.

3.) The big day is Saturday. That is the day that has the best panels (usually the Hasbro panel) as well as the dinner and game night. Friday usually only has a few things going on and mainly getting into the dealer room early if you registered as a Primus or Minicon package. Sunday only goes to about 3PM and while they usually do have some good panels, if you have to miss a day this would probably be the one. As for buying the exclusives that also depends on how popular the theme is. Sometimes they sell out by Saturday afternoon or very early Sunday morning. I usually do the VERY long wait on Thursday night during pickup and just get the exclusives then so I never have to worry about missing out.

4.) BotCons are a lot of fun and I think everybody should try to get at least to one. If your looking for certain Transformers, I would say make a list to prioritize what your looking for. When going into the dealer room do a quick once through to gauge some prices. Some booths right next to each other can sometimes be $10 to $20 apart on prices. Have fun.

I hope that will help you out. If you have any other questions feel free to post or PM me.

OK, you know what? I give up. Botcon hasn't been anywhere near me (Long Island, NY) since '97 in Rochester, and apparently FunPub has given up on east coast fans.

Did somebody say Pirate Transformers??


I cannot wait to see what exclusives we're getting, I've always wanted some more Pirate themed Transformers that aren't Thundertron and Cannonball

Ooh, Here's a thought, Cannonball's crew vs. the Star Seekers? Two complete factions, a chance to tell a grippingish story,

I've got an idea. Perhaps we're getting another story from the Wings of Honor universe this year. It's seemingly become FunPub's new flagship continuity now that they've made a complete mess of their "Classicsverse". That Cannonball teaser might refer to the Decepticon Warlord and leader of the Maraudicons named Cannonball who was eliminated by Deathsaurus in the early WoH stories. Maybe he wasn't as blown-up as he was initially reported to be? Or perhaps we'll get a story from far earlier in the history of that timeline, chronicalling the Maraudicons' buccaneering days?

Pirates..?! Huh...well, never let it be said FunPub goes where expected. Could be fun, especially considering how HasTak dropped the ball with Thundertron so badly...they may even be using him and his crew, which would make this the first "Alligned continuity" BotCon theme (and hopefully silence the pedantics who were complaining about Megaplex being a TFP mould among Movie and Generations figures last year). As little as I liked TFP in general, I could be on board, pun intended, for this...I agree with the poster above, I enjoy it when FunPub uses their fiction to explore forgotten or unused corners of the established universes (although I do still loves me some Shattered Glass and Universe War).

It most likely WON'T be the Star Seekers. Last year's BotCon confirmed this year's story to be set in the Wings Universe and to be the conclusion story for it, set some 30 years after the era of the G1 cartoon.

But as for what sort of pirates we could see, it just so happens that last year's Beast Wars Shattered Glass story starred this salty sea dog:



How it he piratey? Well, this image might clear that up better:



Granted, their flag isn't the same symbol as Cyberton Cannonball's but being in a different continuity could suggest that these Seacons wouldn't need use the BWII logo.

Interesting. So, does that mean this year's fiction will be the LAST story set in the Wings Universe chronologically, or the last one FunPub will write altogether? I'm hoping the former, as that would leave room to explore the resolution of what was set up in the Machine Wars: Termination story, leaving this year's story to be something mostly unrelated, and still leaving room to tell the rest of their "Machine Wars Redux" story sometime down the line to fill in the gap.

From what I wrote in my notes of the announcement, it was said that this story would "wrap up the whole Wings Universe, but is not a direct continuation of Machine Wars: Termination."

You know what would make me a really happy collector from a pirate themed BotCon 2014? How about sneaking a Beast Wars II Nautilator into something for us? I'd love to complete BWII God Neptune at long last. Maybe a customs class Nautilator? Maybe a BotCon exclusive with a special box that would be appealing to collectors of the BWII line? Man, that would be awesome. C'mon Pete! Throw me a bone matey!

Or maybe they could do Spike and the Energon Land Pirates!

The theme isn't just "pirates". It's "Pirates Vs. (something)".

BotCon's Twitter notes that the pirate aspect is only half of the theme.

Sabrblade wrote:The theme isn't just "pirates". It's "Pirates Vs. (something)".

BotCon's Twitter notes that the pirate aspect is only half of the theme.

Would that mean we'd get a double set? 8 or 10 figures? Would that jack up the price some for the packages?

I would like to see a God Neptune or King Poseidon. Or, being a G1 Marvelite, a Piranacon. In their own special pirate colors, of course. AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Well, I sure feel stupid.

Forget all of what I said about God Neptune. Even though his components were originally pirates back in Beast Wars Second, it has been pointed out to me that his inclusion in the BWSG story with the very next year having a pirate theme was a coincidence.

With his components not being pirates in the BWSG story, God Neptune isn't meant to suggest anything for this year.

Guess I should have seen that coming since the story had him in his original toy body anyway, rather than any redecoed current mold that could lead to future toy release.

Damn. after the reference in Prime/Beast Hunters, I had my fingers crossed for a MASK-based theme. Like, the MASK vehicles using Transformers toys,endowing them with robot modes, maybe as a Binaltech-MECH-like project to build Earth's own Transformers. Rhino from one of the long-nose Magnus/Optimus molds, Condor from an Arcee, Jackhammer from Breakdown and so on.

Not that I legitimately expected it, since it'd be a clearance nightmare, probably breaks a bunch of Hasbro's rules, I don't think it's where they're going fictionally and I don't even really know the current status of the MASK franchise, but it seemed like an opportunity for someone to pick up on and run with. Like Gobots.

Sabrblade wrote:The theme isn't just "pirates". It's "Pirates Vs. (something)".

BotCon's Twitter notes that the pirate aspect is only half of the theme.

Ninjas?

Maybe we'll get a TFCC rendition of Nightbird!

Following yesterday's reveal that this year's BotCon theme would involve pirates we have an update from the official BotCon Twitter feed. Pirates will only make up part of this year's theme, which will be Pirates versus a yet to be revealed group. Who will this other mysterious group be? Let the speculation begin.

Pirates

VS

Beast Hunters

Seriously, I want my S3 Deluxe Bee & Smokey!!!

I will reiterate, who they're against might be some kind of Autobot Navy. Think Elite Guard. After all real pirates used to fight imperial navies and stuff

Ninjas.

They are the natural enemy of the Pirate.

Ninja's.

It is destiny.

Aww, but I wanted nothing but pirates.

I really am legitimately interested in the exclusives.

RhA wrote:Ninja's.

It is destiny.

Twitchythe3rd wrote:Ninjas.

They are the natural enemy of the Pirate.

Between the two, my vote goes to ninjas!

VS... Space Gangsters...? nah, now they have to do Ninjas, you can´t top Ninjas.

Pirates vs BEAST MACHINES!!!!

Pirates vs Cowboys

or

Pirates vs Sea Monsters

Pirates vs. Ponies