BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues

Tuesday, May 26th, 2015 5:56PM CDT

Categories: Event News, Collector's Club News
Posted by: Va'al Views: 24,660

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It appears that the team over at BotCon have been trying to finally open their registration pages for the 2015 event in St Charles, Illinois on June 18th-21st - but have encountered an endless run of bad luck and technical issues.

We were directed here to register, both attendee and non-attendee packages and were told that the link will be active until June 5th. What follows below is a series of updates, ending with the confirmation that registration will be attempted tomorrow.

Hello Everyone!

BotCon registration is now open until June 5, for attending and non-attending. Please use the registration link at BotCon.com.

See you in St. Charles!

Brian

We apologize!
We have temporarily turned off the 2015 BotCon Registration due to the load issue.
We are working with the service company to correct this problem.

Everyone is in the same situation, only a couple went through,
so it will basically it will be a re-start when turned back on.
We apologize for the issues,

Brian

Well to add insult to injury, we just learned that Authorize.net has gone down as well.

This is not because of our system, just a system wide issue.

We will try as soon as they come back up.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

We are watching AN's (credit card processor) status feed to see when they resolve their system wide outage. If they are not back online by 4:30 central time today. We will wait until tomorrow to start registration.

I'll advise when we have a status change.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

We are trying again. The credit card processor Authorize.net is back up.

It may take 5 minutes for the servers to spool back up to handle the load but I have made the time out for the registration 20 minutes so that should solve that potential issue.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

In fixing the scaling issue, the programmer broke the packages for the event so we have to try again tomorrow. We are very frustrated with the programming company too!

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

We are trying again. The credit card processor Authorize.net is back up.

It may take 5 minutes for the servers to spool back up to handle the load but I have made the time out for the registration 20 minutes so that should solve that potential issue.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

In fixing the scaling (server load) issue, the programmer broke the packages for the event so we have to try again tomorrow. We are very frustrated with the programming company too!

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!

Credit(s): BotCon

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Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690914)
Posted by Counterpunch on May 26th, 2015 @ 10:46pm CDT

Va'al wrote:Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!

What is there to say at this point?

I'm not being ugly about it, but there's no more shock, indignation, or disappointment for me to express.

This is what we have. This is what we have had. It doesn't change from year to year.

I've tried to contribute my voice to the whole ordeal, much like others have, to no effect.

So I just shrug. >:oP

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690917)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 10:50pm CDT

Counterpunch wrote:
Va'al wrote:Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!

What is there to say at this point?

I'm not being ugly about it, but there's no more shock, indignation, or disappointment for me to express.

This is what we have. This is what we have had. It doesn't change from year to year.

I've tried to contribute my voice to the whole ordeal, much like others have, to no effect.

So I just shrug.

This is the best pot i've seen for awhile, it feels like something the Nihilist Arby's twitter would post :lol:

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690926)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 26th, 2015 @ 11:05pm CDT

I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690942)
Posted by Autobot_Crossfire on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:14am CDT

Poor Brian.
:HEADHURTS:

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690955)
Posted by morphobots on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:35am CDT

MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved

Except it's like Counterpunch said; it's par for the course, every single stinkin' time. We're used to it.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690957)
Posted by Henry921 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:37am CDT

SW's SilverHammer wrote:This is the best pot i've seen for awhile

Well, don't just stand there, man. Roll one.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1690997)
Posted by Rated X on May 27th, 2015 @ 5:40am CDT

I never got it and I still dont get it...

Why does only THEIR website have problems ? Maybe they should just contract the whole registration process to BBTS or someone with a website that never breaks...

F**k it, im not going anyways and dont even want the entire box set.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691039)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 8:41am CDT

morphobots wrote:
MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved

Except it's like Counterpunch said; it's par for the course, every single stinkin' time. We're used to it.

If anything that makes me more pissed off ya know. I can't believe they still have their license after a decade of this, when Glenn was canned after 2 Cons when he A.) had a full time job doing something else (so he was just a fan putting on a fan convention), B.) was a one man show (he was doing everything by himself verses FunPubs team), and C.) Hasbro took forever to approve Sentinal Maximus which is why it wan't at the show, and the plates weren't his fault either. FunPub in my eyes is a bigger trainwreck... if Glenn was given a few more years we would all be attending a MUCH better show than the ones we are now

That was wordier than I anticipated... guess I got on a roll!

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691071)
Posted by Seibertron on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:44am CDT

Counterpunch wrote:
Va'al wrote:Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!

What is there to say at this point?

I'm not being ugly about it, but there's no more shock, indignation, or disappointment for me to express.

This is what we have. This is what we have had. It doesn't change from year to year.

I've tried to contribute my voice to the whole ordeal, much like others have, to no effect.

So I just shrug.

Planned attendance at BotCon also puts a personal investment into this. People are who aren't attending aren't going to care as much. It's easier to just shrug when you aren't attending.

As a programmer who has developed and programmed hundreds of e-commerce/shopping cart, event module, and multimedia websites over the past 15 years, I can assure all of you that the 4 primary websites associated with Fun Publications (both Club websites and both event websites) are relatively easy to program. There is nothing overly complex going on with BotCon registration website. I'm sure other programmers out there would be happy to back this statement up.

Either the development company has fooled Fun Pub into thinking that this is complex, or Fun Pub believes it is complex (which is a fair statement to make for people who work outside of the world of programming) which the development company is flat-out taking advantage of.

If you're reading what I wrote and you're thinking, "No Ryan, it really is complex. You just don't understand how complex it is." then that is where the problem lies and there is no helping. However, I assure all of you and everyone at Fun Pub that this is not relatively complex.

Regardless, the "event registration" website for BotCon is ultimately just a customized shopping cart module with specialized rules. If "Item #1" is placed in the cart, the customer can also purchase Items #2, #3, #5, and #9 (for example). Item #11 can only be purchased if Items #2, #4, or #9 are placed in the cart. Setting up the rules is the only time-consuming part, but not from a programming stand point. The rules should all be easily managed from an admin tool that the client can control.

I'm offering to help them resolve these issues. I would be happy to provide consultation, point them in the right direction, and if no solution is available or affordable, then I might be willing to toss my hat into the ring to resolve their problems with their websites. I'm sure between my associates and other people in the Transformers and GI Joe fandoms that a solution can be found. They just need to reach out to the communities who are passionate about these brands and ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.

Albert Einstein said it best and, unfortunately, it really applies to these ongoing problems with Fun Pub's websites ...

Albert Einstein wrote:The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691077)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:53am CDT

Well, I don't know about any of us, but TFU.info is seemingly had enough with Fun Pub's shenanigans and is putting the hammer down.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 3997501476

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691089)
Posted by Seibertron on May 27th, 2015 @ 10:07am CDT

Sabrblade wrote:Well, I don't know about any of us, but TFU.info is seemingly had enough with Fun Pub's shenanigans and is putting the hammer down.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 3997501476

Does anyone have a video of the GI Joe Collectors Club panel at this year's JoeCon? My post above is in specific response to a comment Brian made to a question at the end of the panel. He made a statement about how this isn't their fault, how the website is really unique and complicated, and that no one has ever stepped forward to offer to help them resolve these problems. I thought I had in the past (but maybe my offer to help was buried amongst criticism during heated moments), so now I want to take a different approach with this and let everyone else know that I'm offering to help. I want to be part of the solution to this. I'm sure there are other programmers out there who could also help and would be honored to help. We could make a lot of people happy and could potentially help Fun Pub make a lot more money. Both can and should go hand in hand. I want them to be successful so that we can continue to get really cool things out of all of this.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691102)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 10:34am CDT

There have been plenty of programmers to offer fixes, FOR FREE, but they explicitly turn them down. I think FunPub has fun dry fucking their consumers. It's sick.

Registration went back up and back down again in a matter of minutes this morning. They're a terrible company. Could you imagine if Amazon did this? People would completely boycott.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691123)
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:08am CDT

The application has crashed after no registrations have been processed. We will go back to the programming serving company. We are very upset as well and will be taking action.

We will have registration. I know you are worried and we understand.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691127)
Posted by morphobots on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:13am CDT

MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:There have been plenty of programmers to offer fixes, FOR FREE, but they explicitly turn them down. I think FunPub has fun dry **** their consumers. It's sick.

Registration went back up and back down again in a matter of minutes this morning. They're a terrible company. Could you imagine if Amazon did this? People would completely boycott.

Unfortunately, that is what may (and usually does) have to happen to effect change. People have to vote with their wallets. Until the con is threatened financially there will be no incentive for change. The risk is Hasbro deciding to pull the plug altogether over that, which I think is what would happen, citing not enough return on the investment. But this hassle combined with the sticker shock has made me personally decide to stop attending. I am going this year because it is finally back within driving distance for me and I miss being able to attend, but it is no longer as much fun as it used to be. I don't care about area tours, I don't care about casino nights, I don't care about awards dinners. I care about my hobby and interacting with fellow fans, and FunPub is making that excruciatingly difficult.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691137)
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:28am CDT

Those who think there hasn't been outrage aren't reading the same posts I have. Now for me, a lot of it is coming from private FB groups but it is definitely there.

When it comes to people from Seibertron.com, I have been to more BotCons than all but a few people, especially consecutive BotCons having gone e every year since 2007.

So, to answer the criticism of "this happens every year" - well, no. The last time I remember them having a registration that was so late was quite a few years ago, whichever year it was that they went to online registration in the first place. Does that mean that FunPub hasn't had a bunch of other missteps along the way? Of course not, and a lot of it IS technology related. However, if you have gone to the show year after year as I have, you'll realize that these folks do put together a great overall event.

I definitely agree with Seibertron however that seeking some better technology help would be a great idea.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691159)
Posted by megatronus on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:39pm CDT

It's not just that this is expected (which, sadly, it is), but what really gets me is everything surrounding it. The already late registration. The lack of basic QA or testing before go-live. The continued deflection to their vendor, as if the vendor is at the heart of the problem.

Honestly, I'm embarrassed for the Club.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691160)
Posted by megatronus on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:41pm CDT

@ 1:37pm EST:

Brian wrote:They have spooled it up as fast as they can go. Hopefully this works or we will look at a totally different alternative. Last shot on this system.

Again I am sorry for any issues this has caused and this in no way should reflect on the brand,

Brian

It's a bit too late for that. :-(

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691161)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:49pm CDT

Even though Seibertron is willing to help, I don't think the club wants any help. If they wanted help for an issue they couldn't fix or alternatively understand on their own, they would've sought it by now, and this would've been a non issue. Like literally a non issue, this conversation would not be happening. Granted the club's QC is moot at best. Yes I'm using that word right, moot means debatable.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691166)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:07pm CDT

Delicon wrote:Those who think there hasn't been outrage aren't reading the same posts I have. Now for me, a lot of it is coming from private FB groups but it is definitely there.

When it comes to people from Seibertron.com, I have been to more BotCons than all but a few people, especially consecutive BotCons having gone e every year since 2007.

So, to answer the criticism of "this happens every year" - well, no. The last time I remember them having a registration that was so late was quite a few years ago, whichever year it was that they went to online registration in the first place. Does that mean that FunPub hasn't had a bunch of other missteps along the way? Of course not, and a lot of it IS technology related. However, if you have gone to the show year after year as I have, you'll realize that these folks do put together a great overall event.

I definitely agree with Seibertron however that seeking some better technology help would be a great idea.

I've gone to BotCon consecutively since 2000, when 3H was in full swing. I witnessed Glenn's unfair downfall at the hands of a lackadaisical Hasbro, and I've seen FunPub fuck up since day one by not providing half the things they promised to do the first week in the entire first year. If it's not this, it's that. If it's not one thing, it's another. They took over in 2005... online registration should have been done straight off the bat. They are utterly incompetent.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691168)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:07pm CDT

I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.

Got my package.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691174)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:14pm CDT

Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.

Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.

So... yeah.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691176)
Posted by mooncake623 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:19pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.

So... yeah.

Wait so they're blaming their vendor who is actually his own company? what? wtf?

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691181)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:23pm CDT

mooncake623 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.

So... yeah.

Wait so they're blaming their vendor who is actually his own company? what? wtf?

Authorize.net is who they're blaming.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691187)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:36pm CDT

Others are saying it's finally up and running, having registered successfully.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691188)
Posted by Va'al on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:36pm CDT

It appears that after a number of several further misplacements, pre-registration for the 2015 BotCon event may finally have stabilised enough to at least process Attendee packages. In the past couple of hours, the following string of messages have been sent by FunPub, and received by potential convention goers.

Good morning,

We have now turned the registration system back on. We have been assured once again that it will work this time under load. It may take a few minutes for successive servers to spool up so I have made the time out 20 minutes. This will keep items in your cart until you finish or the registration times out.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

The application has crashed after no registrations have been processed. We will go back to the programming serving company. We are very upset as well and will be taking action.

We will have registration. I know you are worried and we understand.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian

I apologize for the errors our vendor continues to cause us. Since they are our vendor, we take complete responsibility. We are going to try one more time with this system. They are doubling the servers we will be starting with from the last round.

To lighten the load slightly, we will only start with Attending packages. We have Non-attending sets and loose sets set aside for you guys and will allow Non-attending registrations after the load is past for the attending items. The Non-attending packages are turned off so there is no way you can pick one. Please wait until we give you the go-ahead.

If for whatever reason this system fails again, we will do registration a completely different way which is a semi manual system.

Registration retry email coming in a bit.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused,

Brian

And finally, about an hour ago:

They have spooled it up as fast as they can go. Hopefully this works or we will look at a totally different alternative. Last shot on this system.

Again I am sorry for any issues this has caused and this in no way should reflect on the brand,

Brian

What say you, Seibertronians - have you been able to pre-register your spot at BotCon 2015? Any further comments on the situation?

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691189)
Posted by SilentScream on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:37pm CDT

Clicking Non-Attending for registration appears to not be working altogether. It just sends me back to the start over and over again. I've been at it on and off since I got the most recent e-mail from Brian @ FunPub saying registration is up.

I can go through the whole process as an attending package but no dice with non-attending.

I sent them an e-mail about it.

Has anyone else tried? Attending Botcon since 2002 (minus 2010 and this year), I know it has its problems over the last decade for sure, no rose tinted glasses for me...but unfortunately Botcon is starting to lose a bit of its charm.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691210)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 2:17pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.

So... yeah.

Bingo! And as stated, many programmers have offered to help for years... insanity by definition is doing the same thing expecting a different outcome. Only FunPub can be blamed. You go with cheap, you get dodgy results... I mean that's business 101

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691218)
Posted by Va'al on May 27th, 2015 @ 2:29pm CDT

SilentScream wrote:Clicking Non-Attending for registration appears to not be working altogether. It just sends me back to the start over and over again. I've been at it on and off since I got the most recent e-mail from Brian @ FunPub saying registration is up.

I can go through the whole process as an attending package but no dice with non-attending.

I sent them an e-mail about it.

Has anyone else tried? Attending Botcon since 2002 (minus 2010 and this year), I know it has its problems over the last decade for sure, no rose tinted glasses for me...but unfortunately Botcon is starting to lose a bit of its charm.

Non-attending is not open yet.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691337)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 8:37pm CDT

Registration is down again as they're having issues with the credit cards... so anybody who waited for tonight after work will need to wait until tomorrow... again. You also can't get the first day pin anymore, either

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691359)
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:25pm CDT

My friend eventually did get in tonight after a lot of trying so you should try again

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691362)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:33pm CDT

Delicon wrote:My friend eventually did get in tonight after a lot of trying so you should try again

It was down for a couple hours but is back up now. They originally said the morning.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=981859518521174&id=247519665288500

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691368)
Posted by It Is Him on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:39pm CDT

Looks like I'm going AND I'm getting the customization class fully-assembled toy, too. I get why people are upset at Funpub, but like CounterPunch says, this happens every year. In some ways, it's part of the experience.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691593)
Posted by Va'al on May 28th, 2015 @ 11:46am CDT

This just in from BotCon headquarters: registration for non-attendees is now open! Head over to the official website to register for your bits and bots to be sent to you at home, if you cannot make it to the event in person. More information provided below and on the site - read on.

Hello Everyone!

Non-Attending registration is now open. There is a limited number of non-attending sets available. When we run out, at a later date we will load the leftover attending sets (if available) into non-attending as we must keep those in stock for fans that want to travel to the event.

So, if you don't get a non-attending set now, we will let you know in the future when (if any) additional sets become available.

These sets will ship 3-4 weeks after the staff returns from BotCon. Also, note that the Priority Mail number of days listed in the shipping section is the service the Post Office offers and not a guarantee that the items will come in that number of days. All Priority Mail is a 2-5 day service and can actually take longer than that.

Please go to BotCon.com and click the registration button.

Thanks for your support!

Brian

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691639)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 1:51pm CDT

Just tried to register as non-attending. The site is currently "down for maintenance." Seriously, what's going on this year?

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691641)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 28th, 2015 @ 1:55pm CDT

Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691643)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:11pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.

Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691651)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:33pm CDT

Wolfman Jake wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.

Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.

Earlier this afternoon. Maybe two hours ago or so. Only recently had a chance to post about my registering.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691655)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:38pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
Wolfman Jake wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.

Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.
Earlier this afternoon. Maybe two hours ago or so. Only recently had a chance to post about my registering.

That makes sense. Registration is still down as I write this reply.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691705)
Posted by Tranzilla on May 28th, 2015 @ 4:04pm CDT

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691760)
Posted by Tranzilla on May 28th, 2015 @ 5:53pm CDT

IT'S BACK UP!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691819)
Posted by Bed Bugs on May 28th, 2015 @ 8:41pm CDT

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1691820)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 8:43pm CDT

Yay! I was finally able to register for an Iacon package. It's a shame I won't be able to accommodate actually coming to BotCon this time. I was very tempted, what with Chicago being within reasonable driving distance of Minnesota, but having to change jobs unexpectedly put a real pinch on my time off.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1692674)
Posted by Tsutsukakushi on May 31st, 2015 @ 1:01am CDT

Just don't get why every year, things get done later.

Would think revealing the Box set toys and registration as early as possibly. Would help increase more sales.

Think things get done later. To give buyers less time deciding if they like the toys or not. Probably to have less complaints online, As their is less time to complain.

Still don't understand what the big fuss is all about. with spending those insanely high TFCC prices on repaints with maybe a new head.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1692689)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 31st, 2015 @ 1:59am CDT

Tsutsukakushi wrote:Just don't get why every year, things get done later.

Would think revealing the Box set toys and registration as early as possibly. Would help increase more sales.

Think things get done later. To give buyers less time deciding if they like the toys or not. Probably to have less complaints online, As their is less time to complain.

Still don't understand what the big fuss is all about. with spending those insanely high TFCC prices on repaints with maybe a new head.

Because they're limited to under 2,000 units and sometimes they're figures that should have seen a retail release.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1693085)
Posted by Va'al on June 1st, 2015 @ 11:46am CDT

Seibertronian podcaster xRotorstormx has pointed towards the official BotCon 2015 Twitter account, which reports on the schedule for the event as finally being live! You can find the whole document, detailing the programme from Wednesday 17th June to Sunday 21st (including pick-ups), over here, or mirrored as images below for your convenience. Will you be attending? Any highlights for you? Let us know in the Energon Pub!

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1693087)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 1st, 2015 @ 11:54am CDT

I'll definitely be going to every panel except the cosplay one and maybe the art one.

I'm a little saddened to see no MSTF this year, though.

I have a hunch that "The Return of Blurr" might be an Animated-based script reading showing Blurr getting brought back after Shockwave tried to crush him to death (the 2011 comic revealed that Cliffjumper had somehow gotten his cube back from the incinerator).

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1693092)
Posted by Va'al on June 1st, 2015 @ 12:05pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:I'll definitely be going to every panel except the cosplay one and maybe the art one.

I'm a little saddened to see no MSTF this year, though.

I have a hunch that "The Return of Blurr" might be an Animated-based script reading showing Blurr getting brought back after Shockwave tried to crush him to death (the 2011 comic revealed that Cliffjumper had somehow gotten his cube back from the incinerator).

There was confirmation of a Marty Isenberg Animated script, which ties into Animated stuff. So yes, probably!

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1693107)
Posted by Wheeljack808 on June 1st, 2015 @ 1:25pm CDT

Is Botcon in the same place every year? And how hard is it to get tickets to Botcon? Is it like with San Diego Comic Con where you need to buy like 3 years in advance? I live in Canada so it would probably be a decent sized road trip to a plane trip for me but I've always wanted to attend a Botcon.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1693113)
Posted by morphobots on June 1st, 2015 @ 1:33pm CDT

Wheeljack808 wrote:Is Botcon in the same place every year? And how hard is it to get tickets to Botcon? Is it like with San Diego Comic Con where you need to buy like 3 years in advance? I live in Canada so it would probably be a decent sized road trip to a plane trip for me but I've always wanted to attend a Botcon.

No, it moves around the country every year. I haven't attended in 8 years because I couldn't afford to travel, but now it's within driving distance for me. You can only register to go each year when registration opens up, so, no, you can't buy in advance. If you can't register online for a package, you should still be able to do a walk-in right at the con for a day.

Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (1693432)
Posted by It Is Him on June 2nd, 2015 @ 7:36am CDT

First of all, are there going to be celebrations for 15 years of Seibertron.com? That's older than some of our board members here.

Second, looks like trivia is gone. That's too bad - an event like that has potential.

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