Botcon 2015 Schedule Now Online

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).

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!

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.

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.

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.

If there is a 15th celebration, I will be sad not to attend.

Surely you can find another kind Seibertronian to smuggle you on board a plane in a suitcase, though I hear it gets a bit nippy down in luggage.

Nothing a parka can't fix!

Anyone flying from the UK..?

I have a few friends who are

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.

You inadvertantly made me spew coffee through my nose.

No you don't have to buy tickets three years in advance. In fact, given the problems the club has with registration, it's more like three minutes in advance. Of course the lines would be long so you'd be looking at the Tuesday after the Con. But you'd be there!

(Seriously, how can one not make these jokes. Less than a month before the Con is really kind of ridiculous...)

Kidding aside, it depends where you are in Canada (hello, neighbour!) I'm flying down from Ottawa myself but it would be about 10 hours to Chicago. Obviously Los Angeles (Botcon 2014) was a greater distance but the airfare was only CDN$600. So it depends on your proximity to a major airport.

And you should just go. Don't think about it. If you do the thinking with your head and the math it will never make sense. If you go with your heart, it all comes together. Provided registration opens in time...

Best

Here is a new update for BotCon registrations and some Frank Welker news for those looking at Protoform or Mini-con packages. There are now more non-attending packages available thanks to some shuffling as well as additional loose sets.

Frank Welker VIP passes for Friday are being open to Protoform and Mini-Con packages too. Registration closes this Friday at 5 pm central time.

BotCon wrote:Hello Everyone!

We have shuffled around the inventory for attending and non-attending packages. There is now more stock for non-attending (Iacon) packages and additional loose sets.

We also have a few Frank Welker VIP passes available for Friday and we are opening these passes to Mini-Con and Protoform packages as well. If you want to add this to your registration, you will need to call the office at 817-448-9863 between now and noon Friday. These are on a first come, first served basis.

If you have not registered, these are still available through the online system for Golden Ticket and Primus packages. Primus and Golden Ticket packages can also have the Frank Welker VIP pass added to your existing registration by calling.

If you still need to do your initial registration, please use the link at BotCon.com and do it from a computer not running IE. We have seen issues with mobile registrations and IE browsers. If you need to add something to your registration, you will need to contact the office.

Registration closes on Friday at 5 pm Central Time.

See you in St. Charles!

Brian

Looks like they are underperforming this year... prepare for CA next year, then

Or Orlando. It did well also.

I think three factors are at play.

First, the registration fiasco must be playing havok with their numbers. Going live less than a month to go before the event doesn't give you anytime to mull over attending, and represents an immediate financial hit so very close to the event itself. And there are still a lot of people who book the event before making other arrangement, given that there is at least one GIJoe convention in the past which had to change dates very last minute. Who wants to be stuck holding the bill for a flight that is no longer the right date?

Second, the price is probably giving some people sticker shock. $409 (plus $7 "processing" charge) is a lot to swallow. I'm sure it is impacting Canadians whose dollar is no longer at par - for us, the Primus package is more than CDN$500. And the non-figure alterative is close to $200 on its own.

Third, the location is giving people grief. Shuttle service to the resort seems to be particularly awkward and it's not like there are any hotel rooms left to be had anyway. Because of the resort's isolation, folks are looking at a longish commute from alternate accomodations, driving up costs and making logistics harder.

Let me put it like this. You're a fan. You've been waiting for months for this Con. You were initially excited about Chicago but the excitement waned a bit when you realized how far from Chicago it was. Your enthusiasm perked again when you saw two words - FRANK WELKER - and increased as you saw at least one or two reveals that really wowed you. But then you saw the price for Welker and looked underwhelming at some of the other offerings, and went back to being on the fence. Hotel rooms are booked solid but maybe you have an option to bunk with 2 or 3 or 4 other fans, so you are just waiting on registration. And waiting. And, oh my god it is up and you are excited... and then it crashes... and does so again... and again...

And maybe you just shrug your shoulders after that rollercoaster and figure you'll go to TFCon who's registration for a Fall event is already up and ready to go.

Tranzilla wrote:Or Orlando. It did well also.

Oh, YES please? Bring it back to Orlando! The have a TF Ride now at Universal Studios, so there's that to attract to the BotCon goers.

The east coast is too often ignored by BotCon in recent years.

fairplaythings wrote:And maybe you just shrug your shoulders after that rollercoaster and figure you'll go to TFCon who's registration for a Fall event is already up and ready to go.

Several of my friends have followed this scenario right here to the tee, seriously.

Sabrblade wrote:

Tranzilla wrote:Or Orlando. It did well also.

Oh, YES please? Bring it back to Orlando! The have a TF Ride now at Universal Studios, so there's that to attract to the BotCon goers.

The east coast is to often ignored by BotCon in recent years.

And the entire Mid-West

The Cybertron's Most Wanted set if for preorder at TFsourse.
http://tfsource.com/botcon2015/boxed-set/

With one day left to register for BotCon 2015, we want to make sure that all interested parties are fully aware of what awaits at the St Charles event this July! We have rounded up some further pieces from official BotCon information that may have slipped the net below, plus a small showcase of the Artist Alley present at the convention. Once you've feasted you eyes, head here to register!

Also, for those attending as General Admission, we are happy to announce that the first 100 kids (12 and under) will receive a FREE deluxe Transformers toy with their paid admission.

For those planning on attending as a registered attendee, please note that registration ends this Friday. So if you have not signed up for an attending package make sure to do that today!