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Post by Toph on Dec 7, 2012 23:23:04 GMT
EDIT: for Botcon 2013 toys see tmukhub.proboards.com/thread/7131/ Philwww.botcon.comJune 27th, San Deigo, Machine Wars theme. Really...? California AGAIN? This isn't even a movie year! So that means it'll be in SD or LA in 2014, too. Why not Nashville? Why not New Orleans? Why not Seattle, or Oregon (Where G1 was set, no less)? Why not Vegas or Denver? One of the few good things about FP was that they took Botcon on the road, and went to all sorts of places 3H never would. This is just getting lame. Even lamer than 3H almost never leaving Fort Wayne. I am though much more interested in the Machine Wars theme than I ever was last year's. Don't know how I'll aquire them, though.
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Post by Bogatan on Dec 8, 2012 0:58:32 GMT
We've been talking about Botcon or SDCC for a while so this announcement is incredibly annoying as if Botcon was a week closer to comic-con probably could have done both.
Given that FP dont like the east coast as the unions make it massively more expensive and Texas was this year being back on the west coast isnt that surprising. Well it is I thought they would save it for 2014 and the next movie, but the alternative would have been somewhere central like Cinncinati which is a lot less appealing when trying to plan a holiday.
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Post by Jaymz on Dec 8, 2012 12:23:13 GMT
I was hoping 2014 would be around Rhode Island again, or at least near Hasbro HQ for the 30th anniversary.
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Post by Bogatan on Dec 8, 2012 13:00:44 GMT
That is possible, a lot of people would like to do the Hasbro tour. But based on what I'm told, it would probably be Hasbro pushing the location.
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Post by Marc Graham on Dec 9, 2012 11:07:31 GMT
Pffft, I would rather do San Diego for Botcon than risk the hordes of Sdcc, so I am near certainly going. Sucks it ain't East coast though....
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 9, 2013 9:18:48 GMT
I've spun the toys stuff off to it's own thread and merged with the comments already posted in the New Pictures Thread: Botcon 2013 Toys Didn't make sense to hacve two separate discussions on the same subject running. |
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 15, 2013 17:17:29 GMT
In the first day registration has hit 30% of Primus packages.
Not bad you may think, but last year they sold 40% in the first 90 minutes. The last two years have hit 50% within about three hours.
Uh-oh! FP might be in trouble and I can't type that without a little bit of a smile on my face.
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Post by blueshift on Mar 15, 2013 17:55:33 GMT
In the first day registration has hit 30% of Primus packages. Not bad you may think, but last year they sold 40% in the first 90 minutes. The last two years have hit 50% within about three hours. Uh-oh! FP might be in trouble and I can't type that without a little bit of a smile on my face. Yes, but perhaps they've just made exponentially more Primus packages? |
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 15, 2013 18:20:19 GMT
Yes, I'm sure they looked at the set they had created and thought, "We have created perfection, we must share it with the world at a much inflated price." Then preceded to make 3000.
In fact it's possible thats exactly what happened.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Mar 15, 2013 18:28:12 GMT
I am not laughing, I am not laughing, I am not laughing.
Oh wait, I fucking well am.
Andy
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 15, 2013 18:36:40 GMT
Transformers: BotCon @botcon
REGISTRATION UPDATE: Updated numbers shows we are 35% sold out. Wednesday Class almost sold out. Get your Registration done today. You are not 35% sold out. You have sold 35% of your tickets. You are either Sold Out or not: It's is a binary state! |
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Post by The Doctor on Mar 15, 2013 19:24:37 GMT
Well, actually not selling out in a day is a good thing. Giving more time for consumers to purchase is a good thing. I've never understood the online commerce model of: 'If it doesn't sell out in x hours it has failed'., ie every Matty Collector statement ever.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Mar 15, 2013 21:48:34 GMT
Isn't there plenty of time for them to still sell Botcon attendance tickets? After all, the convention isn't for a few months as I recall. There are plenty of other events that don't sell out far in advance that are still considered to be successful. Not sure myself why it matters if they don't sell all the tickets in one day.
Karl
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 15, 2013 22:09:39 GMT
They might still sell, more than likely the majority will, thats not the issue. I think they have only sold out before the convention once or twice. Botcon has always sold heavily in the first 24 hours. Especially since registration went online in 2010 or 2009. 30% in 24 hours is an insanely low number and if it isn't a result of a change in customer buying habits then it shows a HUGE lack of interest. And that could be a real worry for FP given the investment in the toys.
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Post by blueshift on Mar 15, 2013 22:24:23 GMT
It ate my post, just pretend I said something really profound.
Given that it's a Machine Wars set, it is lacking in star names. Obsidian and Stryka, nice as they are should have been shunted off to add-on packs. Megaplex looks like he's supposed to be the star of the box, but he's just a straight repaint. He's supposed to be a clone of Megatron, why doesn't he look like Megatron! That's the whole point! (And you get a Megatron out of it too!)
I can't say I'm a fan of the Prime molds, but if they had to use that one, why not use it for Starscream, it seems to match the figure a lot more. It even has that little crest on the head!
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Post by Jaymz on Mar 16, 2013 0:33:03 GMT
I can't say I'm a fan of the Prime molds, but if they had to use that one, why not use it for Starscream, it seems to match the figure a lot more. It even has that little crest on the head! And makes more sense as it's also the mould for Skyquake. Matt, I think you should be in charge of the Botcon exclusives. |
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Apr 22, 2013 21:52:51 GMT
Just got an update from the folks at Botcon:
Hello BotCon fans!
We have run through our allotment of Iacon (non-attending sets) and are considering moving some of the Primus attending sets over to Iacon non-attending.
However, we don't want to do this until we are confident that everyone has registered that intends on coming to San Diego. So, we will re-visit the numbers in the next few days and make a decision as how to assist those who can't come but want the figure sets.
If you are coming, make sure to register VERY soon for BotCon 2013 today!
See you in San Diego!
Brian
Reading the rather large print between the lines, with a repeat location and an uninspiring set of exclusives I suspect the current sign-up rate is a wee bit low. They might be opening up more non-attendee packs to make sure everything shifts.
-Nick
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 22, 2013 22:30:53 GMT
Just got an update from the folks at Botcon: Hello BotCon fans!
We have run through our allotment of Iacon (non-attending sets) and are considering moving some of the Primus attending sets over to Iacon non-attending.
However, we don't want to do this until we are confident that everyone has registered that intends on coming to San Diego. So, we will re-visit the numbers in the next few days and make a decision as how to assist those who can't come but want the figure sets.
If you are coming, make sure to register VERY soon for BotCon 2013 today!
See you in San Diego!
BrianReading the rather large print between the lines, with a repeat location and an uninspiring set of exclusives I suspect the current sign-up rate is a wee bit low. They might be opening up more non-attendee packs to make sure everything shifts. -Nick From Botcons twitter almost 1 month ago. And having sold a couple of dozen non attendee sets in just 4 weeks demand is so high they plan to divert Primus packages to supply it. And all this is relevant because they have not shifted the Primus packages. I was going to register tonight as it happened, but as that would now appear (to them at least)as though I was buying their efforts at scare tactics I think I will hold off. |
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Post by kayevcee on Apr 23, 2013 0:24:36 GMT
Gonna make them sweat a bit longer, eh? Fair enough.
-Nick
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 23, 2013 1:34:19 GMT
Hehe, it's hard not to get the sense that they are unhappy with sales so yeah taking my time is amusing me a little. Even when I do register its going to be less great for them than normal, picking up extra sets for Toy fu and people means I have bought at least 4? boxset and a couple of loose sets each year since 2009 or 2010. This year its just two boxsets, no loose sets.
But like I said there attempts to build anticipation are so childishly bad I dont want to encourage them, thats going to keep me from registering tonight at least.
They screwed up the toy offerings this year and seemingly have nothing else planned to encourage attendees. It's all rather disappointing compared to a few years ago. 2007 had hasbro tour and movie preview screening, 2009 had the Paramount studios party and Weird Al, 2010 in Disneyworld, 2011 had Animated and Prime script readings which meant a huge voice actors turn out.
Last year and seemingly this year, there just nothing.
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Apr 23, 2013 11:15:18 GMT
As per usual, two of the add-ons available at the con will be shit, one will be quite good and one will be unmissable. With a smaller turnout, we could have a better shot at getting more of Mr (or Mrs) Unmissable  If speculation about Skyquake/Dreadwing as Jhiaxus pays out, Toy-fu ambassadors to Botcon will be supplied with enough funds to get as many as will fit in your cases! -Nick |
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Post by Jaymz on Apr 23, 2013 23:04:03 GMT
Maybe if they start dripping out some info on the attendee exclusives it might drum up interest. Unless they're not very confident in those figures either.
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Post by kayevcee on Apr 24, 2013 0:24:13 GMT
They haven't (officially) revealed the attendee exclusives prior to arrival at the 'con as far as I can remember- I think the odd prototype leaked out a couple of times, but no more than that. If they do an early unveiling this year, it's more fuel for the fires of speculation that attendance is not what they hoped (or budgeted for) for.
-Nick
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Post by The Doctor on Apr 24, 2013 7:15:07 GMT
They've coasted too long on: "We will tell you very little about our con and why you should come so give us hundreds of dollars", so actually telling people why they should bother would be a positive move. Many of their fanbase have already got the 'get a Botcon set' out of their system or have less to spend due to being older (jobs, partners, kids, houses to pay for), have already been a few times or are generally affected by Tough Economic Times.
If fan cons can give out plenty of info about guests, prices, dates, etc a year in advance then the official one needs to get its act in gear. It isn't 2002 any more.
-Ralph
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Post by blueshift on Apr 24, 2013 7:28:56 GMT
They've coasted too long on: "We will tell you very little about our con and why you should come so give us hundreds of dollars", so actually telling people why they should bother would be a positive move. Many of their fanbase have already got the 'get a Botcon set' out of their system or have less to spend due to being older (jobs, partners, kids, houses to pay for), have already been a few times or are generally affected by Tough Economic Times. If fan cons can give out plenty of info about guests, prices, dates, etc a year in advance then the official one needs to get its act in gear. It isn't 2002 any more. -Ralph Also with the ridiculous amount of TF product, the Botcon set is no longer the massive draw it once was. I mean sure, it still is, but it's not as valuable as when we only had say, a dozen Beast Machines toys as an alternative. G1 homages are the norm for Hasbro nowadays! I can't help but think having about ten exclusives a year damages the 'specialness' of them. But hey, I guess you get more money quicker! |
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 24, 2013 18:28:12 GMT
Yup, coasting is exactly what they have done for too long. Don't get me wrong toys are a big attraction and some only go for them, but the growth of AA, TFcon and loads of smaller US cons shows that people don't need them. And Matts right, Hasbros Generations releases are now often in the same area as Botcon at a fraction of the price. Combine the two and FPs current marketing strategy is all wrong.
If it's all about the toys, the toys have to be an event in themselves. Botcon and the club have released well over 70 toys that can be classified as classics. throw in the 2005 and 2006 sets and its approaching 100. Way too many to feel special.
But imagine if instead of dozens of classics they did one Masterpiece figure instead of a boxset.
They could still do 4-6 classics as add ons. sO they wouldnt be forgettingthat fanbase. It would also probably be cheaper too, the convention really needs to bring down costs $365 is really pushing it.
Alternatively focus on fanbases Hasbro isnt doing. theres a reason that the most successful set for a long time is the Animated Stunticons.
Or just put some effort in to making the convention itself worth going to, promote guests and events and announce stuff well in advance.
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Post by kayevcee on Apr 24, 2013 22:11:05 GMT
I used to wonder if it could be arranged with Hasbro to get a new mould as a convention toy- something that's due to come out in a future main-line range but won't appear for another few months. Maybe it's not feasible.
The rise of the third party hasn't helped them either- figures about the price of Botcon toys but unique moulds of often under-served classic characters (like the Jumpstarters and Throttlebots). As well as the appeal, Ralph correctly points out that a lot of the TF community are no longer in their early twenties and have less cash to chuck around. Potential customers looking to drop a couple of hundred bucks per year (and no more) have to choose between a handful of repaints in a fancy box or new moulds in the form of a 3P combiner or some of Takara's expanding Masterpiece line.
So... yeah. Good luck Funpub.
-Nick
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Post by blueshift on Apr 24, 2013 22:20:54 GMT
Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the third party thing. That's the same playing field as Botcon but unrestricted by what unsuitable molds that can be recoloured into something vaguely G1-like. Ah, it used to be so magical though, waiting with envious eyes to see what the exclusive toy would be  I think I would dig the Machine Wars set more if it was actually a Machine Wars set. It feels like they got scared that not enough people cared and started stuffing stuff from other eras in as well, which diluted it more into a 'box of transformers'. I have no doubt that the animated aesthetic being so obviously Animated forced their hand that year! Also Megaplex needs a megatron head. |
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 24, 2013 22:30:38 GMT
Ralph correctly points out that a lot of the TF community are no longer in their early twenties and have less cash to chuck around. Potential customers looking to drop a couple of hundred bucks per year (and no more) have to choose between a handful of repaints in a fancy box or new moulds in the form of a 3P combiner or some of Takara's expanding Masterpiece line. So... yeah. Good luck Funpub. -Nick True but a whole new wave of fans are entering their early 20s. Beast Wars through Armada, maybe even Energon and Cybertron are the lines they grew up with. FP may need to decide who to aim at. After 7 years of classics and a lot of G1 now covered, if they want to continue to target G1, Masterpiece may be the way to go. At the moment they might be working through later lines or trying to aim at the younger age group by moving the classics they produce along to G2-RID. Of the last 3 club toys they've done an RID and a Beast Wars classic. This years set falls right in that space too. The subscription toys are all late G1 onwards as well. Its difficult as the older fan base may either have less cash to chuck around or are developing tastes for high end stuff or just drifting away, the younger market have disposable cash,(remember that first student loan?) but is it a large enough fan base to support them. So as you say good luck. |
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Post by Marc Graham on Jun 26, 2013 15:15:45 GMT
Well, here at San Diego with Tony and ready to go and get this pre Botcon shenanigans going...
Marc
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If speculation about Skyquake/Dreadwing as Jhiaxus pays out, Toy-fu ambassadors to Botcon will be supplied with enough funds to get as many as will fit in your cases!