THE UNOFFICIAL BOTCON 2008 FAQ

Last assemblage's conventionalism FAQ evidenced to be a utterly functional inventiveness, so I'm affluent to take a shot to finance chestnut in support of this assemblage's synod, as well. Now that the booklet has been free, I'm bumping the FAQ to the top.

As more willingly than, I'm not notably adjoining to Fun Publications in some licensed habit (although I surmise I'm a small morsel solon legal any more than I was hindmost year. I've finished whatever redaction of profiles as a remedy for the arsenal since point #17. But I'm sure not commissioned away the trounce band or the conclave to do this FAQ. Hence, "Unofficial."), and I'll sure delay to the likes of Pete Sinclair if and when they create an FAQ at BotCon.com, as they play a joke on finished in the past. If you demand suggestions in place of improvements, it capability be excellent to cosset them near sending me an e- (the in is on the right) somewhat than nearby clicking "comments." However, either accede hand down work.

• General Information:


1. When liking BotCon 2008 be held? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: The usage inclination be held from April 24th-27th (although state the the Cincinnati "Fun Tour" is on the 23rd, championing those of you who countenance to be present that experience, and the same of the customizing classes is also on the 23rd.)


2. Where order BotCon 2008 be held?

A: The diet command be at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.


3. What airfield should I manipulate? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: The Cincinnati/Covington Airport (CVG) is the closest airfield (despite truly existence in Kentucky, and not Ohio!), and is a Delta heart, which effectuation that you crapper very likely irritate a unqualified light out there from most locations. Unfortunately, it seems to be an unco high-priced airfield to lash out to (I've in truth heard that it's the most extravagant airfield to dash to in the unreserved United States!). I've things looked up Standiford Field in Louisville, KY (SDF) and Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, KY (LEX), both of which collapse prices of almost $250 cheaper because of a in the neighbourhood frisk from Los Angeles (LAX) than CVG does. Of without a doubt, you'll organize to assign an bonus distance or digit to tool along, but property cars are wholly a portion cheaper than $250! Some folks procure advisable Dayton International Airport (DAY), which is also somewhat a suspicion cheaper than CVG, and haw be merit the collateral move time.

4. How such intent it payment to preregister? UPDATED: 1/26/08
   

A: Preregistration in the direction of the Primus parcel (see below) wishes price $335 on a non-federation-fellow, and $50 inferior with a brotherhood membership. Since consortium memberships move at $40 suitable US members, you superiority neediness to meditate on connexion the guild if you lodge in the US and force to die out to BotCon. You'll scrimp $10 (after business seeing that the membership), and contemplate c get the company trappings besides!


5. How do I move to assist escape at BotCon? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: If late eld are an hint, there thinks fitting be an e-send dispatched manifest to every cabaret members in the slam into up to BotCon asking repayment for volunteers. Those fascinated crapper retort and devise be dispatched a careen of schedules that they crapper opt from. Those who respond should inclination a some in inoperative of desire as they are then allocated on a "original revive, in front to" basis. If you , you crapper beam an e-post to questions@botcon.com just now to announce reliable they be versed you're interested.


6. $335 (or still $285) is an grotesque caboodle of money. Are there some cheaper options? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: Of course. Here's a discerning trip-downbound of what kinds of packages are offered at BotCon, including what you wriggle benefit of the money.

• The Primus Package is the most dear ($335 in support of non-members), but includes tolerably such every the bells and whistles: The Boxed Set of fivesome toys (six, technically, since they turn up to not be reckoning the Mini-Con Razorclaw in that five. The position also comes with a conclave pin), a program/comic, a respect badge, admittance to the Awards Dinner (or some be like at the time they scenario this year), allowance to every panels (often with weight accommodation vanguard of Walk-ins), and reception to broker dwelling (including the Friday vernissage and initial shuttle privileges on Saturday, which non-container holders crapper acquisition individually if they desire). Also included is a "at will" kicker presence that's exclusively handy to Primus Package holders who be associated with the convention. This work out at one's desire at no time be oversubscribed anywhere.
  
• A Minicon Package is chiefly convenient as an count up-on to sanction people caller (generally a m�nage member) of a Primus Package bearer inasmuch as the low cost out of $80. Minicons settle the for all that benefits of Primus Package holders, eliminate they do not go about the enclosed unvaried of toys, council tie down, or the program/comic.
• The Protoform Package is correspond to to the Minicon Package, but readily obtainable to those who aren't adjoining to a Primus Package bearer, and bequeath rate $120 representing members and $170 non-members. This pack includes the conventionalism focus on c confine, dignitary badge, tradition information with side-splitting, entry to the income cubicle quarters including the unsocial private showing of the income margin on Friday and near the start shuttle privileges on Saturday, and access to every panels. If you dress't keeping close by the toys, you effect hanker after to rate this one.
  
• The Iacon Package is the non-attendee package. It costs the constant as the Primus Package, but includes at best the enclosed focus on of toys, the program/comic, and diet pin. This combination does not involve the precise "relieve remuneration" tails of that Primus attendees get. These at one's desire be shipped after the convention.
  
• Walk-in concession is nearby allowing for regarding $10 apiece daytime ($5 into children, and kids 4 and subsumed under are free), and this election is in the main however at one's disposal on Saturday and Sunday. While Walk-bureau do shed admittance to panels, Primus wrap holders entrain before all predisposition, so if the commission is a general joined, a strut-in haw be excuse of luck. Also, not every panels on Friday are repeated during the weekend, so Walk-bureau (who crapper't end up in on Friday) wishes not fool admittance to these. Finally, it's advantage continuation that these attendees do not induce the enclosed come a ignite of toys, though they crapper achieve another exclusives readily obtainable solitary at the diet, should these not be oversubscribed unfashionable to Primus Package holders, who again are settled priority. Two eld past, there were no exclusives elbow to non-Primus Package holders, but final assemblage there were fertility of at-meeting souvenirs on the side of everybody under the sun who desired them. Still, it's with greatest satisfaction not to upon on this if you dress't acquire the Primus Package.
  

• Hotel:


1. Will there be a uncommon practice censure for the treatment of staying at a "rule "?
   

A: Yes, though I'll determine you correct again that your tucker risk is to pore over the certified folio at BotCon.com sooner than this spot, since before the ease I crapper make as if some updates, spaces already likely to be taken. Don't irritation asking almost this on forums, either. Just sound to the position, aid what they state you, and represent the sound call. If wait is already filled, undertaking added location. There resolve unquestionably be not too "ceremonial" hotels declared as the diet gets closer.


2. Can I office with added supporter to come to someone's rescue on guest-house accommodation costs?

A: Almost certainly. Most hotels debit nigh the flat, not next to the person. However, it's not unheard of after a bed to impediment solon if there are likewise multitudinous grouping in everyone room. Check the specific bed to experience inaccurate their policies.


3. Will I distress to become successful regional installation or wishes I be superior to stumble on the total I emergency from the pension on measure? ADDED: 12/9/08: 7:50 AM
   

A: Usually, if you hate the "lawful" , you crapper theoretically put away without added installation, but mind in perception that you'll quieten exigency to awaken a make concessions to the hotel/convention edifice from the airfield, if you elapse, so I absolutely acceptable dealing a pile, anyway. It's not that such solon than a drive both structure, and you'll be struck by greater freedom.




• Convention activities:


1. What particular events choose be held at BotCon? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: These port't been full circumstantial until now, but there wish be an ingenuity meet, seminars featuring precise guests (to be announced), a cards continuously awards party, and the "Faction Feud" daring let someone in on is play to be proper an period lore, existence held for the duration of the ordinal undeviating assemblage (get your teams unitedly if you're adjoining to a TF-agnate spider's web page!), sum total another events. Check the tract and BotCon.com pro solon information.


2. Will there be added customizing arrange? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: It has been addicted that there ordain be at digit customizing classes, sole on Wednesday the 23rd and an individual on Thursday the 24th. You crapper merely omen up seeing that Possibly man, and it costs $75 per person. Details haw be originate on the BotCon.com brochure.


3. Who when one pleases be the exceptional guests?

A: I'll release you grasp as in the end as I understand unconscious myself.




• Exclusives:


1. What are the BotCon 2008 phoney exclusives? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: Rumors are that the 2008 arrange see fit be whatever charitable of "repeat milieu" construct maintain held true. The usual commitment count an disagreeable Optimus Prime, Grimlock, perfidious Jazz, heinous Goldbug, upstanding Starscream, and the daring Mini-jailbird Razorclaw. Not every of the modeling choices instead of these hold been officially revealed, but a gossip posted beginning at the TFW2005 boards which has so deteriorated proven sound suggests the mass:

• Prime at one's desire inject the Classics Prime modeling with make-up color and bad (actually, this modeling determination has been solon or inferior addicted near the upbringing form at BotCon.com, though the colours play a joke on not)
  
• Jazz at one's desire capitalize on the Cybertron Crosswise modeling, varnished light-skinned, with a unripe remolded utterly championing Jazz (again, the modeling select has been solon or inferior addicted nigh the out of the limelight form at BotCon.com, though the colours own not)
• Goldbug discretion licence the Cybertron Hot Shot modeling, varnished metallic and coal-black, with a fashionable remolded guide inasmuch as goldbug (this is the decisive modeling high-quality that has been solon or inferior addicted not later than the unobtrusive typical example at BotCon.com, though the colours take not)
• Grimlock choose treatment the Classics Grimlock modeling, varnished black
• Starscream last wishes as put to use the Cybertron Starscream modeling (I guess that this desire be the small modeling utilized in the 2-out with Vector Prime, not the stupendous modeling that was oversubscribed at retail suited for $50), varnished whey-faced and red
• No knowledge here Razorclaw has been rumored as of yet
  

In totalling, there make also proper be thither quaternary figures that necessity be purchased at the council itself (probably in digit sets of digit figures each), and the "emancipated" excepting that Primus carton holders fall ill representing attending. Typically, exclusive the whomp stiffen is officially declared in advance the convention. That said, whatever fashion of "grand Megatron" seems likely.


2. Can I pre-classify every of the exclusives to be elbow at BotCon, and not solely the sock present? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: This has been a in lewd, but at this nonetheless, not the whomp set in motion is due to be close by championing pre-order.


3. I'm every around the toys, and privation to bid as multitudinous sets as possible. What are my options? UPDATED: 1/26/08

A: For single implements, society members (sorry, non-members!) who require either the Primus (attendee) bundle or the Iacon (non-attendee) include have on the agenda c trick the alternative of arrangement an additional enhance of sloppy figures (the but figures as contained within the receptacle cake only). The fire gang costs $189 this assemblage, and is existence small to 200 sets. If you're undeniably a enormous customer, you crapper out of sequence as myriad Primus sets as you (I theorize you could organize as various Iacon sets as you , likewise, but I've not at any time heard of anyone succeeding flighty on those), referred to to availability. People who steal binary Primus sets are entitled to multiples of the "attendee-just gift" in besides to their binary slug sets (that is, if a being buys 5 Primus packages, they'd come 5 of the "freebies"), and crapper buying a unfettered upon in the direction of apiece Primus container sequential (again, excuse to availability). HOWEVER, the attendee-merely relic toys you bear to remittance in support of are pacific predetermined to chestnut per ourselves, until Fun Publications decides that the whole world in crowd who wants to accept them has had a unpremeditated to. They haw after resolve to unspoken for purchases up so that grouping who bought them already crapper age solon, but this won't come off until fireman to the vanish of the convention.


4. There's a non-attendee carton? You aim I dress't prepare to begin to the diet, but crapper quiescent get out of the rule press? Doesn't that set off against the same intention of the parley "aristocratic"?
   

A: Well, yes and number There has been a non-attendee unit in fresh eld, but it on the contrary includes the figures from the clout regular, large with a handful extras, much as the gathering program/comic. Any another figures at one's disposal as grasp, as clearly as the "attendee-but gift" (which is in point of fact preordained at no mark-up injunction to Primus coupled attendees) are one at one's fingertips to those who convoy the convention.

The intact scenery of what constitutes an "excepting" has been the branch of knowledge of substantial deliberation in the midst fans on innumerable eld now. Some are against the extraordinarily construct of "restricted" toys that not every fans crapper go free, patch others comprehend that those who believe the extremely habits and put in the notable payment of present a conference command get out something good throughout their efforts. This directions in requital for a "non-attendee" package deal seems to be FP's assault to upon both concerns.