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FanimeCon Events and Discussionmentarianism => General Convention Discussion => Topic started by: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM

Title: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM
This year's Fanimecon had two major shocks for me.

The first was a policy change regarding access points. In previous years, people who didn't buy a pass were only blocked from attending specific events. They were still free to roam the convention center's open spaces on both the upper and lower floors. This year, the entirety of the upper floor and a good chunk of the ground floor were off-limits except to pass-holders. This is a HUGE drag.

The second was the sharp increase in registration prices. The last time I attended Fanimecon, a 4-day pass was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60. This year, it was $85. Look, guys, this isn't Venezuela. We're not experiencing 50% annual inflation. This kind of price increase, in combination with the first policy change that I mentioned, is absolutely inexcusable, especially when Kublacon is still only $60.

It was fun while it lasted. Maybe I'll start my own convention with blackjack and hookers.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: svatoid on May 29, 2017, 01:59:42 PM
A couple of comments:
1. The policy regarding access points was in effect last year as well.
2. I registered when it became available late last year and paid $55 for fanime 2017
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: God91125 on May 29, 2017, 07:10:29 PM
In regards to the access point being and issue, that would only be an issue if one doesn't have a badge which to to say well one should get a badge. It actually helps the staff a lot in terms of traffic flow and people getting into the con otherwise they would need to check at every door which takes a lot of manpower. The con is getting bigger with more guests, locations and events so it's natural that the price has gotten higher. Just get badges when they become available for a good price.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: quiksilvababe on May 29, 2017, 09:53:30 PM
how is this a gripe? pay for a pass, go to the con. end of story.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: otakuya on May 29, 2017, 10:00:16 PM
It's only a gripe or complaint if you don't have a badge. It's meant to have the cost of a badge mean something, and prevent those that shouldn't be there. There shouldn't be a complaint about the entrances and exits.

$85 for 5 days worth of entertainment? That's a bargain, even for onsite pass buyers like me. Now just make the arcades free play...
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on May 30, 2017, 10:19:46 AM
yea they are charging Anime Expo prices ...but either way I paid it.   
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: GokuMew2 on May 30, 2017, 10:49:28 AM
Quote from: Abyss1 on May 30, 2017, 10:19:46 AM
yea they are charging Anime Expo prices
But all events, including MusicFest, are included in that badge price. ;D
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on May 30, 2017, 11:16:46 AM
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 30, 2017, 10:49:28 AM
Quote from: Abyss1 on May 30, 2017, 10:19:46 AM
yea they are charging Anime Expo prices
But all events, including MusicFest, are included in that badge price. ;D

yea well AX has a more insane music lineup/event so their pricing for concert tickets is well justified
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2017, 11:17:37 AM
I find the full weekend price reasonable, especially if you pre-reg early. It hasn't gone up /that/ much in price for pre-reg in the past several years, even as much as the at-con prices have risen. I think that there should be the ability to transfer or refund a badge, especially since housing is tied to registration so it's a huge gamble for a lot of people, but if you know you're going early, the price is very reasonable.

What I don't find reasonable? One-day badge prices. A friend of mine was only able to go on Monday and paid almost as much as I did for my weekend badge for a half day of con. Monday in particular, when everyone is packing up and there's little in the way on content, shouldn't cost so much.

I enjoy the badged upper area of the concourse. It really helps with traffic flows and saves a lot of time. I say that if you want the con content, you gotta pay the con prices. Be thankful that the badge checkpoint is just to go upstairs (or to the video rooms downstairs) and not to enter the convention center at all if you are ghosting. :P
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on May 30, 2017, 11:46:40 AM
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2017, 11:17:37 AM
I find the full weekend price reasonable, especially if you pre-reg early. It hasn't gone up /that/ much in price for pre-reg in the past several years, even as much as the at-con prices have risen. I think that there should be the ability to transfer or refund a badge, especially since housing is tied to registration so it's a huge gamble for a lot of people, but if you know you're going early, the price is very reasonable.

What I don't find reasonable? One-day badge prices. A friend of mine was only able to go on Monday and paid almost as much as I did for my weekend badge for a half day of con. Monday in particular, when everyone is packing up and there's little in the way on content, shouldn't cost so much.

I enjoy the badged upper area of the concourse. It really helps with traffic flows and saves a lot of time. I say that if you want the con content, you gotta pay the con prices. Be thankful that the badge checkpoint is just to go upstairs (or to the video rooms downstairs) and not to enter the convention center at all if you are ghosting. :P

yea I thought a single day badge was unreasonably priced...I really only wanted to go 2days but the cost difference was small to go for the weekend...and I only ended up fully attending 2days
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: bobcat888 on May 30, 2017, 11:47:19 AM
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2017, 11:17:37 AM
What I don't find reasonable? One-day badge prices. A friend of mine was only able to go on Monday and paid almost as much as I did for my weekend badge for a half day of con. Monday in particular, when everyone is packing up and there's little in the way on content, shouldn't cost so much.

Completely agree with your entire post. Especially this part. I think maybe it's like for single day passes to try to make money off the people who are curious about the con or people who found out they could go late minute. That doesn't seem right. Maybe have one day be a discount day or something?

Though I agree and personally (maybe with some guilt) enjoy the less crowed halls of the upstairs. The people that come in to check out the downstairs con without a pass shouldn't be seen a problem. I think the rooms downstairs or even the karaoke (when it was "free" up to two years ago) is a nice way to introduce people to the con who maybe weren't aware of it. They might want to go next year & every year after that just on given the freedom to check out a screening room.

Is the con getting bigger? It seemed smaller. It'd be interesting to see those stats!
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2017, 12:01:40 PM
I'm also really curious about the attendance numbers for this year, but this con doesn't really give out solid attendance numbers to compare it to. AA was super crowded Saturday afternoon, but otherwise, it seemed like there were fewer crowds in the convention center itself -- were there fewer people, was there better crowd control, or was there the same amount or more but they were mostly in the outdoor and otherwise unbadged areas?

I think there should be a balance between "ability for newcomers to check out the con" and "not giving too much free content to people who are ghosting," and I think the con might be right near finding that perfect balance. I can understand the video rooms being badged for legal reasons (needing to purchase a membership to watch licensed content, as opposed to it being a public screening anyone could wander into), but I do somewhat miss karaoke being open, even if I always buy a badge myself.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: InsaneDavid on May 30, 2017, 12:20:21 PM
Quote from: bobcat888 on May 30, 2017, 11:47:19 AM
Is the con getting bigger? It seemed smaller. It'd be interesting to see those stats!

A combination of no registration issues + perfect weather = people more up for spreading out, hanging out and mingling outside, walking around to eat in different places, going over to the park, having more outdoor photo shoots, etc.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Steve.Young on May 30, 2017, 11:37:39 PM
I don't have the numbers off the top of my head but we grew from last year. We just have more programming spread out over a larger area so it feels smaller.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Hat_Guy on June 01, 2017, 06:14:03 PM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM
This year's Fanimecon had two major shocks for me.

The first was a policy change regarding access points. In previous years, people who didn't buy a pass were only blocked from attending specific events. They were still free to roam the convention center's open spaces on both the upper and lower floors. This year, the entirety of the upper floor and a good chunk of the ground floor were off-limits except to pass-holders. This is a HUGE drag.

The second was the sharp increase in registration prices. The last time I attended Fanimecon, a 4-day pass was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60. This year, it was $85. Look, guys, this isn't Venezuela. We're not experiencing 50% annual inflation. This kind of price increase, in combination with the first policy change that I mentioned, is absolutely inexcusable, especially when Kublacon is still only $60.

It was fun while it lasted. Maybe I'll start my own convention with blackjack and hookers.

My two cents:


Overall, not a shock for me, or for the rest of us, really.  Considering that the convention has been growing like crazy every year, I'd say there's nothing to complain about, pricewise.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: hikanteki on June 01, 2017, 06:59:58 PM
1. If the OP is only ghosting and not paying for a badge, then to be honest I'm glad that he didn't attend this year and probably won't in the future.

2. I bought a badge right when they went on sale for $55...which was the same as last year. The at-convention price was higher ($85, vs. $75 I think?) but I don't think it's that big of a jump. The first year I went (2010), the at-con price was $60. That's an increase of $25 in 7 years...I can live with that.

I do however agree that single day badges are too expensive. Buying two days alone is significantly more expensive than a weekend pass..but some people can't go all weekend, and $60 for a single day pass could turn people off who are on the fence. I think it would be a better to make 2 days the exact same price as a weekend badge, or maybe even a little cheaper. That way it makes going only one day a lot more accessible, and people who go two or more days probably wouldn't mind paying a couple extra bucks to get a weekend pass just so they have the option of going the rest of the days.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 02, 2017, 09:43:41 AM
My only assumption as to why the single day badges are so high was because the convention center staff was not verifying badges, ergo using it for the full weekend....mine was flipped over half the time and they still let me in
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: iAteTheRamen on June 02, 2017, 05:36:18 PM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM
This year, the entirety of the upper floor and a good chunk of the ground floor were off-limits except to pass-holders. This is a HUGE drag.

They did this last year. It really helped relieve the traffic upstairs.

Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM
The last time I attended Fanimecon, a 4-day pass was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60. This year, it was $85. Look, guys, this isn't Venezuela. We're not experiencing 50% annual inflation. This kind of price increase, in combination with the first policy change that I mentioned, is absolutely inexcusable, especially when Kublacon is still only $60.

This year I paid $55 for a 4-day pass, same as last year, and I think the year before that. Full weekend passes are cheapest when you buy early.

Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM
It was fun while it lasted. Maybe I'll start my own convention with blackjack and hookers.

Vegas is cool since it's also 24/7, but I still think Fanime is more fun and much cheaper. Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy this year's con, even though you technically never even attended.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Erik_anderson on June 03, 2017, 04:23:05 AM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on May 29, 2017, 01:10:21 PM
The second was the sharp increase in registration prices. The last time I attended Fanimecon, a 4-day pass was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60. This year, it was $85. Look, guys, this isn't Venezuela. We're not experiencing 50% annual inflation. This kind of price increase, in combination with the first policy change that I mentioned, is absolutely inexcusable, especially when Kublacon is still only $60.

My one response to this, is if the price is an issue come volunteer.  put in 20 hours from Thursday to Monday  (which ain't that hard I worked 42 hours) and you get your membership for free.  You get to meet people and see things you don't normally get to.  Sure if you get a boring job monitoring a door that can not be fun, but hey... pokemon stops.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: keyblademaster333 on June 03, 2017, 09:43:22 AM
I understand price being a good reason not to go, but if you don't have the money then you honestly should not attend. Going to the con, complaining about not being able to be in events and other things, and then say "Well I don't have the money" seems like your saying that you want to be able to do everything at the con for free. If you really want to go to the con and have low money then buy the ticket early, it isn't too cheap but it is still cheaper.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Enkai on June 03, 2017, 06:42:55 PM
Quote from: keyblademaster333 on June 03, 2017, 09:43:22 AM
I understand price being a good reason not to go, but if you don't have the money then you honestly should not attend. Going to the con, complaining about not being able to be in events and other things, and then say "Well I don't have the money" seems like your saying that you want to be able to do everything at the con for free. If you really want to go to the con and have low money then buy the ticket early, it isn't too cheap but it is still cheaper.

More interpreting "not having the money" as "not wanting to spend the money" here in my case...

Depends on why you want to go, and what your situation was at the time.  If the only reason you want a badge is to go shopping, and you don't know for certain that there will be anything in artists' or dealers' that makes the cost worth it?  Fanime isn't the sort of convention that gets lots of exclusives, so $85 (or $60 for a single day badge) just for the chance that you MAY find that thing you really want to buy? Pretty steep.  And in our case, buying badges early was a risky prospect (and honestly, still more than we wanted to spend just to go shopping).

This was my husband and my first year not attending Fanime in years (minus one year where I only attended for a day because of finishing up my degree, I've been attending since 2007).  This had nothing to do with Fanime. I had a baby two weeks before the convention, and for a number of reasons, the full convention was NOT going to happen.   We took a little time walked around outside the con to see what cool costumes were around each day, met up with some friends, but didn't buy a badge.

We wanted to though, or really, buy a single one day badge for my husband to use to wander Artists' Alley.  We may not be have the energy to go to the con, and we weren't going to bring a 2-week-old into the more crowded areas of the con, but we could spare a few hours for one of us to see if there was any cool art.

Not for $60 though.

It'd make enforcement tricker, but I'd really love to see a cheaper "shopper's pass" for attendees who don't care about the events, but want access to Dealers' and Artists'.  I understand that putting on the events costs money, so while steep, I'm less concerned about the overall cost of the badge as whole.  But not everybody is interested in being a 24 hour attendee.

My point is that wanting to attend the con and not wanting to spend the money =/= thinking all the events should be free.  It just means thinking that the cost is too high for the events you do want to to attend.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Nina Star 9 on June 04, 2017, 08:49:00 AM
Enkai, I feel like your response is much more sensible about not wanting to pay the prices than OP's. (Congrats on the baby, by the way! :D) Not wanting to spend the money because it isn't personally worth it to you and/or very difficult, but also only going there for shorter periods and to socialize outside or otherwise not expect content without paying the price makes a lot of sense, especially with how expensive 1-day badges were this year. (and really I don't think that "not having/wanting to spend the money" = "wanting it to be free" generally, so I'd guess that the person you are responding to is more reacting to OP's entitled attitude in sweeping terms rather than actually meaning that...but who knows)

A shopper's pass is a great idea, though it would be harder to enforce. If it looks different enough from other passes, it would be easy enough to recognize at checkpoints, though keeping shoppers out of other areas would require extra checkpoints. I suppose the bare minimum would be to have another checkpoint at the entrance to the hallway where the karaoke room is, and have a checkpoint at the gaming room, and to not allow shoppers in after a certain time to prevent them from attending the dance (and/or checking badges again at the dance...don't they do bag checks and such anyway to make sure no one's sneaking in drugs or other dangerous items? I haven't been to a dance in well over 10 years haha), since these are the only areas upstairs in the convention center other than the shopping areas. Though, it would create a longer backup and more lines at these areas, so it would be a tradeoff. Panel rooms, video rooms, and the like are located in different areas and those already checking at the door would be trained to not allow shoppers in.

Really, though, I'm mostly for lowering the cost of a 1-day badge. I'm not sure how much profit these make the con vs. weekend badges, but it seems like at least Monday can be made cheaper if nothing else, since the price was far too high.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: InsaneDavid on June 04, 2017, 11:07:06 AM
The only issue with a "shoppers pass" is it would essentially allow you to get to the second floor of the convention center.  That means we would need to go back to badge checks at the individual halls, and... NO, OH NO, IN THE NAME OF TEZUKA NO!

Yeah, a con badge is essentially paying to shop if dealer's / artist's is your main push.  But it's also paying to host the convention outright.  For those who live in the Bay Area, and especially in San Jose, you know the already outrageous cost of everything is getting more outrageous by the day.  But Fanime? Only around sixty bucks.

Two of my sisters came out for about half of Sunday this year, their first large scale con.  They had an awesome time.  Seeing that they can get a weekend badge for the same price they paid for Sunday, and enjoying the con as much as they did in that short time, has them already planning to attend all weekend and book housing next year.

I look at it this way.  Let's say $60.  That's a lot of money to a lot of people certainly, hell, it's a lot of money to me.  But in the grand scheme of things what is sixty dollars?  Price of a video game?  Nosebleed seats at a sporting event or concert?  A middle of the road meal in San Jose for two?  What many of us spend over the course of FanimeCon buying coffee and breakfast in the morning?  Heck, parking at our preferred lot (making up for last year when they left it at $7 all weekend) was $10 a day this year x 5 = $50.  Truth be told, the badge cost is the "small money" over the course of the weekend, or any given day really.  $60 really only looks like a lot for the con when you compare the value of early registration vs. day-of single day registration.

Fancy, smooth registration systems that allow you to enjoy the convention rather than wait in line for it?  Facilities staff taking care of fast access security so staff and volunteers can be better used elsewhere?  Those cost money, way more than manually sorting out badges or using volunteers for badge checks.  However the cost of a badge hasn't gone up.

Since I got over myself about being unfairly irritated about the otaku fandom years ago and began attending Fanime in 2012, I've said Fanime is the best value attraction for your money in the South Bay Area.  That includes the area's seasonal institutions as well as other conventions that I dearly love, such as the California Extreme Arcade and Pinball Show (which this year will be my 10th in attendance).
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: hikanteki on June 04, 2017, 03:43:48 PM
Quote from: Enkai on June 03, 2017, 06:42:55 PM
Quote from: keyblademaster333 on June 03, 2017, 09:43:22 AM
I understand price being a good reason not to go, but if you don't have the money then you honestly should not attend. Going to the con, complaining about not being able to be in events and other things, and then say "Well I don't have the money" seems like your saying that you want to be able to do everything at the con for free. If you really want to go to the con and have low money then buy the ticket early, it isn't too cheap but it is still cheaper.
My point is that wanting to attend the con and not wanting to spend the money =/= thinking all the events should be free.  It just means thinking that the cost is too high for the events you do want to to attend.

You bring up a lot of good points. I agree there's a difference between not having the money vs not wanting to spend the money.

I think people are just responding to the Original Poster, who cited not being able to go as many events for free as a reason why he's not going to Fanime anymore.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: hikanteki on June 04, 2017, 04:03:55 PM
Quote from: InsaneDavid on June 04, 2017, 11:07:06 AM
The only issue with a "shoppers pass" is it would essentially allow you to get to the second floor of the convention center.  That means we would need to go back to badge checks at the individual halls, and... NO, OH NO, IN THE NAME OF TEZUKA NO!

Yeah, a con badge is essentially paying to shop if dealer's / artist's is your main push.  But it's also paying to host the convention outright.  For those who live in the Bay Area, and especially in San Jose, you know the already outrageous cost of everything is getting more outrageous by the day.  But Fanime? Only around sixty bucks.

Two of my sisters came out for about half of Sunday this year, their first large scale con.  They had an awesome time.  Seeing that they can get a weekend badge for the same price they paid for Sunday, and enjoying the con as much as they did in that short time, has them already planning to attend all weekend and book housing next year.

I look at it this way.  Let's say $60.  That's a lot of money to a lot of people certainly, hell, it's a lot of money to me.  But in the grand scheme of things what is sixty dollars?  Price of a video game?  Nosebleed seats at a sporting event or concert?  A middle of the road meal in San Jose for two?  What many of us spend over the course of FanimeCon buying coffee and breakfast in the morning?  Heck, parking at our preferred lot (making up for last year when they left it at $7 all weekend) was $10 a day this year x 5 = $50.  Truth be told, the badge cost is the "small money" over the course of the weekend, or any given day really.  $60 really only looks like a lot for the con when you compare the value of early registration vs. day-of single day registration.

Fancy, smooth registration systems that allow you to enjoy the convention rather than wait in line for it?  Facilities staff taking care of fast access security so staff and volunteers can be better used elsewhere?  Those cost money, way more than manually sorting out badges or using volunteers for badge checks.  However the cost of a badge hasn't gone up.

Since I got over myself about being unfairly irritated about the otaku fandom years ago and began attending Fanime in 2012, I've said Fanime is the best value attraction for your money in the South Bay Area.  That includes the area's seasonal institutions as well as other conventions that I dearly love, such as the California Extreme Arcade and Pinball Show (which this year will be my 10th in attendance).

The cost of a badge has gone up, although not really by that much. But I definitely think a weekend pass, even at $85, is a great deal, especially given Fanime is a 4 day convention. (Well, more like  3.5, but most of the time the last day is a .5 at most conventions.)

I still think the single days are overpriced though. The only one that may be worth it is Saturday and that's only if you go for the concert. (Since concert prices are close to $60 anyway.) But for the other days, it seems steep. At most big conventions, even all-genre comic cons, a single day pass isn't $60. I think $35-45 would be more reasonable. The only other convention I know of where a day pass is $60 is...San Diego Comic Con. Nothing is in the same league as SDCC.

A shoppers-only pass in theory would be a good idea, but I don't think it would work for Fanime. I agree that with the placement of the dealers hall relative to other events/rooms, it would mess up the badge checkpoints which is one reason why the con was so good this year.

Sac-Anime has a shopping pass which is only available Sunday (the last day of the con) and costs $20. Full Sunday admission costs $30. But at Sac, the dealer's hall is on the lower level and away from  all the other programming. It's much easier to keep it separate. Maybe a better solution for Fanime would just be to lower the Monday price and promote it as a good day for people who primarily want to go shopping.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: WorldDominationStudios on June 05, 2017, 08:50:27 AM
To address some of your attempted counterpoints:

1. I just started a new job a few days before the convention, and paychecks go out on Fridays. My choices were to buy the pass on-site or not at all.

2. I've paid for 4-day passes almost every year since I first started attending. This year, I just wanted to pop in, watch the opening ceremonies, take a few pictures of any particularly amazing new cosplays, maybe hand out some business cards, and then head back to work (Memorial Day weekend is a very busy time for pool supply stores and I had to beg my boss to even give me ONE day off). But I couldn't even do that because the Opening Ceremonies were on the upper floor. Your implication that I just want everything for free is unfounded and reveals you to be illiterate, judgmental assholes.

3. Yes, a 42% price increase in 7 years is unreasonable. Like I said, this is not Venezuela.

4. "But in the grand scheme of things what is sixty dollars?" - it's what the price of same-day registration should be for a 4-day pass, like it was only a few years go.

5. Lying bout the history of pass price increases doesn't do any favors for one's credibility, especially when some of us like to keep our old paperwork and can fact-check all of this stuff.

Mod edit: #2
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: sysadmin on June 05, 2017, 09:05:55 AM
You want to tone that down, chief?
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: bobcat888 on June 05, 2017, 10:29:40 AM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on June 05, 2017, 08:50:27 AM

5. Lying bout the history of pass price increases doesn't do any favors for one's credibility, especially when some of us like to keep our old paperwork and can fact-check all of this stuff.


Post paperwork please. Let's stop messing around and get serious about this matter.

After reading this thread it does seem that a bunch of people are finding the 1 day passes to be unreasonably overpriced. Do the organizers of Fanime read these threads and address the feedback? Maybe if I mention how much I loved the rave this year. :)

ALSO! Has the Henti night getting shut down on Sunday been brought up anywhere yet? What happened with all of that anyway? I have a suggestion for the late night video rooms, where can I post it?
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 05, 2017, 12:28:18 PM
Quote from: bobcat888 on June 05, 2017, 10:29:40 AM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on June 05, 2017, 08:50:27 AM

5. Lying bout the history of pass price increases doesn't do any favors for one's credibility, especially when some of us like to keep our old paperwork and can fact-check all of this stuff.


Maybe if I mention how much I loved the rave this year. :)



No such event has ever happened at Fanime...nice reach tho
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Nina Star 9 on June 05, 2017, 12:41:09 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 05, 2017, 12:28:18 PM
Quote from: bobcat888 on June 05, 2017, 10:29:40 AM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on June 05, 2017, 08:50:27 AM

5. Lying bout the history of pass price increases doesn't do any favors for one's credibility, especially when some of us like to keep our old paperwork and can fact-check all of this stuff.


Maybe if I mention how much I loved the rave this year. :)



No such event has ever happened at Fanime...nice reach tho
LOL
Pretty sure they were making a joke about how there seems to be very little in the way of contact with staff on these forums, yet the mods will instantly swoop in and remove the "r-word" from posts.

Unless you are also being sarcastic and I'm falling victim to that "lack of tone over the internet" thing ;]


Also, I saw that post before it was edited. Not sure why I was lumped in when I literally said a few posts above that I disagreed with that point, but clearly OP is just salty for the sake of being salty at this point and not worth my time. :]
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 05, 2017, 02:33:41 PM
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on June 05, 2017, 12:41:09 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 05, 2017, 12:28:18 PM
Quote from: bobcat888 on June 05, 2017, 10:29:40 AM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on June 05, 2017, 08:50:27 AM

5. Lying bout the history of pass price increases doesn't do any favors for one's credibility, especially when some of us like to keep our old paperwork and can fact-check all of this stuff.


Maybe if I mention how much I loved the rave this year. :)



No such event has ever happened at Fanime...nice reach tho
LOL
Pretty sure they were making a joke about how there seems to be very little in the way of contact with staff on these forums, yet the mods will instantly swoop in and remove the "r-word" from posts.

Unless you are also being sarcastic and I'm falling victim to that "lack of tone over the internet" thing ;]


Also, I saw that post before it was edited. Not sure why I was lumped in when I literally said a few posts above that I disagreed with that point, but clearly OP is just salty for the sake of being salty at this point and not worth my time. :]

Not being sarcastic...but being old and experienced...i can say these events have not happened in the bay area since 2005 ish...and never at fanime
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: InsaneDavid on June 05, 2017, 04:42:56 PM
Quote from: Imperial on June 05, 2017, 02:15:59 PM
Again, food for thought. But then again, I hated the tap'n go system the SVCC had (I cosplay at cons, don't Judge Garruk), and I have heard murmurs of that system coming for fanimecon. But hey, this is my opinion, and wanted to give some food for thought in this matter.

No no no no no no no, it's all perfect just as it is!  :)
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: cassz on June 07, 2017, 03:10:43 PM
Quote from: bobcat888 on June 05, 2017, 10:29:40 AM
Quote from: WorldDominationStudios on June 05, 2017, 08:50:27 AM

5. Lying bout the history of pass price increases doesn't do any favors for one's credibility, especially when some of us like to keep our old paperwork and can fact-check all of this stuff.


Post paperwork please. Let's stop messing around and get serious about this matter.


I went through Wayback Machine to find registration prices over the last 10 years: http://imgur.com/a/jpxlh
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Firefury Amahira on June 09, 2017, 01:45:06 PM
Quote from: cassz on June 07, 2017, 03:10:43 PMI went through Wayback Machine to find registration prices over the last 10 years: http://imgur.com/a/jpxlh

So, for pre-reg a whopping $15 increase, for pretty much everything else, about $30 increase over ten years. Between inflation and rising costs (I would bet good money that SJCC jacked facilities pricing up for the con after they finished the expansion a couple years back!), that really isn't bad at all. Seems like there is a general consensus that the one-day passes are a bit excessively high, but I imagine that is a somewhat deliberate decision since as others have pointed out, the con center staff checking badges at the access points were generally NOT checking to see if it was a full weekend pass versus a one-day pass. Having the one-day passes priced as high as they are offsets the losses from people cheating the system, while also encouraging people to try and pre-reg when possible. Doing a discounted/shoppers access badge for Mondays sounds like a great idea though- the 'just-wanna-shop' crowd could get in, and a steeply discounted final day would also be a great "first taste of a con" for convention newcomers who haven't gone to a con before but are leery about committing to a full weekend right from the start.

I can't say that I feel particularly moved by the OP's tale of woe and wanting to get in to one of the convention events (that is, the opening ceremonies) for free because they couldn't afford a badge. There was plenty of cosplay photography and mingling going on outside the convention center as always, no badge needed. It's not like the convention's timing is some big secret catching anyone by surprise; people can and usually do plan months in advance for it, including saving up the funding necessary even if it means tossing loose change in a jar for months.

By far, restricting the second floor of the convention center to badged attendees only since 2016 is one of the best ideas Fanime has implemented. It has drastically reduced the crush of the crowds on the upper floor by removing the unpaid ghosts, and certainly helps the safety of paying attendees since you don't get the late night drunks and non-paying creepers roaming the main thoroughfares of the con. If that upsets some people badly enough that they're Leaving and Never EVER Coming Back for Realsies!... well, that's their choice to make.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 09, 2017, 03:48:16 PM
dunno I was pretty disappointed with this years opening ceremonies...
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: bobcat888 on June 10, 2017, 06:42:57 PM
Quote from: Firefury Amahira on June 09, 2017, 01:45:06 PM
Seems like there is a general consensus that the one-day passes are a bit excessively high, but I imagine that is a somewhat deliberate decision since as others have pointed out, the con center staff checking badges at the access points were generally NOT checking to see if it was a full weekend pass versus a one-day pass. Having the one-day passes priced as high as they are offsets the losses from people cheating the system, while also encouraging people to try and pre-reg when possible. Doing a discounted/shoppers access badge for Mondays sounds like a great idea though- the 'just-wanna-shop' crowd could get in, and a steeply discounted final day would also be a great "first taste of a con" for convention newcomers who haven't gone to a con before but are leery about committing to a full weekend right from the start.

Let's not brush off the possibility of a new and better system simply due to the pass checkers not doing their job. If they're volunteers or the hired security staff, they should be mindful of their responsibilities. Especially if they're a volunteer and they're getting a free pass to the con (which is kinda what we're all debating here.. con-accessibility/cost).

By the logic of your post it seems that the dam that's holding off the one day pass is due to the incompetence of the staff.

Also, your last suggestion of the "discounted/shoppers access badge for Mondays" would run you into the same wall of problems. Unless that pass was only sold in person on Monday, what's to stop people from buying that cheaper pass for Monday and using it for the entire duration of the con? Unless it looked significantly different. And if the passes (full weekend VS single day) could look significantly different (or just different enough where lazy staff pass checkers could tell with little effort what passes they're looking at) then why not just offer a variety of different passes and have all of the single day passes be lower & not just have the Monday pass be at a lower price.

If it is the staff then I really don't see an issue in lowering the one day passes. Why aren't they paying attention? After the pre-registration passes are cut off then what would it matter selling a cheaper 1 day pass? Certainly a con-goer intending to attend all "four" days would not spend more buying all four one day passes (which would end up being far more expensive). Also, I would imagine that they'd be much more revenue selling more lower priced single day con passes rather then a few single day passes at the cost they are now. Maybe there should be a special sticker or shape to the full weekend passes, but honestly I think if the staff aren't checking then Fanime is playing themselves. Maybe we should all just buy one day passes from now on if we miss pre-registration and use them for the full weekend since nobody is paying any mind.

ALSO, I would think that Friday or even an earlier day would be a better day for a shopper pass. If all you want to go to Fanime for is to shop... then you would probably want to get in there earlier before a lot of items you might be after sell out.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: InsaneDavid on June 10, 2017, 09:50:03 PM
Every time I went through a badge check the staffer would look and say "Weekend..." - Dunno where they were being so inconsistent with badge checks but I'd say it was a personnel issue at specific points as it isn't something I encountered.  I also watched facilities staff radio around looking for someone who got up to the second floor unbadged on Monday afternoon, then find and escort him out.  They were taking it very seriously.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Nina Star 9 on June 11, 2017, 09:41:14 AM
I think I mentioned it in another thread, but I had a badge check staff stop me because my badge was upside-down and she couldn't recognize what type of badge it was. Not sure which badge check stations people were going to, but in my experience, the badge check staff was very thorough with their checking. I also had the experience of most of the staff actually saying "weekend" out loud when checking my badge.

Besides, I agree with the above poster that just because one person is under the impression that badge check staff isn't doing their job doesn't mean that it's a good reason to dismiss feedback about badges entirely. I'm also not sure how much I buy the argument that one-day badges cost so much because badge check staff aren't actually checking badges. That makes no sense at all to me. There's other reasons, and I'm sure they have little or nothing to do with convention center staff doing their job or not. (As the badge check people are not con staff, but convention center staff.)

I haven't been to SVCC, so I can't speak to the strengths and weaknesses of the badge tap system, but I would like to say that if this is implemented, I would like the upstairs to remain the badges area and the downstairs to remain open, if possible. I know that SVCC badges at the doors, but I think that keeping the upstairs and the actual con-provided content behind a paywall as such but allowing people to check out the con and surroundings by entering the first floor is a good balance between preventing ghosting and allowing freedom.

Honestly I'd rather see the con step up its programming and other incentives to entice people to buy badges than see the con implement more and more draconian measures to keep people who aren't paying out. People who can't afford a badge would still be out of luck on seeing that content, but I have a feeling that most of the ghosters are people who no longer find Fanime content worth paying for when they can go to room parties and see cosplayers for free and spend their money on cons with more or better guests, larger industry presence, more exclusive merchandise, etc. Making sure that there's content that can entice these people to actually buy a badge would go much farther in boosting this con than keeping more non-paying people out would, imo.


Quote from: Abyss1 on June 05, 2017, 02:33:41 PM
Not being sarcastic...but being old and experienced...i can say these events have not happened in the bay area since 2005 ish...and never at fanime
You're taking it too literally.

The joke (at least, from how I'm reading the post) is that because Fanime doesn't have a rave (which is entirely true) and because the mods are very quick to swoop in and remove all mentions of the word from posts, it would be a fast way to get staff attention to a post to make a reference to said non-existent rave. (Why am I going to such lengths to explain someone else's offhand joke? That's the real question.)
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Love Sign Master Spark on June 11, 2017, 01:38:16 PM
I had this lengthy post typed out then decided I hated most of it before posting.  So here are some pricing numbers from a similar sized con (even at the same location) with little other context:

Duration:3 days
Weekend badge cost: $99
One day admission: $50
Autographs cost extra for all attendees.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
 my bade was flipepd over half the time...they didnt care lol

Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: echoshadow on June 13, 2017, 07:57:22 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
....
Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up

Lol yeah, it's been years and years of people trying to float some ideas to Fanime.  But, in the end Fanime ends up just being Fanime. I could guess and make countless threads or just revisit the countless posts about this same subject, but eh, too much work.

Then again....... you kind of end up getting what you pay for. Hell, look how much AX badges have gone up. But then look at all the line ups they got going.

Guess what I'm saying that's maybe why Fanime always had its own charm, like maybe next year it would be like (fill in the con name here) but next year it's a notch different.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: ewu on June 13, 2017, 08:10:30 PM
Just going to leave this here....

feedback.fanime.com
[email protected]
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: TC X0 Lt 0X on June 14, 2017, 05:12:39 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
my bade was flipepd over half the time...they didnt care lol

Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up

AX as in Anime Expo?
Why would anyone want to watch a livestream of a convention? That just sounds so odd to me.
I mean sure Im guessing there are industry panels to tune in to, but Im doubtful any big news wont show up on the net days later, and at least for me being at the event and doing things is the appeal of a convention.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 15, 2017, 01:28:15 PM
Quote from: TC_X0_Lt_0X on June 14, 2017, 05:12:39 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
my bade was flipepd over half the time...they didnt care lol

Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up

AX as in Anime Expo?
Why would anyone want to watch a livestream of a convention? That just sounds so odd to me.
I mean sure Im guessing there are industry panels to tune in to, but Im doubtful any big news wont show up on the net days later, and at least for me being at the event and doing things is the appeal of a convention.
Yes AX is the only Anime Expo I know of in Cali...

Million Dollar questions: why do people livestream on Facebook? or anywhere else for that matter do you find that strange too?

Its probably of panels, guests, and i am hoping the major events (cosplay and AMV), as well as the music event..

I want to see this mainly because I can't make it to AX anymore.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: TC X0 Lt 0X on June 15, 2017, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 15, 2017, 01:28:15 PM
Quote from: TC_X0_Lt_0X on June 14, 2017, 05:12:39 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
my bade was flipepd over half the time...they didnt care lol

Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up

AX as in Anime Expo?
Why would anyone want to watch a livestream of a convention? That just sounds so odd to me.
I mean sure Im guessing there are industry panels to tune in to, but Im doubtful any big news wont show up on the net days later, and at least for me being at the event and doing things is the appeal of a convention.
Yes AX is the only Anime Expo I know of in Cali...

Million Dollar questions: why do people livestream on Facebook? or anywhere else for that matter do you find that strange too?

Its probably of panels, guests, and i am hoping the major events (cosplay and AMV), as well as the music event..

I want to see this mainly because I can't make it to AX anymore.

I mean I do find it the oddest thing that Twitch is what it is, games usually being available with ease for people to play for themselves.
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: aetherltd on June 16, 2017, 12:07:16 AM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 13, 2017, 07:57:22 PM
Lol yeah, it's been years and years of people trying to float some ideas to Fanime.  But, in the end Fanime ends up just being Fanime.
As someone involved on the Clockwork Alchemy side (I'm behind the Telegraph Office there), it's been fun having the connection to Fanime. This was the last year of that; CA now goes its own way. Different date, bigger hotel.

Fanime has made progress. Reg now works. There's food and water. (Remember LineCon 2014). The halls are less jammed. Finally, this year, the bus service was great. Bigger, more comfortable buses, enough of them, and drivers who knew the route. Few people from Fanime seemed to find their way to CA, sadly. Still no signage on the Fanime side leading to the hard to find bus stop on the side of the convention center. The ones who made it to CA had a good time. We had a Deadpool cosplayer serving in the tea room, and a cosplay group of classical musicians playing anime themes.

Each year for the last five years, I've come over to Fanime for a few hours; look in on a screening, attend a panel, buy some Pocky, look at the artwork, see the cosplayers, and play some games.  Then back to CA. I'll miss that. It's been fun.

Clockwork Alchemy 2018, March 23-25, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Burlingame, CA.

Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: MyAlterEg0 on June 16, 2017, 05:03:20 AM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 13, 2017, 07:57:22 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
....
Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up

Lol yeah, it's been years and years of people trying to float some ideas to Fanime.  But, in the end Fanime ends up just being Fanime. I could guess and make countless threads or just revisit the countless posts about this same subject, but eh, too much work.

Then again....... you kind of end up getting what you pay for. Hell, look how much AX badges have gone up. But then look at all the line ups they got going.

Guess what I'm saying that's maybe why Fanime always had its own charm, like maybe next year it would be like (fill in the con name here) but next year it's a notch different.

just going to throw out a comment i made to my roommate,
Fanime is like going to Hawaii...there's always the beach
while AX is like Vegas....even after you get there... everything you want to do costs money....I think I ended up spending over $300 last year on the badge and then tickets to stuff I wanted to see or do...
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: Abyss1 on June 16, 2017, 11:35:33 AM
Quote from: MyAlterEg0 on June 16, 2017, 05:03:20 AM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 13, 2017, 07:57:22 PM
Quote from: Abyss1 on June 12, 2017, 09:53:19 AM
....
Saw the AX with by live streaming this year....Fanime needs to step it up

Lol yeah, it's been years and years of people trying to float some ideas to Fanime.  But, in the end Fanime ends up just being Fanime. I could guess and make countless threads or just revisit the countless posts about this same subject, but eh, too much work.

Then again....... you kind of end up getting what you pay for. Hell, look how much AX badges have gone up. But then look at all the line ups they got going.

Guess what I'm saying that's maybe why Fanime always had its own charm, like maybe next year it would be like (fill in the con name here) but next year it's a notch different.

just going to throw out a comment i made to my roommate,
Fanime is like going to Hawaii...there's always the beach
while AX is like Vegas....even after you get there... everything you want to do costs money....I think I ended up spending over $300 last year on the badge and then tickets to stuff I wanted to see or do...

I see fanime more like Disneyland and AX is like Disney World
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: hikanteki on June 19, 2017, 03:04:57 PM
Quote from: Love Sign Master Spark on June 11, 2017, 01:38:16 PM
I had this lengthy post typed out then decided I hated most of it before posting.  So here are some pricing numbers from a similar sized con (even at the same location) with little other context:

Duration:3 days
Weekend badge cost: $99
One day admission: $50
Autographs cost extra for all attendees.

Silicon Valley Comic Con is not really a similar-sized con; it has pulled in 60-65k people each year, making it approx. twice as big as Fanime:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley_Comic_Con
Title: Re: Why I didn't attend this year... and probably won't in the future
Post by: thecrazycyborggirl on June 21, 2017, 01:44:03 AM
In response to OP's...

Reason 1: I honestly feel that ensuring the second floor of the con and other ground-floor areas to badge-only con goers is a plus. As someone who doesn't really go to panels much, it makes me feel more like my ticket is worth it, and that I am not wasting my money. I paid for the con, it's organization, and events. Why should those who don't pay a cent get to enjoy the same experience as I do for free? It just doesn't make sense. You pay for a ticketed event, you get to enjoy it. Anyone can stand outside a stadium to enjoy a concert for free, but no one is allowed inside the stadium to roam the doorways and hallways, enjoy concessions, purchase merchandise, use the facilities and bathrooms for free.

Reason 2: Paying $85 for the full weekend is kinda on you, buddy. My friends and I paid in advanced and paid $65. I know that $85 is definitely and increase, but as the attendee numbers grow and the convention strives to improve, that's something to be expected. Even then, Fanime tickets for this year started off at $55; the price increases and their scheduled dates were posted on the website ahead of time for all to see. With good planning and organization, getting badges ahead of time and at a cheaper rate shouldn't be a problem.

I agree that one day badge prices are ridiculous, however. Their expensiveness is definitely a great way of getting attendees to purchase the full weekend badge as it is cheaper per day. However, I don't think Fanime realizes how much this method is deterring people who want to go but are literally only able to go for one day from attending the convention. If these one day badge prices continue to rise, the number of attendees for certain days may decline.

I also agree on the whole production value/level of Fanime. I don't expect an Anime Expo, but I do expect guests of equal if not (should be) higher levels as that of SacAnime's. Sacanime is a much smaller amd much cheaper convention, however the majority of the guests they get are much more interesting and tantalizing than a majority of Fanime's guests.

Even so, this year's fanime felt better than last year's, and my friends and I are definitely staying the full weekend and getting a hotel room.