BotCon 2014 Hotel Reservations - Sheraton and Hilton

Glad im taking a break this year. Other than 40 ounces, Pasadena did nothing for me. The area the convention center is located is like a wannabe rodeo drive in beverly hills. Unless your into clothesshopping, theres nothing to do on foot. Why does botcon always go to 2nd teir cities ? Why not vegas, nyc, or miami ? TFcon is doing Chicago. Why cant botcon do that ? It would be nice if they would hold botcon in a city that has a nightlife And places to explore on foot. I had fun checking out the kennedy assassination area in dallas at botcon 2012. But other than that there wasnt anything to see and definitally no local spots where you can have a beer and meet chicks.

Isn't this post already outdated? These rooms are about 98% eaten up.

I myself don't mind Pasadena. Hollywood is a highway bus ride away, and a car rental (if one can afford it) would scratch the itch a dead hotel lobby or early bar closing can't cure. Sure, these locations, apart from Atlantis in Florida, have not been "top tier", but it could be worse -- it could be Cincinnati, OH.

I'm staying off site this year to save money.

The Official BotCon Twitter feed just posted a rather cryptic message and image, both of which we've mirrored below. This year's theme is Pirates vs. Knights, so just who is this organic called Squirm? Check him out below.

The BotCon 2014 is taking place in Pasadena on 19th-22nd June.

So the question is... Who is Squirm? #PVK

Every Captain needs a crew... #PVK

Have to say, the art is really nicely done. I'd say that bodes well for the comic and tech specs.

Squirm looks a bit like the Ben10 character Jury Rigg.

I'm calling it now...

Cannonball will be utilizing the Silas Breakdown mold with Squirm being the "organic" in place of Silas (slight remold).

Again, I would love to see recolors of the Cyberbeasts Dirgegun, Maxbee, Hellscream, and Thrust-or/-ol as his crew.

Would be a pretty nifty idea.

He kinda reminds me of a creepier elf version of Doctor Arkeville...

Tranzilla wrote:I'm calling it now...

Cannonball will be utilizing the Silas Breakdown mold with Squirm being the "organic" in place of Silas (slight remold).

Tying in with the "Dread Pirate Roberts" theme... Genius!

If pirates and knights arent bad enough, now they have to throw organic characters in the mix. The one thing that made funpub comics cool was the lack of humans.

Rated X wrote:If pirates and knights arent bad enough, now they have to throw organic characters in the mix. The one thing that made funpub comics cool was the lack of humans.

Cheap Shots had Muzzle, Quig, Lug, and Minerva, the first three being (former) binairy-bonded partners to Nightbeat, Siren and Hosehead. And Minerva appeared as a full-blown woman.

More importantly, who cares. Dreadful theme! At least the eBay scalpers won't get any of my monies this year...

I hope he's not human. Really really hope he's some inhuman creature.

Banjo-Tron wrote:More importantly, who cares. Dreadful theme!

I see what you did there.

Is it just me, or is this "Squirm" guy share a striking resemblance to Jak during Jak 3?

Wow.....you guys are so childish complaining over Pirates and Knights when we have not even see them yet


I bet some of you will change your minds once you see them.

And the rest of you?

well...only oneself can change their own mind.

they are like sub factions! but even then that's just the theme we don't know what their group names (or individual names) are

I bet the pirates are Star Seekers.

I don't want to say the knights are those guys from IDW but I can't think of anything else.

mirageandjazz1197 wrote:Wow.....you guys are so childish complaining over Pirates and Knights when we have not even see them yet


I bet some of you will change your minds once you see them.

And the rest of you?

well...only oneself can change their own mind.

they are like sub factions! but even then that's just the theme we don't know what their group names (or individual names) are

I bet the pirates are Star Seekers.

I don't want to say the knights are those guys from IDW but I can't think of anything else.

The theme doesn't strike me and is a strange choice for the 30th anniversary but I agree. We haven't even seen the figures yet so there is no reason to start bashing it. We really know very little about the theme in general. Fun Pub can't make everyone happy and that's a fact. Some people will love it, some will hate it. I'm very curious to see how things progress. Who knows, this may be a great set

I personally have never been to Pasadena so either way I'm looking forward to it.

I love the sound of this theme! It's like Fun Pub is finally, at long last, going back to its roots in doing a set whose theme is true to the spirit of the very first set from 2005. No more of this "G1/G2/MW but new/different/backwards/etc." stuff that we've been getting since 2007. Just a simple concept born out of pure creative fun and imagination.

...even though it is still set in the same world as the 2009, 2010, and 2013 sets, and the 2010-2012 magazine storylines, have been set in: The Wings Universe.

mirageandjazz1197 wrote:I bet the pirates are Star Seekers.

They are, yes. But NOT the same ones as those from the existing fiction, meaning that these ones ought to not have anything to do with Thundertron and such.

Sabrblade wrote:I love the sound of this theme! It's like Fun Pub is finally, at long last, going back to its roots in doing a set whose theme is true to the spirit of the very first set from 2005. No more of this "G1/G2/MW but new/different/backwards/etc." stuff that we've been getting since 2007. Just a simple concept born out of pure creative fun and imagination.

...even though it is still set in the same world as the 2009, 2010, and 2013 sets, and the 2010-2012 magazine storylines, have been set in: The Wings Universe.

mirageandjazz1197 wrote:I bet the pirates are Star Seekers.

They are, yes. But NOT the same ones as those from the existing fiction, meaning that these ones ought to not have anything to do with Thundertron and such.

Why?

njb902 wrote:Why?

Well, unless the Club creates a G1 Thundertron, that is, since this will be set in the Wings Universe (as I noted) instead of the Aligned continuity.

Huh.

So, a guy over at TFW got his TCC magazine issue recently and said it shows what Cannonball's toy looks like.

It's the Prime Robots in Disguise Deluxe Autobot Ratchet mold with a new Cannonball-esque headsculpt.

He also mentioned that the accompanying text in the magazine contained a log written by Tornado of Squadron X, in which Tornado notes how Cannonball had offered to let them join his crew, but Squadron X "saw a striking difference."

I'm happier and happier with my decision not to go this year. SDCC and NYCC here we come.

Also, Jesse Wittenrich explained the reasoning behind this mold choice for Cannonball over at Allspark.com:

The very first toy explored for Cannonball was Breakdown. Because on the face of it, it seems perfect.

But after playing around with the transformation, how that related to the deco, the mold layout, and the exaggerated proportions (tiny head is tiny!), it didn't really work. Ratchet was actually the third option explored, but the robot mode was just perfect for him. Vehicle mode coincidentally became another emergency vehicle which some fans may like...and others not so much.

I wonder what the second was.

Probably something better.

I'm thinking either a Bulkhead mold or Beast Hunters Ratchet.

Using Ratchet's alternate head...
http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1330226020_Ratchet%20new%20head%20close-up.jpg

Still want the Cyborgs, though.

Thanks to fellow Seibertron.com member Sabrblade, we have some interesting news about the recently revealed leader of the Pirate faction in this year's BotCon fiction, Cannonball. The news comes from the TCC magazine, currently being delivered to members. We are not able to show pictures, as per the Club's request, but here's the reveal:


Cannonball will be a redeco of Prime: Robots in Disguise Ratchet, with a new head mold!



A fan who has received the magazine describes it as follows: Vehicle mode is black with silver for the fenders, bumpers, etc, and silver stylized skeletons drawn on the sides and top. Robot mode is also mostly black & silver, with what appears to be the typical Cannonball color (not sure if it's orange, green or what with my defective eyes) on the thighs, shoulders and upper arms. Head looks like Cybertron cannonball (I.e. Cybertron red alert) with typical visor and mouth.

This still seems not to explain the alternate head found in the Ratchet instructions, pictured below.



Additionally, Jesse Wittenrich, writer of last year and this year's magazine comic, explained their choice of the mold at fellow fansite AllSpark.com:

The very first toy explored for Cannonball was Breakdown. Because on the face of it, it seems perfect.

But after playing around with the transformation, how that related to the deco, the mold layout, and the exaggerated proportions (tiny head is tiny!), it didn't really work. Ratchet was actually the third option explored, but the robot mode was just perfect for him. Vehicle mode coincidentally became another emergency vehicle which some fans may like...and others not so much.

Well, now that that's out into the open, might as well also mention that the TFW guy said that the magazine also contains a mention of Squadron X in the accompanying text for Cannonball, in which there is a log written by Squadron X member Tornado, who notes how Cannonball offered to let them join his crew, but Squadron X "saw a striking difference."

To be fair, I really really really like that mold. It's the lack of a nice deco that brought it down (Reprolabels fixed it for me). I have no sentimental connection to the character, either, so I'll be interested to see how this turns out!

Ratchet's mold was always a good one, but I still would have preferred Breakdown for this purpose.

Wow, one of the proposed possibilities actually came true!

Va'al wrote:This still seems not to explain the alternate head found in the Ratchet instructions, pictured below.

We already have an explanation for that head: Arms Micron Swerve. The head design was used for a different mold, and since G1 Swerve was a retool of G1 Gears... See what they did?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:We already have an explanation for that head: Arms Micron Swerve. The head design was used for a different mold, and since G1 Swerve was a retool of G1 Gears... See what they did?

Except that Swerve's head has different face and is Voyager sized. The head seen on the proposed "Gears" figure looks a lot more like the head seen in Ratchet's instructions (and is Deluxe sized). Though, there is at least a resemblance between the general shape of this head and Swerve's, yes, so we can probably say that the design for Swerve's head was at least based on the "Gears" head.

Here's a close up to compare:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Wow, one of the proposed possibilities actually came true!

Va'al wrote:This still seems not to explain the alternate head found in the Ratchet instructions, pictured below.

We already have an explanation for that head: Arms Micron Swerve. The head design was used for a different mold, and since G1 Swerve was a retool of G1 Gears... See what they did?

Aha, fair enough (and yes, I just saw Sabr's response too; I take on both your points!).

Prime Breakdown made too much sense, so of course they rejected that idea.

Tornado was the UK name of the G2 Cyberjet Windrazor. Silver and red seeker confirmed, but because the Classics mold makes too much sense (see: Making funpub easy money), it'll be a FoC Starscream seeker instead.

Well guys, consider that Cannonball not being a voyager might mean another figure gets that treatment. Plus would you want Cannonball to tower over the other toys in the set? He was kind of a short deluxe in Cybertron

ScottyP wrote:Tornado was the UK name of the G2 Cyberjet Windrazor. Silver and red seeker confirmed, but because the Classics mold makes too much sense (see: Making funpub easy money), it'll be a FoC Starscream seeker instead.

Except that the Tornado who is a member of Squadron X originated as a toyless Marvel Comics character like Straxus and Jhiaxus used to be.



Here's another look at him with Squadron X. Though not the best look, he can be seen towards the middle of the image:

Houston, we have a visual!

https://twitter.com/BotCon/status/431814568705134594/photo/1

Before we ask who is the Navigator, let's show you who the Captain of the Star Seekers is! #PVK pic.twitter.com/VaBzlCXIPR

^^ I completely forgot about that Tornado character. So much apathy, haha.

^ Liking it. Wish it was coming with a version of RA instead of the RiD swords.

Since the cat got out of the bag this morning BotCon decided to go ahead and fully reveal Cannonball from this year's Pirates vs. Knights set. As previously reported earlier this morning the figure is a repaint/remold of Transformers Prime Robots in Disguise Delxue Ratchet, which they also state is the only Prime mold in the set. Check him out below:

Well here we go again...the guy in texas gets the magazine first, but the fan site is more loyal to the club than the fans and wont show the picture. Maybe TFCC should just put the damn magazine on facebook because it will be all over by the end of the day. What a joke. Anyways, I dont see why it was so hard to choose a mold for a figure that was a mere repaint anyways. Its freaking cybertron red alert repainted. I never considered a dodge magnum hatchback to be a rescue vehicle, even if it did have a siren on top. It was red alerts deco that made him a rescue vehicle. The cannonball repaint was by no means a rescue vehicle. Skulls ? Cmon now...I still would have preferred the breakdown mold. This is one character that didnt have to be too faithful to his original mold since he was just a repaint. They could have been a bit more daring. That head only works for ratchet. And TFCCs cheapness not to give every figure a new head isnt helping. Are the new heads really that expensive ? Cant they just order heads from a resin artist here in the States in bulk quantities ? They did for the longarm shockwave custom class figure. It made the TFCCs anti third party stance look like a joke. Like, yeah guys we dont support resin kits in our dealer room but we buy them anyways, lol. But it was good to see that ban lifted last year in San Diego. Even TFCC saw the light that shunning 3rd party items at a TF convention was bad for business. So maybe now Renderform can make a better head for cannonball now that we know the mold. Im not going this year but Im still interested in buying at least some of the figures. Do it Venksta !!! Edit....special thanks to El Duque for letting us see the image. You are the man ! I wish you made all the decisions for this site. Also glad to see the club isnt cheaping out on a new head mold. But im still disappointed they went with that stupid tf primish grin instead of a more serious classics look. Just because they are using tf prime molds, doesnt mean they cant have classics style heads. Or is the real theme of this years botcon tf prime ?

Sweet! Love how it matches up to the Cybertron original:

One more thing. He's the sole Prime mold in the set:

https://twitter.com/BotCon/status/431816933957058560

@PrimalSabbath and yes. Only Prime mold in the set #lovethoseclassics #Energonreturnstoo?

But does "set" refer to just the boxed set, or the whole collective set of BotCon 2014 exclusives, I wonder?

And... could the Club be breaking their "no Unicron Trilogy molds" decision and be using Energon molds again?

I love it!

SOLD! SOLD! A THOUSAND TIMES SOLD!

HOLD ON TO YER UNDERWEAR BOYS, I'M GOIN' TO BOTCON!

I wouldn't be mad one bit if this was redecoed into Red Alert. Not at all. Even if he was included in this year's set, or one of those two-pack baggies. That's how much this design kicks ass.

Sabrblade wrote:And... could the Club be breaking their "no Unicron Trilogy molds" decision and be using Energon molds again?

I'm gunna be the bad fan here; I'd go absolute hysterical over Energon toys. YOu guys know how I pretty much lost all sense of control when Generations Armada Starscream was unveiled at BotCon and SDCC? Imagine that, but a little less.

Was the animated show bad? Yeah, it was somewhat mediocre. But the toys? Deep down, even though Energon was the worst of the three series of the Unicron Trilogy, people know that Energon had the most kickass toys. There's no denying it.

Rated X wrote:Well here we go again...the guy in texas gets the magazine first, but the fan site is more loyal to the club than the fans and wont show the picture.

You seriously asking the site to be sued by Hasbro for spreading private copyrighted material? BAD Move.

And TFCCs cheapness not to give every figure a new head isnt helping. Are the new heads really that expensive ?

Yes they are.

Cant they just order heads from a resin artist here in the States in bulk quantities ? They did for the longarm shockwave custom class figure.

You'd need a lot of resin for that and even more time, since no machines are involved. Plus, shipping them to China where the factories are?

It made the TFCCs anti third party stance look like a joke. Like, yeah guys we dont support resin kits in our dealer room but we buy them anyways, lol. But it was good to see that ban lifted last year in San Diego. Even TFCC saw the light that shunning 3rd party items at a TF convention was bad for business. So maybe now Renderform can make a better head for cannonball now that we know the mold. Im not going this year but Im still interested in buying at least some of the figures. Do it Venksta !!!

That's Hasbro's stance, not (just) TFCC. Plus, SDCC and NYCC are comic and toy conventions for the most part, it's all fair game. BotCon is TF-only, so we can see the 3rd Party ban there.

This is going to sound like a strange complaint, but I think they missed an opportunity by making this look too much like Cybertron Red Alert's head. I normally dislike asymmetry, but part of the reason I never bought Cannonball back in the day was that painting half his visor black to simulate an eye patch seemed cheap, albeit creative for a repaint. (And from the moment I saw that beautiful mold, the only repaint I was interested in was Crankcase, who we thankfully got).

Here, however, they had a chance to sculpt his optics different from each other to drive the idea home, with either a scope or a plate over the left one. I mean, Wings Universe Cannonball should have a slightly different design from UT Cannonball; surely he lost the eye through different circumstances, right?

Still, it does look slicker than Red Alert's head, and maybe this sketch will be tweaked a bit before it's sculpted.

Sabrblade wrote:One more thing. He's the sole Prime mold in the set:

https://twitter.com/BotCon/status/431816933957058560

@PrimalSabbath and yes. Only Prime mold in the set #lovethoseclassics #Energonreturnstoo?

But does "set" refer to just the boxed set, or the whole collective set of BotCon 2014 exclusives, I wonder?

And... could the Club be breaking their "no Unicron Trilogy molds" decision and be using Energon molds again?

That's pretty cool with me, actually. Doesn't mean they won't use the Ratchet mold more that once though

And bring on some Energon molds. The Mirage/Dreadwing boat makes a lot of sense as a Pirate character, and Wing Saber looks kind of Knight-like.

Mindmaster wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And... could the Club be breaking their "no Unicron Trilogy molds" decision and be using Energon molds again?

I'm gunna be the bad fan here; I'd go absolute hysterical over Energon toys. YOu guys know how I pretty much lost all sense of control when Generations Armada Starscream was unveiled at BotCon and SDCC? Imagine that, but a little less.

Was the animated show bad? Yeah, it was somewhat mediocre. But the toys? Deep down, even though Energon was the worst of the three series of the Unicron Trilogy, people know that Energon had the most kickass toys. There's no denying it.

I think it's almost unanimously agreed that Energon had excellent toys despite its terrible cartoon.

It's like the ROTF of the Unicron Trilogy. Great toys, not-so-great motion picture fiction.

Cybertron/Galaxy Force had the best toys, but sure, Energon was pretty kick butt too.

Sabrblade wrote:

Mindmaster wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:And... could the Club be breaking their "no Unicron Trilogy molds" decision and be using Energon molds again?

I'm gunna be the bad fan here; I'd go absolute hysterical over Energon toys. YOu guys know how I pretty much lost all sense of control when Generations Armada Starscream was unveiled at BotCon and SDCC? Imagine that, but a little less.

Was the animated show bad? Yeah, it was somewhat mediocre. But the toys? Deep down, even though Energon was the worst of the three series of the Unicron Trilogy, people know that Energon had the most kickass toys. There's no denying it.

I think it's almost unanimously agreed that Energon had excellent toys despite its terrible cartoon.

It's like the ROTF of the Unicron Trilogy. Great toys, not-so-great motion picture fiction.

I have mixed feeling about Energon. On the one hand, I love all of the Decepticons from that line. The Scout Class autobots were neat, and I absolutely love the brute mode pair of Landmine and Bulkhead. but I could not stand the deluxe and voyager autobots from that line. the combination gimmick was horribly executed, often resulting in extraneous arms/legs hanging off the combined mode's ass. in addition to any pre-existing alt mode kibble.