So, I assume FunPub is finally getting the boot. Good.

Now what's the story behind Indianapolis?

 

INTERESTING that Indianapolis is excluded.

At first I thought that was a Botcon location-related thing, but you know what that probably is because of?

Those Children's Museum exhibits Hasbro has done there.

 

So does this mean that Botcons are over forever?

Because they said Exhibition and I'm not sure its the same thing as a convention

 

I don't geddit. What's the point of all this?

 

Exhibition - a public display of works of art or other items of interest, held in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair.

Convention - a way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity.

This may be a way for Hasbro to bring some aspects of the Botcon experience to the broader fan base. Perhaps for those who can't make it to Botcon, SDCC, or NYCC.
I doubt, however that Fun Publications will receive das boot. Or else we wouldn't have a confirmed FSS5.0... Or at least that's my way of thinking.

 

If the license with Fun Pub expires in 2016, Sub Service 5.0 would run through that to the end of the year.

It's also possible that he license for the show is over, but not the Club. Sub Service is part of the Club, not the convention.

I find this the most interesting part:

“Dayspring is also able to develop and manufacture merchandises based on the exhibits, and the right to advertise and sell such merchandises at the identified venues. The exclusive right is for period until June 30, 2023,” it said.”

Does Merchandise include toys?  

 

I'd say if this doesn't affect Botcon (and I really don't see how it wouldn't) Pete and co. REALLY should jump on and get ahead of this story quickly and say something.

 

Can't judge from the news post that this is replacing BotCon, but one has to wonder if it's going to cut into the pie of BotCon. It'll be interesting to follow regardless.

 

I think you need to check your definitions. While the one for exhibition is applicable, the one you gave for convention is not. Unless you're referring to FunPub being stuck in their ways. A better definition of convention would be:

Convention - an organized meeting of enthusiasts for a television program, movie, or literary genre

But yes, an exhibition is not the same thing as a convention.

Edit: OK. So from the latest news post it seems my suspicions were correct and that this is just an exhibit that will be at other conventions like BotCon or ComicCon. Also, the name "CybertronCon" was never mentioned in the source article. I think this is just the news poster jumping to conclusions. This exhibit news and the CybertronCon trademarking are seemingly unrelated. So there very well may still be a convention called CybertronCon in the future, which may or may not also host this "Transformers Experience" exhibit.

 

It's very well possible that this travelling event may coordinate their stops will Botcon. Hell, I could see them timing their stops to match up with TFcon, even though they are unofficial.

Hasbro wants brand exposure. This could be a symbiotic relationship.

 

I think the timing of this combined with Fun Pub not giving away a trip to Botcon all of a sudden is quite telling.

 

It's for the overseas fans to have a Botcon-like experience. Remember CybertronCon that happened in China & Singapore a few years ago? The one thing that folks had forgotten the MP Sideswipe reveal happened during CybertronCon Singapore.  

Maybe it'll make an appearance in Australia in another form or so..

 

Man they really don't like Indiana/Indianapolis.  

 

That's likely because of the Children's Museum exhibit.

If this means the end of the fan club and official fan convention, then this is a very bad thing.

If this is in addition to, then that's a good thing.

I have a feeling it's the former and we've seen the end of any official collector conventions or fan clubs...  

Randy

 

Yeah; same. ESPECIALLY when the Botcon twitter WAS in fact active earlier today and didn't even acknowledge this.

If it's not a problem for them I imagine they'd be quick to reassure.

Really, IMO the biggest loss for losing Fun Pub would be losing access to older molds; for all their faults FP traditionally has been pretty good at getting some old molds out there in new decos.

 

When asked about Cybertron Con on the latest Shattered Cast Podcast, Pete had a "no comment" - hopefully they will address this, because like you said this will just lead to more speculation among the fandom.