A Wider Audience - but wasn't a better FanFaire?

[ClericTaven]

<p>Random thoughts best placed here.</p><p>I've attended three now and two of those have been in Vegas.</p><p>Rio was able to hold the crowd, but then hamburgers and foot long hot dogs were not expected as the offering from SOE. Yes, I know gamers and the available offerings in other Casino's menus, but still, come on - give us some credit we came for some reason other than gathering in the same ballroom.  I've been as happy elsewhere than the Rio with more selection to consume as a choice.</p><p>I don't mean to be as critical since I had expected something more grander every year attended and even the wedding caught me by suprise.</p><p>I just left with a sense I paid alot more for the trip than a reason I should want to come again.  As a consulation prize I can beta LoN - Woot!</p><p>Either put more focus on your FanFaire panels than the gambling opportunities available or allow us to gather in some city otherwise to concentretic to a schedule that works for loyal gamers that can participate.  I found conflicts where I couldn't be two places at the same time.  One of the redeeming factors was the recruitment panel since I'm looking for a job now.  Hopefully, I might become one of the many that serve you in the near future, but until then my observation of this years FanFaire is less a vacation, but more a coin sink to participate.  Don't take it all negatively, I just felt I wanted to get more value from my participation than a pat on the back and thanks for showing up.</p><p>EverFaithful</p>

[Burtim]

As much as I can appreciate your point of view, I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree.  You have the advantage in participation, in that this was my first Fan Faire and I was not sure what to expect.  However, I did not attend for the <i>foie gras</i> and baked salmon.  It was for the games, the community and SOE. In this regard Fan Faire more than exceeded my expectations.  Not only were all the major games represented (go, Vanguard!), but the devs and community folks were accessible and more than willing to listen to suggestions or criticisms (each of which I am sure they had heard dozens of times before).  Your concern regarding there being too many events at one time strikes me as less a negative than a positive.  Sure, I have a Station Pass and enjoy almost all the Sony games, and sure, I also had to make choices as to which panels to attend.  Not only do I not regret my choices, I made lots of friends just by sharing information that others had missed.  I also got notes on what I missed.  I call that win-win. We all made sacrifices to be in Vegas.  We all had to endure the lines and the technical issues.  To my mind, though, it comes down to this: did you <i>really</i> go to Fan Faire to sit in front of a computer?  Was the main attraction <i>really</i> the savory fare you expected?  If so, I can understand your disappointment. Speaking for myself, I feel my money, my time (and my vacation time) was more than well spent.  I'm looking forward to bringing my wife and daughter to the next Fan Faire.

[Havocide]

<cite>Burtimus wrote:</cite><blockquote> Speaking for myself, I feel my money, my time (and my vacation time) was more than well spent. </blockquote><span style="font-size: xx-large"><b>QFT!! <span style="font-size: small">Everyone from MxO...yes that little game that no one seems to know..have all said they will go again, and enjoyed it hugely! We got to have dinner on friday night with our developer and producer..something you guys probably didnt, except on the banquet. We all have our memorys, but I for one dont have a single bad thing to say about the fanfaire...except those hot dogs where huge! </span></b></span>

[Calthine]

I don't think anything was broken, except perhaps their network people's sanity, lol.  Yes, things were packed.  Yes, it was a tight schedule.  Coordinating 1600 people can't be easy, and I think it went off very well.  Many folks have given feedback and I'l bet there's four or five suggestions we see implemented next year.

[SG_01]

<p>Aggreed with the replies here pretty much. Loved the Fan Faire, but then again, I didn't come to be entertained. I loved the casual atmosphere between the devs and the players, and loved meeting them. And even then, I probably payed more for the trip than 90% of the people heading out there.</p><p>I did not come for the Rio, and to be honest, I don't think I'd ever book the Rio again. But that doesn't detract from the Faire itself. The panels themselves (at least for EQ2, the Recruitment panel and the Getting Into The Industry panel) where very informative. Unfortunately at some points in time two co-insided, which leaves you to make choices.</p><p>And like Calthine said, I'm pretty sure that they're listening to feedback, so hopefully it'll be even better next time around.</p>