Suggestions for FF 2009

[imrahil_donnergroll]

As I promised in another thread, here are my personal suggestions for next year's Fan Faire.

Feel free to critisize or add more to them, but please stay in a constructive way, I would love this to stay bickering-free .

Location and timing:

As Vegas has been the location 2 times in a row, I would suggest an east coast location next time (would be cheaper for us Euros also), so I propose Orlando (easy to travel to, less expensive than NYC, lots of stuff to do for those who want to stay longer than only FF itself). Time shouldn't be in the summer (too hot, storm season), I would suggest early May. Whatever it is, please give the actual date at least 3 months in advance so people can plan.

Panels, LiveQuests and such:

- Time the LiveQuests so, that they don't overlap with panels for the same game (happened to EQ this year).

- Make some sort of sheet for the LiveQuests so that you can't repeat certain tasks to get better results.

Party and fun:

- The idea with the party in the sports center was very cool, keep it up!

- The banket was nice. I was a bit astonished though that after the final stuff was given out there was no such thing as just back ground music and time to talk and have a few beers. Many seemed to just disassemble after the banket (we ourselves went over into Quark's). I would love to be able to stay in the location of the banket longer to just talk to the guys I have met during the previous days. So I suggest something like an "after-dinner-fade-out"-party with relaxed back ground music and the possibility to just stay there and have some nice talks (and maybe a few drinks *g).

So much from me for now, maybe I remember some more later

[Kilathian]

Hi , May would not work for me since I have been out of a job since last year September. I was barely able to go this years EQ FF. It will be very hard to get a job and have enough saved for next year , and if they had it in May, I would have Time against me to save that soon.                                 Kilathian

[Saroc_Luclin]

Though an East coast location would be nice, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of EQ I still think San Diego would be the best choice. As for the Fan Faire itself: * They're usually pretty good at not overlapping Live Quests and Game panels for the same game. The problem was the EQLive Quest started a bit late and ran till 2:30. To counter this, book 2.5 hours for the live quest or have an hour 'free' between the live quest and the next panel for that game. * Another idea: Expand it to 3 full days of events. There are so many panels going on now for various games, there's too much overlap for things I might want to see. Keep the same number of panels in total (more or less) but spread them over an extra day. * Have tiers of prizes for the Live events (BotB and Live Quests), as long as there are enough contestants. 1 winner out of 5 is fine. Over 5 contestants and there should be 2 prizes, over 10 should have 3 prizes. * For the live quests, have a quest-flag list so quest givers can see if a group has been there before. * If they DO go an extra day, you'll need another night event. Maybe contact Sony Pictures and see if a 'private' showing for one of their summer releases could be arranged for those interested (Like last year). Otherwise it would be a good time for guild/server friends to just hang out together and not feel pressured to be anywhere. * As a 'big' Live quest, maybe a contest to find the SOE Uber gamer(s); involving doing small quests for all of SOE's All Access games. (Quizes, Roleplay, Lore knowledge tests, live quests, etc...). Grand prize a year All Access + all All Access games + recognition on the sites; or things like that.

[Tu]

I think that as long as the location isn't somewhere that makes cost of the flight prohibitive for fans then anywhere would work.  Some locations would require flights that are ridiculously expensive.  I think Vegas is reasonable for all but I think any alternative that doesn't exclude a lot of fans because of the cost would be fine.  And as far as activities, as long as there are things to do directly involved with the games then I don't mind if there aren't other things available.   I do think that a greater attempt to get folks mixing and talking from the first day would be good.  Events that encourage socializing would be great, and not just socializing with those you already know.  It'd be great to see everyone mixing and comfortable.

[JentoScelestus]

I did find shuffling between some of the panels a bit difficult during some of the high profile ones.  I myself play several SOE titles so there were times that I had to miss one that I would have really like to seen, in order to go to another.  I would propose that there be some sort of poll so we can register interest in certain panels and then they can be scheduled so the popular ones don't overlap or run during one of the live events.  I know that several of the SWG and EQ2 ones ran at the same time and both were very popular, like the Galatic Address, those big ones should almost stand on their own and maybe have a free time for the others while that one is going on.  I really like the 3 day idea, then a hour break could be scheduled for lunch without missing a panel

[juggies420]

An extra day would be nice Thursday to Sunday..would give a lot of folks breathing time. I was running around frantic for 2 straight days with no time to even eat.I still think Vegas is the best choice, I am not fond of not having something to do at any hour. Plus its cheap to get to with package deals and such. I will miss Quark's tho.

[Beadil]

Vegas again.

An extra day wouldn't be bad, toss in a lunch break, a bit of time between panels, & I think some "beginer" panels for various SOE games would be nice.

Oh, and Vegas again *nod.

[Ma]

Last time I went to San Diego for a business convention, it was horribly expensive. I don't know if that was due to the convention, or if that's just the way it is there. The airfare and hotels at that time (6 years ago autumn) were hands down more than Vegas was this year.  If it wasn't for the cost though, I'd agree that San Diego would be a great spot.

The main thing I would want though is a place that is 24/7 and doesn't require vehicles.  So for those criteria, Vegas is pretty much the ideal place.

[wac]

I Loved This years Fan Fair at Vegas but its been at Veas 2 years in a row I'd hate for it to be at vegas 3 years in a row. East cost needs some love. Many people in my guild said that Vegas was too far away/too expensive. I'm going to find a way to go regaurdless but I would much perfer if they picked an east cost city. then maybe the year after that go back to Vegas.

[Saroc_Luclin]

I have to wonder if the people saying that Vegas is too expensive (compared to an East Coast city) have really looked into how much a Vegas trip costs. I know I used to see Vegas as being "Too Expensive" too until I started going there and discovered that it really isn't all that much more expensive compared to what you would pay for travel/accomadations in another city. (In fact it's downright cheap compared to a lot of them) Sure it could be held in Boston or DC or Orlando or an east coast area like that, but if you don't live in that city, are your travel/costs all that different from Vegas considering all the discounts that you can get going to Vegas? (Just did a quick search on Travelocity, for a random weekend next summer (June25-2 for Orlando->Boston vs Orlando->Vegas; Vegas strip came out about 700$ with hotel vs Boston at around 600$. If you stay downtown Vegas it is comparable to Boston.) That all said, even with the comments about the price of San Diego above, I'd still prefer to see Fan Faire there, just for the chance to see SOE's EQ Studios and such. It would be extra sweet if they could get the weekend before or weekend after comiccon, and give me the chance to kill 2 birds at once (Would love to go to comic con at least once in my life. )

[SecretAgentSp]

While I enjoyed fan faire very much, I would *love* for it to take place somewhere where I can actually taste my food and smell like I showered (which was impossible to do with all the smoke that was around me or attached to me as I walked through the casino area to get to the convention stuff )

[juggies420]

SecretAgentSpam wrote:

While I enjoyed fan faire very much, I would *love* for it to take place somewhere where I can actually taste my food and smell like I showered (which was impossible to do with all the smoke that was around me or attached to me as I walked through the casino area to get to the convention stuff )

You could have walked around outside to get to the convention stuff and avoided all the "nasty" smoke.

[Ashlanne]

imrahil_donnergroll wrote:

Party and fun:

- The banket was nice. I was a bit astonished though that after the final stuff was given out there was no such thing as just back ground music and time to talk and have a few beers. Many seemed to just disassemble after the banket (we ourselves went over into Quark's). I would love to be able to stay in the location of the banket longer to just talk to the guys I have met during the previous days. So I suggest something like an "after-dinner-fade-out"-party with relaxed back ground music and the possibility to just stay there and have some nice talks (and maybe a few drinks *g)

We set up the Star Wars Galaxies Trading card game session afterwards which people were welcome to come on in to the Legends Lounge and hang out.  Some people took advantage of it.  We hope to continue that sort of set up in the future

[NeillM]

Ashlanne wrote:

imrahil_donnergroll wrote:

Party and fun:

- The banket was nice. I was a bit astonished though that after the final stuff was given out there was no such thing as just back ground music and time to talk and have a few beers. Many seemed to just disassemble after the banket (we ourselves went over into Quark's). I would love to be able to stay in the location of the banket longer to just talk to the guys I have met during the previous days. So I suggest something like an "after-dinner-fade-out"-party with relaxed back ground music and the possibility to just stay there and have some nice talks (and maybe a few drinks *g)

We set up the Star Wars Galaxies Trading card game session afterwards which people were welcome to come on in to the Legends Lounge and hang out.  Some people took advantage of it.  We hope to continue that sort of set up in the future

At the next FanFaire you might want to disable autologin on the station launcher... it was far, far to easy to gain access to other peoples accounts on the public systems in the Legends Lounge.

[Saroc_Luclin]

If you're thinking of late night challenges that might be fun, (or a new challenge in general), maybe have signups for a Fastest Leveller. Sign up 10 people or so (and a few standbys in case the 10 don't make it), they create a brand new EQ (or EQII or SWG or whatever) character, and they have 1 hour to gain as many Levels as possible on a random server not their own. (Or maybe just on Test server so the XP bonus is in play). Keep the Best of the Best type encounters going in the day when people can see it and such, but some late night challenges to test other skills beyond PVP might be fun too.

[Calthine]

I continue my advocacy for Nap Time.  'Round about 2pm, bring out blankets and pillow and turn the lights down low in the main room, and we'll all nap.

[juggies420]

Saroc_Luclin wrote:

If you're thinking of late night challenges that might be fun, (or a new challenge in general), maybe have signups for a Fastest Leveller. Sign up 10 people or so (and a few standbys in case the 10 don't make it), they create a brand new EQ (or EQII or SWG or whatever) character, and they have 1 hour to gain as many Levels as possible on a random server not their own. (Or maybe just on Test server so the XP bonus is in play). Keep the Best of the Best type encounters going in the day when people can see it and such, but some late night challenges to test other skills beyond PVP might be fun too.

This sounds like fun.

[Fern]

Let's do New Orleans as the 2009 location.

[Whipsnade]

Vegas is the best place for the FF.  There's always something to do

[Beadil]

According to the Podcast, there is a "east coast" event inc. soon.  But seriously, VEGAS is the best place, so much to do anytime you want.

*crossing fingers for EQ 10th aniv. in VEGAS !

[Jyve]

Anywhere's great, I'll go as needed, but can see that people would enjoy an east coast for a change.  Atlanta appeared to have a huge amount of people who drove out to the event, bit more balance would be good here.

Orlando good, something North-Eastish, wherever.  It'll be good no matter what.

But if it is Vegas again, I'd not mind.  The Hilton was good (though I think in retrospect, I enjoyed the Rio a bit more, and without the Star Trek geekness, something might be lost from the Hilton if we went again).

BUT.

No matter where, hopefully plenty of early warning please.

[SG_01]

Might I sugest publishing the location before '09 starts? That way it is easier to make arragements to come out there!

[Kela]

SG_01 wrote:

Might I sugest publishing the location before '09 starts? That way it is easier to make arragements to come out there!

I would would have to agree here SG...getting all the stuff locked in now would save alot issues latter... plus the earlier you book the more flexable the dates.... and less of a chance of being forced to be opposite another major game convention... like the last two years.

I also would advise against Orlando... that place is expencive and almost requires a car... I think a NE city near a Metro line would be better like say one of the cities that ring DC(but not DC itself)... that is if it is to be on the East Coast. If it is wide open I would say Vegas would be the best bet overall as it is the most balanced pricewise for everyone.

[Calthine]

Jyve wrote:

But if it is Vegas again, I'd not mind.  The Hilton was good (though I think in retrospect, I enjoyed the Rio a bit more, and without the Star Trek geekness, something might be lost from the Hilton if we went again).

I enjoyed the Rio more, but the Hilton sure had a better convention setup, by a long chalk.

[Plinko_Chi]

Any Idead when the 2009 Fan Fair will be announced so people can start planning and asking for time off?

[Plinko_Chi]

Any Idea when and where the next one will be so people can sec. off at work and saveing up?

[Dented]

I have never attended the soe fan fair in Vegas, because it was expensive for airfare. 

I have never been to vegas and would like visit someday. 

Orlando is cheaper for airfare for me being on the east coast, it's sunny and warm in may. Disney is just around the corner, with many other great places to visit.

There are many large hotels in florida to host the event. One I would suggest is the Hyatt hotel that is inside the beautiful orlando international airport.  It has newly renovated rooms, several giant meeting rooms, ballrooms and Free wireless internet in the airport.  45 min ride to disney from the airport.

[juggies420]

Disney is evil!!!

[Maxlord]

Dented wrote:

I have never attended the soe fan fair in Vegas, because it was expensive for airfare. 

I have never been to vegas and would like visit someday. 

Orlando is cheaper for airfare for me being on the east coast, it's sunny and warm in may. Disney is just around the corner, with many other great places to visit.

There are many large hotels in florida to host the event. One I would suggest is the Hyatt hotel that is inside the beautiful orlando international airport.  It has newly renovated rooms, several giant meeting rooms, ballrooms and Free wireless internet in the airport.  45 min ride to disney from the airport.

If airfare to Vegas was expensive, you were looking in the wrong places.

I checked for various people across my guild for airfare, and we ALWAYS came up with rates that were far cheaper to anywhere else besides Vegas - in some cases better than to an airport in the same state..

[Maxlord]

juggies420 wrote:

Disney is evil!!!

But it's a CUTE Evil!