Star Fox Con

[Mr. Krystal]

What do you guys think of doing a Star Fox convention? Absoludicrous91 suggested it. I know we could get the support and interest, but the main problem would be the sheer distance between people. If we were seriously to try it, I'm thinking somewhere in Texas, since it's relatively close to a few of us, and is in the center of the nation.

[foxbird22]

I think it's certainly a good idea, but there are a lot of obstacles to hurdle over.  Like you said, distance - we come from all over the world.  For example, I seriously doubt the person I know in Denmark would be able to attend.

As far as support goes, that will be more difficult than interest.  The time of the year will be a huge factor, after all, the majority of us are college/high school students.  Not many people will be able to actually go, what with their own things going on.  I certainly wouldn't be able to go, as much as I'd like to.

But yeah, if we can get a ton of interest in this idea (and I mean like a lot, not just one or two sites), this might actually turn out to be something.

[DZComposer]

As cool as it would be, the fanbase as a whole, let alone SFO, is nowhere near large enough to make this an economically sensible undertaking. We're talking thousands of dollars.

A meeting place must be rented, hotel rooms and flights need to be booked, some people need to take time off of work, promotional materials need to be created,  worthwhile events and speakers need to be obtained, NOA needs to be contacted so that the people in charge of organizing don't get C&D Letters, catering needs to be arranged, steps need to be taken so it doesn't turn into a furry con, and more.

This would be very expensive and very hard to make it not suck.

It may be possible to put together an SFO meetup somewhere, but any kind of real convention is not going to be possible.

[foxbird22]

Right.  The sheer massive amount of planning involved would be far too extensive for such a small fraction of the fandom to organize.  I never thought of the threat of it turning into a furry convention, so that would be a really really big problem to overcome.  We certainly don't want people to show up dressed as Slippy.      That would be bad.

As for the finances, well...that would be a big chunk out of everyone's wallet.  All the money I'm earning is going straight to tuition-money, and I can't afford dishing out any money for a trip to Texas.  Even just an SFO meet would be expensive.

But, regardless of all these hindrances, it's an awesome idea.

[Mr. Krystal]

As cool as it would be, the fanbase as a whole, let alone SFO, is nowhere near large enough to make this an economically sensible undertaking. We're talking thousands of dollars.

A meeting place must be rented, hotel rooms and flights need to be booked, some people need to take time off of work, promotional materials need to be created,  worthwhile events and speakers need to be obtained, NOA needs to be contacted so that the people in charge of organizing don't get C&D Letters, catering needs to be arranged, steps need to be taken so it doesn't turn into a furry con, and more.

This would be very expensive and very hard to make it not suck.

It may be possible to put together an SFO meetup somewhere, but any kind of real convention is not going to be possible.

Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a Star Fox fan gettogether than a formal con. Sure, we could rent an hotel meeting room or something, but everyone else could deal with their own expenses. No need for expensive banners and legal fees, just a fun place to hang out and chat with other Star Fox fans, and of course, play Star Fox games.

[Four-eyed Vulpine]

That sounds like an awesome idea.  I was thinking every year, someone on the forum hosts the event at their own location.  Of course, there might some cons to that idea, too.

[absoludicrous91]

That was my exact idea. Thanks for putting this up, Dwight.

[DZComposer]

I'm not trying to be a pessimist, but even a meetup has things that need addressing. This isn't something that we can just jump into. It requires planning.

1. We need a venue. By this I mean other than someone's house. I dunno, like a Dave and Buster's or something. This is mainly for security reasons. I suggest a city with tourist destinations so that people can have things to do before and after the meetup. I don't foresee us being able to make it last more than three hours or so. Best time would be a Saturday around five in the evening.

2. Food. Of course if it was at a D&B or similar, that would be covered by #1.

3. something to make the event worth attending. The novelty of meeting each other face-to-face will wear off very quick. Chatting and playing games is probably not enough to make it worth travel time/fuel/tickets

4. If we charge a cover charge, we have to make sure, and provide a paper trail to prove, that it only covers event expenses and extra only goes to support site operating costs. We have to avoid liability.

5. If games are to be played, consoles and displays (if not provided by venue) will need to be provided.

6. Since there is a high chance of minors attending, we would need to implement measures to ensure that it is a child-safe environment. That would likely include mandating a record of all attendees real names and mandating that all minors have a guardian with them. Once again, this is a liability thing.

There is probably more than this even.

[Infinity]

I'm going to have to agree with DZ here. You have to keep everyone pleased in this... I do think old grudges in this fandom of ours has died down a bit, form a what I've seen at least.

I really don't think many of us can easily/are devoted enough travel to different parts of the country for a Starfox con. Quite frankly I'd love to pilot arwings live with other veterans of this series.

It'd be nice, but Nintendo needs to really pump this series up some more before it can get the attention is so truly deserves.

[Star Fox Runner]

You know, I have been thinking about something like this ever since GoNintendo had it's 100th podcast episode and it sounds like a good idea, but its gotta be pretty well planned and have enough interest if we are to travel hundreds of miles.

I live in the St. Louis area (about 40 miles from it to be exact) and there are plenty of D&Bs in this area so we could probably have it here, and if its during the summer there are a couple of attractions you could come to, you could even go see a Cardinals game. And Missouri is right smack dab in the heart of the country so it could be a good halfway point.

Well theres my two cents, any other ideas?

[PuffNStuff]

you all can come to the Mall of America. I just so happen to live 2 hours away from it.... But MN is so far from everyone.... SO i don;t think that plan is reasonable

[Fox P McCloud]

I'm thinking somewhere in Texas, since it's relatively close to a few of us, and is in the center of the nation.

Sorry Dwight; I have to fundamentally disagree; the center of the nation is somewhere in the mid-west (and Ohio is the "heart of it all" ).

Either way, it sounds like a good idea, but as DZ pointed out, there's not enough people. Factor in that Star Fox seems to be regionally popular (yeah, sure, there's someone from every state, but there's a few states that have, strangely more fans than others). Unfortunately, I could see the whole event turning into a couple dozen of the most hard-core Star Fox fans standing around drinking their <insert soft-drink here> and talking about their favorite Star Fox game....not worth 1-20 hour drive/flight for something like that.

Also, while there are a number of collectors who could spice up the atmosphere of the con, many would refuse to bring anything for fear of it getting stolen....This also, this presents another problem; California has the #1 Star Fox collector, I forget where the #2 Star Fox collector is at....Ohio has the most Star Fox collectors (not entirely sure why; my only guess is Ohio's heavy influence in the aeronautical field and Wright Patterson AFB). Getting those people to come? Tough. Getting those people to come with their stuff? Nigh impossible (sure, they may wear their jacket or what-not, but they're probably not going to help with the scenery).

to make it a true con, you'd need most of the stuff Nintendo had in relation to Star Fox: that one Star Fox projector, the 4 figurines, the Star Fox Adventures action figure, the special Star Fox unit that looked like an Arwing that you could play the game in (sadly, most if not all of these were converted into go-karts) and anything else Nintendo may have.

Nice idea, but, like I said: not enough people, unbalanced geographical fanbase, unbalanced collector fanbase, high cost, and stinginess of the collectors would probably make for a dull event.

[Mr. Krystal]

Sorry Dwight; I have to fundamentally disagree; the center of the nation is somewhere in the mid-west (and Ohio is the "heart of it all" ).

Either way, it sounds like a good idea, but as DZ pointed out, there's not enough people. Factor in that Star Fox seems to be regionally popular (yeah, sure, there's someone from every state, but there's a few states that have, strangely more fans than others). Unfortunately, I could see the whole event turning into a couple dozen of the most hard-core Star Fox fans standing around drinking their <insert soft-drink here> and talking about their favorite Star Fox game....not worth 1-20 hour drive/flight for something like that.

Also, while there are a number of collectors who could spice up the atmosphere of the con, many would refuse to bring anything for fear of it getting stolen....This also, this presents another problem; California has the #1 Star Fox collector, I forget where the #2 Star Fox collector is at....Ohio has the most Star Fox collectors (not entirely sure why; my only guess is Ohio's heavy influence in the aeronautical field and Wright Patterson AFB). Getting those people to come? Tough. Getting those people to come with their stuff? Nigh impossible (sure, they may wear their jacket or what-not, but they're probably not going to help with the scenery).

to make it a true con, you'd need most of the stuff Nintendo had in relation to Star Fox: that one Star Fox projector, the 4 figurines, the Star Fox Adventures action figure, the special Star Fox unit that looked like an Arwing that you could play the game in (sadly, most if not all of these were converted into go-karts) and anything else Nintendo may have.

Nice idea, but, like I said: not enough people, unbalanced geographical fanbase, unbalanced collector fanbase, high cost, and stinginess of the collectors would probably make for a dull event.

Again, I reinterate that I never intended this to be a "true con" as you call it. All the things you wish to bring that are near impossible are not required, though nice.

Anyway, at this time even a social gathering of the sort is simply impossible due to distance, but as soon as I get my teleporter online, we'll be able to meet for a day and sleep in our own beds that night.

Dry humor aside, perhaps we could consider a virtual Star Fox con, in cooperation with many online communities to bring together fans for a couple days via social software such as chat rooms, second life, special speakers (via podcast), etc.

[PuffNStuff]

Hey guys, wanna get together and have a barbeque?

OMG THATS ALL HE WANTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Krystal]

Hey guys, wanna get together and have a barbeque?

OMG THATS ALL HE WANTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, that'd be pretty awesome! Where do you live?

[ARWINGCOMMANDER 3987]

Dwight, that's a security risk.

[Sideways]

Well of course it is!

I live in NY, so. ...

[Mr. Krystal]

Not only was I joking, but I didn't need specifics. For example, Redmond, Washington would be plenty of info.

[Spetsnaz.Invidika]

Wow, for once I can bring something useful in.  I actually have experience because at another forum (centred around Transformers, actually) we did exactly this -- a casual get together of anyone who wanted to and could come in that region.  There were only about eight people, but it /was/ fun.  It took place in Sacramento, and all we did was meet up in a hotel room we rented and hung out, watched stuff, played games, etc for three days...  And it was great.

Important to note, that A. all the people attending knew each other (so half of it was to meet our friends), a few had met each other, and this was a very small group of people; B. the site itself was NOT associated with this in the slightest, it was totally separate -- therefore no real liability; and C. I was acutally the only minor there (at the time), and my parents came anyway, so that wasn't an issue.  Comparatively speaking it was not /that/ expensive, and I was by far the farthest person from there (8 hour drive).

Chances are I couldn't come to this one anyway, but I thought I'd add my fiftieth of a dollar to this discussion.  A small laid-back group really wouldn't cause many problems, I think -- a random gettogether from people you met on IRC or something would be bad, but when everyone here at least has /something/ in common I don't see why it would be a problem, at least not much.

Anyway, I'll shut up now, but again, this isn't a real suggestion, I just thought I'd throw it out there -- the point being that smallish local gatherings of pockets of fans are /quite/ possible.