Covid-19 and FFXIV Fan Festival

It remains to be seen when exactly the lock-down will end, though it's likely to play out differently in some countries compared to others. In addition, it's likely that a lot of people are going to be reluctant to travel in the weeks and months following the end of the lock-down. I wouldn't be surprised if there's announcement during the upcoming Live Letter that states that there will not be any physical events this time around and everything will instead be streamed/announced online.

I'm willing to bet that Fan Fest will be talked about at the live letter. We shall see

Everything in July is falling apart in California. As of yesterday, LA Anime Expo and San Diego Comic Con are now cancelled.

Just a matter of time, and with the Governor saying anything large attendance wise in 2021 is likely not in the cards, the writing is on the wall.

This will be very interesting in terms of how expansion information is disseminated. Usually the formula is opening movie at NA fanfest. I wonder if it may also delay the expansion release next year too. I'm sure at least by a little no doubt with even just the patch cycle likely being pushed back by a month.

I'm expecting it to be cancelled as the vaccines will not be widely available yet and there will be several hotspots still brewing at that point. As much as I would love to have it, we need to protect the Devs and ourselves more so. If they do a virtual one, they can actually have more content, such as dev talks, interviews, silly games and such if its shown from Tokyo. They could also take some of the proceeds from selling mounts or minions and send it to help charities.

Just because its fun to speculate and nice to think about being able to think of people being able to gather again, I'd like to put out another option they have. If San Diego is not viable because California is slower than other spots to allow gatherings and the devs and fan base are comfortable traveling then it could be hosted elsewhere perhaps back in Las Vegas. I imagine there might be good deals on convention space for a change of venue. Of course, they could also postpone and change locations as well. No real way to know at this point and we definitely need to see where things are closer to the event, but I could see a change of venue as a possibility if they go forward with hosting an in-person event as opposed to an online one.

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Originally Posted by SinisterJoints

I'm willing to bet that Fan Fest will be talked about at the live letter. We shall see

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This.

I would rather it be postponed until 2021-2022 that way it still has a chance world wide instead of, say JP only in the event they get the clear from the government.

Speaking of, it's up to the State if it would happen in the US. And I don't think it'd be cool to be excluded.

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Originally Posted by Valkyrie_Lenneth

Yeah, but that's not being socially distant, it's being physically distant lol...

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Germ hoarding doesn't have the same ring to it.

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Originally Posted by Katalyn

Just because its fun to speculate and nice to think about being able to think of people being able to gather again, I'd like to put out another option they have. If San Diego is not viable because California is slower than other spots to allow gatherings and the devs and fan base are comfortable traveling then it could be hosted elsewhere perhaps back in Las Vegas. I imagine there might be good deals on convention space for a change of venue. Of course, they could also postpone and change locations as well. No real way to know at this point and we definitely need to see where things are closer to the event, but I could see a change of venue as a possibility if they go forward with hosting an in-person event as opposed to an online one.

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Not that I dont disagree with your notion of speculating being fun (I can also understand that just thinking about being able to gather again might offer a certain level of "comfort" to people), but this seems highly unlikely and I would hope that they dont consider a change of venue under circumstances like this...
Looking for a part of a world thats stupid enough to allow for gatherings ahead of time isnt something they should do - unless they want end up being famous like this: "Remember those FFXIV people? We basically had California virus-free and then they were holding an event in LA, some people from San Diego went, brought the virus back with them and now half the stat is infected again..."

I could see certain areas of the world allow local gatherings again (like, lets say a local theater being allowed to open again and sell tickets to locals. Or a junior-soccer club being able to play again and invite friends and families to see the games.) - but certainly not events like this where people from all over the world come together. And I would hope that companies like SE are responsible (or PR-smart) enough not to contribute to spreading the virus by looking for a place that will allow them to hold their event while good chunks of the world might still be struggling.

It will probably be physically cancelled (once closer to the date) and replaced by some virtual events.

A change of venue seems highly unlikely since you usually book way in advance. That's why we knew of the location so far ahead.

They haven't said anything, but to be honest, when similar (admittedly less severe!) pandemics happened, it took several months for them to run their course--a year is a good approximation of how long past pandemics took to start winding down. Considering COVID19 was first really talked about in December of 2019, it's extremely likely that FanFest this year will end up being canceled.

They're probably not saying as much yet because they're holding out hope things will have settled down in a few months, and I understand a lot of event organizers with Autumn/Winter events this year are trying to play it safe, but to be honest, unless the new cases settled way down months before the convention, I would not be personally interested in going due to the risk.

I wouldn't expect it to happen, and I would fully support it not happening if it meant everyone involved could stay safe and healthy. That's WAY more important than anything else.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

A change of venue seems highly unlikely since you usually book way in advance. That's why we knew of the location so far ahead.

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Under "normal" conditions, I'd 100% agree with you. However, news out of California strongly suggests it may be one of the last states to go back to normal. If (big if I know), SE decides to go ahead with a physical Fan Fest instead of a virtual one then I honestly don't think it is all that unlikely a change of venue could occur. Given the current information coming from California, large gatherings in November seem unlikely after all they are talking about college students attending classes in shifts to avoid crowded classrooms for the fall semester. Even if they postpone it to early 2021 California may still not be allowing sizeable gatherings. Additionally, as you point out conventions are booked way in advance, so even if California is allowing large gatherings in early 2021 there are no guarantee there won't be a schedule conflict at the current venue with another event if they decide to change dates.

Changing venues is a lot of money, so don't understand why you think it's cake to just change it. This again has to do with advanced booking.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

Changing venues is a lot of money, so don't understand why you think it's cake to just change it. This again has to do with advanced booking.

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I don't think I've commented on the difficulty involved, so I'm not sure why you think I believe changing venues would be cake. However since you've now brought it up, I don't think anything in regards to organizing a mass gathering in today's climate will be easy. I've merely speculated a change of venue could be in the cards if SE goes ahead with a physical fan fest as opposed to a virtual one.

In regards to money, a change of venue naturally assumes the current venue is unavailable. If the San Diego Convention Center is not available to host the event then I can only assume they would be obligated to refund any money SE has paid to reserve the venue. Rebooking a new venue could be cheaper or more expensive, I could honestly see it going either way depending on where the economy and people's desire to travel and gather is at post COVID-19 restrictions.

Again, the news out of California makes me skeptical that any venue there will be hosting a mass gathering any time in 2020. As you have pointed out events are booked in advance so this does put into question whether the San Diego Convention Center would be available on the new date SE wishes to host the event if they decide to reschedule. Therefore, I think when pondering the future of Fan Fest 2020-2021 potential attendees might want to keep an open mind that besides the dates the locations might change as well. All of this again assumes SE goes through with a physical event.

For the EU Fan Fest, we have to also deal with that the convention centre chosen (ExCeL) has been turned into an NHS Nightingale venue. And it's likely going to remain that way until fairly into next year. Which would mean Square Enix couldn't use the venue as it'd be a makeshift hospital at the time. My query is, what are they going to do with the following EU Fan Fest if that one gets cancelled? Will it be moved to Germany as normal, or will they do that one in London instead?

They picked California and not Vegas this time, so who knows.

California might be trying to forcibly quarantine people until 3020.

Too bad they didnt use the "can hold 500k+ people" venue with those dates open (at the time it was booked) in a city they knows draws people in a state that isnt California.

A potential nail in the coffin probably came from California Governor Newsom today. He put opening concerts, convention centers, and live sports in phase 4 of the re-opening timetable, when therapeutics were developed. Writing on the wall that any large gathering in California in 2020 is likely not happening.

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Originally Posted by Barraind

They picked California and not Vegas this time, so who knows.

California might be trying to forcibly quarantine people until 3020.

Too bad they didnt use the "can hold 500k+ people" venue with those dates open (at the time it was booked) in a city they knows draws people in a state that isnt California.

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In a way it's sad they went away from Las Vegas. Most casinos already have thermal cameras at every resort entry point and The Venetian recently announced they will use those to prevent people with fevers from coming-in along with having EMTs on-site every day as part of their re-opening plan this summer. Along with conventions would have necessary spacing. Guest rooms would have a safety kit with mask, wipes and gloves, etc. It's good they had thought it through, they know it's good for business if their guests will be safe at their resort.

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Originally Posted by technole

Most casinos already have thermal cameras at every resort entry point and The Venetian recently announced they will use those to prevent people with fevers from coming-in along with having EMTs on-site every day as part of their re-opening plan this summer.

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That's no guarantee of prevention, though. The dangerous people are the ones not showing any symptoms yet, or have other mild symptoms without a fever and aren't going to let a "mild cold" stop them from attending the event they've been looking forward to for months.

(That's what's so terrifying about how the virus can spread.)

Again, I don't think there is this idea to change venues would happen as they would also have to deal with contractual obligations to the first venue. THEN try to book with the new location which is another financial issue.

Yes, I believe any thought that they would change venues would be an idea due to people having to now book for a new venue, possible broken contract issues, and large rate of unemployment that makes it difficult to procure for new rooms and bookings.

Tl;dr "Bro, do you understand how booking venues actually work?!"

I was surprised the cancellation wasn't announced in the recent live letter. The venue for ours has been converted into a triage hospital. I doubt they'll be holding the event there anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by Kio

I was surprised the cancellation wasn't announced in the recent live letter. The venue for ours has been converted into a triage hospital. I doubt they'll be holding the event there anytime soon.

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It's highly likely they're playing the game of "chicken" to see if the hotels will let them out of the booking with the least or no cancellation charges.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

Again, I don't think there is this idea to change venues would happen as they would also have to deal with contractual obligations to the first venue. THEN try to book with the new location which is another financial issue.

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To be clear, I'm not talking about a proactive change of venue. Instead, I believe a change of venue, if a physical Fan Fest 2020 happens, could possibly occur after the San Diego Convention Center informs SE that they are unable to host the event due to government lockdowns that are in place. In that scenario, it would be the venue that would be in breach of contract, and that should release SE from any obligations financial or otherwise.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

Yes, I believe any thought that they would change venues would be an idea due to people having to now book for a new venue, possible broken contract issues, and large rate of unemployment that makes it difficult to procure for new rooms and bookings.

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Once again the scenario that would cause a change of venue is the San Diego Convention Center informing SE they are no longer able to host the event which would mean the venue broke the contract, not SE. The economics of the situation are difficult to predict at the moment. I will concede it may be hard to procure a new venue should the San Diego Convention Center fall through. However, it is also quite possible that it will be a buyers market so to speak. If events are canceling due to lingering COVID-19 concerns and there is an abundance of space available then basic economics dictates its better to get something for an unused resource then just sit on it and get nothing.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

Tl;dr "Bro, do you understand how booking venues actually work?!"

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Tl;dr "Maybe better than you, Sis :P"

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Originally Posted by Katalyn

Tl;dr "Maybe better than you, Sis :P"

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Okay, so we went from speculation to now "maybe" knowing better.

I like how you skipped over a majority of the current economical situation and psychological impact of the attendees/staff. There isn't much that's hard to predict here: People aren't going to magically have jobs once this is over. With the real threat of death on people's minds, mass/social gathering is going to have an impact on them psychologically even if the rules end up relaxing. Someone coughing, sneezing or speaking in a way producing spittle will never be the same again for many people. There's also likely to be new rules for travel that may make it difficult to prevent another spread of various diseases.

Then we have production of goods that are behind, not only game wise - which means a lot of announcements that they have likely would have had ready for presentation is not there. They are behind even on upcoming patches. Production of goods and products we generally see every day or promotional material would have to be made for hotel and con goers.

Example for parts of production now - and especially since production values for cinematics/cutscenes and dialog have been ramped up in this game:

A more prevalent concern across video game productions is voice acting.

“We had one project in the middle of recording,” said John Ricciardi, a co-founder of 8-4 Ltd., a Tokyo-based localization company, which translates scripts. “And two or three lined up to be starting soon. The one that’s in the middle is just on pause. The other ones are delayed.”

Although voice actors can record from their homes, the sound can be inconsistent, Mr. Ricciardi said, especially if part of a game’s dialogue has already been recorded in the studio.


So while current trends with people doing things like gaming is happening while they are at home, production of gaming is having its own setbacks and production that's needed to keep the same quality. Delays means more things that can't be announced at the convention.

Testing kits are STILL in short supply. We still don't have the cure for Covid 19. It's extremely likely not to be anywhere near available by the time of the con even if we did.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/29/asia/...hnk/index.html

What you're also proposing with this "Buyer's market" idea is something that can also have an extremely negative public backlash towards Square Enix as well: "Yeah we'll change venues since it's cheaper over here, because we just want to do a con while there's no cure and the outcome may cause people to still die"

Like I said, it's likely they haven't announced cancellation until they can get out of contract/legal obligations. Then they have to look at financials overall (how their company is doing, and if the shareholders are going to let them have a con when they see the results) along with health and safety concerns.

Most likely will be digital fan fest this year and the venue will be cancelled.

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Originally Posted by Kio

I was surprised the cancellation wasn't announced in the recent live letter. The venue for ours has been converted into a triage hospital. I doubt they'll be holding the event there anytime soon.

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I was expecting to see some kind of info on this during the PLL as well. I'm actually quite surprised nothing was said yet. I doubt Covid-19 is going to disappear anytime soon.

That said, I'm certain SE is working on it in some form or fashion.

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Originally Posted by Derio

Most likely will be digital fan fest this year and the venue will be cancelled.

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Now this is an exciting idea to me! I hope they do something like this. :D

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Originally Posted by Derio

Most likely will be digital fan fest this year and the venue will be cancelled.

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A lot of anime cons are doing this, however it would be interesting given how there are 3 plus the Korea/China specific fanfests.

Also, what- besides announcements, could make them special?

VR and digital concerts aren't unheard of, see Utada's Laughter in the Dark. But for events, it would basically be the same things minus the cosplay.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

Okay, so we went from speculation to now "maybe" knowing better.

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Your Tl;dr was rude and dismissive so I had a little fun by perfectly and playfully poking back at you. My role hasn't changed as I am just speculating on what is one of many possible outcomes for Fan Fest 2020.

As for the rest of your post, I believe those are concerns that don't speak to if the venue could change but instead if the event will happen at all. There is obviously no point in changing venues if there is no Fan Fest, and I have said numerous times this was all contingent on SE going forward with a physical Fan Fest. If they do decide to go forward with a physical event then I can only assume the valid concerns you mention above would have been sufficiently addressed, at least by whatever assessment SE performs.

Given the above, I'm not going to address most of what you say. There are a couple of thoughts I would like to comment on.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

I like how you skipped over a majority of the current economical situation and psychological impact of the attendees/staff. There isn't much that's hard to predict here: People aren't going to magically have jobs once this is over.

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First, I want to say I feel for everyone whose livelihood has been impacted by COVID-19. There is no magic, but there are many variables that make it hard to predicts. How soon does a vaccine become available, do those areas pushing forward with reopening experience a spike in cases, is there a second wave in the fall/winter, how much will the government intervene to stimulate the economy and ease unemployment, and etc. All of these and more will determine where people are at with their financials and employment.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

With the real threat of death on people's minds, mass/social gathering is going to have an impact on them psychologically even if the rules end up relaxing. Someone coughing, sneezing or speaking in a way producing spittle will never be the same again for many people.

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People are varied and diverse. Certainly, there is a group of people that feel the way you describe. However, there is also a group of people who are tired of being confined to home, miss being around people and in-person social interactions, want to feel like the world is going back to a pre-COVID-19 "normal."

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

What you're also proposing with this "Buyer's market" idea is something that can also have an extremely negative public backlash towards Square Enix as well: "Yeah we'll change venues since it's cheaper over here, because we just want to do a con while there's no cure and the outcome may cause people to still die"

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You brought up the idea that financials would prevent a change in venue. I merely pointed out how the financials may not be an issue. I never advocated that SE would change venues because they might be able to get a better deal.

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Originally Posted by Katalyn

Your Tl;dr was rude and dismissive so I had a little fun by perfectly and playfully poking back at you. My role hasn't changed as I am just speculating on what is one of many possible outcomes for Fan Fest 2020.

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People have died to COVID 19, so you want to have fun at the speculation that can cost more lives? Yes, people "die all the time" but this event is currently being impacted by this.

Some of those people were wanting to meet at Fanfest. So you'll excuse me for being utterly real here why this isn't something fun to speculate.

I'm being BLUNT with you, if that's rude and dismissive than so be it. I don't find this "fun" and if your feelings are more important than the sensitivity of people who sadly passed because of this illness - then that says a lot.

https://youtu.be/_pU0MhljzAA - This guy gets it.

So sorry, if you don't like what I'm saying at the expense of your "Fun" speculation where I find your speculation not fun and actually rather tasteless.

EVO in Vegas cancelled today, every other day you see another big gaming event get cancelled. Soon enough we'll probably hear more about fall events like PAX West and Fanfest. But the situation hasn't changed with Governor Newsom basically axing any idea of a large convention gathering in California this year. So they either don't do it at all, or elsewhere.

The other angle is Square Enix's COVID policies, such as no travel, working from home etc as they are likely waiting it out. Just like my company, travel is still barred but we are looking to allow it by summer.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

That's no guarantee of prevention, though. The dangerous people are the ones not showing any symptoms yet, or have other mild symptoms without a fever and aren't going to let a "mild cold" stop them from attending the event they've been looking forward to for months.

(That's what's so terrifying about how the virus can spread.)

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That can happen anywhere. Masks are required in the casino re-opening plan and they even provide one. Still doesn't change the reality is Vegas is more equipped for safer conventions with the threat of the virus until therapeutics are developed.

How is Vegas "safer" if the same possible outcome is death?

https://news3lv.com/news/local/mayor...ity-to-re-open

These are awful times, and my heart aches for anyone who has lost someone they hold dear. I also apologize if my posts on this topic have triggered you in any way, that was not my intention.

People deal with difficulty and stress in different manners. Some of us like to think of a brighter future where a physical Fan Fest could occur safely. Hope is a powerful thing and helps people get through hard times. I'm not going to apologize or be shamed for coping by talking about a possible bright outcome.

Nowhere have a minimized what has happened nor have I've condoned having an unsafe event that would cost more lives. I find your insinuations on this matter both disingenuous and disgusting.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

Tl;dr "Bro, do you understand how booking venues actually work?!"

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Maybe your last response to me was "BLUNT." The above statement is passive-aggressive at best.

I wouldn't hold my breath for any fanfest occurring this year.

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Originally Posted by Katalyn

These are awful times, and my heart aches for anyone who has lost someone they hold dear. I also apologize if my posts on this topic have triggered you in any way, that was not my intention.

People deal with difficulty and stress in different manners. Some of us like to think of a brighter future where a physical Fan Fest could occur safely. Hope is a powerful thing and helps people get through hard times. I'm not going to apologize or be shamed for coping by talking about a possible bright outcome.

Nowhere have a minimized what has happened nor have I've condoned having an unsafe event that would cost more lives. I find your insinuations on this matter both disingenuous and disgusting.

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While its understandable that someone wants to dream about a brighter future thats not how your posts are coming across - at least not to me. I dont want to be rude, but your posts dont sound like you're just dreaming about attending the next fanfest as soon as possible, but more like suggesting ways that could happen at any cost. Your suggestion to change venues because California might not allow for large gatherings for longer than other states does sound dangerous and disrepectful to me at least. Maybe certain countries/states will be more careful - and perhaps to careful - when it comes to going back to normal. Maybe we'll reach a state where most of the world has gone back to normal and we know its safe but you have the odd super careful hold out. At that point your dreams might be warranted - when we can safely say "Okay, we've really got this under control, we can hold a fanfest safely, the only thing thats stopping us is this legal thing."

But right now thats nowhere near being the case, which makes you sound more disrespectful than wishful. Your suggestion (at least to me) sounds like "I hope they find a different venue as quickly as possible, in a state that will open it doors sooner than California" - while not entertaining the idea that California might have good reason to wait and that other states should follow that example.
Under the current circumstances you're not talking about a bright outcome, you're talking about an outcome that could potentially risk health and saftey by basically saying "California is wrong to not allow such a gathering, we should look elsewhere to hold it!"
And I dont know wether California is being to careful or not, but I'd rather have everyone being "to careful" right now. You're basically saying the opposite - and thats something I'd consider dangerous and careless.
You cant take the virus away from people, you cant bring back the dead and you cant turn back the clock. You can wish and dream, but sometimes its better to keep those wishes and dreams in your mind instead of arguing them in a public forum where you can easly come across as "I dont care about this virus, I just want my fanfest and if they cant hold it in California in the near future, they should just go window shopping!"
Maybe thats not your intention, but your posts can easly be understood this way - so I'm not surprised that people might be "upset" by them.

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Originally Posted by Katalyn

These are awful times, and my heart aches for anyone who has lost someone they hold dear. I also apologize if my posts on this topic have triggered you in any way, that was not my intention.

People deal with difficulty and stress in different manners. Some of us like to think of a brighter future where a physical Fan Fest could occur safely. Hope is a powerful thing and helps people get through hard times. I'm not going to apologize or be shamed for coping by talking about a possible bright outcome.

Nowhere have a minimized what has happened nor have I've condoned having an unsafe event that would cost more lives. I find your insinuations on this matter both disingenuous and disgusting.



Maybe your last response to me was "BLUNT." The above statement is passive-aggressive at best.

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I can't see this as an apology because it immediately points fingers back instead of actually rectifying the situation.

This is just smoke and mirrors for wanting to say whatever you want to say consequence free. You shouldn't sit there and tout "manners" or how someone is being rude when your whole speculation is disregarding situations that cause illness and death and the safety of others. You also shouldn't go around saying how "it's how you cope" then turn around and call someone "disingenuous and disgusting" because they also have to cope.


People have to cope with friends/family they'll never have the opportunity to meet again because they have lost their lives to COVID 19.
People have to cope with friends/themselves who work in the industry who had schedule the cons only to see them have to cancel. It's a lot of work, volunteers and sweat
People have to cope from lost revenue, joblessness. People who can't work at this time or use conventions as artists where this gives them leads and contacts to other work as freelancers/careers.

and much more...

I'm not upset at speculation, people do that all the time now with movies, and media. What does bother me is that you come off worried about how "rude" or "hurtful" someone is to YOUR own feelings with the disregard to everyone involved (and their feelings) and not even taking the time to understand and research. So yes, I'm calling you out on that.

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Originally Posted by QT_Melon

How is Vegas "safer" if the same possible outcome is death?

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Quoting an article a week old during a situation that is changing rapidly everyday is lame and outdated. Besides Las Vegas Mayor has no jurisdiction of the Vegas Strip, because it rests in unincorporated Clark County.

The Gaming Review Board announced today a set of rules for the casinos re-opening this month. The real death outcome is despite 50% occupancy limits and social distancing being enforced they will follow the CDC guideline prohibiting gatherings of 250 or more people until further notice.

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Originally Posted by technole

Quoting an article a week old during a situation that is changing rapidly everyday is lame and outdated. Besides Las Vegas Mayor has no jurisdiction of the Vegas Strip, because it rests in unincorporated Clark County.

The Gaming Review Board announced today a set of rules for the casinos re-opening this month. The real death outcome is despite 50% occupancy limits and social distancing being enforced they will follow the CDC guideline prohibiting gatherings of 250 or more people until further notice.

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It's not changing THAT rapidly. There is no known cure. Death and all.

Even once everyday things start to open up again locally, expect limitations on large-scale travel to be around for longer. Preventing long distance (ie. interstate or international) movement of people without at least some degree of quarantine period introduces a huge risk of people transporting the disease into a place where it was previously under control, forcing a return to stricter prevention measures again. Non-essential travel isn't going to be as simple or permitted it was before - not for a long time yet.

Would you want them to hold a Fan Fest if only local people can hope to attend it, in a venue only permitted to hold a fraction of its normal capacity?

It's one thing to be hopeful that another event can be held sooner rather than later, but trying to come up with ways they can rush into it isn't really helpful. They shouldn't be doing that, and they sooner they tried to force it, the less "back to normal" and restricted it would be.

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Originally Posted by Vidu

While its understandable that someone wants to dream about a brighter future thats not how your posts are coming across - at least not to me. I dont want to be rude, but your posts dont sound like you're just dreaming about attending the next fanfest as soon as possible, but more like suggesting ways that could happen at any cost. Your suggestion to change venues because California might not allow for large gatherings for longer than other states does sound dangerous and disrepectful to me at least. Maybe certain countries/states will be more careful - and perhaps to careful - when it comes to going back to normal. Maybe we'll reach a state where most of the world has gone back to normal and we know its safe but you have the odd super careful hold out. At that point your dreams might be warranted - when we can safely say "Okay, we've really got this under control, we can hold a fanfest safely, the only thing thats stopping us is this legal thing."

But right now thats nowhere near being the case, which makes you sound more disrespectful than wishful. Your suggestion (at least to me) sounds like "I hope they find a different venue as quickly as possible, in a state that will open it doors sooner than California" - while not entertaining the idea that California might have good reason to wait and that other states should follow that example.
Under the current circumstances you're not talking about a bright outcome, you're talking about an outcome that could potentially risk health and saftey by basically saying "California is wrong to not allow such a gathering, we should look elsewhere to hold it!"
And I dont know wether California is being to careful or not, but I'd rather have everyone being "to careful" right now. You're basically saying the opposite - and thats something I'd consider dangerous and careless.
You cant take the virus away from people, you cant bring back the dead and you cant turn back the clock. You can wish and dream, but sometimes its better to keep those wishes and dreams in your mind instead of arguing them in a public forum where you can easly come across as "I dont care about this virus, I just want my fanfest and if they cant hold it in California in the near future, they should just go window shopping!"
Maybe thats not your intention, but your posts can easly be understood this way - so I'm not surprised that people might be "upset" by them.

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I'm saddened my posts come across that way. Obviously human life is more precious than anyhthing, and no event should be held if the health and safety of everyone in attendance can't be assured. It was never my intention to imply otherwise. I'm sorry to all those I may have offended or upset by coming across as wanting an event at the expense of the health and safety of those involved