Tickets are all gone for fan fest

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Originally Posted by Avih

Wait, so all the sudden everyone is giving up because SE made this official statements? Comon ppl, you all try harder when it gets to End contents! why give up now?
Made more tickets available this year? by reducing the cap from Paris to Rio? how many was available anyways? The ticket vendor now admits they've encountered a technical issue at the time of sale and therefore this chaos happened.
It's not a matter of how many go through or not. Doesn't care if it was 5 ppl or 1000 ppl. what matter is that people without the code was able to purchase the ticket and many people with the code couldn't.
Don't let SE and showclix get away from this. then please release that "few" that got through. I don't know what the odds are, but at least give us a chance.

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I like how you think!!! Agreed something should be done.

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

Greetings,

...

We are humbled by the overwhelming response from those who want to attend the Fan Festival. We made more tickets available this year than ever before and we understand the frustration of not being able to procure tickets. We wish we could accommodate everyone, and so we'll do our best to try and host even more of our passionate adventurers in the future.

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Can you please clarify your statement of "more tickets available" as it was stated that the reason FFest2016 moved to the Paris from the Rio was to accommodate more attendees. Now the event is being moved back to the "smaller" venue. The community as a whole is under the belief that because of this, the event is smaller.

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

We are humbled by the overwhelming response from those who want to attend the Fan Festival. We made more tickets available this year than ever before and we understand the frustration of not being able to procure tickets. We wish we could accommodate everyone, and so we'll do our best to try and host even more of our passionate adventurers in the future.

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It doesn't feel like there were more tickets available this time around. Having bought tickets to both the 2014 and 2016 fan festivals, there was plenty of time to purchase tickets, not a blink and you miss it situation like this was. It feels absolutely horrible to have bought plane tickets, already reserved a room, and made a ton of plans to meet up with friends, static members, and other people from the server and then have more than half of them unable to go. I know people who weren't planning on going this year, and some that had gone previously that didn't manage to get a ticket.

It was also a terrible experience to be super excited about ticket sales going up, be refreshing the page leading up to the ticket sale time, and then hitting the queue, only to wait 25 minutes, and be told it is sold out.

There are a lot of well presented points and questions on several of the posts here. While I and quite a few people here are upset, I think we're just looking for some transparency and closure.
Can you tell us why the Rio was selected this year as the venue when the Paris was chosen last year?
How was the decision on how many tickets to sell made?
How many tickets sold last year compared to the number of tickets available this year?
How many active NA accounts are there?


Plenty of questions I haven't asked, but if you guys could just give us a bit more than "We see the issues, hope you get better luck next time," we could understand where you guys are coming from.

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Originally Posted by Avih

Wait, so all the sudden everyone is giving up because SE made this official statements? Comon ppl, you all try harder when it gets to End contents! why give up now?

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What chance do we have? It's clear at this point they see nothing wrong and will likely just ride it out in hopes that everyone will move on. Which, by and large, people will.

This is the third Fanfest I didn't score tickets to. Had a lot of hopes for this one, but I'm just defeated at this point. I'll look for some other convention that's more accommodating to attend.

You have people coming forth directly claiming while providing proof that they could bypass the queue and not use the code to purchase tickets. This is the worst P.R. response you could possibly provide. How can you be okay with people purchasing things incorrectly and exploiting the system? If this was an exploit in the game then rest assured perma-bans would be handed out with no mercy. But now this exploit is okay? Think long and hard about this SE. You have the power to make this right, albeit at your expense. As lucrative as this game is for your company between cash shop, monthly subs, you can certainly make this right. Do the right thing Square Enix. Your fan base is counting on you to be our Warriors of Light.

how many of the tickets were sold to those who didn't actually use a code. I know of at least one person who got in, had a code, but it didn't require it. but in general how many of the sold out tickets were those who didn't have codes, or weren't asked for one. It seemed by the time the code part was working again, most of the tickets were gone.

I honestly refuse to believe this. I had the site open and I was in queue on the dot at 12:00 PM PT. There's absolutely no way that there were more tickets than the previous fanfests if I couldn't get in the second it opened up, there's no way fanfest's demand rose so much that it sold out within minutes when the past fanfest took 10 hours to sell out with less tickets. The system is not working as intended, people bypassed the queue without needing an access code. People after me got tickets while I was sitting in queue the second it opened up. I don't believe this.

Also, I doubt just having no access code would make it sell out this fast. There's definitely more problems going on under the hood that caused this to happen.

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

Greetings,

We are humbled by the overwhelming response from those who want to attend the Fan Festival. We made more tickets available this year than ever before and we understand the frustration of not being able to procure tickets. We wish we could accommodate everyone, and so we'll do our best to try and host even more of our passionate adventurers in the future.

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Does is actually mean that this is not a "presale" but the actual FINAL sale and that's that?

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

... a small number of tickets were purchased without an access code. ...

...

We are humbled by the overwhelming response from those who want to attend the Fan Festival. We made more tickets available this year than ever before ...

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I'm a pretty die-hard Final Fantasy fan and I've attended every single FanFest that's happened thus far, going as far back as 2006 with the very first Fan Fest for FFXI.

None of these events ever had an issue anywhere close to being like this.

Like many people, I had my code and the site's webpage open, and I was waiting in the virtual queue since it activated at 12:00pm PDT ... yet tickets were gone by 12:20pm.

Something seriously doesn't sit right. Especially seeing the huge backlash from threads on the FFXIV Reddit and responses to the FFXIV account on Twitter.

How did THAT many people get locked out of getting tickets?

That was a very shitty excuse

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

Greetings,
Our ticket vendor explained that they had to temporarily pause the access code requirement while they addressed a technical issue that was slowing down the site. During this brief period, a small number of tickets were purchased without an access code. We investigated those purchases and did not find any evidence of ineligible purchases.

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This doesn't make sense at all. as being Networking engineer myself, I've never heard of resuming the server by temporarily pausing the access code requirement while trying to locate the issue.
They should've simply shut down the server and resume once everything is fixed. Why bypassing crucial access code requirements?

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

Greetings,
Our ticket vendor explained that they had to temporarily pause the access code requirement while they addressed a technical issue that was slowing down the site. During this brief period, a small number of tickets were purchased without an access code. We investigated those purchases and did not find any evidence of ineligible purchases.

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And please explained to us how these few numbers of purchase got through was legit while they didn't even have to entered the access code? Is it because they had eligible active FFXIV account? Aren't the system suppose to enter the code to prove that eligibility at that instance? Even if these purchaser's account was legit, they ignored to enter the access code(intentionally or not), therefore these purchases are ineligible. Am I wrong?

As an IT systems administrator. Avih has the right of it. If there was a system related issue then all sales should of stopped until systems were operational again.

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Originally Posted by niwaar

Can you please clarify your statement of "more tickets available" as it was stated that the reason FFest2016 moved to the Paris from the Rio was to accommodate more attendees. Now the event is being moved back to the "smaller" venue. The community as a whole is under the belief that because of this, the event is smaller.

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I doubt the Rio was fully rented the first time; I distinctly recall another event being run at the same time back in 2014. Wouldn't surprise me if a bunch of people forgot that.

I'm completely devastated. My boyfriend and I queued up at the exact same time, yet only one of us was able to purchase tickets. As it stands, neither of us will be able to go now, and one of us is out $157. Even worse is that there's countless reports of people queuing up after and still getting tickets, as well people skipping the queue line. There's just no way we queued up at the exact same time, yet somehow tickets got sold out between the two of us waiting in queue.

We really need a solution to this, or else we're out a lot of money. :(

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Originally Posted by Avih

And please explained to us how these few numbers of purchase got through was legit while they didn't even have to entered the access code? Is it because they had eligible active FFXIV account? Aren't the system suppose to enter the code to prove that eligibility at that instance? Even if these purchaser's account was legit, they ignored to enter the access code(intentionally or not), therefore these purchases are ineligible. Am I wrong?

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I was one of the ones that wasn't asked for a code. No exploits, no glitches, just literally checked out normally before going "oh wait.... where was I supposed to put my code????"

I'm assuming they're checking the character names of the codeless tickets to ensure they're active service accounts? It's all I can think of.

Also, if my tickets get cancelled through no fault of mine I will be PISSED. I made no attempts at any sort of shadiness, Showclix literally turned the code entry off.

deep down, I want to believe that the statement was just to say something (even if it made a lot of people, including myself very upset) though I guess I don't really believe it will happen. I'm hoping either tomorrow, or maybe in a few days, they'll say guess what we were able to arrange a few more tickets. Since showclix is locking names on the tickets, the phantom scalpers( or not real scalpers, bots, and all around cheaters that don't exist and yet bought and resold tickets) won't buy them, because they'd be out of money. Again I don't really believe that will happen. wishful thinking , or maybe a last ditch effort to keep some emotional sanity. I still really want to go to the fanfest. As I assume anyone who rants as I have does. Yet my last wishful thinking didn't turn out to good so we'll see.

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Originally Posted by alimdia

Were there any tickets reserved for the tour partnership from Japan with Square Enix and Nippon Travel Agency? I'm curious how many tickets were unavailable for NA players due to non-NA players reserving said tickets with the tour agency.

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Looks like a maximum of 30 if I'm reading the translation right? Unless that's like a limit per individual?

I say people respectfully "crash" vegas

Show up, host parties outside the Rio and show the organizers what money they could have had. If you've already paid for hotel and airfare, come anyway. Hang out with your friends in nearby restaurants, cosplay in the streets, just generally show that the community aspect of fanfest doesn't require a ticket sale. They're full? We'll overflow and adapt.

I just really have a hard time believing that there were more tickets available this time than last and that only a "small number" got through with the access codes when tickets sold out in 25 minutes this year as opposed to like 10 hours last time. I've always wanted to go to Fan Fest, but haven't had the funds until this year. My fiance and I saved and budgeted all year with this goal in mind. We had 2k set aside for the trip (wouldn't be nearly so much if we didn't have to fly to the opposite side of the country to a place as pricey as Vegas, but god forbid SE alternate between west coast and east coast, or pick a more central location). We're moving this weekend and that 2k would have perfectly covered full service movers, but we wanted to save for Fan Fest instead. Now it's too late to book movers and I know I'm going to be fuming the next few days as we pack, try to lug around furniture, and drive a moving truck for 2+ hours ourselves knowing it's for no good reason now.

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Originally Posted by Finnfinite

I was one of the ones that wasn't asked for a code. No exploits, no glitches, just literally checked out normally before going "oh wait.... where was I supposed to put my code????"

I'm assuming they're checking the character names of the codeless tickets to ensure they're active service accounts? It's all I can think of.

Also, if my tickets get cancelled through no fault of mine I will be PISSED. I made no attempts at any sort of shadiness, Showclix literally turned the code entry off.

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I feel ya Finnfinite. I totally do. If I was standing in your shoes, I would feel exactly the same. But look the other side(our side). Only thing(belives to be), an access code, to prove our eligibility at purchase was simply ignored. No offence, but people who got away by not entering their access code is considered to be "ineligible". but congrats, you got the tickets! and most likely SE nor Showclix won't do anything about it so your ticket is probably safe:)

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Originally Posted by Avih

And please explained to us how these few numbers of purchase got through was legit while they didn't even have to entered the access code? Is it because they had eligible active FFXIV account? Aren't the system suppose to enter the code to prove that eligibility at that instance? Even if these purchaser's account was legit, they ignored to enter the access code(intentionally or not), therefore these purchases are ineligible. Am I wrong?

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There was literally no place for me to input the code. I was actively looking for the code entry box the entire time I was filling out information because I was expecting to need to put it somewhere.

The people who managed to get tickets despite not being asked for the access code shouldn't be deemed illegible due to their (SE/ Showclix) error. Perhaps if they're not able to provide one at all when asked, but not because of the current circumstances.

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Originally Posted by Andevom

Keep looking, because something sure stinks.

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Their response stinks... If we did the Paris in 2016 because the Rio from 2014 was too small, then how did they make more tickets available by going back to the Rio in 2018... Also, how is what the removing the access necessity of the access codes just suddenly okay...

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Originally Posted by Avih

I feel ya Finnfinite. I totally do. If I was standing in your shoes, I would feel exactly the same. But look the other side(our side). Only thing(belives to be), an access code, to prove our eligibility at purchase was simply ignored. No offence, but people who got away by not entering their access code is considered to be "ineligible". but congrats, you got the tickets! and most likely SE nor Showclix won't do anything about it so your ticket is probably safe:)

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To be fair, they simply weren't asked for codes. I'm sure a large majority of them did have a code, the website simply didn't ask them. All you needed for a code was to have an active sub at any point in the last 6 months.

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Originally Posted by Avih

I feel ya Finnfinite. I totally do. If I was standing in your shoes, I would feel exactly the same. But look the other side(our side). Only thing(belives to be), an access code, to prove our eligibility at purchase was simply ignored. No offence, but people who got away by not entering their access code is considered to be "ineligible". but congrats, you got the tickets! and most likely SE nor Showclix won't do anything about it so your ticket is probably safe:)

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Why should they be punished for something that was no fault of their own? I have many questions like why did they keep the service up while they had access code requirement turned off, but in the end of it we just got unlucky and others got lucky.

Congratz Finnfinite, and I do hope SE does not listen to the backlash and rebuke all the tickets that did not require the access code.

Had plans with my FC mates, travel itinerary, work schedules already set in advance, and cosplay plans lined up for all of us. Only 1 of us managed to get through but it was only letting him buy one ticket, so he decided it wasn't worth it going alone. :( Super bummed and disappointed in this response...

I wouldn't want anyone to lose their ticket over not having entered a code, just because others used an exploit and got tickets. did anyone wonder why the exploit happened when it did. maybe I need to go back and read over the response.


I just wanted tickets for myself and my twin. we were so excited to go, and now we feel very very cheated. I even have people arguing with me on social media. they say well says no foul play so there you go...... there you go what? there was foul play. I don't want honest people losing tickets over that, but at the same time, it seems like a lot of honest people also didn't get one of these more than last time tickets. my sis and I got tickets last time, but were unable to go because of family reasons.

It was nothing like this time. something feels off, and it feels like square would rather sweep it under the rug, than actually help those of us that are hurt. because it does hurt. (at least myself and my sis) it makes us feel as though we are unimportant. that's the worst feeling too. anyway I'll stop ranting with every other post.

first of all hello.... I am shy.... in person and online... and don't really post here on the forums often if ever really.... I was looking forward to going to the fan festival with my twin sister character name yukaru who has posted here already.... the thought was scary..... and I was terrified of meeting all of the new people.. but I was so excited as well... to well get to meet people who love a game as much as I do... and have fun with other people.... no matter how scary... I wanted to do it...... the idea of getting to go and do this made me shake and cry in terror and excitement.. .now I am just sad and truthfully crying I don't get to experience that..... silly I know...


I hope there is another round of tickets.... because I really wanted to go.... but still I wish they would have handled everything differently.... we are the players.... the fans they say they are here for.. we deserve better than to be dismissed and disregarded simply because there was a problem and they didn't have strength of character to admit it. sure they may not have had a solution to the problem.... but tell the players.. say hey we messed up... and then fix it... I am sure for most people a couple days to a week would have been a fine time to wait to solve all of the problems if it meant a fair chance at going. sorry again I don't usually write here so this may seem a little long..... thank you all...

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Originally Posted by Avih

I feel ya Finnfinite. I totally do. If I was standing in your shoes, I would feel exactly the same. But look the other side(our side). Only thing(belives to be), an access code, to prove our eligibility at purchase was simply ignored. No offence, but people who got away by not entering their access code is considered to be "ineligible". but congrats, you got the tickets! and most likely SE nor Showclix won't do anything about it so your ticket is probably safe:)

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One of the suggestions I've seen passed around, and I don't know how possible it would even be, was to send an email saying their tickets would be cancelled pending their access code being entered.

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Originally Posted by Avih

I feel ya Finnfinite. I totally do. If I was standing in your shoes, I would feel exactly the same. But look the other side(our side). Only thing(belives to be), an access code, to prove our eligibility at purchase was simply ignored. No offence, but people who got away by not entering their access code is considered to be "ineligible". (snip)

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There's no reason to null all tickets. If the character name and server match with an active service account that would qualify for a code anyway, why would they need to null it?

Besides, the codes were useless. They weren't locked to one use, so anyone could (and did!) share their codes around so more people could try their luck.

While the lack of code checking is frustrating, I'm way more concerned with the queue skipping and spitting people out in the wrong order. People queued at 12:00:01 being told it's sold out but people who queued in at 12:05 getting tickets is way, WAY more disastrous.

I got through and I feel bad for those that didn't, but I refuse to play more games. The money is spent, they have it. All $630 of it. I won't tolerate playing games with what I've paid for.

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Originally Posted by Finnfinite

There's no reason to null all tickets. If the character name and server match with an active service account that would qualify for a code anyway, why would they need to null it?

Besides, the codes were useless. They weren't locked to one use, so anyone could (and did!) share their codes around so more people could try their luck.

While the lack of code checking is frustrating, I'm way more concerned with the queue skipping and spitting people out in the wrong order. People queued at 12:00:01 being told it's sold out but people who queued in at 12:05 getting tickets is way, WAY more disastrous.

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This is what happened to me and my boyfriend. We both queued up at the same time right as they opened, yet he got told the tickets were sold out somehow. :\

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Originally Posted by Ishamaru

This is what happened to me and my boyfriend. We both queued up at the same time right as they opened, yet he got told the tickets were sold out somehow. :\

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When getting my sets together, I had two of us (with three systems all on independent networks) prepared to grab them. We bought for four people, pooling money to do so. It's sad to hear people are getting split, but it doesn't make sense that people don't group their orders.

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Originally Posted by Freyar

When getting my sets together, I had two of us (with three systems all on independent networks) prepared to grab them. We bought for four people, pooling money to do so. It's sad to hear people are getting split, but it doesn't make sense that people don't group their orders.

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Our money was separate, and we didn't even consider the possibility that it would be an issue. Both of us were there on the dot ready to purchase. Now we've got only one ticket, and no way to refund it or get a second one.

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Originally Posted by Freyar

When getting my sets together, I had two of us (with three systems all on independent networks) prepared to grab them. We bought for four people, pooling money to do so. It's sad to hear people are getting split, but it doesn't make sense that people don't group their orders.

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at one point it wouldn't allow people to order more than one ticket at a time. it would come up saying tickets were available, and let you click between 1-4, and when you it buy it would say sold out. others were saying it was only allowing one ticket at a time at that point I think.

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Originally Posted by Freyar

but it doesn't make sense that people don't group their orders.

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Well for starters ( in a sensible means ) Not everyone lives together, some people are distant from each other and use these types of events to meet up. nor do they expect things to happen so quickly as things did. That's just the first reason that comes to mind of many others.

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Originally Posted by LunaP

Well for starters ( in a sensible means ) Not everyone lives together, some people are distant from each other.

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Just like the two people I purchased tickets for.

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Originally Posted by Freyar

Just like the two people I purchased tickets for.

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You're right, it was silly of me to think that some people don't have that amount of cash on them at all times. You've enlightened me kind sir.

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Originally Posted by yukaru

at one point it wouldn't allow people to order more than one ticket at a time. it would come up saying tickets were available, and let you click between 1-4, and when you it buy it would say sold out. others were saying it was only allowing one ticket at a time at that point I think.

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Yep, this is what happened to my fc mate. Only had the option of buying one, and he decided not to go through with it because the rest of us were given the sold out message.