Vegas FFXIV Fan Fest: So how close are we to throwing down money for them tickets?

[Tsuga]

I would love to go to this, but it feels expensive for a two day event.

Factoring in travel, food, and hotel expenses (assuming I stayed in the Rio, there are slightly cheaper options nearby) on top of admission this would run roughly 500-600 dollars for me. I feel like they could have picked a more economical location in the U.S. Maybe there will be a deal with admission for the hotel rooms, but considering that the Rio probably won't NEED to fill those rooms I kind of doubt it.

[PrimeEvilPanda]

If only! ><; maybe next year - tied down with too many work commitments

[Ryuko]

Like others, I am concerned that the online system being used to sell tickets will crash or lock up as thousands of people attempt to access it at once. I've registered for many of these 'limited presale' type events (not on this particular site), and it is a distinct possibility that some of us will be raging while our page fails to update due to unforeseen stress. I do like that we'll have fifteen minutes to finish our order, and that our tickets are 'locked' for that time... let's just hope we can complete our order before they are released again!

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...7bbf6e13ea7612

The price is a little steep, especially considering I will be traveling from NY to go. Although, I never was able to go to any of the FFXI fan festivals so I REALLY want to be able to go to this one. I hope that the actual event is everything I expect and more... exclusive 'sneak peaks' to upcoming updates, fun trials like they have featured at other events (win a t-shirt for beating a fight), exclusive merchandise, etc, etc. But I want more than that. Shock us, SE.

As far as hotel accommodations... I'm not too concerned... I could always find a hotel elsewhere, although I am concerned for the regular inhabitants and other visitors of Las Vegas who will have to look at me dressed like a miqo'te summoner as I walk in the Vegas heat. Well, now that I actually typed that... I'm sure they've seen weirder things. I hope there will be a sizable amount of FFXIV cosplayers, because every convention I go to... only a handful of people have recognized my costume (I made XIV WHM last year).

[Sevokevo_Royuki]

imo, allowing people to buy 4 tickets seems like a bad idea. the first 450 people will buy all of the tickets then resell for more money later.

One thing I hate.. is people buy something for cheap.. then resell it so they can make money... It sickens me...

I say that the tickets need to be for subscribed players only and.. Must have a account and everyting.. Lock in the tickets to that persons name, character name, and server and on registration day (The 17th) they have to prove it is them by ID, and securely logging into thier SE account that has the ticket assing to.

[Bori]

I was completely jazzed to go and almost put a reserve on the hotel when the event was announced. Then we all figured "let's wait until/if we get a ticket" since it was expected to be difficult to get. Never did I expect that the price would be double almost triple the amount I was expecting. It was bad enough I'm on the East coast and had to fly there (was ready to do that), get a room (was going to split with FC members) but $120 bucks EACH for my husband and myself is just ridiculous. Not even Comicon or Otakon is that expensive. And the next person that says "well it's Blizzcon" I need to remind them that it's a 10+ year event with several Blizzard properties (and 8-25k in attendance). And "free" swag is not free if the items are being built INTO the price. I spent all afternoon crying because I really wanted to go. Willing to go into savings for this trip. But I'd rather use it for Otakon where I can more money for my worth. I'm SO disappointed.

[Ryuko]

Bori, I really think it's just about what you prefer to do. I am also from the East Coast... so I can understand your perspective a little. But, I went to Otakon last year and I really did not enjoy myself. Everything was so packed and the lines were so long... I actually decided not to go to Otakon this year so I could afford this trip to Vegas. I don't know how this event will be. After all, it's the first one in the US for FFXIV fans exclusively... but I'm willing to give it a shot. If it disappoints me like Otakon did, then I guess I won't go again. But I would regret not seeing for myself.

Anyway, I placed a reserve on the hotel room for the weekend of the event. Anyone who is thinking of doing the same should be warned that they DO charge an upfront deposit fee for the first night + tax that hits your card immediately. I read while booking my hotel room that I am able to cancel for free (no charge) with the deposit refund up to three days before the event happens. So, even if I decide I can't afford to go... I can just cancel it. The tickets, though, seem to be the real nail in the coffin. I could stomach losing a $50 ticket (for example) on the off chance I realized I couldn't go... but $120 seems like a definite commitment, months and months in advance. Plus, you don't have the option of selling or giving the tickets to anyone else should you find out you can't go because it is DIRECTLY attached to your character name. They did say that tickets would be available for purchase up until a day before the event... but that's only if they haven't sold out yet. I guess we'll see if they will sell out depending on how many tickets get sold and how fast once the first 1,800 are released.

I can only hope that the $120 charge is a tradeoff to both make the event 'worth it' for SE as well as something we would all enjoy. To use my earlier example, Otakon is so ridiculously crowded but they can keep the price down because of the amount of people who come. If only a few thousand are let into this fan festival, perhaps it will be worth the price because it won't be as super packed and we won't have to wait hours and hours to see something? (I always preferred small cons anyway, but I guess that's just me.) I hope you have fun at whatever you decide to do, by the way.

[AiChyan]

God damn it I'd pay $300 for a ticket if this could happen in Dubai ugh

[Mamakat]

When I went to one of the XI fan fests, they had meals provided for everyone (they were good too, and all individually packaged) so the price should (I assume) include that as well (hopefully lol). There was also a concert the second day, so if we get some goodies + entertainment + the experience of no only meeting our fellow players, also seeing the devs in person and getting to try and see new stuff before anyone it really ends up being worth it imo. Just comparing it to past experience. And unlike other cons, this is specifically for FFXIV, and the people there will all be into FFXIV (we have been to Otakon as well and the XI Fan Fest was really fun in a different way for this reason)

Some of us were talking though, and wondering if there will be a possibility for a single day ticket option? Some of our FC buddies are bringing along their wives that don't play and they don't have any interest in going both days.

[Kluya15]

One thing I hate.. is people buy something for cheap.. then resell it so they can make money... It sickens me...

I say that the tickets need to be for subscribed players only and.. Must have a account and everyting.. Lock in the tickets to that persons name, character name, and server and on registration day (The 17th) they have to prove it is them by ID, and securely logging into thier SE account that has the ticket assing to.

You must really hate the in game Market Board then

[Rex]

:O

;-;

Thanks for proving me wrong!!!

And very much thanks for your clarification of the tickets for this event. I promise I will curb my pessimism in the future!!

If most others in this forum were like you, this would be a happy place.