NA Fanfest 2018 Debacle

[o0cacoto0o]

I don't get the idea of people getting a hotel room or even buying plane tickets prior to purchasing the fanfest ticket themselves. I waited and even though it would have screwed me over in needing to go to a different hotel, I wouldn't have to deal with cancellation fees (if any). I got lucky, and I'll admit it, in getting 2 tickets for fanfest, and the hotel room at the Rio with the discount. I am baffled at how this sold in 30 minutes. Last year it took 10 hours, luckily this time I was ready just in case, but this sucks for everyone who couldn't get a ticket.

Usually any time I went to conventions, they asked for your ticket confirmation number to reserve for the hotel. This way people with tickets would get priority.

[Renato]

I'm torn and kind of confused on the whole situation. I'm happy because I got my ticket and the whole process was extremely painless. I logged in about 15 minutes before the buying time and refreshed once it came around which took me to the buying page.

I waited on the queue screen for about 20 minutes and was taken to the log-in section. Since I already had my code copied, it took me less than the 12 minute limit to complete the whole transaction. No issues at all.

Like...I'm happy but it does suck for those who weren't able to get in and didn't have the same experience as I did. It's odd how some people are saying they were getting messages saying that they were sold out 10 minutes after they were queued but I waited 20 minutes and got in fine. Also some people are saying that they kept refreshing and also ran into issues but on the page, it literally says, DO NOT REFRESHbecause it's unnecessary and doing so too many times will either get you banned or kicked out from the buying all together.

I've also been told by some that they were told the tickets were sold out but if they refreshed enough, they were able to buy some. It all sounds a little jank.

[Cattibrie]

I had a similar experience to what Renato stated. I was logged into the site right when the tickets went live and had to use my emailed code.

I was in the queue for about thirty minutes when I got the the purchase screen. I got a screen that said "Sold Out". I thought it was a glitch, so I refreshed the page. I was concerned that refreshing would mess thing up but I got the option to select tickets but only gave me the option to buy zero or one ticket. I needed two tickets and took a chance to refresh the page again. This time I got the "Sold Out" message again. I was starting to get angry.

I refreshed the page several more times, about once every thirty seconds. I got the purchase page again and was able to get two tickets.

I really hope that SE is able to recover any scalped tickets and allow actual players to attend. The fanfest would be boring.
It is completely within reason for SE and Showclix to review purchase orders, there will be alot. They can check and see if any orders purchased more than the allotted four ticket max.
If any buyer did purchase more than four tickets. Void the complete transaction, which would refund the purchase and recirculate tickets to the players. With any tickets that become available this way require the use of an unused ticket code as previously sent out.

This my add more work to SE but they can monitor the new sales of the returned tickets to try and minimize problems. There is no way to completely stop all problems that can occur but they can at least try to block as much as possible.

[Jane_Ives]

My access code was useless. I waited in the ticket queue like so many others only for the tickets to sold out in mere minutes and not by legitimate, loyal fans of the game who actually play and subscribe to the game. If you check out the hashtags #RIPFFXIVFanFest#FFXIVFanFest #FFXIVFanFest2018 #mydreamsaredead#ileftworkearlyforthis on twitter, you'll see the many accounts of bots and other individuals having earlier access to the ticket queue website https://sqex.to/LSQ than everyone else had, bypassing of the queue altogether, individuals purchasing more than the 4-ticket limit, individuals purchasing tickets WITHOUT access codes and people bragging about re-selling tickets with supposed proof of it all over twitter. The press is starting to write about it as well https://www.runaroundnet.com/2018/07...v-players.html .

[T-of-the-Triad]

Adding my story. Took time from work to wait through the 30 minute queue. My fiance tried as well. Both of us got the SOLD OUT screen of doom. Time well spent, vacation plans dashed, and the spark of a terribly disappointing day. RIP.

[SinisterJoints]

I don't get the idea of people getting a hotel room or even buying plane tickets prior to purchasing the fanfest ticket themselves. I waited and even though it would have screwed me over in needing to go to a different hotel, I wouldn't have to deal with cancellation fees (if any). I got lucky, and I'll admit it, in getting 2 tickets for fanfest, and the hotel room at the Rio with the discount. I am baffled at how this sold in 30 minutes. Last year it took 10 hours, luckily this time I was ready just in case, but this sucks for everyone who couldn't get a ticket.

Usually any time I went to conventions, they asked for your ticket confirmation number to reserve for the hotel. This way people with tickets would get priority.

Simply put, the hotel where the fanfest is at was out of rooms a week after they announced WHEN the ticket sales were going up. That's why people book early, some don't want the inconvenience of travelling back and forth during fanfest when you can just wake up and go downstairs!

[Avenger]

It would be nice if they could try to compensate all the disappointed people who queued exactly at 12pm but got nothing.

Here are some things they could consider to help compensate legitimate players who waited in the queue but got absolutely nothing:

• Offering free live streams of the event
• Offering merch purchases
• Offering in-game item purchases
• Offering Mog Station discounts (maybe kind of lame, but better than nothing?)
• Requiring re-verification for all existing ticket sales to make sure they went to legitimate players
• Allowing ticket returns before a certain date, to possibly free up more tickets
• Possibly having a secondary sale of returned or canceled tickets
• Supporting an alternate fan-organized event to supplement FanFest

I realize that some of these ideas (like opening up merch and in-game item purchases) might remove some of the exclusivity and bragging rights for the lucky few who got tickets, but since the ticket sale was such a mess and there were so many disappointed people (who got in the queue at 12 but got nothing) it seems fair to try to do something.

I also think the main advantage of attending FanFest in person is ... actually being there in person to hang out with players and the FFXIV developers!! And hearing Soken's awesome metal band (The Primals!!) in person!

[Renato]

Simply put, the hotel where the fanfest is at was out of rooms a week after they announced WHEN the ticket sales were going up. That's why people book early, some don't want the inconvenience of travelling back and forth during fanfest when you can just wake up and go downstairs!

And it looks like the hotels/casinos around are charging an outrageous amount as well. The Gold Coast was asking for $339 for both nights not including taxes and resort fees. Same with The Palms.

I actually work at for Caesars and even with our discounts rooms look to be extremely high for that weekend. I checked the Rio earlier and they're asking for $239 a night plus tax with my employee discount. I ended up booking at Harrahs which is on the strip and out of the way but it's the cheapest option...For anyone expecting to go, just be reason to pay some cash for the rooms.

[Dustytome]

• Offering free live streams of the event
• Offering in-game item purchases

Most of the event (minus the concert) is going to be streamed live for free and the in-game goodies will be available on the mogstation. (Source)

[o0cacoto0o]

I know they were sold out weeks in advance before tickets were sold, but why would one book a room before you know you got a ticket? If you didn't get a ticket now you must cancel and lose the deposit if they charged any, and then cancel the flight as well. That's what I'm asking. Sorry if my wording made it sound weird.