NA Fanfest was a bit sad compared to EU and JP Fanfests

[Aiyakiu]

Now, let me preface by stating I am super thankful I was able to go to Fanfest - plenty of people wanted to go, but there weren't enough tickets out there (although I think the argument that they sold way too many tickets for the setup they had could be made).
For one, security, maneuverability and seating were major issues at the Vegas Fanfest. There weren't enough chairs in any capacity to seat over a quarter to a third of participants for panels or concerts (although ironically Tokyo Dome is ALL THE CHAIRS). Two, I don't need to rehash the ADA debacle. Three, getting food and water and getting to the bathroom was a nightmare in Vegas just from the general setup. I'm not even going to mention the issue that was the merch line.
Yet what really gets me is the Asura challenge. I'm a midcore non-Savage raider who was so proud to down Asura with my friends first pull (at least I got to participate, which was an issue for a ton if people). At the end, there was really no reward. No card, or shirt, or anything that has been present for other challenge fights.
Yet the JP Fanfest got cards for winning.

I just can't help but feel like the NA Fanfest was definitely the one cared least about when it came to logistics.

[Shougun]

I didn't go, but reading that made me feel bad for NA fan fest, and made me disinterested in looking into it for my schedule next time. :/

[Swordsman]

From all the stories I heard about the NA Fanfest, it sounds like the event was wayyy oversold. SE didn't really think about how many people could comfortably fit inside the venue and just tried to sell as many tickets as they could. Then they tried to wash their hands of the matter by laying the blame on the venue and its contractors.

[vexis58]

From all the stories I heard about the NA Fanfest, it sounds like the event was wayyy oversold. SE didn't really think about how many people could comfortably fit inside the venue and just tried to sell as many tickets as they could. Then they tried to wash their hands of the matter by laying the blame on the venue and its contractors.

That's exactly the feeling we got from being there. Like they sold three times more tickets as they did before, but still planned out the whole event the same way as before. Not enough chairs, telling us we couldn't bring filled water bottles through security ("just fill up your water bottle at the ONE filling station on the other side!"), basically having one member of our party standing in line for food at all times so that we wouldn't have to be in line hungry for an hour when we wanted food. It being 115 degrees outside didn't help, since it meant we basically couldn't go elsewhere for food. The constant reminders to stay hydrated and get plenty to eat felt a bit tone-deaf.

[ryouma17]

japan is known for its xenophobia its not a big surprise that the NA event got shafted

[Avoidy]

I'm curious if NA being kinda scuffed and JP being so good was because they simply learned from the mistakes of the NA event and didn't repeat them on the third attempt, or if it was legit just Square doing right by their JP homies and not caring as much about the international audience. I'd hope it's the former and not the latter, but yeah. JP got a huge stadium that comfortably seated everyone, insane decorations, protection from the elements (SO many complaints about thirst and the heat from the vegas event; i dont recall seeing anyone freezing their ass off at the tokyo event though) and just, yeah. If I had to pick an event I'd want to attend, it'd definitely be the JP one. And you're not even the only person who picked up on this. After they erected that statue of the watcher into the stands, a lot of people I was watching with began asking why so much more love was poured into that event while NA was stuck buying from scalpers, burning under the vegas sun, and dehydrating in a packed convention center.

Frankly, I'm amazed NA sold tickets at all. I guess if you were a scalper selling them, I could understand buying tickets. But the fact that anyone bought tickets to NA fanfest for personal use just blows me away. I couldn't imagine dropping dosh to basically burn in Vegas and watch loads of ads that I could watch at home for free, followed by, I guess, a concert??? And then more waiting in line to buy stuff. You'd unironically have to pay me to attend, because 90% of that event is just me giving them money and watching ads about their products. But that's just me.

[Wyssahtyn]

don't forget when they threw out peoples' water bottles.

[Tehmon]

From all the stories I heard about the NA Fanfest, it sounds like the event was wayyy oversold. SE didn't really think about how many people could comfortably fit inside the venue and just tried to sell as many tickets as they could. Then they tried to wash their hands of the matter by laying the blame on the venue and its contractors.

During the time of NA fanfest and a little after it people did come out with experiences that the venue has been shit before the fanfest as well, so the blame is on both of them.

[NekoMataMata]

I want to travel and go to a fanfest at one point but considering all I ever hear are bad things about NA it makes me really unsure.

I expect there to be favoritism towards the JP crowd for certain, but the NA fanfest just sounded like an absolute disaster.

[Reap00]

Now, let me preface by stating I am super thankful I was able to go to Fanfest - plenty of people wanted to go, but there weren't enough tickets out there (although I think the argument that they sold way too many tickets for the setup they had could be made).
For one, security, maneuverability and seating were major issues at the Vegas Fanfest. There weren't enough chairs in any capacity to seat over a quarter to a third of participants for panels or concerts (although ironically Tokyo Dome is ALL THE CHAIRS). Two, I don't need to rehash the ADA debacle. Three, getting food and water and getting to the bathroom was a nightmare in Vegas just from the general setup. I'm not even going to mention the issue that was the merch line.
Yet what really gets me is the Asura challenge. I'm a midcore non-Savage raider who was so proud to down Asura with my friends first pull (at least I got to participate, which was an issue for a ton if people). At the end, there was really no reward. No card, or shirt, or anything that has been present for other challenge fights.
Yet the JP Fanfest got cards for winning.

I just can't help but feel like the NA Fanfest was definitely the one cared least about when it came to logistics.

This seems like something worth focusing a lot of energy. I suggest making many posts and responding to your supporters constantly. I am sure the universe will shift and everything will be right. I just can't believe NA got shafted. My god the injustice of it all. SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!