'''BotCon 2012''' was held in the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Texas from [[April 26]] to [[April 29]], [[2012]].
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'''BotCon 2012''' was held in the Hyatt Regency Dallas in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], from [[April 26]] to [[April 29]], [[2012]].
==Run-up==
==Run-up==
* [[September 7]], [[2011]], BotCon's Twitter feed started hinting at BotCon 2012's exclusive toys. <ref>http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=82117</ref>
* [[September 7]], [[2011]], BotCon's Twitter feed started hinting at BotCon 2012's exclusive toys.<ref>http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=82117</ref>
* The Diamond-exclusive version of "[[The Stunti-Con Job]]" had a full page ad advertising BotCon 2012, and hinted at the mold of one of its box set toys. <ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/484645-teaser-botcon-2012-rid-more-classics.html</ref>
* The Diamond-exclusive version of "[[The Stunti-Con Job]]" had a full page ad advertising BotCon 2012, and hinted at the mold of one of its box set toys.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/484645-teaser-botcon-2012-rid-more-classics.html</ref>
* On [[December 5]], 2011, the date, location, and hotel for BotCon 2012 were announced.
* On [[December 5]], 2011, the date, location, and hotel for BotCon 2012 were announced.
* On [[December 24]], 2011, the brochure went live.
* On [[December 24]], 2011, the brochure went live.
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* On [[January 3]], [[2012]], ''Shattered Glass'' Soundwave was revealed.
* On [[January 3]], [[2012]], ''Shattered Glass'' Soundwave was revealed.
* On [[January 5]], [[2012]], registration was intended to go up, but required more testing. Instead, ''Shattered Glass'' Treadshot was revealed.
* On [[January 5]], [[2012]], registration was intended to go up, but required more testing. Instead, ''Shattered Glass'' Treadshot was revealed.
* On [[January 6]], [[2012]], at 6:22pm EST, registration for attending packages went live. Both (larger) customization classes were sold out within minutes, Primus sets were 50% sold and "Golden Tickets" 70% sold by 10pm. <ref>https://twitter.com/#!/BotCon/status/155485771095224320</ref> To apologize for the registration's lateness, art turnarounds of Metalhawk's new head were posted online. Those numbers were at 60% and 80% by the following day. <ref>https://twitter.com/#!/BotCon/status/155817892166893569</ref>
* On [[January 6]], [[2012]], at 6:22pm EST, registration for attending packages went live. Both (larger) customization classes were sold out within minutes, Primus sets were 50% sold and "Golden Tickets" 70% sold by 10pm.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We are now 50% sold thru on Primus and 70% sold through on Golden Ticket packages. We doubled class size this year and still sold out fast!|link=https://archive.is/P1ENe|name=BotCon|website=Twitter|year=2012|month=01|day=06}}</ref> To apologize for the registration's lateness, art turnarounds of Metalhawk's new head were posted online. Those numbers were at 60% and 80% by the following day.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We are over 60% sold thru on the Primus and about 80% on the Golden Ticket. Appreciate all the awesome fans out there!|link=https://archive.is/dzFbc|name=BotCon|website=Twitter|year=2012|month=01|day=07}}</ref>
* On [[January 18]], [[2012]], Iacon Packages were available for purchase. A few hours later, BotCon's Twitter status stated that 50% of the Iacon Packages were sold. Primus Packages were 85% sold.
* On [[January 18]], [[2012]], Iacon Packages were available for purchase. A few hours later, BotCon's Twitter status stated that 50% of the Iacon Packages were sold. Primus Packages were 85% sold.
==Venue==
==Venue==
[[Image:BotCon2012-dallayshyattregency.jpg|right|thumb|300px|When you're done giggling at the giant you-know-what, you can point out your window to where Kennedy was shot! Hours of fun for the whole family.]]
[[File:BotCon2012-dallayshyattregency.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|When you're done giggling at the giant you-know-what, you can point out your window to where Kennedy was shot! Hours of fun for the whole family.]]
The Convention Center of the Hyatt Regency Dallas is home to BotCon 2012. It's "one of the city’s most consistent AAA Four Diamond Dallas luxury hotels," full of restaurants and shopping opportunities, and it's smack dab in the middle of downtown Dallas, Texas. This 28-floor hotel is three blocks from the [[John F. Kennedy|JFK]] Memorial and across a parking lot from a giant Playstation Move controller. In the summer, they have AnimeFest there, host to overpriced Pocky, [[Scott McNeil]], and all manner of [[David Willis|unwashed webcartoonists]]. But unlike AnimeFest, BotCon 2012's dealer room probably won't be partially out in the hallways.
The Convention Center of the Hyatt Regency Dallas is home to BotCon 2012. It's "one of the city’s most consistent AAA Four Diamond Dallas luxury hotels," full of restaurants and shopping opportunities, and it's smack dab in the middle of downtown Dallas, Texas. This 28-floor hotel is three blocks from the [[John F. Kennedy|JFK]] Memorial and across a parking lot from a giant PlayStation Move controller. In the summer, they have AnimeFest there, host to overpriced Pocky, [[Scott McNeil]], and all manner of [[David Willis|unwashed webcartoonists]]. But unlike AnimeFest, BotCon 2012's dealer room wasn't partially out in the hallways.
The hallways are very extravagant.
The hallways are very extravagant.
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==Merchandise==
==Merchandise==
===Convention-exclusive toys===
===Convention-exclusive toys===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-BC2012Soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Be excellent to each other... and party on, dudes!]]
[[File:Timelinestoy-BC2012Soundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Be excellent to each other... and party on, dudes!]]
'''Transformers: Invasion box set ($340, bagged $250)'''
'''Transformers: Invasion box set ($340, bagged $250)'''
*''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]], a retool of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
*''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (SG)#Timelines|Ultra Magnus]], a retool of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Reveal the Shield'']] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#|Optimus Prime]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Tracks (SG)|Turbo Tracks]], a redeco of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] [[Tracks (G1)|Turbo Tracks]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Tracks (SG)#Toys|Turbo Tracks]], a redeco of ''Reveal the Shield'' [[Tracks (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Turbo Tracks]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Sir Soundwave|Soundwave]], a retool of [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' Classics Series]] [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Soundwave (SG)#TLSoundwave|Soundwave]], a retool of [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'']] [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ironhide]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Treadshot (SG)|Treadshot]], a retool of ''Transformers'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Special Ops Jazz]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Treadshot (SG)#Toys|Treadshot]], a retool of ''Reveal the Shield'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Special Ops Jazz]]
*''Classics'' [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]], a retool of [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|''Revenge of the Fallen'']] [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]]
*''Classics'' [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]], a retool of [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|''Revenge of the Fallen'']] [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]]
*''Classics'' [[Metalhawk]], a retool of [[Transformers: Generations|''Generations'']] [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]
*''Classics'' [[Metalhawk (G1)#Timelines|Metalhawk]], a retool of [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'']] [[Thunderwing (G1)#Generations|Thunderwing]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] and ''Classics'' [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Over]], the former being a redeco of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and the latter being a retool of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Jazz]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)#BotCon2012|Optimus Prime]] and ''Classics'' [[Kick-Off (G1)#Timelines|Kick-Over]], the former being a redeco of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Reveal the Shield]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#RTSDeluxe|Optimus Prime]] and the latter being a retool of ''Reveal the Shield'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Special Ops Jazz]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Octopunch (SG)|Octopunch]] and ''Classics'' [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], redecos of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] [[Sea Spray]] and [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'']] [[Vortex (ROTF)#Dark of the Moon|Vortex]]
*''Shattered Glass'' [[Octopunch (SG)#Toys|Octopunch]] and ''Classics'' [[Spinister (G1)#Timelines|Spinister]], redecos of ''Hunt for the Decepticons'' [[Sea Spray (TF 2010)#Toys|Sea Spray]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Vortex (Movie)#Dark of the Moon|Vortex]]
|2:00 - 2:50 PM||Panel: Transformers Costuming: Design Your Own Costume! [[Rosemary Ward]]
|-
|3:15 PM||Draw for Trips to 2013 Convention
|-
|3:30 PM||Show Closes
|}
===Sunday===
==Notes==
==Notes==
* BotCon 2012 is the first year to offer the "Golden Ticket" level of registration. For an additional $300, a Primus-level attendee can pick up his box set early, buy souvenirs early (and up to three each), sit in the front row in panels, attend an exclusive meet-and-greet with the convention's invited guests, and receive an additional $2000 in fake money for the Casino Night. These were limited to 75.
* BotCon 2012 is the first year to offer the "Golden Ticket" level of registration. For an additional $300, a Primus-level attendee can pick up his box set early, buy souvenirs early (and up to three each), sit in the front row in panels, attend an exclusive meet-and-greet with the convention's invited guests, and receive an additional $2000 in fake money for the Casino Night. These were limited to 75, and yes, they sold out.
* For the first time, any unlicensed material touching on Hasbro's IP was officially banned from sale at the convention. This included not only all third-party unlicensed toys but also all fan art of Hasbro characters. As Botcon had specifically advertised tables for fan art sale in a special "artists' alley," this was likely a last minute change in policy by Hasbro legal. After an outcry from the community, Hasbro revised their policy to allow the sale of fan art.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2012-fan-art-ban-reversed-174744/</ref>
* For the first time, any unlicensed material touching on Hasbro's IP was officially banned from sale at the convention. This included not only all third-party unlicensed toys but also all fan art of Hasbro characters. As Botcon had specifically advertised tables for fan art sale in a special "artists' alley," this was likely a last minute change in policy by Hasbro legal. After an outcry from the community, Hasbro revised their policy to allow the sale of fan art and non-"toy" products.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2012-fan-art-ban-reversed-174744/</ref>
*No [[TakaraTomy]] employees attended BotCon 2012 due to the convention directly preceding Japan's celebration of {{w|Golden Week (Japan)|Golden Week}}.
On January 18, 2012, Iacon Packages were available for purchase. A few hours later, BotCon's Twitter status stated that 50% of the Iacon Packages were sold. Primus Packages were 85% sold.
When you're done giggling at the giant you-know-what, you can point out your window to where Kennedy was shot! Hours of fun for the whole family.
The Convention Center of the Hyatt Regency Dallas is home to BotCon 2012. It's "one of the city’s most consistent AAA Four Diamond Dallas luxury hotels," full of restaurants and shopping opportunities, and it's smack dab in the middle of downtown Dallas, Texas. This 28-floor hotel is three blocks from the JFK Memorial and across a parking lot from a giant PlayStation Move controller. In the summer, they have AnimeFest there, host to overpriced Pocky, Scott McNeil, and all manner of unwashed webcartoonists. But unlike AnimeFest, BotCon 2012's dealer room wasn't partially out in the hallways.
BotCon 2012 is the first year to offer the "Golden Ticket" level of registration. For an additional $300, a Primus-level attendee can pick up his box set early, buy souvenirs early (and up to three each), sit in the front row in panels, attend an exclusive meet-and-greet with the convention's invited guests, and receive an additional $2000 in fake money for the Casino Night. These were limited to 75, and yes, they sold out.
For the first time, any unlicensed material touching on Hasbro's IP was officially banned from sale at the convention. This included not only all third-party unlicensed toys but also all fan art of Hasbro characters. As Botcon had specifically advertised tables for fan art sale in a special "artists' alley," this was likely a last minute change in policy by Hasbro legal. After an outcry from the community, Hasbro revised their policy to allow the sale of fan art and non-"toy" products.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2012-fan-art-ban-reversed-174744/</ref>
No TakaraTomy employees attended BotCon 2012 due to the convention directly preceding Japan's celebration of [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Golden Week (Japan)|{{#if:Golden Week|Golden Week|Golden Week (Japan)}}]].
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