Anime Con Insanity 2008

[gekiganwing]

I'll be at Anime Central in Chicago this weekend. It's crowded, not always well organized, and the major events have massive lines. But I've generally enjoyed it, especially when I can get away from the chaotic sections and panels/events which I don't especially like.

Dating sim/VN specific stuff at that con: there'll be a booth for Hendane and Shira Oka. The S.O. staff will be hosting a ren'ai games/development of S.O. panel on Saturday evening. (They'll also be at Fanime.)

Anyone planning to attend? Or other con-going tests of courage this summer?

[Threevenge]

I'll be at Anime Iowa, the first con for me. My girlfriend and I got into the idea after her best friend convinced us. I'm planning to pull together a Billy Coen costume or, if I could find the a pair of headphones that looks even relatively similar, Con from Killer 7. It'd be amusing however to note the height difference between Con and I: I'm 6'3", Con is 4'6" XD.

In addition I'm going to do a little public relations/advertising work: I plan on bringing a few dozen CD-Roms with R.E.M: Reality's Dream demos and wearing a T-shirt with the game logo for a day. My girlfriend, her friend and her friend's boyfriend have also agreed to wear shirts so that should hopefully get some attention.

[gekiganwing]

I looked at the Anime Iowa site. It sounds refreshingly low-key. Believe me when I say that's a good thing. ACen was enjoyable, but it had severe problems with lines, delays, and room relocations. The smaller cons that I've experienced have had far fewer organization problems.

Bring healthy snacks, money (cash/credit), and a book/game system for delays and down times.

Looks like Anime Iowa will have a consuite... which is a rare but beautiful thing. Don't make a mess!

It will be in August, so don't wear anything heavy or dark color (no Ayu Tsukimiya coats).

It should have few high profile guests. Once the panel schedule is up, you should probably schedule time to visit their panels.

And don't miss the artist alley. IMHO, those are worthwhile at almost any con, because the individual people make unique things.

[Cybeat]

I'm going back to Japan this summer (it's not guaranteed). I'm planning on entering Comiket to sell my game when I return. It'll be my first time entering Comiket, first time entering a convention. What's a convention like?

[sake-bento]

Conventions are crazy different depending on the focus. North American cons tend to be heavily geared towards anime and anime fandom. Something like Comiket is largely geared towards creators. In general, they're very loud and crowded, but everyone is having a lot of fun. As a creator, you'll be at your table most of the time selling rather than wandering around. So for you the bulk of the convention will be trying to attrtact customers, chatting with other artists to make contacts, and doing the normal selling duties like making change, etc.

[MoonlightBomber]

This May 31st (Manila time), there will be a convention sponsored by a local manga-based publication. For my kababayans, it's Mangaholix Manga Mania 2008 at the SMX Convention Center.

Our conventions do resemble the Western ones, but there will come a time where a Comiket-like event will happen (and I will gladly participate in it!).