Armageddon 2017 - Auckland

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xpd

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#223763 16-Oct-2017 14:37

Anyone going this year ?

I wasnt planning to, but then friend from Hastings said she was heading up with her son, and another friend's son wants to go, so Im roped into it now....... :)

Im probably going to be there Sunday to avoid the masses.... not planning on spending money this time, so not worried about missing out on sales :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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BlueShift

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#1884421 16-Oct-2017 15:08

I'm going to be there on Saturday with number one son.

lurker

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#1884422 16-Oct-2017 15:11

I'll be there on Saturday. John Barrowman and Walter Koenig the main draws for me. Not sure if buying much myself. Not so many bargains anymore IMO, I've been going for some time and it seems like the bigger it gets, the more ordinary the sale pricing.

Just be sure to buy your ticket online... Not sure why people prefer queueing

Oblivian

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#1884431 16-Oct-2017 15:28

Joining my fellow 501st brothers and sisters again this year from thursday.

And you can tell theres demand, bugger all accommodation around it for cheaps. First time I've not had a couch to crash on :(

Stupid that AKL transport use that weekend for maintenance again however.

xpd

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#1884435 16-Oct-2017 15:46

lurker:

Just be sure to buy your ticket online... Not sure why people prefer queueing

Yup, will be buying online, no fears there ;)

Did get a press pass one year, that was even better.... no queues, went back two days running :D

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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littleheaven

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#1886398 19-Oct-2017 19:10

I have a VIP pass, so I'll be there all four days. I'm getting pics with Nathan Fillion and Ricky Whittle. I also plan to do a good chunk of my Christmas shopping there. Hoping to score a good deal on a Nintendo Switch and associated games for my young fella. They're at the very top of my budget so if I can get even a bit of a discount it'll be helpful!

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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#1886423 19-Oct-2017 20:04

EB's doing $500 consoles, Switch is one of them, but no games bundled - I'd personally wait and get the $600 Mario Odyssey bundle anyway, as one you roll in the cost of Mario (which I assume will be required ownership), you're at that price point anyway, but you get snazzy red joycons.

Every time I've been, it's pretty much boiled down to a big shopping expo where you pay to get in, with a few interesting things, but not enough to justify going, especially if you're not in across all the days. I wouldn't mind seeing Nathan Fillion, and there's two scheduled things I want to see, but it's just not worth the trip for me, last time I spent just shy of $400 and came away with very little, except a little sister upset she couldn't buy a giant Totoro with her spending money.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

xpd

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#1886452 19-Oct-2017 21:12

Right, tickets purchased for Sunday.

Might see if theres any decent board games for the family otherwise wont be buying much.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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littleheaven

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#1886603 20-Oct-2017 01:30

toejam316:
EB's doing $500 consoles, Switch is one of them, but no games bundled - I'd personally wait and get the $600 Mario Odyssey bundle anyway, as one you roll in the cost of Mario (which I assume will be required ownership), you're at that price point anyway, but you get snazzy red joycons.

Every time I've been, it's pretty much boiled down to a big shopping expo where you pay to get in, with a few interesting things, but not enough to justify going, especially if you're not in across all the days. I wouldn't mind seeing Nathan Fillion, and there's two scheduled things I want to see, but it's just not worth the trip for me, last time I spent just shy of $400 and came away with very little, except a little sister upset she couldn't buy a giant Totoro with her spending money.

Thanks for the info! I go every year, mainly for the celeb photos and panels. I have quite a collection these days. I’ve been noogied by Ben Browder, smooched by Nicholas Brendan, hugged by Michael Shanks, and Amanda Tapping told me how to brine a turkey. I don’t really go out a lot, so it’s my one big event for the year and now that my son is getting into collectibles, a good chance to pick up some Christmas goodies.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

lurker

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#1887671 22-Oct-2017 10:05

Back from the Saturday event. I have to say the absolute highlight was John Barrowman's panel, that was amazing if you weren't expecting it.

He's got another slot on Monday, I highly recommend it.

He had some hilarious audience participation when someone asked a very peculiar question.

Exhibitors were pretty much same as before.

It's a well run event, one funny thing - this year it was slower to have a presale ticket!

It seems everyone is now buying their ticket online so there was a queue for people who already had their tickets, but zero people were lining up at the counters to buy one.

Dunnersfella

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#1887719 22-Oct-2017 11:50

Went yesterday, lines, lots of people, slow moving areas where the aisles weren't wide enough to handle the traffic flow.

So yeah, $10 to park, $20 something to get in... no wonder people didn't have enough money to buy deodorant! That place smelt...

throbb

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#1887737 22-Oct-2017 13:20

Dunnersfella:

Went yesterday, lines, lots of people, slow moving areas where the aisles weren't wide enough to handle the traffic flow.

So yeah, $10 to park, $20 something to get in... no wonder people didn't have enough money to buy deodorant! That place smelt...

Not about not being able to afford deodorant, its pretty standard for all these type of events around the world. Went to a San Diego comic-com, They had people handing out guide reminding people to shower and to wear deodorant.

richms

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#1887777 22-Oct-2017 15:24

Might go tomorrow. But as I am not really planning on spending anything I might not bother if its too crowded.

Richard rich.ms

xpd

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#1887787 22-Oct-2017 16:08

Got there at 10.30, left around 3pm. Wasnt planning on spending that long but was quite busy. Actually struggled to see anything that made me go "wow" and buy anything. Found a lot of stuff was very expensive, seemed to be aimed at more the high rollers.

Only came home with a Pop Vinyl and a new board game.

Will skip next year.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Oblivian

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#1887838 22-Oct-2017 19:08

lurker:
Back from the Saturday event. I have to say the absolute highlight was John Barrowman's panel, that was amazing if you weren't expecting it.

He's got another slot on Monday, I highly recommend it.

He had some hilarious audience participation when someone asked a very peculiar question.

Exhibitors were pretty much same as before.

It's a well run event, one funny thing - this year it was slower to have a presale ticket!

It seems everyone is now buying their ticket online so there was a queue for people who already had their tickets, but zero people were lining up at the counters to buy one.

Today saw him selling the timtams for $10 proceeds to charity.. did I mention signed.

And he's doing another photo booth tomorrow now, in said dress lol.

People question the price, but if you make the effort to goto the panels that in itself can pay for itself.

That's their basic hire cover, you then cater for big fans with priced signings and photos. Retailers got to pay to be there and have a stall too. That's where the star fees come from.

It's like sky, hard to find a middle ground to suit all. But without the bad mixed with good they wouldn't be able to put the drawcards in

littleheaven

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#1887892 22-Oct-2017 21:00

I’ve been all three days so far. Friday night I picked up my pass and tokens and did some shopping when it was nice and uncrowded. Saturday I got my photos and autographs (Nathan Fillion and Ricky Whittle). I also attended a panel with Nathan which was very entertaining. Today I took my son and he got to play the new Mario Odyssey game at the Nintendo stand. Tomorrow I am just attending one panel.

If you’re just going to shop, it’s probably not worth it, but for me, the best part is the experiences you can’t get elsewhere, like interacting with the celebrities and watching them speak. When I went to get Ricky Whittle’s signature, he crawled under the autograph table to the fans’ side and gave me a big hug. We had a nice chat while he was waiting for the go-ahead to start signing. I also catch up with people I see there every year and love seeing all the costumes. My son got a picture with someone dressed as Papyrus from Undertale and a Dalek today and it made his day. I’ve been 12 out of the last 13 years (and to the Manukau one as well in 2016).

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.