Summer of Sonic 2010 Announced, But Perhaps at a Price
Tristan Oliver | February 9, 2010
Could There Be an Admission Fee? Maybe
On Monday, Summer of Sonic organizer and Sonic Stadium webmaster Svend Joscelyne announced the 2010 Summer of Sonic convention would be held at a venue to be determined on August 7th, 2010.
No further details were given on who’s to be expected at the convention, or where it will be. But what was discussed was a possible plan to charge those in attendance a fee to be determined to cover convention costs. That hasn’t been done before.
As Joscelyne explains, there could be much to gain on the whole from a price of admission:
With the costs of Summer of Sonic 2009 exceeding expectations, it is being decided whether to charge a small fee for entry to this year’s event. We hope you’ll be supportive of this move, should we go ahead with it, as it will allow us to bring you even more unexpected surprises. There are many things in the pipeline for 2010 – you won’t be disappointed.
But where would that money go? Last year, attendees got a free preview of both Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. This year, the first episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is expected to see release only a few weeks after the convention’s expected date, with nothing further in sight so far. That money could go to appearance fees that special guests sometimes request, but in the past big names such as Bentley Jones, Richard Jacques, Steve Lycett, and contributors to the Fleetway Archie Comic have appeared without those costs being passed on to attendees. Tons of free swag has also been given away.
In the end, if the admission fee goes through, it may be reflective of organizers–including Sega–feeling the pinch of putting the show on proper for the third straight year. That’s been the case with many events, big and small, as the world tries to dig itself out of financial recession. In short, if admission fees aren’t imposed, there may not be much of a convention–and that’s why so far, there is overwhelming support for any possible fee.
Still, the prospect of paid admission and a firm date were the only notable details to come out of the announcement, and nothing huge yet to justify any price. Indeed, any price could also shut out a younger crowd wanting to go. With that in mind, do you think attendees should chip in to this year’s Summer of Sonic convention with so little known about it? Tell us in our comments area.
Filed Under Sonic Scene, Summer of Sonic
I’m perfectly fine with an admission fee. Anyone willing to travel to attend SoS won’t let a small fee get in their way. XD
I like Summer of Sonic. I’m not there, but it’s always nice to see it on youtube. It’s fun with Bentley and all the people, just…. so nice!
Of course I would pay a fee, keep in mind that most attendees had to pay for train tickets, hotels, even flights.
If they need money they should do it like anime conventions are done. Admission is free but to participate in festivites, in SoS’ case probably the demos and giveaways, you have to pay for a pass of some sort.
But if you don’t need a stadium to have your voice heard why are you posting news stories about the stadium.
By the way, did you ever say your sorry to shadzter?
Oh and your STILL a little late on your stories man.
this site sucks
Yeah…somehow I don’t think you’ll be invited to SoS this year after your little comments recently…
I’m with what Edge said.
Oh, and I only came on here to see if you’d apoligze to Shadzer, clearly you haven’t.
Douche.
I want to go, please tell me exactly where it is
We NEED this in America. ‘Nuff said.
@ SonikkuForever
Ditto.
I’m certainly wanted to go the Sonic Convention, but where could it be? I came from USA which is in North America.
Where is this convention? Cuz I’d really like to be there when it happens.
Sonic the Hedgehog forever!
[...] soon, and hints that the setup this time will be “much different.” You may remember in February when Joscelyne affirmed an admission fee to the convention was being deliberated. In these [...]
[...] February explanation by principal organizer Svend Joscelyne cast doubt on the viability of such a model, citing [...]