Auto Assembly have sent out the following press release­

Auto Assembly 2011 - A Special Announcement

Following Auto Assembly's announcement of Andrew Wildman as our tenth guest for this year's convention a few days ago, we're back with a new video that we wanted to share with all of you with a rather special message that we think you'll all love...

http://youtu.be/bKMmOVGIvzQ

Auto Assembly 2011 is taking place over the weekend of 12th - 14th August 2011 at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England.

For more details on the convention, to see a full list of all the guests and activities taking place over the weekend, or to book your tickets, visit the website at www.autoassembly.org.uk

We hope to see you all in August!

The Auto Assembly 2011 Team

Web: www.autoassembly.org.uk
Youtube: www.youtube.com/autoassembly
Twitter: www.twitter.com/auto_assembly
Forum: http://autoassembly.proboards.com
Email: autoassembly@aol.com
Tel: +44 (0)7860 948296

Auto Assembly 2011 is sponsored by

Toyz And Gamez - www.toyzandgamez.co.uk
www.transformertoys.co.uk
www.transformersanimated.com
Science Fiction Collectables - www.sf-collectables.co.uk
Big Bad Toy Store - www.bbts.com
3 Darths Comics - www.3darths.co.uk
Hobby Link Japan - www.hlj.com
Robot Kingdom - www.robotkingdom.com
Xyber Toys - www.xybertoys.com
Moonbase 2 Podcast - http://moonbase2.libsyn.com

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Allspark.com are reporting that the Transformers Collectors Club exclusive Generation 2 Ramjet figure is starting to be delivered to US residents which means that if you ordered one, and are living within the US, you should expect the toy in the coming weeks.  If you are overseas, the toys should also start to ship but depending on your choice of shipping, and the choice selected in the end by Fun Publications (as it doesn't always match) the toy could arrive any time from now to  about 4 months time.

Auto Assembly have issued the following press release regarding the Andrew Wildman guest announcement

Hasbro have uploaded the Transformers Hall of Fame videos for Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg to YouTube.

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Later than we were planning, but I can now bring to you our full image gallery from Botcon 2011.  The gallery features 446 photographs from the convention including the dealer room, panels and outside of the convention centre itself.

Enjoy

As mentioned a few times, our internet speed in our hotel is really slow, so we have uploaded a few BotCon images to our Facebook page.

There are 60 images from the trip which you can see on Facebook

Our Saturday journey started with another trip to the dealer room, and whilst we got through the day without buying anything we did take the opportunity to take some more photographs that will be uploaded upon our return to the UK due to the slow internet connection we have out here, as well had having Aaron Archer sign our custom Angry Archer Mighty Mugg that was designed and created by Hamster Customs AKA Minion.  Aaron was very impressed by the Muggs as was ­Eric Siebenaler.  We have a photo of Aaron holding the Mugg that we will share with you all along with the other images.

The IDW panel went over their upcoming releases, pretty much everything that had already been announced though it did announce that Flint Dille would be writing a new "Digital Only" Transformers comic series with the head of World of Warcraf, called Trasformers Autocracy which will be available on the iPhone, Blackberry and Android.  This story will focus on the post Megatron period of Cybertrons History and the start of the Great War.  It should be stated that both Nick Roache and James Roberts names were greated with thunderous applause by the audience wheneve the panel touched on both their past and future work.

As it approached time for the Hasbro Panel, we decided to head back to the ballroom where they ran through some upcoming releases both for 2011 as wel l as some sneak peaks at 2012.  First of they ran through the lines that will be released this year including Dark of the Moon, Transformers Prime, Kre-o, Transformers Generations and Rescue Bots.  They began with the Rescue Bots explaining how it is aimed at 3-6 year olds and will have a supporting cartoon for pre-schoolers.  The idea is that they are a specialist unit of Autobots, setup to for rescue.  The figures will focus on new characters but will include also include an Optimus Prime and Bumblebee toy.  The other characters are Blades, Chase, Heatwave and I believe Dozer (the bulldozer) but the mic was muffled at this time.

Kre-O was the next line they then focused on.  This construction line is basically a follow-up of the Built-To-Rule concept, though each building kit will also come with some mini-figures known as Kreons.

For the Reveal The Shield figures they confirmed that the line has ended but that they are trying to find a way of mass releasing the last figures within the US as well as possible re-releasing other short-packed figures.

It was confirmed that Generations will continue throughout the year along side the Dark of the Moon line.

The focus of the panel then shifted to Dark of the Moon.  First they explained the story behind MechTech.  The wanted to remove the gimmicks from the toys themselves so tahat they would not hinde the transformations, but they still needed a gimmick for marketing, so they decided on having an external weapon.  The initial concepts were to have the weapons combine which is why they have the plugs. The following toys were shown:

 Air Raid (32365), Armour Topspin (36106), Dark Iron (36107) who is a stingray car whose colour scheme is based off of Beast Wars Quicksrike, Cannon Force Ironhide (36871) who is a red recolour of the voyager Ironhide, Leader Class Ironhide (29698) whom they have given multiple weapons to help highlight his standing within the Autobots as the weapons specialist.  Next up was Ultimate Optimus Prime (28748) who is the Optimus Prime with trailer.  They wanted to make the toy as big as possible to that he would look impressive standing on people's shelves.  The SDCC exclusive figure was shown next, this toy is simply a repackaged Ultimate Optimus Prime, but comes packaged in vehicle mode witin foild packaging and with a set of G1 inspired stickers for the trailer.  Following on from the Optimus Prime's, the Human Alliance figures were then shown.  First up was Roadbuster (292621) who was then followed with a couple of slides on the new Cyberverse subline.  This line will run throughout 2011 and 2012 and is focused on playsets.  The line stars with a Shockwave (29738), Ratchet and The Ark, which comes with a Roller mini-figure.  Moving away from Cyberverse, the presentation then began to look at the store exclusives.  First up were the Toys R Us Transscan series.  These start with Sideswipe and Ironhide and then move onto Ratchet and Bumblebee.  Elita-1 was shown alogn with Spacecase, Bumblebee and Jazz.  The Target exclusives are going to a Human Alliance Leadfoot who is deco'ed out with the Target logo and then a deluxe 2-pack of Leadfoot (in the target colours) and Twintwist.  The WalMart exclusives are another Bumblebee and a Sideswipe.  Sideswipe has the numbers 04 painting on the side in reference to his original Japanese release where he was the 4th figure to be released.

The 25th Anniversary Unicron was shown as an Amazon exclusive.  The figure is recoloured from the recent Japanese release to be cartoon accurate.  We have taken plenty of images that you will be able to use as a reference in the future but basically the toy has a lot of paint-apps but I am not convinced that it is more accurate than the Japanese release.  The shade of orange on the figure didn't quite look right to me.

After Unicron the Transformers Prime toys were shown.  There release date is the 1st December 2011 and not the date that was shown on the cards in the Hasbro display the previous days.  The 2nd series of te cartoon show will debut a few days earlier on the 28th November.  The first wave of figures include a deluxe Arcee, dexlue Starscream, deluxe Bumblebee and an double-pack of Optimus Prime and Megatron that come with a DVD as well as mini-figures of the human companions.

Wave 2 of Transformers Prime was also shown either as grey prototypes or concept ar.  The releasd of the figures could change but the toys shown were Cliff Jumper, Vehicon, Terrorcon Cliffjumper, Voyager class Optimus Prime (36492) and Voyager Bulkhead (36491).

The SDCC exlusive Matrix was shown that holds an Optimus Prime within the center.

For 2012, he following figures were also shown.  Transformers Prime Cyberverse Ratchet, Transformers Prime Cyberverse Wheeljack, Transformers Prime Legion Bumblebee, Transformers Prime Legion Arcee, Transformers Prime Commander Optimus Prime, Transformers Prime deluxe Soundwave with Laserbeak, deluxe Ratchet, deluxe Wheeljack, Voyager Starscream.

They then breifly touched on the design process, that being Sketch -> CG Render -> Handbuilt model -> Machine Made.

They then started taking questions.  They confirmed that there will be toys for Wars For Cybertron 2.  The alternative heads that were shown on various instructions may be used for future exclusives but at the same time, may not be used.  They have no plans to release more Transformers Animated figures, as they do not fit into any other lines, but they will keep looking for a way to release Hydro-dive Bumblebee and Wingblade Optimus Prime.

When asked about future Mighty Muggs the reply was that they would only really be exclusives (so basically SDCC is the only place that may ever get more).

They would like to see a release of the third season of Transformers Animated, but stated that the most likely scenario would be for Shout Factory to released it much further down the line.

When asked about if they had any plans for articulated Transformers Prime human figures, they took a quick poll of the audience and then said they will consider it.  So basically they had no plans but might do in the future.

When asked if they would release a Generations Arcee they said they can't say anything only that they have something big they are working on for later in the year.

They were asked why the re-colours were released before new molds and not at the end of the lines, to which they simply stated that this was due to budgetary reasons.

They are starting a subscription service in conjunction with Fun Publications for G.I-Joe to release figures to collectors at a higher price that stores do not want, if that works then they will consider something similar for Transformers.

After the Hasbro panel eveyone was asked to leave the hall whilst they prepared for the live Transformers Prime script reading.  We went to collect our Press Passes that we were suppose to have got having been invited to attend the panel and the post-panel round table interviews with te cast.  Unfortunately whilst the press agency that contacted us had claimed that they had put our names down, we were not on any of the lists that Hasbro had.  Thankfully being full atendees we could still get into the live reading but we could not attend the press interviews afterwards.  The script reading went down really well, as was filmed and streamed live on the Internet via The Hub and Facebook.

We headed off for some lunch and then another quick walk around the dealer room to catch up with a few people so we missed most of the Activision / High Moon Studios panel, but we did catch the end where they confirmed that there would be lots of DLC content but that they could not comment on which characters it would be.  They also could not coment on Soundwaves modes in the game (at the request of Michael Bay) nor on what they would do with a Generation One license.

This panel was followed by the Collectors Club panel. The panel revealed that te next collectors club exclusives will be Runamuck and Roundabout (using the RTS Wheeljack and Tracks molds) followed by a Shattered Glass Drift.

The final panel of the day was the 25th Anniversary of Transformers The Movie.  This was fun panel that included some advise for would-be voice actors, some tales from the past and comedy sketches.

So BotCon for Friday has finished, other than the Awards dinner (TFW2005 and Seibertron to battle it out for the prizes) and the Casino night.

Today's events saw a Cosplay competition, with some fantastic, and a few not to fantastic costumes (personal the Baroness and Crimson Twins, Tomax and Xamot would get my vote).

Next up was the live script reading, which was great fun Auto Assembly 2011 attendees have a lot to look forward to as David Kaye and Greg Berger player odd each other really well (both are really lookinrg forward to the event).

After that the hall opened and sigings from David and the daughter of the late Chris Latter.  Steve queued for ages, so I went into the hall and spent too much money on old BotCon toys.  After filling up I went out, grabbed the comic from Steve, who was still queuing, and got Derrick and Marty to sign it. 

After that it was Greg, Neil, Morgan's turn to sign (Neil Ross signed our Visionaries Marketing Book).

Then it was back into the dealer room to pick up more old BotCon exclusives.

The dealer hall had an amazing amount of Japanese Transformers, though comments were the prices on toys was far too expensive ($4300 for a boxed Menasor)!!

Hasbro had a great display of Dark of the Moon, Transformers Prime and Generations toys.  The vehicles for the Transformers Movie were there, and far more dealers then we had seen previously.

There were so many non-official toys for sale, probably 1/4 of all toys, and lots of toys from other ranges, He-Man, GI Joe, Anime ... it was quiet funny.

The biggest disapointment was the queues, again.  We spent over an hour in a queue for the script reading, only for the number of people in front of us to tripple, with people jumping in or joining thier friends.  One group went from 2 to over 20!  Then as the doors opened 10 more people jumped in right at the doors, yet all of this was possible as there was no staff of volenteers looking after things - poor Fun Publications, very very poor.

The queues for signings was far better maintained, with them cutting them off and making sure it was a neat and orderly line.

Sorry about the late coverage on this, but yesterday saw the attendees registration and toy pick up. As I posted instantly on our message board the toys are

1. Stunticon Box Set
2. Fisitron - giveaway toy
3. G2 Sideswipe
4. Toxitron
5. 3 pack of Autotroopers
6. Shatter Glass Galvatron
7. Shattered Glass Thundercracker (in Action Master colours)
8. Minevera (customisation class toy)

BotCon 2011 Experience
Day 1 - Thursday 2nd of June 2011

Outgoing flight
We made our way to the baggage drop (10kilos for, Steve, 15.5 for me due to the equipment I had for work in my bag) .. we pondered what the weight would be for the return leg before heading through Customs. After that it was a nice Full English Breakfast, as neither Steve or I are that keen on aircraft food, a quick look around the shops before we decided to sit down and check the Internet for news on the work's Samsung Tablet. We soon discovered a BotCon news story Steve had worked on at 6:30 hadn't be put live, good thing I had the wireless dongle so a quick change of Sim Card and I was online on my laptop approving the story. By that time the gate was announced so we made our way to the international terminal. Within five minutes of arriving there boarding started, seats 49A and 49B .. that was us ... so we boarded pretty quick. Just before takeoff the guy next to me decided to change seats to the middle row, giving us a spare seat next to us, which was nice. Now it was the 10 and 1/2 hour flight left to go (down from 11 hours).

We flew out east, then looped around north, heading towards Cambridge before turning west towards Manchester, up through Iceland, Greenland and into Canada. We decided to take some picture during take-off, on my phone, then some in the air over Greenland and NewFoundLand. It was after this point I decided to create a diary, or log, of the trip.

The chose of movies wasn't great, and for some reason didn't actually match up with those listed in the InFlight Magazine. Steve watched an Ashton Kutcher flick and I decided to catch up and watch Mastermind ... that was pretty good. We skipped in flight lunch, eating the Mikado I had picked up for the flight - the breakfast had covered us for most of the flight.
There appeared to be a rather excessive number of Germans on the flight, and women .. which is odd, usually its American school or colleague goers coming back from a trip to Europe.

Steve decided to spend some time working on a new version of The Visionaries.net on his Samsung Net book (though not that powerful, it's light small design is good for trips. He'd actually installed Apache, MYSQL and PHP onto the machine he actually code up the site during the flights. I decided to mock up some layouts for another project, Plastic Coke, before getting on with the start of this article. Up to this point the flight had been pretty calm, with only a slight amount of turbulence, though as I write that sentence the plane starts to rock sideways and up and down .... classic me. I was trying to avoid the temptation to start working on my day job. My BotCon trip had been extended by my work so I could stay in Los Angeles allowing me to visit a customer in San Francisco. This meant that my work ended up paying for my flights, which was a great result for me .... not so much for Clare, as it meant I'd miss her birthday ... actually I was due to land on Gareth (The Great Destroyer's) birthday on the following Friday, at mid-day, and go straight into work that afternoon from the airport (as the office is just around the corner, and Gareth was off).

Landed in Los Angeles, and travelling up to Pasadena
We had decided to pre-book a return trip using the Shuttle Bus service in LAX, rather than having to worry about getting a cab. The only problem was that of all the information I had kept, I hadn't kept the time of the pickup for the return leg ... whoops.

Getting through customs took ages , first part took 15 minutes, getting bags probably 20, then there was an amazing queue, for over an hour, to get past the second part of customs.  We managed to find att small queue out the way, which took 15 mins to get through.

From there was aa 45 minute drive, roughly, to Pasadena ... with the driver of the SuperShuttle wanting money, though I'd paid onlline.  The Super Suttle website is meant to give you a reference number, which I didn't get, so that took 15 minutes to work out.  Finally we were checked in.

The BotCon check-in
BotCon 2011 was our third BotCon in the US, well technically the first was OTFCC 2003 - as it had changed names days before, after Glen Hallet had taken full control of the event. That time it was in Rosemont in Chicago, we had gone with Gareth and had thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Out second Botcon experience in the US, we had attended BotCon Europe 1999 and then OTFCC Europe, was in Rhode Island in 2007. BotCon had an early charity screening of the first Transformers movie, where most people in attendance got to see the film for the first time before it came out in cinemas. By that time we had already seen it twice (well I had, Steve only once as he couldn't make it to the FDA screening in London earlier that week). BotCon 2011 was going to be the first BotCon that we had gone to that we hadn't attended with Gareth, which felt a little odd ... but he was busy at work ... as I'm typing this!!

We were dreading the mess that would be the BotCon check-in ... 2003 was so easy. Arrive, get pass - no real queues. Then during the event, at any time go and pick up the toys. We also had Gold Passes for that event, first 50 people to register, so we were allowed to "jump queues".

­So, we arrived at the convention centre, locatuion for BotCon 2011 just under 2 hours before the doors opened, to queue for the registration queues. By the time we had arrived there was already over 100 people queuing, and more coming all the time. We were spotted by some Moonbase2'ers, or Full Metal Hero'ers, or whatever you want to call them as we made our way to queue up. I was pimping out my Auto Assembly committe shirt, for some shameless advertisement.

It was around 18:20 by the time we could get in the hall, then another 30 minute queue for the Boxset and attendee package (Karl Hartman servered us, but couldn't find out order of toys first of all).  From there we moved to the next collection point, non-box figures (limited to 1 per badge - with attendees allowed to pick up more the following day).  Steve queued in the "convention exclusive line" to pickup or loose toys and litho.  I queued in the cash "everything" line, so I could pick up another set plus the BotCon 2009 comic we are missing and the TFCC Cheetor for Dean (Big D's Toy Chest).  It took over 40 minutes for Steve to get server, probably nearer an hour.  I was queing for over 90 miniutes.

I finally got back to the hotel at 21:00, after some 5 hours of queing.  We then went to have dinner with Jim Sorenson and Bill Forester, along with a few people they had gathered together, only to get a little lost.  The next day we found the restrauant on a map I had printed out, and yeah we'd gone no-where near it.

As always Transformers At The Moon will do our best to bring you the important coverage from this years Botcon. We will be in attendance at Botcon 2011 ourselves, so we will look to update the website with galleries and news from our travels as well as bringing you live news throughout the day using our own auto-updating scripts so you can just bookmark a news story and read all of the updates as they happen.

Like our coverage of other conventions in the past, we will also look to bring you round-ups of articles from around the world, ensuring that you can read all of the coverage from the event from as many sources and views as possible. 

Our non-competitive approach to news is something we have become well known for over the last 12 years and is something we are very proud of and, as such, we would like to remind you all that you can keep up-to-date by following our exclusive In The News section of the website that brings you the very latest headlines from many official and fan sites from around the world.   You may well find those sites report different news from areas of Botcon before us as this site is maintained by two people as a hobby as oppose to the staff that run most "fan sites" these days, so we can not cover everything that will be going on at once.

If you are attending Botcon yourself and you would like to say hello, we will not be difficult to spot. During the convention just look for a pair of mirror twins, if that is not enough of a give away, at some point we will both be wearing Auto Assembly committee T-shirts, which will be even more of a clue.

­The first Botcon exclusive is now officially in the hands of attendees with the release of the Botcon 2011 Customising Class Minerva figure.  The figure is a recolour of the Arcee toy but remolded with new "ears".  You can see the images and the official design from Derrick J Wyatt below.

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BotCon have tweeted that their coverage of BotCon 2011 will start tonight wth sneak peaks at the event.

@BotCon coverage starts today! Sneak peaks and updates will begin this evening. What an event!!! BotCon add ons are TOP NOTCH!

We'll be at BotCon this year, so if you see us say hi.