Long time friend of the website Nic "Duckstar" Hughes tweeted out an image of the letter confirming that this year is the last official Botcon Transformers convention. This is the first official statement put out by Hasbro since their decision to expire Fun Publications license between October and December of last year.  Our sources within Hasbro tell us that plans are being made for future celebrations but that is is very much early days and that nothing is finalised.  

It remains to be seen as to whether Fun Publications decide to carry on running a non-official Botcon convention or whether they will simple leave the space rather than compete more directly with other unlicensed shows.

It's official #botcon2016 is the last Botcon in its current format. pic.twitter.com/YDJm2YMd4C

— Nic Hughes (@duck_star) April 7, 2016

Botcon have announced, via their Facebook page, that Aaron Archer shall be a guest thiss years Botcon. Here is a copy of the announcement

"Our other big announcement is that our final guest for BotCon 2016 is none other than Aaron Archer! From the Beast Wars line through Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Aaron has been part of the production of thousands of Transformers toys. Aaron was also part of the Hasbro team that worked with Paramount and Michael Bay to bring the Transformers to life across four films and Transformers: The Ride. During Aaron’s time on Transformers he worked to expand the Transformers mythos beyond toys to publishing, television, movies, video games, and fan conventions."

Having left Hasbro to work on his own thing, Aaron returned to the toy industry giant to work on other brands.

Botcon posted a new preview video yesterday featuring David Kaye which ends with a suprise reveal image of Megatron in what clearly is a recolour of the 2001 Transformers Robots In Disguise Megatron (Car Robots Gigatron) figure. You can watch the video below.

The Transmetal 2 coloured Megatron based on the RiD Megatron figure is a concept that was designed by 3H and never used. You can view a drawing of those designs below.

Ticket information for Roll Out Roll Call 2016 has now been announced with bookings opening shortly.

Join Transformers, G.I. Joe and Action Force fans from around the world 8th to the 10th of July at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, London Heathrow.

There are a total of five ticket options available. Pick from one of three Limited Edition Ticket options that will rewards you with special access to special items, Standard Weekend Ticket or Sunday Ticket (please note Sunday is the only single day entry option).

What's more, children under the age of 12 enter FREE when accompanied by a paying Adult, Senior or Teen Ticket holder.

Ticket options:

Limited Edition Energon Ticket £75
1 X General Weekend Entry, 1 X Transformers Item + option to purchase 1 of each other Transformers Items*

Limited Edition International Hero Ticket £75
1 X General Weekend Entry, 1 X G.I. Joe Item + option to purchase 1 of each other G.I. Joe Items*

Limited Edition Crossover Ticket £105
1 X General Weekend Entry, 1 X Transformers Item, 1 X G.I. Joe Item + option to purchase 1 of each other Transformers & G.I. Joe Items*

*Option to purchase Items Friday 8th/ Saturday 9th only. Any unsold Items by Sunday 10th will be available for purchase to general public.

General Weekend Entry
Adult (18-59) £45
Senior (60+) £25
Teen (13-17) £30
Child (0-12) FREE
Upgrade Adult General Weekend Ticket to either Energon or International Hero Ticket £30

Sunday Entry
Adult (18-59) £25
Senior (60+) £20
Teen (13-17) £20
Child (0-12) FREE

In addition enjoy the show even more by benefiting from Roll Out Roll Call discounted room rates and stay at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel over the duration of the show.

Early ticket booking and room reservation booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Booking will be available shortly.

Registration for Botcon 2016 has now opened with reports coming in that the new registration system has removed most of the troubles that have plagued the official convention for the last few years and comes after increased concern at some of the more recent emails being sent out be the club. At the same time Fub Publications have announced, via Twitter, that there will be at least 9 toys for this years event which use the Combiner Wars figures. The breakdown includes 7 deluxe (the four confirmed limbs plus the probably the Terrorsaur with two others still be be announced), 1 Voyager (Seaclamp, the body) and an unknown Legends Class figure.  Fun Pub have also announced that the Golden Ticket holders will receive another exclusive figure.

Molds utilizing Combiner Wars Deluxe class figures - 7, Voyager class -1, Legends Class -1

— BotCon 2016 (@BotCon) January 20, 2016

Away from Botcon, tickets continue to be on sale for TFNation in August here within the UK with tickets for Roll Out Roll Call, also here in the UK in July, expected to go on sale in the next month

The Transformers Collectors Club have updated both their Facebook and Twitter accounts with images of their upcoming FSS 4.0 figures the Combiner Wars Mayhem Attack Squad. The figures are not of the final products but are close to them. You can view the mirrored images below.

The convention rumours continue it seems as a report over on The Allspark points that the rumour that Fub Pub will be loosing its Transformers Convention license just doens't seem to want to go away.  We find that unlikely considering howPete Sinclair mentioned that the Botcon 2018 theme was coming along well whilst at RORC 2016.

The Allspark reports though that the Official Collectors Club, the TFCC, will be ending in December next year regardless of when you renew your membership with the same happening for the G.I.Joe Club.  The membership normally runs for 12 month but as the US fansite points out BOTH the Transformers and G.I.Joe collectors club stores report that "all memberships will terminate with the December 2016 issue of the club magazines".

What does this mean? Who knows. There is no specific mention of Botcon, JoeCon or the figure subscription services so it may just be the end of the printed magazine no doubt time will tell and rumours will continue to fly around.

You can view their post here as well the TFCC listing here.

Fun Publications have revealed the final member of the original Tripredacus combiner team, and fifth reveal from next years Botcon set as General Seaclamp. He’ll join Cicadacon, Ramhorn, Ravage, and Tarantulas as part of the Botcon 2016 Dawn of the Predacus set.

Fun Publications have announced the dates and location of BotCon 2016

BotCon 2016 to be held in the beautiful waterfront city of Louisville, Kentucky April 7-April 10

BotCon, the officially licensed Collectors’ Convention for Hasbro’s legendary TRANSFORMERS brand, announced today that next year’s award-winning convention will be held at the historic Galt House, a waterfront hotel right in the heart of downtown Louisville, April 7 thru April 10. In 2016, fans from across the world will be able to celebrate another exciting year of the TRANSFORMERS brand at North America’s largest TRANSFORMERS fan convention! You can make your hotel reservations now at BotCon.com.

In the coming weeks, fans and collectors will be able to register for BotCon 2016 through the BotCon.com online registration system. Fans and collectors who register for BotCon as a Primus package holder will receive a five-figure TRANSFORMERS convention set, admission to the Friday private sales room experience, priority seating at all panels and seminars throughout the weekend and admittance to the Saturday night Casino Night and Awards party. Finally, Primus package attendees will also receive a special bonus TRANSFORMERS figure to go along with their convention box set. General Admission for non-registered guests will be available on Saturday and Sunday only.

For all the information regarding the BotCon show activities, hotel updates and the exclusive figure offerings, remember to stay tuned to BotCon.com.

The Fun Publications team have announced that this years Botcon theme will be Pirates (Thundertron's crew anyone) Vs ..., well they haven't announced the 2nd faction(s) yet as it's better to tease, but you will find the Twitter announcement below.

So. Now the question is... PIRATES VS ???????

— Transformers: BotCon (@BotCon) January 6, 2014

Fun Publications have sent out an email letting TFCC club members know that they can start ordering the TFCC Subscription Service 2.0 figures between now and mid-night (Eastern) on October 17th.  They have also confirmed that the total price will be $279 which is $3 less than last years subscription price.  You can order the figures from The Official Transformers Collectors' Club.

Brian Savage has sent out the following email regarding Botcon 2013

Hello!

A little over one week in to BotCon 2013 registration and we are now over 60% sold out of all packages. Additionally, we only have a handful of non-attending Iacon packages left, so if you have been holding off on picking up a set don't delay! They will be gone soon!

Stay tuned as we will have some more exciting announcements and reveals in the next couple of weeks! Don't miss out on the Transformer event of the year. Make sure to register for BotCon 2013 today!

See you in San Diego!

Brian

Fun Publications have now announced that registration for this years Botcon is now available.  To register for this event simply visit http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2013/registernow.cfm.

Andrew "Hydra" Hall has tweeted, via the e-Hobby Shop Twitter account, that they have placed more sets of the Shattered Glass Vs set (Blaster and Soundwave) up for pre-order due to the number of customers who were unable to place their orders in time.

If you live in Japan and are after the figure you can place an order from the e-Hobby website here for 13,900 yen.