When the infamous 'Willy's Chocolate Experience' event went viral earlier this year, you would think that organisers would learn from its mistakes and strive to avoid similar mishaps.
Unfortunately, it looks like the video game industry now has its own 'Willy Wonka' expo to call its own with the 'Pokeverse' fan convention over in Mandaluyong, Manila in the Phillippines. As highlighted by Eurogamer, an attendee by the name of BintuRita has compiled her own experience of the event on social media, relaying an odyssey of misfortune, disappointment, and flat-out ineptitude on the part of the organisers.
It's worth checking out the full thread via the below embed, but in a nutshell, the event has been labelled as "barren" with late openings, downsized floor plans, empty spaces, and a rather concerning attendee slurping ravioli sauce from a jar in his pocket. That's not the worst of it, however - far from it.
According to BintuRita, the event's camera crew were "relentless" in documenting the show, filming cosplayers who were simply sitting in the rest area or adjusting their costumes, along with "unattended minors whose parents were getting food".
Not only that but a 'Make-A-Wish' segment (not highlighted in the official itinerary) occurred on the third day during which terminally ill children were brought on stage in front of a crowd of people, equipped with little more than basic medical masks to protect their health.
In speaking with Eurogamer, BintuRita stated "I wish it was more Pokémon centered. I wish the production team had more emphasis on consent. And I wish they had been more careful with the children in the convention space". She also acknowledged, however, that her own experience may not have reflected all attendees, and that some may have genuinely had an enjoyable time.
In responding to BintuRita's social media posts, the event organisers stated "It's our first event with very little time to prepare but we do agree that a lot of things need to be improved. We appreciate your participation and will continue [to] take your feedback to do better next time."
Crikey. What do you make of this seemingly disastrous Pokémon event over in the Phillippines? Let your thoughts be known with a comment down below.
[source x.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 21
This sounds horrifying, especially the Make-a-Wish segment. Be shocked if people don't get sued over this.
Where something so terrible could have transpired… Phillippines? Never mind.
Wow, I read it all, what a sht show.
Poor kids 😢
Hope the Make-a-wish foundation can make it up for them and give them a good Pokemon experience soon ☹️🥺
I hope the Pokémon company has eyes on this and plan something for them.
these kids deserve better! Also, ravioli man is burned into my mind shudders
Oompa loompa doompety doo
I've got a perfect puzzle for you
Oompa loompa doompety dee
If you are wise, you'll listen to me
What do you get when you guzzle down ravioli?
Making a charity Pokemon event unholy
What are you at? Only some shoddy tat. A barren event with no welcome mat
I don't like the look of it
Oompa loompa doompety dill
Don't push to the front the terminally ill
You will be seen as moral and good
Like the Oompa Loompa doompety do
Doompety dood
The title of this article didn't even remotely prepare me for the turn it took at the Make-a-Wish segment.
How horrible. Its stuff like this why The Pokemon Company clamp down on unofficial events.
The only benefit is that now Glasgow isn’t responsible for the worst public event in history.
Oh dear Arceus, at least the Willy Wonka experience wasn’t literally endangering the lives of terminally ill children for a photo op. This is… horrific.
And people say that the first Pokémon go fest was a disaster.
At least they didn’t bring terminally ill kids on stage.
@Uncle_Franklin
Pokemon song version (thank you ChatGPT):
(Verse)
I went to Pokeverse, to have a little fun,
But it turned into a nightmare, a battle not yet won.
With barren halls and ravioli jars, it wasn't worth the wait,
Oh, what a mess, it's truly a bizarre fate!
(Chorus)
Pokeverse! Gotta miss 'em all! This event's a shame,
Empty floors, and wasted halls, who is there to blame?
Pokeverse! Oh, the dismay, what a display!
Event planners, learn from this, so we won't be dismayed!
(Verse)
Camera crews were stalking, kids left on their own,
Make-A-Wish forgotten, as chaos was shown.
Willy Wonka's empty fun, this event's a clone,
Next time, get it right, so no one feels alone!
(Chorus)
Pokeverse! Gotta miss 'em all! This event's a shame,
Empty floors, and wasted halls, who is there to blame?
Pokeverse! Oh, the dismay, what a display!
Event planners, learn from this, so we won't be dismayed!
Willy Wonka walked so Pokemon could run.
Not only that but it was run by a Dubai NFT firm and seemingly meant to rival another more popular and well-run Philippine based Pokemon convention.
I think the lesson learned here is just because it seems like a fan project thats 'run by fans, for the fans', doesn't mean it's going to be great. Also, those poor kids:(
Next time?
Awfully optimistic bunch aren't they?
Ravioli Man and Depressed Oompa Loompa should team up for events.
It was a fan convention. That should have been enough of a warning.
While fan conventions can work there is a reason why company sponsored and run conventions work better. Almost every fan run convention has to learn how to function as a business. And until they do it will be disorganized and usually with poor funding means it will be barren. Not much surprise to be had here.
Stuff like this is why companies like Nintendo are very, very protective of their brand and their IPs.
Bold move, coinciding with the official North American International Championship.
@Lizuka In the US or Europe? The organizers might have gotten sued. Anywhere else? Good luck…unfortunately.
@Ryu_Niiyama This! My company holds events yearly, and it’s a complete production behind the scenes even though it is mostly an academic conference with speakers presenting papers, but making sure all the speakers are going to show up and having plan b, c and d for those speakers that can’t show up. Not to mention, any extra event, such as keynotes and receptions have to be handled like mini-events.
Good intentions can only take you so far.
As for the ravioli sauce hobo? The event organizers need to iron out dress code and harassment policies. Talking about policies, consent policies for filming and taking pictures need to be added front and center on the reg. form. If you as an organize intend to document your event, you need to add an opt-in consent checkbox that is requires to register. Keep it open and honest.
@fpcreator2000 Yeah I have volunteered for a few conventions I have attended and the amount of work that goes behind the scenes is insane (and I know i have barely seen the tip of the iceberg). Even with experienced organizers it’s a circus, so anything purely fan made especially the first time is lucky if they get it off the ground. Even more so in this digital age where everyone has a camera and can report live what is going on. The public will always find the cracks and highlight them to everyone else. Plus just dealing with the public alone is a recipe for craziness. The fact that so many conventions have to remind people to shower/bathe or not touch other’s inappropriately is baffling. I stop going to fandom conventions for that reason. I only do ones that are professional based.
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