As with most events, conventions have been moved to an online format to ensure that everybody can attend the event without violating COVID-19 safety procedures. One of the most notable conventions moved onto an online format is San Diego Comic-Con, which thousands of people attend every year. Online Comic-Con is much more different than in-person Comic-Con, with pros and cons to the new online format of these conventions.
One of the most notable benefits of online conventions is the lowered cost. San Diego Comic-Con was free this year, and many other conventions lowered the price of their tickets, making them much more affordable. Lowered prices are mainly since the convention itself is less costly to run as the need to rent equipment and a venue is removed. Additionally, people do not have to consider travel costs since most people usually spend hundreds of dollars on transportation and hotel costs. Online conventions are also much more convenient to attend and more accessible to people all over the world. This leads to a more diverse, international audience that attends these events because the panels are links that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection rather than places people have to physically be at to attend.
While there are many benefits to online conventions, they also have their downsides. During Comic-Con this year, there were technical issues with the panel streams and some people found it hard to all the links for panels. Another downside to online conventions is the lack of interaction between attendees. An important part of traditional conventions is people gathering together and bonding with each other over their shared interests.
Daphne Scellen, one of my friends who has attended both online and in-person conventions, offered some comments about physically attending conventions by remarking, “I started going to conventions in 2017. Before COVID, I attended 4 to 5 conventions a year. I always really enjoy them! I started going for the guests, but now, I also go for merch and cosplay! There’s always so much to do. It’s a lot of fun. I sometimes do shoots or meet up with people from the cosplay/convention community. Conventions really are my happy place.”
When asked about the difference between online and in-person conventions, Daphne stated, “Online conventions are mostly about the guests. Organizations book celebs to do one-on-one calls or record a video message. They also do virtual panels. That’s fun, but I prefer the in-person cons. I miss the merch shopping, meeting up with people, and the activities.”
As much as people want in-person conventions to return, it seems like online conventions, for now, have become the new normal and we will have to accept the negatives and embrace the benefits.