Twitter lit up yesterday as Comic-Con posted their updated badge policy in preparation for this year’s pre-registration. As with year’s past, the registration process has evolved a bit. Here are the highlights to help you plan effectively:

To qualify for this Pre-registration sale, you must have bought a 2013 badge with your Member ID. This excludes professionals, guests of professionals, exhibitors, exhibitor purchased attendee badges, volunteers, staff, and press (opens later).

You MUST have your physical badge from 2013

Prices have increased by a few dollars each (graphic below)

No “4-Day” badge option will be available

Single Day badges will be the only option

Preview Night can be purchased ($35) IF you have purchased the other 4 days

Besides yourself, you can purchase for up to two other guests (total of 3). All must have Member ID and must be eligible for this Pre-registration

Those eligible for the Pre-registration sale, will be notified via e-mail at least 48 hours in advance.

The nerd rage continues. As with many changes over the past few years, there has been a lot of online negativity. Many fans have been clamoring about over-complexity, limited options, and hiked up prices. Some saying “new year, same old problems”, leading us to ask- why is Comic-Con trying to screw us?

My thoughts on this- we need to get over ourselves. Comic-Con is not trying to screw us, in fact, I believe they are working hard to make this process as best as possible. The constant comparison of how it ‘used to be’ does not help our current situation and only adds fuel to the fire of a stressful situation. I get that it’s really, really hard to make plans- especially if you are international and it pains me to read all the angst filled tweets. This is why I think we need to chill out:

Prices are always going to rise. That is a universal fact. The cost of the convention center, personnel, security, contractors, labor, licenses, fee, technology, etc.. all rise each year so naturally the badge prices will rise. Their day prices are still comparable to other cons and you still get the best show on Earth.

While I love owning a “4-day” badge, I thought it was about time for that to go away anyways. MANY 4-Day badges don’t get used to their fullest potential, only being used for 2-3 days. Purchasing will take the same amount of time and I’m sure the badges will be combined onsite so you don’t have to cue up every morning.

Preview Night at $35 may seem high, but I do think it needs to return to an exclusive opportunity for collectors and hardcore enthusiast. The past few years, it has been as crowded as a Friday and it has hurt the experience. While attending PN is a nice bonus, it’s really not necessary for the casual fan so the increased price should help weed out the impatient gawkers.

The chance to purchase for only three Members is not very much, but we all have to accept a reasonable number to keep it fair as possible. By allowing for 4-6 people to purchase significantly lowers how many different people would be able to experience Comic-Con.

The negative talk I keep hearing reminds me of the post-recession talk in 2009ish. Things will never return to ‘normal’. This IS the new normal. I know us nerds and geeks sometimes have a hard time letting go of the past, but we have to realize that San Diego Comic-Con has become one of the most premier events that the world has to offer. All this stress and effort isn’t for everyone- and fortunately there are plenty of other cons to experience if this is too exhausting for you. I remember walking up on Saturday and purchasing a ticket onsite back in 2006. Those were fond memories that I have let go of in leu of a new reality. For me, the badge/hotel gauntlet is a part of the whole journey to Comic-Con, making this a for the ‘con elite’. Life is about choices and as hard as it is, I choose to stay positive and hopeful. I believe that SDCC is making the hardest decisions possible for the benefit of the masses. As Spock and Kirk exchanged at the end of Star Trek II, “The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few…” So let’s not turn this into the ‘Wrath of Con’ and instead focus our energies on helping each other navigate this new system. Ok, I’ll get off my proverbial soap box. Read their entire policy on the CCI website.

I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts. If you feel there is a better way or process that still benefits the masses, i’d love to know. Comment below!