I'm still reading post, but I will write something before I loose my idea... 100 sets is the perfect number IMO. Last year, even if the H.A.T.E. tank was awesome, there was still a set available at 9:00 am. This year, even if the con was held in TO (a larger city) sets were available until 8h30 or so. Increasing the number will only create leftover and the need for Mike to manage them (like the Master Club who still manage older stock). So don't get confused between the set (limited to 100) and the SNAKE limited to 50.
As for the set itself, Mike had great ideas in the past, and I'm sure will have great ideas in the future. When I read people would prefer a 2-fig set, what I read is MOTH from de MC... I saw those selling for $20 (and even less) at the con... I'm not sure that is what we want. The sets like what we did the 2 last year were perfect. Nice box, nice story, great vehicle/fig. Mike can't filled all needs at once. So with many years in front of us, I can see many great set coming.
I think the main question is: Why those exclusive sets are made? If the answer is "to give fans the joy of collecting"... then scalpers will always be there. If the main problem become some scalpers, then the only way to eliminate them is to eliminate the sets. But I think we will be missing the target.
No matter what control you can put in place there will always be loophole. But, at the end, it means other GI Joe fans will get their sets without the need of attempding. Like myself for the US con set. I never went to an US con, but I got the 2002 Crimson set, the 2003 Lady Jaye and Falcon, the 2007 female troopers, the 2008 Bats, Low-Light and Shockblast, 2010 Gaucho, Red Shadow troopers and Flamethrowers. Did I pay more than original cost. Yes. That is life. But I avoided the plane ticket, hotel room, entry ticket, etc. after all, I saved money... to spend more at the Canadian con.
When someone is in the line, has ID with pic, pay his set, no one can tell him not to sell it. We don't know all the story behind each people.
I had a great time, spent a lot with dealer, made trades, got my set and hoping that next year I will have as much fun that I had this year.
Martin