Let's just get it out of our systems: I don't understand you "collectors".

G

GilloD

Banned
I don't get it.

You'll pay a hundred or more dollars for a factory-sealed copy of "Mega Panic!: Dojo of Luxury Dreams!" and then you...you...you...put it in a display case. Or on a shelf. But, wait.

When games sell well, some companies have those "Greatest Hits!" collections and they slap a little sticker on there and drop the price by 30 bucks. And you...you...you yell at them! Because there's a sticker on there.

It's not like people are coming over to your house to check out your Mint-In-Box copies of games 99% of the world don't even know exist. No one has ever contacted you to set up a exhibit of pre-Greatest Hits boxarts. Didn't you guy see Toy Story 2? This is worse than that! At least with an action figure you can, uh, look at it through the packing. And even if you unpacked it, well. There's only so many things you can do with Boba Fett before it's time to move on.

But video games? They're completely and literally meant to be played with. It's an INTERACTIVE medium. I remember when that company reprinted Rez and everyone FREAKED OUT because all of a sudden their copies were worth less. This isn't art collecting. It's not flower drying or herb cataloging. It's video gaming. Everyone should get a turn.

Explain this to me! It drives me nuts!
 
I think collecting is a psychological phenomenon that no one can give you a good rational reason for. It's certainly not limited to games. I'd be surprised at a gamer or enthusiast for lots of other pleasurable items that wasn't at least tempted to get into this absurd act at some point.
 
Musashi Wins! said:
I think collecting is a psychological phenomenon that no one can give you a good rational reason for. It's certainly not limited to games. I'd be surprised at a gamer or enthusiast for lots of other pleasurable items that wasn't at least tempted to get into this absurd act at some point.
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Achievements!
 
It's a personal thing...I don't personally collect but I can understand why people collect.

It just like cards, movies etc...It's a hobby.

They like to have the original box and manual...It's a work of art.
 
I try not to buy sealed older games because I know I'll never be able to bring myself to open them. I got a sealed Tengai Makyou Ziria SCD that I bought with every intention of playing, but I just couldn't open it.
 
Musashi Wins! said:
I think collecting is a psychological phenomenon that no one can give you a good rational reason for. It's certainly not limited to games. I'd be surprised at a gamer or enthusiast for lots of other pleasurable items that wasn't at least tempted to get into this absurd act at some point.
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I think of it as a psychological disorder. I was never tempted to be a video game collector. I always sell off old systems and games to get new ones.
 
Everybody needs a hobby.
I do agree that some people take it too seriously, lets face it, those mint copies of Valkyrie Profile and FF:Tactics are never going to be worth enough to consider them investments, but so long as the collector has played the game at some point hen there is nothing wrong with wanting to simply own a virgin copy.
 
I collect the RE games, but it's only because they're so inexpensive on Ebay. I wouldn't ever dream of having a sealed collection of the whole series because that honestly just saps the fun out of it (i.e. being able to play them). Technically they make for decent investments since at the very least I can sell them for a little more than I bought them, but that's not really why I collect them either.
 
Musashi Wins! said:
I think collecting is a psychological phenomenon that no one can give you a good rational reason for. It's certainly not limited to games. I'd be surprised at a gamer or enthusiast for lots of other pleasurable items that wasn't at least tempted to get into this absurd act at some point.
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This man hit the nail on the head before I was even capable of responding to you.

Essentially, it's something I've done for a long time and plan to continue doing for a while. It's not FOCUSED on sealed games as you seem to imply, but rather the amassing of games that bring me pleasure in order to have them disposable at my will (that's to say if I want to play them). I do like sealed copies occasionally, but mostly only if I like the game a lot. I don't pick up and keep a game sealed just to have it sealed, though it ends up that way a lot (I mean, I have more than I can play at any given time, so it takes time to get around to them - naturally, some are sealed, though not with the intention of collecting). A game like Xenogears, Phoenix Wright, or Super Mario Bros - anything that makes my heart warm with remembrance I don't mind to have sealed, though it's not neccessary and I don't go VERY far out of my way to make sure it happens.

Further, it goes beyond games. Stands, toys, art, posters, and all sorts of weird things they make in Japan. I love it all. If I was looking for someone to blame for this, I suppose it would be my aunt for having Super Mario Bros and an NES the day I came over to visit. I've been downhill since then. ;-)

On a secondary note, GH games are more than just a "sticker". If it was a "sticker", I'd take it off and be just as happy. On the contrary, GH adds a permanent change to the liner color (this is often an ugly/offensive color that doesn't mesh well with the cover art. see: bright green, bright red, platinum, bright yellow . . . . . .). Often times it axes a little bit of the cover art as well.

The best solution to this is to not bitch about it and buy the original print of the game that has -also- dropped in price to 20/30 dollars. It's what I do.
 
700 dollars for a PS3 and one game is too much!

Yet lets have over a thousand dollars of unopened games sit on our shelves!
 
Fair enough. I used to maintain my own library as a kid, but at some point I became completely disillusioned with posterity of any kind. It's part of my deeper need for validation and inability to engage anything other than people for any extended period of time and remain happy.

Translation!: We're all ****ed.
 
By paying attention to what I buy (made easy by my job @ Game Crazy where it is easy to buy/sell rarities we get for maximum ebay damage) I've been able to buy virtually any game I've wanted to for the past two years and have profited from gaming.
 
i always used to sell my stuff. I had an original NES with 60 games, and i sold them all for 2 crappy N64 games. Incredibly stupid in hindsight, but at the same time they were just taking up space.

But now that consoles are essentially computers, the hardware itself will continue to be useful for a long time. I'll never sell my Xbox1.
 
Why do people collect anything? It's a hobby. In some cases it may be an expensive one, but even from my totally average 100+ collection, I know I appreciate being able to go and look at the games I played 10 years ago sitting alongside the ones I bought 10 days ago.

I sold an N64 with about 15 games for £90. It was the worst decision of my life. Now I have another N64, but nowhere near all the games I loved. And although I can go and rebuy them...I dunno. It's not the same.
 
Slowly but surely I'm trying to sell off my huge collection of games. Afterwards I'm going to start taking apart my DVD collection(I own a DVD rack and I swore that if I ever owned more DVDs than I could fit on said rack I'd have to start selling...oops)

Along with my rarities I should have enough to cover every title I want for the rest of the year if not a bit into 2007. Course maybe I should be paying off my credit card debt...oops.
 
Im a collector, but all i got is games from the Dreamcast foward!
Now im almost at 200 games and counting! Games are my hobby, and a thing ill be having till i leave this earth!
Here`s my collection at IGN CLUB!
 
i buy things i know will end up being rare (atlus!) because i know i will want to play them. maybe not right now, but eventually i'll get around to playing them.

there are maybe a few sealed games lying around my apartment, i can assure you this is because i havent gotten around to opening them yet.
 
Kureishima said:
On a secondary note, GH games are more than just a "sticker". If it was a "sticker", I'd take it off and be just as happy. On the contrary, GH adds a permanent change to the liner color (this is often an ugly/offensive color that doesn't mesh well with the cover art. see: bright green, bright red, platinum, bright yellow . . . . . .). Often times it axes a little bit of the cover art as well.
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But, the point is that it's the 'GAME' that is inside that's what's supposed to matter. Sure, if I have the choice of a regular or GH, I'll get the regular. But, I won't get terribly upset if the only copy of a game I want to play is a GH. The cover art doesn't change the game inside You yourself said your reason for collecting is:

the amassing of games that bring me pleasure in order to have them disposable at my will
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Which I totally agree with. A good reason to collect games is to be able to revisit memorable games in the future. Many times have my friends an I spoken of NES gams we remember and wanted to play it again. Thanks to emulation and classic collections (thank you, Mega Man Anniversary Collection!), I sometimes can, but especially when you get to TurboDuo/SegaCD/Saturn/PSX.. it gets harder to be able to replay if you don't have it.

I try save the games I think I'll want to play/revisit in the future. That is a tricky task. God of War seems amazing right now. In 5-10 years, will I really consider it a classic that I want to revisit? Do I sell it or keep it based on that? Shadow of the Collosus is a pretty easy one to pick for keeping. Ghost Recon games are pretty easy ones to pick for selling after I'm done. So, my "collection" is fairly small, but I try make it count.
 
I consider myself a collector, but I guess I'm not hardcore enough to care about sealed boxes or mega rarities. My collection of SNES games is only about 30 games, but I consider it finished since it comprises essentially all of the games that are good for the system. I don't really understand people that have to get EVERYTHING regardless of whether it's good or not.

I enjoy collecting because it's fun to find neato games for old systems that you may not have ever played before
 
Attack You said:
I just blew a fuse in my brain trying to comprehend how or why someone can't understand it when a person "collects" things. :(
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Same here. For me, I collect games, but I always play my games at LEAST once. I keep my games in PERFECT condition, and I don't sell off any game I enjoyed playing.

What does it even matter if we collect? We enjoy it, and we're not affecting you. How about shutting up about it already?
 
I don't understand the "red stripe of shame" people, but for collectors....it's obvious why they want the original.
 
I don't like selling games/consoles. It's no fun getting an urge to play an old game and remembering that you haven’t got it. But I'm not consciously collecting, I just buy stuff that might be fun playing and if they suck I sell.
 
atomsk said:
i buy things i know will end up being rare (atlus!) because i know i will want to play them. maybe not right now, but eventually i'll get around to playing them.
Click to expand...

I've got DDS1, DDS2 and SMT:N, still unplayed, because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find them later. I've been stockpiling other RPG's as well because I'm not sure if Xbox 360 or Wii will deliver in that area.

I will admit it's pretty stupid and I hope that come next-gen I stop doing it all together.
 
Klotera said:
But, the point is that it's the 'GAME' that is inside that's what's supposed to matter. Sure, if I have the choice of a regular or GH, I'll get the regular. But, I won't get terribly upset if the only copy of a game I want to play is a GH. The cover art doesn't change the game inside You yourself said your reason for collecting is:
Click to expand...

It's just a matter of desire. It doesn't really matter, as the original print is USUALLY very easy to get. And like I said, I just snipe it right as it turns GH, so no problem. So you don't usually hear me personally complaining about it. Though I don't accept GH in trades unless I really am just out for a play copy, but even then I prefer it non-GH and in mint shape.. It's just how I am.

Which I totally agree with. A good reason to collect games is to be able to revisit memorable games in the future. Many times have my friends an I spoken of NES gams we remember and wanted to play it again. Thanks to emulation and classic collections (thank you, Mega Man Anniversary Collection!), I sometimes can, but especially when you get to TurboDuo/SegaCD/Saturn/PSX.. it gets harder to be able to replay if you don't have it.

I try save the games I think I'll want to play/revisit in the future. That is a tricky task. God of War seems amazing right now. In 5-10 years, will I really consider it a classic that I want to revisit? Do I sell it or keep it based on that? Shadow of the Collosus is a pretty easy one to pick for keeping. Ghost Recon games are pretty easy ones to pick for selling after I'm done. So, my "collection" is fairly small, but I try make it count.
Click to expand...

Well, this is what got me started. I feel a desire often to play Mario Bros. and Mario 3, just like when I was a kid. So I wanted them around, and it just blew up from there. TMNT II, TMNT IV, Sonic 2/3, Saturn, 64, PSX, DC, SNES, Genesis, NES, SMS, GB BOOM.

You know? Like Big Bang, can't stop effect as cause has already occured. I don't really like emulation. I prefer playing on my TV with the console-specific controller. I don't really even like playing Ocarina on GCN controller - it's just not the same feel, but it's the only way I can play Master Quest. I associate certain games in my mind with certain controllers. Golden Eye could never be without the 64 controller, though I'd make that sacrifice if it meant online play... (HINT NINTENDO)
 
Y2Kevbug11 said:
I don't understand the "red stripe of shame" people
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It wouldn't be so bad if the "Platinum Series" or "Greatest Hits" or whatever actually WAS a sticker, because then you could remove it, but companies seem to feel the need to deface the original box art with ugly red or silver stripes for their budget versions. It just makes it look ugly. I suppose people could just find scans of the original boxart and print out a new insert or something, but it's not really the same. Plus as you pointed out, original versions have greater value, not just to collectors but on eBay and suchlike as well.
 
teruterubozu said:
I've seen someone sell his entire NES collection just so he can start all over again and re-live the thrill.
Now that's a sickness.
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You'd be surprised. The ebay game is perhaps the most entertaining game of all. Getting all of the games in the best condition possible at the cheapest prices can be extremely addictive.

At least that's how I remember it from my Saturn/Genesis/PS2/Xbox game hording days.
 
dont worry guys , soon this gaming materialism will soon be over~!

digital distribution will be the future like Valve says, games will soon be dled into your system lol
 
GilloD said:
This isn't art collecting.
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So you decide what's art and what's not now? That's a relief. Silly me, I'd always thought that to be quite subjective! Thanks for clearing that right up.

GilloD said:
Everyone should get a turn.
Click to expand...
Oh, I see. You're pissed that some game you want to play is expensive now, huh?
 
momolicious said:
dont worry guys , soon this gaming materialism will soon be over~!

digital distribution will be the future like Valve says, games will soon be dled into your system lol
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To hell with digital distribution. Down with Valve and their Steam bullshit. :-(
 
I just want to be able to play any game that I can afford to buy. Sometimes rare games go up in price after their print run. Thus I probably will not play that game until the next print. No matter what anyone says to me, I will always feel a game is not worth more than it's suggested price by the company that produces the game. I will never go by the price of a collector, only the price set by the game company.
 
Keeping sealed copies in a collection is mind buggling for me aswell, anytime i see it i cant help but think of

40_year_old_virgin_(2005).jpg



"Dont mess with the package! its what gives it value!" :lol
 
I can't even think of what friends would think about me if I had games in frames hanging on the wall, it would probably kill anything that's left from my social life.
 
Lortnoc Egamad said:
I can't even think of what friends would think about me if I had games in frames hanging on the wall, it would probably kill anything that's left from my social life.
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Your friends sound like ****ing idiots. Get new ones.
 
I just collect games to have a library of games. I don't keep them sealed or anything. I don't care if they have the greatest hit seal or anything. The only anal thing for me is that I must buy a game new or if it’s used it must have the manual, no stickers on it, and must look in good condition. People collect movies to have a library of movies. The same applies to me. I don't collect them for the intention of ever selling my games. I collect them for personal satisfaction.
 
Lortnoc Egamad said:
Seriously?

I'm kinda connected to them, it would be hard to just say goodbye :( .
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If your friends change their opinion of you based on ****ing framed games, then you need new ones. What, is it ****ing high school all over again?
 
While I don't do it myself, I can understand why someone would want to and enjoys doing it. What the big deal?
 
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