VGCollect Forum
General and Gaming => General => Topic started by: bikingjahuty on January 13, 2020, 11:31:37 am
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For the record, I mean no disrespect or criticism in asking this; I'm simply curious what the appeal of collecting is for people who almost never play the games they collect or flat out never play video games.
I thought of this topic after chatting with a guy I know who has a pretty large collection (over 3000 games at least). He admittedly almost never plays anything in his collection even when he has the free time to do so. However, throw a good enough deal at him and he will change all his plans to make sure he gets the deal. In other words his primary motive in collecting is to collect, and little more. He openly admits that the vast majority of video games bore him, and probably only beats 4 or 5 games a year, if even that.
Before we parted ways I wished I had asked why he collects. I guess I'll ask him next time I see him. But it made me think of this topic as I'm sure we have a few people on here who are similar to this guy. Why do you collect if you have no time or interest in actually playing the video games you collect?
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It's a hobby. There are people who collect sealed stuff, they obviously have something in mind other than playing.
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It's a hobby. There are people who collect sealed stuff, they obviously have something in mind other than playing.
I get the ownership aspect, that's why I collect and don't just emulate everything. But given video games are primarily a form of interactive entertainment it just seems weird that they'd appeal to anyone who didn't actually want to play them.
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Now that I'm feeling better I am playing video games more often, this question is probably best aimed at someone who is like @theflea who (from his or her status) says owns countless 10's of 1000's of video games, and barely talks about playing the video games he or she owns, (or I am not looking in the correct places). Sorry bring this up but how could someone with that many video games be actually getting through any of the ones they own?
I buy video games only that I intend to play, but I as well do and collect other media such as music.
I collect retro because I know if I don't someone else will take everything for themselves. and I do play my video games, but like everyone else you can only play one video game at a time,
I have a heart for the person who has less than me, therefore I don't buy something just to claim it's mine or to get rich off something, or to brag.
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I do have plans to play almost all of my games...eventually. I just might not be able to do it until after the heat death of the universe.
One thing that I do feel really factors into my collecting is the idea of trying to make up for lost time or missed chances when I was younger. As a kid, you couldn't get new things very fast; you were limited to holidays/birthdays, saving up allowance, and on occasion, the rare treat. So, the entire smorgasbord of toys and games wasn't available to you, it just came on a drip feed. And now that I'm an adult, the only thing stopping me from spending my money on this stuff is effectively me, and it shows. Now that I'm able to complete collections, I want to make it a reality instead of a pipe dream. At times, it does feel like I'm trying to impress 10-year old me, but that's alright, as it's still all stuff I actually enjoy.
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I like games. I wanna play em, but I also have fun in collecting stuff that I like. Games are one of those lesser common things where it's something you can collect, but they're also practical in that you can use them for another purpose too, in this case entertainment. I'm sure most people look at as something intended to be used first and foremost and collected secondarily, for others the reverse is more fun. They like the collecting somewhat more than the playing, or the collecting is more realistic to fit into their daily schedule while they are out, than sitting down and playing at home.
I like both, but admittedly I sometimes subscribe to the notion of collecting to play later due to volume. I have every intention to pop every game into the machines and try them all. If I don't like it, I'll shelve it or maybe even sell off eventually, if I do then of course it stays. I feel like the collecting side is more of a finite thing, it's something you can finish with dedication, while playing is something you could literally spend your entire life doing because there are so many hours of sheer game-play waiting.
I think whatever makes you happiest, is fine. Some people collect tons of comics and probably never look at them, even though they're meant to be read. I've always found fun in collecting things which are not meant to be collected. Things that are made for collections bore me, so I gravitate towards things that aren't supposed to be shelf-trinkets. In this case, I like both aspects. I like collecting, and I also like games. Why not collect games then?
I can tell you without a doubt I’m certainly not the most hardcore gamer among us here. A lot of you are way more enthusiastic about modern day gaming than I am, and I commend you for that. I don’t know that I could sit down and just power through hours and hours of backlog at this point in my life. Nor do I feel the compelled to pick up new games on day one and sit down to complete them in one run. That’s just not where I’m at in this stage of my life. My gaming is much more casual. Pop something in at random, play for a bit and then set it aside with no intention to beat it. Honestly not very many games hook me to the point that I can’t put it down. The right game can however. For example, Planet Coaster I could probably play and forget to eat or drink it’s so engrossing for me. By the same token, I don't actually want to become one of those people who just spends countless hours gaming while so many other aspects of life take a back seat. I certainly have the games for it, but that's not me.
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I do have plans to play almost all of my games...eventually. I just might not be able to do it until after the heat death of the universe.
One thing that I do feel really factors into my collecting is the idea of trying to make up for lost time or missed chances when I was younger. As a kid, you couldn't get new things very fast; you were limited to holidays/birthdays, saving up allowance, and on occasion, the rare treat. So, the entire smorgasbord of toys and games wasn't available to you, it just came on a drip feed. And now that I'm an adult, the only thing stopping me from spending my money on this stuff is effectively me, and it shows. Now that I'm able to complete collections, I want to make it a reality instead of a pipe dream. At times, it does feel like I'm trying to impress 10-year old me, but that's alright, as it's still all stuff I actually enjoy.
I'm with you on this. However I kinda burned out on videogames and I feel like I have to set a timer on to actually get a good session in. I kinda enjoy the other aspects of life more. like working, learning Japanese (which ties into playing video games). recently mostly collecting right now in hopes I get interested again. It's not a waste of money if you keep the games and what not in good condition since you can thin out or completely sell collections. It's the same with me, I work now and at times can buy in bulk! I missed the N64 era since I was born in 1996, so I collect that and want more Super Nintendo goods.
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I do have plans to play almost all of my games...eventually. I just might not be able to do it until after the heat death of the universe.
One thing that I do feel really factors into my collecting is the idea of trying to make up for lost time or missed chances when I was younger. As a kid, you couldn't get new things very fast; you were limited to holidays/birthdays, saving up allowance, and on occasion, the rare treat. So, the entire smorgasbord of toys and games wasn't available to you, it just came on a drip feed. And now that I'm an adult, the only thing stopping me from spending my money on this stuff is effectively me, and it shows. Now that I'm able to complete collections, I want to make it a reality instead of a pipe dream. At times, it does feel like I'm trying to impress 10-year old me, but that's alright, as it's still all stuff I actually enjoy.
I some times feel like I'm too old to play video games on hours. I'm 23. Have you ever felt the same. It was definitely like this in the 80's and 90's I heard.
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I do have plans to play almost all of my games...eventually. I just might not be able to do it until after the heat death of the universe.
One thing that I do feel really factors into my collecting is the idea of trying to make up for lost time or missed chances when I was younger. As a kid, you couldn't get new things very fast; you were limited to holidays/birthdays, saving up allowance, and on occasion, the rare treat. So, the entire smorgasbord of toys and games wasn't available to you, it just came on a drip feed. And now that I'm an adult, the only thing stopping me from spending my money on this stuff is effectively me, and it shows. Now that I'm able to complete collections, I want to make it a reality instead of a pipe dream. At times, it does feel like I'm trying to impress 10-year old me, but that's alright, as it's still all stuff I actually enjoy.
I some times feel like I'm too old to play video games on hours. I'm 23. Have you ever felt the same. It was definitely like this in the 80's and 90's I heard.
I can relate to this. It's not that I think I'm too old, it's just that my levels of enthusiasm for video games changed a lot once I matured. I miss those days of my youth when I would literally tremble with excitement for a new video game. It's just nothing like that now, for me. Even if a game sounds cool, it doesn't have the ability to grip me like that anymore. I feel like I've seen everything at this point, and a lot of modern games end up frustrating and overwhelming me a bit too often. I prefer tried and true formulas. That's how I know I'm getting old.
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I some times feel like I'm too old to play video games on hours. I'm 23. Have you ever felt the same. It was definitely like this in the 80's and 90's I heard.
At 33, I don't really feel that. My main obstacle is just a lack of more free time. After subtracting all my hours from my full time job, sleep, and household obligations/errands, I don't have much left to spread across my hobbies. And as I can't enjoy games when played in short bursts, I don't really use the sporadic bursts of free time for them.
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This describes me perfectly. I collect games yet rarely play them, certainly not for extended periods of time. I don't have a massive collection of games, but more than enough to make moving house problematic. I think its the thrill of the hunt. Trying to get a particular game at the cheapest possible price gives me a real buzz. Plus I do really like the majority of the artwork. They look good on a shelf and I enjoy looking through them. I used to tell myself I was collecting for my future self to play when I had more time. But now future self is current self I still feel the same.
I also like trying to find the best way to play certain games, so Sega Saturn PS2 controllers were a must for the Sega 2500 series of games. 6 Button fightpads across all platforms or SNES style for Street Fighter 2. HDMI converters for retro consoles and mClassics also fall into this category. I think my hardware must easily rival my software. But once I have achieved it I am on looking for the next improvement without really using any of the items to their fullest. Again its the research and then the thrill of the hunt that drives me.
However I have just had a major loss in my life, my partner died suddenly and sorting through all of her things has made me realise that someone will need to do this with my VG collection. And it would be hard enough for me to sort out let alone someone that doesn't understand where the value is or even what they are looking at. So maybe now is a good time to start slimming it down. Who knows?
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What about people who collect sealed lego boxes
ton of people who buy lego's withouth ever building it.
Whats the point of buying that now that's just insane imo.
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I care about the little guy who is just starting to collect
It's painful when some gets to have something you really want, and don't have anything already, When everything goes digital.
I say once again that I can see the video game industry hammering down justice on ROM's because more people will go that route instead of collecting because buying video game would be pointless, and because of the greed of the modern video game industry? their might not be physical copies for the poor to afford, physical copies might go out of site in price, good for people who already have a ton of games, and horrible bad for those new collectors and those who missed the boat. and just want to play and own something
the only thing I can see the all digital going right is IF there is only a small service fee each month for the service and all the games would be free to play, instead of paying $30-$60 on only part of a game, plus the money on to keep on buying the latest console or hardware.
I have one thing to say about people who are just in collecting for the profit, Do onto others as you would do to yourself, because lets say you don't like video games and have 10's or 1000's just to waiting to turn a profit, I believe someday and someway that person will be on the other side of things, and have vary bad luck. Luck is not of the side of the greedy
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I care about the little guy who is just starting to collect
It's painful when some gets to have something you really want, and don't have anything already, When everything goes digital.
I say once again that I can see the video game industry hammering down justice on ROM's because more people will go that route instead of collecting because buying video game would be pointless, and because of the greed of the modern video game industry? their might not be physical copies for the poor to afford, physical copies might go out of site in price, good for people who already have a ton of games, and horrible bad for those new collectors and those who missed the boat. and just want to play and own something
the only thing I can see the all digital going right is IF there is only a small service fee each month for the service and all the games would be free to play, instead of paying $30-$60 on only part of a game, plus the money on to keep on buying the latest console or hardware.
I have one thing to say about people who are just in collecting for the profit, Do onto others as you would do to yourself, because lets say you don't like video games and have 10's or 1000's just to wait to turn a profit, I believe someday and someway that person will be on the other side of things, and have vary bad luck. Luck is not of the side of the greedy
dude if money is that big of a deal. get a controller of choice and use emulation on pc. gameplay wise there is not an issue at all. your not forced to collect physical.
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I care about the little guy who is just starting to collect
It's painful when some gets to have something you really want, and don't have anything already, When everything goes digital.
I say once again that I can see the video game industry hammering down justice on ROM's because more people will go that route instead of collecting because buying video game would be pointless, and because of the greed of the modern video game industry? their might not be physical copies for the poor to afford, physical copies might go out of site in price, good for people who already have a ton of games, and horrible bad for those new collectors and those who missed the boat. and just want to play and own something
the only thing I can see the all digital going right is IF there is only a small service fee each month for the service and all the games would be free to play, instead of paying $30-$60 on only part of a game, plus the money on to keep on buying the latest console or hardware.
I have one thing to say about people who are just in collecting for the profit, Do onto others as you would do to yourself, because lets say you don't like video games and have 10's or 1000's just to wait to turn a profit, I believe someday and someway that person will be on the other side of things, and have vary bad luck. Luck is not of the side of the greedy
dude if money is that big of a deal. get a controller of choice and use emulation on pc. gameplay wise there is not an issue at all. your not forced to collect physical.
I know someday they will drop the hammer on ROM's considering the gaming industry instead of making 6 billion that could make even more by attacking ROM distributor and ROM holders , already people are getting arrested or fines by companies such as Nintendo for having ROM's. Even though it is not vary often it will happen, people are savages these days,
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Because I deserve to have Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, PaRappa the Rapper 2, Silent Hill 3 and Sly Raccoon on my shelf.
And I don’t care if you’d play them more or like them more in your collection
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Because I deserve to have Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, PaRappa the Rapper 2, Silent Hill 3 and Sly Raccoon on my shelf.
And I don’t care if you’d play them more or like them more in your collection
and I'm happy for you :), but those games don't interest me and I don't have nothing to play them on anyway, and you deserve them indeed ;)
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Well, I see myself as more of a collector than a gamer, so maybe I am qualified to answer to this question.
In my case, games have alway been something I was interested in. In the 90's, I used to have a lot of fun just by looking at those old gaming magazines and reading about games and consoles that I would never have the money to buy.
Now, as an adult, even though I have almost no time (or even interest) to play video games anymore, I finally have the opportunity to own some of those things that seemed to be unreachable over two decades ago...
Everytime I buy a Neo Geo, Saturn or Dreamcast game, for example, I feel like I am back to a childhood that, in fact, was never mine...
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I imagine people who collect, but not play, do so for the reasons people collect other unused/nonuseable things- the thrill of the hunt. Tracking down certain titles can be quite difficult. Having them can be a bragging point to other collectors- be it a Little Samson cart or a Princess Diana Beanie Baby.
Collecting for profit is quite foolish- much like those Beanie Babies, the prices are tied to public interest. If that interest ever fails, you lose all your value. The useage of games vs. other collectibles makes it a little safer- people buy to play, and that usually doesn't just go away, so drops in price are slower. But, for the really big-ticket items, it's still dangerous. If the market bubble bursts, no one is going to care about your minty CIB Stadium Events when a cheap World Class Track Meet lets them play the same game.
I know someday they will drop the hammer on ROM's considering the gaming industry instead of making 6 billion that could make even more by attacking ROM distributor and ROM holders , already people are getting arrested or fines by companies such as Nintendo for having ROM's. Even though it is not vary often it will happen, people are savages these days,
Nah. Even if companies wanted to do that, the average person is not likely to get arrested for having ROMs.
1- We already have historical evidence from the Napster days that it makes for very bad press.
2- Since the majority of older games that are available via ROM aren't available in other ways, proving financial damage is difficult.
3- by limiting access, interest wanes, which makes re-releases of old content less likely to sell. Companies know this.
Going after ROM distributors is easy enough- "We own this, you don't, stop giving it to people". But actually targeting ROM users? That's a legal rat's nest- and it's not worth the company's time or the lowered opinions of your paying audience.
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I love to collect and I like to be able to view the artwork on my games. that's the biggest thing for me besides playing them of course. I usualy go threw spurts sometime I don't play much and collect more.Last year I found myself playing much more and Im having a blast playing again and I hope this continues.
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The artwork.
Lost the will/interest to play them, but happen to be so entwined with the hobby that they're on autopilot.
The thrill of the hunt.
Just for the sake of having something to do.
It has become an addiction.
Financial gain.
Expendable income.
Asperger's.
Hoarding.
Coping mechanism.
No responsibilities other than having a roof over their head, food to eat, and paying the bills. In other words, not married with children.
Choose your poison, there's plenty of reasons.
On a related note, I do find it funny how Sigmund Freud posited that collecting comes from an "unresolved toilet training conflict". Quite possibly one of the many ideas/theories this guy had that pretty much helps further the notion he was full of shit. Pun intended.
However I have just had a major loss in my life, my partner died suddenly and sorting through all of her things has made me realise that someone will need to do this with my VG collection. And it would be hard enough for me to sort out let alone someone that doesn't understand where the value is or even what they are looking at. So maybe now is a good time to start slimming it down. Who knows?
My condolences.
I think a will with precise instructions could help in such a situation. I know someone who collects cars that has one where he has listed all the cars he owns and what to do with them in the event of his death; as far as I was told, the will is very thorough.
What about people who collect sealed lego boxes
ton of people who buy lego's withouth ever building it.
Whats the point of buying that now that's just insane imo.
The same argument can be used with those who collect sealed games, especially with those who have them graded.
To each their own, as they say.
I have one thing to say about people who are just in collecting for the profit, Do onto others as you would do to yourself, because lets say you don't like video games and have 10's or 1000's just to waiting to turn a profit, I believe someday and someway that person will be on the other side of things, and have vary bad luck. Luck is not of the side of the greedy
Well, good thing I don't believe in luck.
Joke aside, I don't think people that collect for the sake of turning a profit truly care about that. Often times they do it as a way of staying afloat or fund the hobby, and while it may be infuriating to some, there's nothing wrong with that. Sure, an argument can be made against scalpers, like you basically did, but hey, that's the ugly side of capitalism. While scalpers are a problem, I think consumers should know better, perhaps inform themselves and be on top of what they're looking for, and if they miss whatever they're looking for, then so be it. Just because you missed it the first time doesn't mean you will never find it again—good things come to those who are patient. And I know I belabor that point quite a lot around here, but I do it because it's true.
I know someday they will drop the hammer on ROM's considering the gaming industry instead of making 6 billion that could make even more by attacking ROM distributor and ROM holders , already people are getting arrested or fines by companies such as Nintendo for having ROM's. Even though it is not vary often it will happen, people are savages these days,
You exaggerate quite some whenever you bring up ROMs and such. Sure, it's illegal, and we can be here all day arguing that as well as the gray areas therein, but this isn't Napster, as bad of an example as that may be. Are websites having their curtains closed? Yes. But nobody is going to jail or prison over this. The websites that have been fined, as far as I know, were because their owners were making money off of them by running ads. Many other ROM-hosting websites have decided to close their doors for the sake of avoiding this from happening. Nintendo, for example, isn't going to go on a crusade to make every user that has downloaded their games pay for doing so. They did what they did at a time where they were in the process of readying their online services where they would have NES and SNES games, so in essence they were protecting their product to ensure people would invest in it. Was it a dick move? Sure. But they were well within their legal right to do so. This scenario is very true for when Metroid: Samus Returns for the 3DS was nearing its release where Nintendo went after AMR2, a fan-made remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus. It was truly unfortunate seeing AMR2 is a superb game that took a decade to make, but I guess those are the risks. C'est la vie.
As hoshichiri said, in the event a company wants a ROM website gone, all they have to do is send a cease and desist notice and it's done.