Curious about how DP feels about restoration projects on classic games

[Tanooki]

True people passing off repros on ebay is out of hand and disgusting what they go for, no argument there.

I was tipped off last year by one of the large repro makers to a paper house online with a particular type of sticker paper they have that works to make a solid label of the later era kind for the SNES stuff which bleeds into the cheapo ones the GBC, GBA and N64 have too. If you want to seal it, the best so far would be buying clear packing tape from a spot like Office Depot and layering it over the print out before cutting it.

I wasn't kidding when I said I know a way, but I just don't want to get stuck with a minimum order of like a 100 sheets. I've got 2 games, technically 3 I'd have done up and that's it and that could all fit to one sheet given no screw ups. A key thing is when you get the paper you get a laser printer blend made for that kind, not the cheap crap for home user deskjet type paper and then take it to an office depot or like store and have them use the appropriate printer.

Now I don't know what it would cost to have a local store print it, perhaps a couple bucks? The pack of 100 sheets would be around $40. You do the math, I think you could probably do a label for $5 plus shipping?

[skaar]

There's this weird paranoia/protectionism about label scans and reproduction art out there - but I hear there are repositories of high res scans.

I wonder what interest would be in a "complete set" print run of all boxes and labels for a system for a set fee? The uncut sheets of labels would make some wicked game room wallpaper

[wiggyx]

True people passing off repros on ebay is out of hand and disgusting what they go for, no argument there.

I was tipped off last year by one of the large repro makers to a paper house online with a particular type of sticker paper they have that works to make a solid label of the later era kind for the SNES stuff which bleeds into the cheapo ones the GBC, GBA and N64 have too. If you want to seal it, the best so far would be buying clear packing tape from a spot like Office Depot and layering it over the print out before cutting it.

I wasn't kidding when I said I know a way, but I just don't want to get stuck with a minimum order of like a 100 sheets. I've got 2 games, technically 3 I'd have done up and that's it and that could all fit to one sheet given no screw ups. A key thing is when you get the paper you get a laser printer blend made for that kind, not the cheap crap for home user deskjet type paper and then take it to an office depot or like store and have them use the appropriate printer.

Now I don't know what it would cost to have a local store print it, perhaps a couple bucks? The pack of 100 sheets would be around $40. You do the math, I think you could probably do a label for $5 plus shipping?

Buy a cheap dye sublimation printer. Print cart labels. Done.

I use a sub-$100 Canon for this purpose and they look as good as, if not better than originals (much higher resolution from inkjet versus offset printing).

Laser is NOT the best option for quality, ever. It's really only good as a medium between the quality (but SLOW print rate) of inkjet, and the very high speed run rate (but with the poorest image quality) of offset printing. I.e. great for printing presentation packets and the like for a small business, not so great for high quality reproduction.



On the topic, I could scream whenever I hear this whiny crap from NA. It's my game, I'll do what I want with it. If someone mistakes my replica Mario Party 3 label for the real thing in 20 years, then too bad for them. Like in the automotive world, collectors will need to wise up and know what to look for. It's as simple as that.

[ProjectCamaro]

On the topic, I could scream whenever I hear this whiny crap from NA. It's my game, I'll do what I want with it. If someone mistakes my replica Mario Party 3 label for the real thing in 20 years, then too bad for them. Like in the automotive world, collectors will need to wise up and know what to look for. It's as simple as that.

Exactly my feelings.

[Tanooki]

Well, I don't really know what exactly you mean by "restoration" here.

What I meant basically keeping it simple. I own a game that has a label with some holes and rubbed white parts on the label, otherwise stunning shape, it's Ninja Gaiden Trilogy. What I'd like to do is ask for, and then do the work to have a like for like copy of the label done. I tried a few times over at NA to do this and the very protective types there attacked and tried to discourage me. Eventually I got in contact with a couple over PM who didn't want to get blown out and I got a lead on a label. I found it, it's a true copy down to even the right DPI (same with Lufia II of sheer luck on the same location which I also need.) Then when I've and others tried to get help on the suggestions for printing, again attacks and dissuasion aganist it (even offers for free custom made labels so I wouldn't) because it makes the game supposedly 'not real' anymore or original even though what counts (the board) is 100% solid, shell too, just a shit label. People making good copies to defraud sucks, but it's going to happen regardless just look at ebay or the need for some to use VGA.

Buy a cheap dye sublimation printer. Print cart labels. Done.

I use a sub-$100 Canon for this purpose and they look as good as, if not better than originals (much higher resolution from inkjet versus offset printing).

Laser is NOT the best option for quality, ever. It's really only good as a medium between the quality (but SLOW print rate) of inkjet, and the very high speed run rate (but with the poorest image quality) of offset printing. I.e. great for printing presentation packets and the like for a small business, not so great for high quality reproduction.

On the topic, I could scream whenever I hear this whiny crap from NA. It's my game, I'll do what I want with it. If someone mistakes my replica Mario Party 3 label for the real thing in 20 years, then too bad for them. Like in the automotive world, collectors will need to wise up and know what to look for. It's as simple as that.

On topic or not that's some solid information and I think I'll look into it. Buyatari is right it was a public question and they happen fairly often there. There's now a rule on the site that you can't help people with it including in private messages as they'll check and possibly ban you for it. I had this guy writing me about it and told them I was also signed up here if he wanted more help since I didn't want to get an admin checking my mail. I had another dude congrats me for standing up to the people who go after those wanting to do that stuff freedom of speech and all that. I'm totally with you I get so angry about it because it's like there's this asinine mentality that video games are an entirely unique collection mystique and that people shouldn't have to do their own due diligence or question asking. Instead basically video games need to be like some socialist thing where everyone has the same access to the same stuff and you make due with what you have and that you only do what people say you can do with your property and nothing else, it's like video games are community property which is crap. I tried making the car argument more times than I can remember and I get called stupid and that they're nothing at all alike, same with books and comics. But the truth is they are. When you buy a used car with a new paint job on it, do you have to take a red paint job and white ink on every painted panel saying 'reproduction' on it? Fuck no. If you sell you give receipts, papers, and the rest and tell them that, but clearly not everyone is honest, but that's the buyers problem for being stupid. It's not the job of a small minority of people online to be the video game police.

[Buyatari]

What I meant basically keeping it simple. I own a game that has a label with some holes and rubbed white parts on the label, otherwise stunning shape, it's Ninja Gaiden Trilogy. What I'd like to do is ask for, and then do the work to have a like for like copy of the label done. I tried a few times over at NA to do this and the very protective types there attacked and tried to discourage me. Eventually I got in contact with a couple over PM who didn't want to get blown out and I got a lead on a label. I found it, it's a true copy down to even the right DPI (same with Lufia II of sheer luck on the same location which I also need.) Then when I've and others tried to get help on the suggestions for printing, again attacks and dissuasion aganist it (even offers for free custom made labels so I wouldn't) because it makes the game supposedly 'not real' anymore or original even though what counts (the board) is 100% solid, shell too, just a shit label. People making good copies to defraud sucks, but it's going to happen regardless just look at ebay or the need for some to use VGA.



On topic or not that's some solid information and I think I'll look into it. Buyatari is right it was a public question and they happen fairly often there. There's now a rule on the site that you can't help people with it including in private messages as they'll check and possibly ban you for it. I had this guy writing me about it and told them I was also signed up here if he wanted more help since I didn't want to get an admin checking my mail. I had another dude congrats me for standing up to the people who go after those wanting to do that stuff freedom of speech and all that. I'm totally with you I get so angry about it because it's like there's this asinine mentality that video games are an entirely unique collection mystique and that people shouldn't have to do their own due diligence or question asking. Instead basically video games need to be like some socialist thing where everyone has the same access to the same stuff and you make due with what you have and that you only do what people say you can do with your property and nothing else, it's like video games are community property which is crap. I tried making the car argument more times than I can remember and I get called stupid and that they're nothing at all alike, same with books and comics. But the truth is they are. When you buy a used car with a new paint job on it, do you have to take a red paint job and white ink on every painted panel saying 'reproduction' on it? Fuck no. If you sell you give receipts, papers, and the rest and tell them that, but clearly not everyone is honest, but that's the buyers problem for being stupid. It's not the job of a small minority of people online to be the video game police.

Information on creating identical to retail labels only benefits a counterfeiter. A collector puts no value on a copy so it is worthless to him. People can and will do this without the help of seasoned collectors but there is no reason to help it along. Why would anyone with any ties to other collectors want to promote a practice that will hurt other collectors? Makes no sense esp for something with so little value other than ripping people off.

[skaar]

Information on creating identical to retail labels only benefits a counterfeiter. A collector puts no value on a copy so it is worthless to him. People can and will do this without the help of seasoned collectors but there is no reason to help it along. Why would anyone with any ties to other collectors want to promote a practice that will hurt other collectors? Makes no sense esp for something with so little value other than ripping people off.

That's because your mind is entrenched in the buying and selling. As a collector in his situation, I'd much rather have a nicer copy of my game on my shelf.

When there are 50 copies of Stadium Events on eBay, the only people who are going to get hurt are the people who paid more than four figures for a copy. And why should I care about them?

[Buyatari]

That's because your mind is entrenched in the buying and selling. As a collector in his situation, I'd much rather have a nicer copy of my game on my shelf.

When there are 50 copies of Stadium Events on eBay, the only people who are going to get hurt are the people who paid more than four figures for a copy. And why should I care about them?

For personal use a label that is somewhat close is every bit as good as a 100% identical label.

As for the SE line, well you aren't going to hurt people with the real product with an influx of fakes. You are going to hurt new collectors and even seasoned collectors who will end up with fakes hidden in lots etc. Sure it will happen anyway but giving people hints on how to make better fakes esp a new guy with 1 single post is asking for trouble.

The best comparison I can think of would be for a seasoned autograph collector to post tips on the best way to fake a rare signature so people can have them for their "personal collections".

[Gameguy]

Gameguy I never ever said anyone was obligated or required, anything of the sort. If you read carefully my problem was people playing the internet police and attacking over wanting to do something. The classic line of 'if you have nothing nice to say don't say it at all' fits the argument best. If you don't agree, shut up, keep it to yourself, but don't make it a point to attack and scare other people off who might or at least point you in the right direction to get the answer you need. That's entirely fair. Thankfully it appears at this site people who want to be jerks and attack someone looking for help get countered with enough supportive help to negate the self centered behaviors.

It seems the whole reason why you started this thread is because you wanted to complain about Nintendo Age and other people who disagree with you. People give their opinions either for or against it explaining why they feel that way, and anyone who is against your opinion is said to be wrong by you. You then go on again about how other collectibles are treated differently(even when they're not, as with book dust jackets), and why your view is the truth that they're the same thing when they're actually different. You want to compare other types of collectibles? Try artwork, a large part of the value is having the original frame, that's equivalent to having the original shrink wrap on game boxes. Or how about furniture? If a rare piece is refinished you again lose value, sometimes more than half of the value is lost. It's not like with cars where you expect to replace tires, brake pads, and hoses and it makes no real difference.

I'm not a fan of Nintendo Age but if they choose to block the discussion on creating illegal bootlegs or tips that can be used to create possible counterfits I don't really blame them, it's a privately owned forum so they have the right if they want to. They'd rather not take a chance on getting in trouble with anyone, it's the same reason linking ROMs isn't allowed here. You're mad with Nintendo Age because you asked to have counterfit labels made that are identical to the originals and almost everyone there told you no, because they don't want to help contribute to counterfit items floating around.

With that, what are peoples feelings on restoration stuff for old games? Do people feel you just do your own thing and it's your property? Are you the internet police who will go after someone, block, or twist their arm to clearly mark such things as fakes?

This wording clearly isn't condecending or biased at all, you really want to hear both sides of the argument with equal standing. "Do you believe in a persons' right to freedom or are you a fascist?"

First you asked for opinions on the subject as a discussion, next you claim you just wanted help to get labels made and for anyone who disagrees to shut up and keep it to themselves. Just admit that you posted this topic to vent.

As for the SE line, well you aren't going to hurt people with the real product with an influx of fakes. You are going to hurt new collectors and even seasoned collectors who will end up with fakes hidden in lots etc. Sure it will happen anyway but giving people hints on how to make better fakes esp a new guy with 1 single post is asking for trouble.

You reminded me, I actually did see an NES lot on craigslist months ago and reading the end labels of the games in the pictures, there was a Stadium Events in it. Only the label looked really shitty, like a crappy inkjet printing that started to peel up at the edges. Bootlegs are out there and with better labels they'll be harder to detect.

[Tanooki]

Skaar you got it. See I don't think of it in dollar signs, other than how much I may have to sink to get a copy out of my paypal. I'm a collector of sorts still, but a collector who is a user, I play my stuff, and I like my stuff to be nice, but I don't need to be harvesting kidney's to get games. If I can get a game that's structurally great with a somewhat tacky label and pay $40 instead of $100 I'll do it. But it doesn't mean I want it to stay ugly, so if I have a means or can find a means to make my stuff look much nicer I'd like to do that, and I'd like to share that with others in my same position.

I'm not going to say I totally don't give a shit if I'm helping a counterfeiter potentially as that would be a lie, but I think it's more harmful hurting those with a legit motive attacking and denying them info too. At the same time I don't want something that's a mismatch in my pile of games or where artistic license is made and I think it's fair to have something be just right in appearance.

Gameguy you're clearly wanting to twist stuff around, pick a fight, perhaps you are a user at NA and this thread offends you knowing what started it over there. So be it, but if you're going to be pulling out fascist and other word play on things I won't be responding to anything further from you as I didn't come here to start a NA crapping thread or pick a fight. A good reason I enjoyed starting to post here is that people are more laid back and they don't jam ideals on you. I didn't ask for counterfeit labels to be made for me. I've asked for information on where or what to look for, and I've tried to help others with knowledge I've found and am comfortable with sharing.

Going off the thread that inspired it in fair disclosure that guy did register here and I'm further assisting him. At this rate I feel I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't.