Collectors/Retrogamers: Is there a difference? And what makes someone a collector?

[MF_Luder]

"Collector" and "Retrogamer". Is there a difference? I'm interested to hear how people feel about this. I use the term interchangeably when describing myself because I feel like they're pretty much the exact same thing. However, I have heard some people refer to themselves as strictly one or the other (though perhaps this is just personal preference on the terminology) and the slogan on the Digital Press homepage is "Video Game Collectors and 'Retrogamers' UNITE!", which implies that they are two separate things (though perhaps I'm reading too much into it).

So if there is a difference, what is it? I guess maybe it's possible to be a retrogamer without being a collector. Perhaps you play mostly emulators, or you only play those same NES and SNES games you've had lying around since you were a kid (rather than "collecting" new ones to play). However, I'd think this is rare. Most people who are still playing older gamers are probably still "collecting" new games to play, even if it's on a very small level. So to fall under the definition of collector, do you think that a certain volume of "collecting" is necessary or collecting only games at a high level of condition? For example, I'd prefer a CIB SNES game, but I almost always buy the loose ones to save money... because my focus is on playing the game, not looking at it (now whether I ACTUALLY ever play it is a whole other story... I dozens of games I've stupidly bought and haven't even tested yet). I have 25+ different systems... I try to get boxes and manuals for all games and systems, but usually settle for loose items rather than getting into bidding wars with people who are obviously far wealthier than myself (CD games are different though-- I always go after complete copies with these in most cases). To me this is still "collecting"... but do others have a more strict definition of collector, in that the games being collected need to be CIB in excellent "collectible" condition? I know this is very subjective topic with no right or wrong answer, but I'd be interested to hear what other people personally feel is the distinction between the two.



EDIT (7/22/06): As a side note for those who will reply to this question without reading through the whole thread, I wanted to point out that the question has developed further to something much more fitting and debatable for the board: What makes a collector? I was wondering what you feel pushes someone past just the "gamer" label and into the "collector" distinction? Is going to your local flea market every weekend and picking up a couple SNES and Genesis enough to make you a collector for those systems? Or do you need to take the hobby further than that casual purchasing of older titles? While gamer/collect may be a more black and white distinction, this is much more of a grey area, because some people have a very loose definition of collector and some have a very strict definition of what one must do to be considered a video game collector.

[Trebuken]

I'm a full-time collector, part-time retrogamer.

I think actually creating the collection and finding games that I only read about in magazines years ago and could not afford is as fullfilling as playing through an average game. I say average because the experience you get from the best of games is an experience collecting cannot give you.

Lots of people collect games in perfect condition. Some even collect games still in shrinkwrap. If you do this you need to have money, patience, or a whole lot of luck.

I like you will settle for a cart without box or manual; though with the CD based systems (and TG-16) I insist on having the case and manual.

Now and then I sit down with some classic game I have always wanted to play, but I am more likely to play Gears of War or Oblivion on a daily basis.

I have been having a bit of an arcade bug lately which is a whole different creature.

[Haoie]

If you ask me, those 2 terms are totally different.

Just because you enjoy older games [by the way, the term retro is also very subjective] doesn't mean you necessarily actively seek to own them.

Similarly, if you collect older games, you may not necessarily play them much, if at all [I'm thinking about the keep them in the original box people].

[Flack]

If you ask me, those 2 terms are totally different.

Nailed it. There are lots of people who collect retrogames and don't play them.

Likewise, there are lots of people who play retrogames that don't collect them.

Game over!

[bangtango]

I would be a retrogamer. The only thing I actually collect would be systems. After all, I need something to PLAY the games on. The games I own are part of a collection but that doesn't make me a regular collector. I'm not out to complete a particular collection, get all of the games in a certain series or anything like that. So as long as I have a particular system, I can always shuffle games in and out of the library I own for it. If I really like a game, though, I keep it around and try not to get rid of it!

[MF_Luder]

Nailed it. There are lots of people who collect retrogames and don't play them.

Likewise, there are lots of people who play retrogames that don't collect them.

Game over!


Right, but the much more common type (on a site like this at least) are the people who do both-- collect and play. (However, I have a very lenient definition of "collecting", so perhaps most people would disagree with that statement.) But I was wondering what you feel pushes someone past just the "gamer" label and into the "collector" distinction? Is going to your local flea market every weekend and picking up a couple SNES and Genesis enough to make you a collector for those systems? Or do you need to take the hobby further than that casual purchasing of older titles?

But I guess now that I think about it, perhaps more than anything, "collector" is a mindset rather than something that can be measured by how you collect. If you're a collector you KNOW you're a collector, and if you're not sure then you're probably not one. Hmmm, maybe I just answered my own question...

[Cornelius]

But I was wondering what you feel pushes someone past just the "gamer" label and into the "collector" distinction?
I think the distinction (or grey area at least) is that a collector will buy games with no intention of ever playing them. I collect some systems (nes, sms, vb, etc), but only game on others (snes, psx, genesis, etc). I'll only really buy snes games I don't plan to play if they come in a lot or they are a duplicate worth selling/trading to get other games. I know I'll never play half (probably 3/4) the NES games I have now, and I only have 255 so far, but I can't see getting rid of them either.

Heck, I don't think there is such a thing as a VB gamer, as they are all blind now. :)

[idrougge]

A "retrogamer" can settle for a system (or several) with a flashcart. A collector can, obviously, not.

I just came back from a session of Zeewolf 2 on my Amiga. It's a pirate copy. You don't collect pirate copies.

[Flack]

Right, but the much more common type (on a site like this at least) are the people who do both-- collect and play. (However, I have a very lenient definition of "collecting", so perhaps most people would disagree with that statement.) But I was wondering what you feel pushes someone past just the "gamer" label and into the "collector" distinction? Is going to your local flea market every weekend and picking up a couple SNES and Genesis enough to make you a collector for those systems? Or do you need to take the hobby further than that casual purchasing of older titles?

But I guess now that I think about it, perhaps more than anything, "collector" is a mindset rather than something that can be measured by how you collect. If you're a collector you KNOW you're a collector, and if you're not sure then you're probably not one. Hmmm, maybe I just answered my own question...

You're changing your original question which was, ""Collector" and "Retrogamer". Is there a difference?" I'm sticking with my original answer; yes, there is a difference.

A collector is someone who collects things. That does not mean that they necessarily use them. I have a friend who collects swords. That does not make him a swordsman.

A retrogamer is someone who enjoys playing retro games. There are lots of ways to enjoy playing retrogames without being a collector. Maybe you just play roms, maybe you just play them online, maybe you play them and get rid of them, maybe you just play them at a friend's house, etc.

The two terms are not mutually exclusive because they don't mean the same thing.

[MF_Luder]

You're changing your original question which was, ""Collector" and "Retrogamer". Is there a difference?" I'm sticking with my original answer; yes, there is a difference.

A collector is someone who collects things. That does not mean that they necessarily use them. I have a friend who collects swords. That does not make him a swordsman.

A retrogamer is someone who enjoys playing retro games. There are lots of ways to enjoy playing retrogames without being a collector. Maybe you just play roms, maybe you just play them online, maybe you play them and get rid of them, maybe you just play them at a friend's house, etc.

The two terms are not mutually exclusive because they don't mean the same thing.


You're right, I did ask a second question after my original question. But you helpfully answered my initial question with a very solid answer, so I was simply asking a new question to further explore the topic. I think my initial question was a little too black-and-white, but the second question is a grey area that is much more debatable. I was just curious how people felt about that "grey area" where the distinction is not so easy to make. For example, look at Bangtango's response, defined as a retrogamer. Many people would define that as a collector, while many would agree with simply the retrogamer tag. I'm similar to Bangtango... I have a ton of stuff and collect systems and the games for them. My stuff isn't exactly museum quality, but I personally consider it a collection.
I was just curious to see how others felt about this debatable grey area. I did quote you in my second post in here, but I meant it to be more towards the topic in general, rather than directed right back at you Flack-- so I apologize if it came off offensive that way, as if I was questioning your answer.

[PapaStu]

Theres nothing to say that you can't be both a retrogamer and a collector.

Hell i'm a retrogamer, not that I play my older systems much, but I can say without fail that i'm a collector as well. I see them differently because of what the names of them state. Retrogamer, player of 'retro' (thats a part that can be taken for different lenghts of age) and Collector, one that collects stuff. The catch 22 is that when calling yourself a collector there are so many grey areas and personal preferences to how one collects that your personal delination of collector really just matters to you.

You mention that you don't feel that your stuff is 'museum quality' for your collection. A collection is just that, a collection of stuff condition aside. I can point out numerous board members that don't care how their games look, as long as they can play them, some of which actually get rid of boxes/manuals and the like because those arn't important to them, the games are. Others only buy stuff that is originally factory sealed, and others buy what they can afford, be it complete, first print vs. Budget reprints. There are also the 'pokemon style' collectors who've 'gotta have em' all' Of which i can say that i'm a member of that school of thought. Is my collection of Dreamcast games better than yours because i've got all the versions of all the games made in the US and you only have 40 +/- titles? Not in the slightest. If you enjoy what you have, then the collection has done its job.

No style makes anyones 'collection' any better than another, because what it comes down to is if YOU enjoy what you have aquired. Not mattering the role in which it was gotten, be it because you are stylistically a 'collector' or a 'Retrogamer'

[Flack]

... I was wondering what you feel pushes someone past just the "gamer" label and into the "collector" distinction? Is going to your local flea market every weekend and picking up a couple SNES and Genesis enough to make you a collector for those systems? Or do you need to take the hobby further than that casual purchasing of older titles? [...] But I guess now that I think about it, perhaps more than anything, "collector" is a mindset rather than something that can be measured by how you collect. If you're a collector you KNOW you're a collector, and if you're not sure then you're probably not one. Hmmm, maybe I just answered my own question...

That's a tougher question: "what makes a collector?"

In the loosest definition, I would personally say a collector needs to meet the following two criteria:

01. They need to set a goal.
02. They need to actively pursue that goal through their actions.

So, at least by my definition, the guy that goes out once a month and buys a couple of loose Super Nintendo carts is probably a collector. His goals may not be as lofty as other collectors and his goals may be different (perhaps his goal is to get every loose game under $5 he can) but if he has a plan and is actively sticking to it, I'd say he's a collector. Obviously there are varying degrees of collectors.

[Fuyukaze]

Without intending to make members of DP sound elitist, yes, there is a difference.

Many people collect old games yet dont play them. Just as there are those who only collect for newer systems and enver play. Thing is, there's also those who only play the old stuff and those who only play the new. Many of us on DP just happen to go against the grain and play both old and new as well as collect.

There are those on DP who claim to be gamers yet havent bought a game sense the PS1 sense they got online rental subscriptions to game sites. Also a few who've bought entire collections for systems yet refuse to play a single game in it as they only wanted it for a conversation piece like the 32x. Retrogamers play the old stuff, collectors just buy the stuff. Sadly I consider myself more collector as there realy isnt enough time to play every game though for the right price, there's always enough money.

[Kamisama]

My definition would be:

Collectors: They are into collection of course. This might be getting every NES Game, including variants, games they never really play and things like that. For example I have the PAL/US and JP version of Sega Rally. Or Chu Chu Rocket, the normal PAL Version, the "including Dream Key 1.5" Version, a White Label Version. If I just wanted to play it I would just need 1 version :)

Gamer: They dont look for multiple versions of the same game, or every NES Game as they are not really interested in "bad" games that don't make fun, or 2 different versions of Sega Rally, 1 is enough to play it :)

[ninjabearhug]

A lot of people start off as gamers and turn into collectors. I never intentionally started out to be a collector but i would now consider myself one. The main difference is collectors have a goal. Gamers just play a game then move on to the next one when they have finished. I don't know many people who are one or the other, to collect video-games you need to have an initial interest in playing them or they just wouldn't be an appealing item to collect. Personally i have games in my collection that i have no intention of ever playing, but as a collector i've set myself a long term goal to get every PAL SEGA game from SMS to DC, so i won't be getting rid of those games even though they're crap.

[Greg2600]

A collector almost always is a retrogamer, as they must be collecting old games. A retro gamer is not necessarily a collector, at least not full fledged. I think the terms are interchangeable. I think it is better to rank by the size of collection, in terms of variety of systems and obviously number of games (particularly fringe games and imports). Even though someone might have games from many systems, including classic ones, they may simply have got them as they were new, and as time goes by...... The person doesn't consider it a collection per se, even though it is.

I myself am just above that level. I would definitely say I have a small collection. I only want games I played over the years, for the systems I know well. 2600, NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, Gameboy, and XBOX, but nothing on the fringe. I started a little over a year ago to reclaim the games I once had, or borrowed from friends, or played for hours with my friends or cousins, or rented and played a lot, etc. I like having the games in good condition and the manual, but I don't care for the boxes. Since there are a half dozen classic systems I had growing up and such, I figure I'll wind up with over 200 games. But I will (I swear) stop once I have all of the games I actually liked for each system. Now part of my limitation is space, and if I had more of it, yeah I might just go further.

What's funny is that I've jumped around from collecting sports cards, to non sports cards, to comics, to electric slot cars, to Die Cast cars, to video games. And each time lack of space stopped me cold, and also I got bored with them. However, video games are the only one of those hobbies where the material can evolve (due to technology). Which is why I've slowly been selling off or giving away much of those other hobbies. But I think for now the video games are hear to stay, because you can still play with them! For that reason, I'll keep the slot cars around too.

[TNTPLUST]

A Collector can be a Retrogamer and Retrogamer may collect but they are not the same. I am a Retrogamer. I retrogame to relive my Childhood. I'm a child of the 70's so I grew up on the 1rst and 2nd generation consoles. I went to college on the third generation (I still play the current ones at the ripe old age of 39). I once had a very opinionated Retrogamer tell me that it was silly that I collected the Odyssey 2 since he could emulate them far easier. What he doesn't realize is that for me the working of the console and feel of the cartridges is every bit of the experience as playing the game. That said most Collectors would shudder at my "collection" of video games. I don't keep them nice and neat, labels are peeling, instructions are missing, I often don't keep them in the original box, I don't display them. They stay in plastic bins until I get them out of storage and play the crap out of them. In fact if I find a pristine in the package rare in the wild I usually pass it up because I know that in my care it is going to be abused. Well...thats not always true if it is a good deal then I buy it and resell it to a true collector for a small finders fee :)