collectors: do you buy two copies of the same game?

[ADG566]

Do you gamers buy two copies of the same game, one remains sealed for the collection, and the other to play? Or do you just buy one to keep sealed and perhaps rent it? Or what? How do gamers handle this?

[G-Boobie]

Games are games first, so I buy one copy and take good care of it. I understand the attraction of sealed games, but I don't really care about the value of a game, except for when I'm paying to buy a game I want to play.

[Leo_A]

I do the unthinkable, buy 1 copy, open it, and actually play it.

[bunnybum]

Same here. The way I "collect" games are by buying and playing games.. and just never getting rid of them again :yipes:

[Oobgarm]

I do the unthinkable, buy 1 copy, open it, and actually play it.

Must not be too unthinkable, as I follow the same train of thought.

If you've got enough money to blow on TWO copies of a newly-released game, more power to you, though I think I'd rather spend it elsewhere on something that might have a more immediate benefit or more a defined investment value.

[PapaStu]

If I bought TWO of most things (especially the new stuff) i'd not be in too good a shape. See i've got this cornerstone of my life, better known as my wife who puts up with enough games as it is. I don't need to push my luck much more than I do.

Besides I like getting a greater number of different games, rather than repeating the same ones over and over, it helps make it a bigger collection that way.

[debian4life]

I collect games for fun not profit. So for me it doesn't have to be boxed or sealed just playable and only one copy is necessary.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

While I don't have as many games, as others on here. I only buy one copy, as usually it's all I have money for. Buying 2 of the same game means thats one less differet game I could buy. Of course, unless it's a super good deal. But I don't have the patience to sit on a game and wait for it to collect value. I don't really like seeing more than 1 copy of the same game on my shelf.

[suckerpunch5]

Sometimes I do, but it is always more on accident than anything else. usually what happens is I'll get a sealed copy of a game cause I want to play it, but then other things get me distracted from the game for a while. Then I'll find a cheap copy of the game that is used, so I'll pick it up. I don't have much use for sealed games, but I know some people will pay more for them, so I just sell it to someone looking for a sealed copy and keep the used one.

[skaar]

Actually, I kinda cheat the system a little. Every console I've got is modded, and I tend to burn what I buy, leaving the originals sealed a lot of the time.

I mean, not ALWAYS, but I have a lot of sealed titles I've bought weeks/months/years (sometimes years, but not usually) after I've beaten the burn. Also helps not to have to pay $80 for a game I can get for $20-30 a year later.

Most of what I collect are RPGs and the like - sports games I'll buy one years worth and usually burn subsequent years. Generally if I play it more than a day or two I'll buy a copy if I can afford at the time.

The bigger titles I tend to open though just to look at, or if I really want to look at the goodies.

[Damaramu]

I only buy multiples if I plan on reselling the extra copies. Which I rarely do, so to answer the OP's question: no. Buying and hoarding games for "profit", IMO, is not a good way to spend your money.

[marcus12024]

I mean, not ALWAYS, but I have a lot of sealed titles I've bought weeks/months/years (sometimes years, but not usually) after I've beaten the burn. Also helps not to have to pay $80 for a game I can get for $20-30 a year later.

This method of purchasing hurts the developers (and everyone else involved in making/producing games) an awful lot. I can't believe that someone could think this behavior is acceptable - I mean, you're getting something for free, and then just picking it up cheaply at your leisure in the future. You may want to argue with something like "at least I'm picking up a copy eventually", but unless you are buying a copy from a store at full price down the line, you're hurting the industry...especially if you're buying used copies. The only way this practice would be okay is if you were buying a new game near release (or at least at regular price in a store) and then simply kept it sealed. Maybe I'm just nitpicking, but piracy's always been a sore spot with me.

Back on-topic, I usually buy games new, but I only buy about one a month nowadays - I lack the free time to play much more than that. I don't ever keep a sealed copy, as it seems a bit silly, and there are much more lucrative things that I could invest in!

[Daria]

This method of purchasing hurts the developers (and everyone else involved in making/producing games) an awful lot. I can't believe that someone could think this behavior is acceptable - I mean, you're getting something for free, and then just picking it up cheaply at your leisure in the future. You may want to argue with something like "at least I'm picking up a copy eventually", but unless you are buying a copy from a store at full price down the line, you're hurting the industry...especially if you're buying used copies. The only way this practice would be okay is if you were buying a new game near release (or at least at regular price in a store) and then simply kept it sealed. Maybe I'm just nitpicking, but piracy's always been a sore spot with me.


Just think of it this way, he's offsetting all the jackasses that buy two copies brand new. :P

[blissfulnoise]

I've bought two copies of a couple of games with the intentions of keeping one sealed for my own personal satification (not for profit or for "collectors impulse").

These games are ICO, Katamari Damacy, and Shadow of the Colossus.

I have, however, ended up with multiple copies of some games when I buy them super cheap and forget that I already owned a copy.

[RadiantSvgun]

It depends. If I see something at a good price, I'll pick up another copy. I had 3 or 4 copies of Nocturne for a while, because I found them at pawn shops for 10-15 bucks. If you mean buying a new game when it comes out and an additional copy; the answer to that would be no.

[skaar]

This method of purchasing hurts the developers (and everyone else involved in making/producing games) an awful lot. I can't believe that someone could think this behavior is acceptable - I mean, you're getting something for free, and then just picking it up cheaply at your leisure in the future. You may want to argue with something like "at least I'm picking up a copy eventually", but unless you are buying a copy from a store at full price down the line, you're hurting the industry...especially if you're buying used copies. The only way this practice would be okay is if you were buying a new game near release (or at least at regular price in a store) and then simply kept it sealed. Maybe I'm just nitpicking, but piracy's always been a sore spot with me.

I have no issue buying A-list titles new. Recent purchases were Nights, Mario Galaxy, Phoenix Wright 3, FF12 DS, Bioshock, Rock Band 360, GH2 360 ... and I burned GH3. I've since bought a copy of GH3 online, but didn't want to wait. I also burned Rock Band in November because we got fucked in Canada on release dates.

I "pirate" the games I'm unsure of, or know I probably will just rent/borrow. I haven't rented a game since about 1997, so maybe that policy needs review.

The industry hurts itself with the bullshit sales tactics it follows nowadays. I refuse to pre-order (especially since even though I've paid for a title they'll give it away 24 hours later if I don't go pick it up) or stand in line for any game or console. I pick it up when I can afford it, or when I see a copy. I'm happy with the way I get my games, and considering the amount of games I end up just buying and never actually playing or opening these days (freaking collecting bug) I have no qualms about how I do it.

Also, the people with the most burned/copied software I've ever known have all worked with me in the games or music industry. It's all rather hypocritical.

[skaar]

I also never buy used games unless it's mint ;) (and never from a retailer - just collectors/ebay/pawn shops)

[xtremegamer]

Usually buy a game and play it. Will keep a game sealed if it is harder to find and a game I might not play more than once or twice, example: Fallout Brotherhood of Steel for Xbox, found it brand new for $4.99 last month, don't plan on opening it since it is harder to find and a game that I won't really enjoy playing more than once or twice.

[Dreamc@sting]

I always buy a game and play it, if it drops in price to like $20 or lower..usually lower and becomes a rarity I will buy another copy, but I'd never buy 2 brand new games for collecting purposes. I use Sears and Target as my collecting hot spots, I worked for both and they will mark games down to 0.99 cents in order to get rid of them. At one of the Sears near me that I used to work at I picked up 2 copies of FFXII and Dirge of cerberus...for how much? a nice clarency price of $4.99 each. Now thats a deal. =D Every store is different though.

[skaar]

Yeah a retailer here marked down all their PSP/360/PS2 games that were discontinued to $5. I picked up $200 worth. Kingdom Hearts II was the highlight of that one, and Dirge, bunch of 2007 sports titles... it's really sad how games have started to be treated like DVDs now. Bargain bin clearance of anything that isn't new...

[blissfulnoise]

Yeah a retailer here marked down all their PSP/360/PS2 games that were discontinued to $5. I picked up $200 worth. Kingdom Hearts II was the highlight of that one, and Dirge, bunch of 2007 sports titles... it's really sad how games have started to be treated like DVDs now. Bargain bin clearance of anything that isn't new...

Games have always been clearanced out in this fashion. For example, I can recall $0.99 Atari games dumped into a bin at KB Toys when I was a kid.

What's different now is how FAST games are clearanced. But with the glut of games on the market, I guess it's not a big suprise to see games that had come out just months before being moved out for 75% or more off the retail price.

[tkusina]

This method of purchasing hurts the developers (and everyone else involved in making/producing games) an awful lot. I can't believe that someone could think this behavior is acceptable - I mean, you're getting something for free, and then just picking it up cheaply at your leisure in the future. You may want to argue with something like "at least I'm picking up a copy eventually", but unless you are buying a copy from a store at full price down the line, you're hurting the industry...especially if you're buying used copies. The only way this practice would be okay is if you were buying a new game near release (or at least at regular price in a store) and then simply kept it sealed. Maybe I'm just nitpicking, but piracy's always been a sore spot with me.



So what you're saying is unless he pays full price for the game its cheating the industry? So i guess a game on sale is not giving the developers their due?


I, as well have modded systems and purchase a game and keep it sealed. I play the burned copy. I own EVERY game i burn and this is my way of having my cake and eating it too. I buy the game and get a burned copy to play.

By law you can make 1 backup copy of any software, music cd or game you own.

Please explain to me your definition of pirating?

[G-Boobie]

So what you're saying is unless he pays full price for the game its cheating the industry? So i guess a game on sale is not giving the developers their due?


I, as well have modded systems and purchase a game and keep it sealed. I play the burned copy. I own EVERY game i burn and this is my way of having my cake and eating it too. I buy the game and get a burned copy to play.

By law you can make 1 backup copy of any software, music cd or game you own.

Please explain to me your definition of pirating?

Well, pirating would be making a profit with someone else's IP and not giving the owner of that IP their due. So basically GameStop.

[Push Upstairs]

The only game I would own two copies of is "Outrun: Coast 2 Coast" for XBOX simply because the copy I have it is the only (physical) one I have ever seen.

[blissfulnoise]

By law you can make 1 backup copy of any software, music cd or game you own.

Please explain to me your definition of pirating?

This isn't entirely true.


You are not permitted under section 117 to make a backup copy of other material on a computer's hard drive, such as other copyrighted works that have been downloaded (e.g., music, films).

I'm not saying you're right or wrong, but that's the case.

Buying sealed games and only playing copies is a bit asinine though.

[xfrumx]

I found 2 copies of Disgaea 2 sealed for 11.99 each they are staying sealed at least for a few years until i try to sell them. I always buy sealed games I already have and keep them that way if they are cheap (exapmle: 2 Drill Dozers for GBA 2.99 each sealed.)

[DigitalSpace]

Nothing against the sealed collectors, but I'm not one of them. The only sealed games I own are a few in my PS2, Gamecube, and GBA backlogs that will be opened and played one of these days.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

The only game I would own two copies of is "Outrun: Coast 2 Coast" for XBOX simply because the copy I have it is the only (physical) one I have ever seen.

Check Blockbuster... they're really clearing out their games. I found one 6 months ago for 14.99 missing the manual- and another CIB for 6.99 3 days ago. Of course, that is if you live around a Blockbuster. Sometimes you have to check as often as once a week. I just found the guy game at one too.

[Cornelius]

Domestic... is that a Gremlins 2 shot in your avatar?

On topic... I wouldn't buy 2 copies of a game for collecting reasons. But then, I haven't bought a new game in a very long time. Well, I bought guild wars and Half Life 2 for PC new and close to launch. But I can't recall the last console game I bought new. In fact, now that I think about it, I don't think I ever have. My parents let us get SMB, Castlevania, and Blades of Steel when we finally got an NES; then I think we got a couple more new games (Bubble Bobble and Winter Games, I know for sure), but everything since then I think has been used.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Joe Dante at his best... it's actually the top of a building in Kansas City, MO. I shead a tear for Looney Toons: Back In Action.

[ScourDX]

I do it sometime if they are cheap. I would re-sell it or trade it with other games on Craigslist.

[Spartacus]

Buying two copies of a game and keeping one sealed implies a profit motive. Games are just a fun hobby of mine and I'm completely comfortable accepting them as a financial loss - like any other form of entertainment.



The only game I would own two copies of is "Outrun: Coast 2 Coast" for XBOX simply because the copy I have it is the only (physical) one I have ever seen.


Check Blockbuster... they're really clearing out their games. I found one 6 months ago for 14.99 missing the manual- and another CIB for 6.99 3 days ago. Of course, that is if you live around a Blockbuster. Sometimes you have to check as often as once a week. I just found the guy game at one too.


That's my experience as well. Every Blockbuster in my area had copies of the game for sell almost immediately after it was released, so I've seen quite a few. I bought one new for $29.99 and a used one for $7.99 much much later from them. Can't say I enjoy the Outrun's, though. You intentionaly bash into another car and it just jumps up, spins around in the air, lands on all fours and keeps on going. I'm a much bigger fan of Burnout.

[Dr. Conspiracy]

Like routine cadaver inspection, the Doctor has uncovered a most interesting conversation by digging deep, lifted from the Admin Tower verbatim:


I'm itching for a topic to lock, but these days it just doesn't do anything for me unless it's a potentially useful thread. Maybe Darth Sensei will get a bug up his ass and push the torrent issue again. God! Just thinking about it gets me hot and bothered.


I'll be your JOB

[smork]

I've got multiple copies of a few games, mostly because they are desirable and make good trade bait later (lessee, Metal Wolf Chaos, Judgment Silversword, and GC Ikaruga come to mind off the top of my head). But I never trade jack, so I just accumulate and accumulate.

At least I don't do it often!

[marcus12024]

So what you're saying is unless he pays full price for the game its cheating the industry? So i guess a game on sale is not giving the developers their due?

Please read before commenting, as you have totally missed the point - nowhere in my post did I say what you are implying. It's perfectly fine to wait and buy games when they are on sale, and then play through them. Why would anyone have a problem with that? I'm not interested in getting into a huge discussion over this (that has been had by countless others way too many times), but I had a problem with the following statement, specifically:


Also helps not to have to pay $80 for a game I can get for $20-30 a year later.

It would seem he plays a burn of a game as soon as it comes out, but then doesn't actually purchase a copy until the price has dropped. I just don't understand this logic - why not play the stuff that you can get for cheap right now, and just continue to play this way? It's not like there's some massive shortage of cheap, quality titles at any point in time.

I will admit I've been guilty of the "I want to play this game now, but it won't hit Canada for another month", so I'll download and play a copy until it's released here, but I will buy it as soon as it comes out, especially if I finish the game or play it a lot before it comes out. I don't finish the game using the burnt copy, then wait and pick the game up a year later for a third of the price. I'm not sure why it's hard to understand my logic?

[[S]2012]

A sealed game would be great but i am a poor pupil, so I only buy one copy and take care of it.