How Do You Track Your Game Collection?

[jjgames]

I know there are lots of sites that help with tracking video game collections, but how does everyone on Digitpress keep track of their collections? Why do you use that service? And if you don't keep track of what you collect, why not?

[namzep]

I use RFGeneration but I also use Excel.

[Mianrtcv]

I place everything in my R.O.D. and keep it layered :) this way I have plausible deniability when I say "I have not picked any games up in a while" ;)

I use rfgen when the mood hits me.

And I'm pretty sure there is a thread for this but then again I may be wrong.

[Daria]

Note pad. :P

[Tommy]

I use Neoseeker aswell as excel.

[Slate]

I haven't kept track for about 2 years.

[thetoxicone]

I haven't kept track for about 2 years.

Same here, except I do keep a game, box, instructions checklist for my sega genesis titles...too bad I'm at the point where I don't find many new ones to checkoff the list.

[jjgames]

I use Neoseeker aswell as excel.

I've never heard of neoseeker. Is it an online service?

[Kevin H]

I use excel, and keep the lists on my treo phone

[MrSparkle]

*taps his head* i keep it all up here ;) i did bother to list them all in a word file once but it got out of date pretty damned quickly.

[Mercapto]

I tried RFGeneration, but that site is soooooo lacking 50% of my games. It's clearly crap when you want to track PAL games. I had to pick the US games instead because of it, but what if I plan on collecting the US games too ? Hmmm ?

Do the other options have complete PAL lists or not ?
(I collect N64 and GC right now)

[VACRMH]

I tried RFGeneration, but that site is soooooo lacking 50% of my games. It's clearly crap when you want to track PAL games. I had to pick the US games instead because of it, but what if I plan on collecting the US games too ? Hmmm ?

Why not submit the missing games?

[Sudo]

I use IGN.

[stimmyjimmel]

I use http://vgrebirth.org/

i use it because it has a pretty simple interface and I know some of the people that keep it in working order. I also like to compare my list to other peoples to see what games we have in common and such.

as far as i can tell they try to keep up to date on pal releases too.

Though there are alot of missing games from some of the oldcer systems but if its a game you have you can submit it and normally it will be added to the site within one to two weeks.

[Mercapto]

Why not submit the missing games?

I submitted a bunch, but the more I tried to add the more I had to submit...I got bored :)

[Superman]

And I'm pretty sure there is a thread for this but then again I may be wrong.

You're not wrong. There is at least one thread on this topic here...somewhere.


I made an Access file for my NES games one time since there are a lot of games with similar names (Super, Ninja, Dragon, etc.) and things got a little hazy in those areas. But, my computer died and I never retrieved the information from that hard drive.

So now I do for the NES what I do for all the other systems, I just remember them.

[jamespmt]

i use rfgeneration, excel, and a issue of video game collector magazine.

[BydoEmpire]

I used to use an Excel file, but I haven't updated it in several years, and I'm not going back now, so I voted "I don't track it."

Using an issue of VCG is a great idea, though, that seems a lot faster than having to manually type out game names in an Excel file, or browsing through a site.

[GrandAmChandler]

Google Docs FTW

[carlcarlson]

Note pad. :P

Me too. I've a notepad doc for each system. I do it so I can keep track of what I pay and then what I sell for each lot, making sure to at least break even. It's also fun to look back through and see what I got three years ago, or add up my profits.

[Nebagram]

Excel pretty much exclusively. When I can't be arsed to organise it all I just print out the current lot and add the newest additions on the bottom in pen, then do a mass update at a later time.

[djbeatmongrel]

excel (well office calc since its free) and rfgeneration in tandem.

[Trebuken]

I use GameCollector...why am I alone? It's a good program...

[EX-Soldier]

whats the point of keeping track? i got over 300 maybe 400 games, some of u have collections that go farrrrr beyond mine, what advantages do u get from inputting your games? do u get a grade or something?

[DigitalSpace]

The link to my collection list is in my sig. If I hadn't put it on my own freewebs site, I'd probably use RFGeneration. Stay away from IGN, it's a joke.

[VACRMH]

I use GameCollector...why am I alone? It's a good program...

I do too. I wonder if they'll ever update again, it's been a year and a half now.

[Smashed Brother]

I keep track of them all in the ol' memory banks... all 576 titles across 19 different systems. I have no problems going to the store and picking out titles that I don't already own. But, if you just randomly asked me to name off all of -- for example -- the SNES games that I have, I wouldn't be able to tell you more than half of them, but I could tell you that I have 60 of them!!

[Aussie2B]

Notepad is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned. Not only do I have loads of obscure US releases, but I also have games from Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia, Canada, etc. I basically go under the assumption that no web site nor program will have EVERYTHING I own and allow me to list things in the way I wish.

Many years ago, though, when I first started collecting, I used to hand write a list of everything. Just try to beat that in hardcore-ness. When I got new games, I'd list a few on the bottom, but once I had several piled up, I'd rewrite the whole thing to place the new stuff under their respective systems. Obviously, this method stopped being very feasible once I hit around 100 games.

[modest9797]

I used to use IGN but now I use RF Generation

[guitargary75]

Excel is the best way I have found.

[wfnjstallion]

IGN and Excel, but I have a lot of updating to do.

[SegaAges]

I use IGN.

I been meaning to write something to do it in php, but then I have to take the time to makje sure everything is added.

[jjgames]

Does RFGeneration or any other collection tracking service offer something like an "import your IGN" list or import your spreadsheet? I don't have a ton of stuff in my collection but it would still be a pain to switch. This would make it a lot easier.

[Ed Oscuro]

Updated answer to topic question:

Poorly, that's how.

[Daria]

Update: I also keep a list on Gametz, just because. I have my trades and want list there, figured may as well do the collection. I mostly use it as a check list against my notepad file. If the numbers are off I go down the lists to figure out what's missing. Keeps me accurate.

[GnawRadar]

I use RFGeneration because it's easily accessible in most places and I mostly update while I'm at work, but I'm thinking about taking my collection and creating an excel version because of the recent problems with RFGeneration I don't want to go to check what I have and realize that the site has shut down.

[Trevelyan]

EDIT: I have actually started to list things on Word/Excel becasue Im on the tipping point of not being able to remember all my titles

[traser]

I only juse Excel, for the simple reason that its the easyest way to list enything.
If you find out you nead to change enything, it only takes a moment to make the changes.

[Rogue]

Excel and IGN =)

and Gamespot(without doubles, without notes...) =/

[aaron7]

Game lists from that site that isn't Digitpress but it is... wtf is it called...

[Mayhem]

Excel... and my head!

[dao2]

I right it down in a notepad >< Like not notepad... like paper notepad ;p

[modest9797]

Game lists from that site that isn't Digitpress but it is... wtf is it called...

I think I know what you mean. Isn't it like Thunder Kitty or something.

[dstone]

I put together an Access database to keep track of everything. It may not have many bells and whistles, but it works!

[Dark_Sol]

I do too. I wonder if they'll ever update again, it's been a year and a half now.
I use it too. It's the best program for such needs.

[Ed Oscuro]

Oh, I remember...this poll needs a GameTZ option!

Not that I really use it anymore.

[jjgames]

I put together an Access database to keep track of everything. It may not have many bells and whistles, but it works!

Wow, that must have taken some time to setup. Why not just use one of the free services out there? Or do you like making databases (I can understand that having setup 4 myself)

[megasdkirby]

I use Game Collector....kinda in a forced way too, after purchasing a PS2 game 3 times thinking I did not have it. :)

[le geek]

3 column word doc to tally games (with 2600 games further broken down by publisher) then an excel spreadsheet to do a grand total...

I've tried other services and it's just easier to do it myself...

Cheers,
Ben

[Icarus Moonsight]

I guess I'm strange. I couldn't sit down and list every game I own from memory but, I can look out in the wild and know almost instantly whether I already have a title or not.

Still at RFG. Haven't updated in a while though. Thinking about keeping an excel/notepad list also.

[Oobgarm]

Add in another Game Collector user.

[dstone]

Wow, that must have taken some time to setup. Why not just use one of the free services out there? Or do you like making databases (I can understand that having setup 4 myself)

Didn't take as long as what I thought. I was already working on a database for tracking my father's comic book collection (we're in the process of moving to Comic Base, it's easier to catalog over 30,000 comic books) and another database for a chamber of commerce. I was working with my uncle on the last one, he was doing the back engine stuff and I was using forms to create a nice user interface since the employees kept changing things they weren't supposed to.

So yeah, I suppose it could be said that I like building databases. I just haven't done it in a while since I've got everything set up.

[Parodius]

So, what do you guys recommend? Which one is the most complete?

I randomly searched for the Xbox version of Mashed on a few of these.

RFGeneration only shows the sequel, Mashed: Fully Loaded.

VGrebirth only shows the two Mashed games for PS2.

IGN shows only the sequel.

Grr.

Is this par for the course or did I just pick too obscure of a game for my test search?



This is a little OT, but was there actually a US release of the first Mashed? I know it came out for the PS2 under the title of Drive to Survive, and I recall seeing reviews for the Xbox version in Game Informer and other places. I have never seen the US release anywhere.

[Lemmi_Is_God]

i use the cart commander
these are pics i already had uploaded, the first one kind of shows the layout, it has many other options to pick from label/CD quality to year released etc...
the 2nd pic is a chart of how many games/movies i have for each platform
the atari800xl is alittle missleading because i have 5 multicarts with around 28 or so games on each :D the vectrex games is a multicart also

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/Lemmi731/CartCommander1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/Lemmi731/CartCommandergameandmoviechart.jpg


other threads to check out from the past :D
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97409
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20420

[bickman2k]

What do you guys use for managing your collection? I am trying to enter my stuff in to keep track of it all and hopefully be able to keep a copy on my phone so I don't have to wonder if I have a certain thing. Note: I do not have web access on my phone.

I know about the Collectorz.com stuff, but has anyone created their own Access database or is there some other piece of software that you guys can recommend? Thanks in advance.

[Kevincal]

www.rfgeneration.com

[bickman2k]

www.rfgeneration.com

I have used RFGeneration, but not for a while. Is there any way on there to export your collection from their website?

[roushimsx]

Open Game Lister, though it's apparently no longer available for download. Bummer.

[bickman2k]

Open Game Lister, though it's apparently no longer available for download. Bummer.

That looks pretty cool, if only I could find it.

[Policenaut]

I use Access. I was using IGN but ceased to use it about 10 months ago. For PCEngine and/or Turbografx-16/Duo I use pcedaisakusen.net collection database.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

There was very active thread started less than a month ago regarding pretty much the exact same thing.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118484

You may get some additional ideas here. Maybe a merging is in order?

[bickman2k]

There was very active thread started less than a month ago regarding pretty much the exact same thing.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118484

You may get some additional ideas here. Maybe a merging is in order?

Have not been as active at checking out posts here recently and apparently I didn't search for the right thing.

This can be closed or merged if necessary. I read the thread and got a ton of ideas.

[Sudo]

I use IGN for mine.

[PapaStu]

I use excel and mah brain.


**Merged for great success**

[roushimsx]

That looks pretty cool, if only I could find it.

It's a bit daunting to set up the first time if you've never played with mySQL databases or anything before, but if you've ever installed something like Wordpress on a webserver then you'll be just fine. Here's a copy of 0.6.4 (http://www.roushimsx.com/sa/open_game_lister-0.6.4.zip) if you want to mess with it.

You'll need to create a mySQL database on your server, enter the database name, username and password in the connection_details.php file, and then open up setup_ogl.php in your browser to go through a couple of mostly automated steps (and then creating a user account). When you're all done with that, delete the setup_ogl.php file and you're ready to start adding games and systems to the ol' list.

Sadly, the ability to edit data once it's been entered isn't available (unless you access the database by some other manner), so if you botch an entry (or want to add more information), you'll have to either delete it or get comfortable poking around with whatever else you feel like using (I like phpMyAdmin because it's what I have available!).

Really not as user friendly as the other database options and lacks a lot of the bells and whistles, but it suits my needs perfectly and it's a bummer that Aypok seems to have lost interest in continuing development.

[nate1749]

I've always been a big excel/access person, but once I found MovieCollector I ditched my access database right away and switched to that. I thought I'd do the same for games, but their GameCollector isn't that great (maybe in a year or two when they do more old stuff). Right now I just use excel, but will switch eventually.

[Nightwing]

I use GameCollector...why am I alone? It's a good program...

You are not alone :)
I use it as well,and it works fine for me.

[Fuyukaze]

I use RFG. While they are missing alot of PAL and Japan stuff, if submited it normaly is added in a day or two. Sometimes that feels like forever but for what it's worth, they try and rarely take longer.

I think the staff would appreciate it if there were more PAL submisions made anyways.

[8bitCaged]

nothing i just stared Collecting but i will use excel

[Kitsune Sniper]

I was going to make a new thread, but instead, I'm replying here.

I found a freeware, open source collection tracking program:

http://www.datacrow.net/

Data Crow. It works on all platforms, as long as you have the Java Runtime Environment installed. It allows you to track games, software, music, DVDs, or whatever you want. It's a bit clunky but the author is really good at answering bugs and questions. It also lets you download cover art from Amazon.com or MobyGames, though I find that a bit annoying.

I have some issues with how it displays stuff, but I've just barely started to use it, so, uh, there ya go.

[kainemaxwell]

Excel file...which I have to update sometime this weekend too.

[Rev. Link]

I use GameCollector as well. It's a fantastic program. I used to use IGN way back when, but after I got my Game King I knew I needed something different.

With GameCollector, you can search their database of games if you want, or you can completely ignore that and just add in whatever you want to your own list manually, which is what I do. That way when I get some obscure import I don't have to worry about it being in any database already.

You can add all kinds of information to your listings if you want to. Publisher, developer, release date, platform, media type (cart, CD, etc.), pictures of both the front and back of the game boxes, descriptions of the game itself, where you bought it, what you paid, all kinds of stuff like that. It can also keep track of what you loan out to friends, if you do that sort of thing. There are even a couple of user defines fields that let you add other kinds of info to the listings. I use one to add DP's rarity values to mine. And you can sort your entire list by any of these fields.

Or, you can just leave it all blank and just put in title and platform. And yes, it does show you a count of what you have for each platform, as well as a grand total.

If it wasn't for GameCollector I probably wouldn't have as big a collection as I do, simply because there wouldn't be as good a way to keep track of it all.

Oh yeah, you can also export your list to text, HTML, XML, iPod Notes, or Pam/Pocket PC.

[ClassicGMR]

I found the best thing for me personally was to use Microsoft Access. I can print whatever information I want in the format I want it as well as only have fields for data that I want. :)

Works for me. :)

[Sabz5150]

I just started using Access on an old 600MHz Duron box I got for free at a swap meet. I had Access drilled into my brain for six and a half years solid, so I can make it do what I want. I'm trying to find a piece of freeware to sync it to a Palm database so I can take the list on the go.

[RASK1904]

Seriously I use my brain! I've found it's easier to know what I don't have. I works pretty good. I've only made a few mistakes. But I buy stuff so cheap it realy doesn't matter. Ebay?:rockets: