Why a 2nd CIB (video game) set?

[megasdkirby]

I apologize in advance if this angers anyone, which is not my intention, but this really makes me think and wonder...

Also, I posted this on SegaAge as well, just to see diversity in responses. I figured that since DP is not a console-specific forum, answers might differ to those sites that are indeed console, or at least company specific.

So I've noticed that members from different boards love to collect complete sets. Yours truly has a complete 7800 set (original US release) and Neo Geo Pocket Color (original US release). I was very happy when I achieved this, as I always thought it was nearly impossible. SMS is almost complete...well, it is complete if you can consider Sonic UK as "part" of the set, but that's a totally different topic.

Anyway, I understand the love and excitement of completing a particular set. That is awesome and all...but why in the heck would anyone do ANOTHER set of the same? The answer to this questions eludes me to this day.

After I completed the sets above, I called it "ENDED" and moved on to another console...the thrill of collecting for another console, thus expanding my game collection. I never dreamed about starting all over again to get another same set when I already have one. Not to criticize mind you, but I just don't see the point. I'm just happy to get a complete set for a particular console and to continue with the next.

I can, however, understand purchasing a game one already has replace an existing copy. For instance, I recently did a trade in which I got another copy of Choplifter! for the 7800 because my existing copy was beat up quite nasty. It was the only 7800 game I had in which the box was in terrible shape, so getting one in great condition was great.

Basically, to improve on a current copy I understand.

I have seen some members get a complete second set for various reasons, like to get them sealed in box (It was hard enough to get certain rare games, but to search for a SEALED copy? Really?), have another set (instance in this topic), etc.

But the question remains....why?

I apologize if this angers anyone, but just don't see the purpose. I rather spend my money on something totally new than to just get something I already have.

[Arcade Antics]

No doubt you'll get a ton of lengthy responses, but no matter what they are you'll be able to boil all of them down to two five-word phrases:

1) The thrill of the hunt.
2) Different strokes for different folks.

[Baloo]

Personally, I never saw the thrill of collecting in the first place. After you finally get ALL of the games and ALL of the peripherals for the systems, where to next? Another system? What happens when you simply get everything you've ever wanted? Doesn't it just defeat the purpose of the video games themselves?

I hate to say it, but video games are meant to be played, not kept on a shelf to collect dust. No one's going to give you a metal or remember you after you are dead simply because you had the one sealed copy of Stadium Events that was "worth" $10,000 to a couple of people who wanted to keep it in it's original state. Are we preserving games for the afterlife now? Shall you be putting that in your coffin?

Meh, I can understand buying a sealed game to open it. But once you buy games for the saking of HAVING them, rather than playing them, it kind of crosses the line for me. Why waste the money? Why deprive someone else of actually having a good time with the product?

Just my two cents. And I think Arcade Antics summed it up best, Different Strokes for Different Folks.

[Aussie2B]

Well, there are two questions here:

1. Why do people collect sealed games?
2. Why do people collect duplicates?

The first question has been done (and argued) to death. But it's easy to figure out why people buy two copies in that scenario. They need a second opened one to actually play.

As for why people would collect two sets of opened copies, maybe it's an OCD thing for a lot of collectors. They just can't tell themselves that they're done. Some will move onto another system, but others maybe can't move past. Some of those will look into other stuff for that system that they can gather, like accessories, game variants, system variants, etc. And I guess others just start with a second set for whatever reason.

Not that I'm saying you have to be OCD to do those things. Collecting a full set can be a fun goal, although for me it's just a casual endeavor.

[InsaneDavid]

Trade bait.

[PapaStu]

I don't collect in the cart only and then a CIB and then a sealed for any thing so I can't speak as to why someone may choose to go that route.

I can however say that with the sets I've completed (Dreamcast and NGPC) that just getting the games hasn't been enough. Once I've completed the base sets i've gone after variants and the like (if I hadn't already started it when I was still in the base set). Its given that set additional life and prolonged the hunt. Which I think has been the purpose of those who've got after set #2.

Is it a bit silly? Yes, but when you've got people who're after variants of all kinds, games from all regions etc, it doesn't phase me as much as I think it should.

[Oobgarm]

who're

I think you added an extra apostrophe in there, Stu.

[portnoyd]

More money than sense?

[Flack]

The OP's question is, "why do people collect the way they do?"

Mine is, "why do people care about the way other people collect?"

[megasdkirby]

Mine is, "why do people care about the way other people collect?"

You would be surprised, actually.

Although you make a valid point about the reasoning concerning why I should give it importance, there are scenarios, direct or indirect, that can cause potential harm to the collecting community, or just somehow affect it in general.

I've been on several boards, and I've met members who continue to purchase 2nd sets, or a subset of it (like a particular game), with the sole intention to either:

-Prohibit others from purchasing the game they were after, and/or

-Prohibit others from purchasing a game at a cheaper price than what they paid

Both instances basically sums it up as "protecting their investment". Problem is, on both instances, the price of the game raises, all because of the actions of one or more members. This, besides having economical issues, also convey availability issues.

True, this might seem like a far fetched scenario, but truth be told, there are people (many known to us from different sectors of the gaming community) who do indeed practice them. A shame really, but a true one, unfortunately.

Perhaps some collectors collect for the love they have for a particular console. Perhaps it's the thrill of the hunt...or an obsession for something that one collection cannot subdue. But it's quite vexing if the intention is a negative one, more towards causing harm than good.

True, to each his on. However, for me I admit, is quite alarming.

[Gameguy]

Mine is, "why do people care about the way other people collect?"
And yet shows like Hoarders are popular. It surprises me too.

[kupomogli]

I see the reasoning behind it, but I personally would never care to own even one complete set for any system because most of that complete set will be garbage. I only collect games I really like or are enjoyable enough for me to own.

So maybe the system might be their favorite and after completing it they possibly feel they need something to do with the system so go after another complete set.

I know a lot of people that think of me as pretty weird when I have to own every single game I like(or that I own a lot of games period.) So I'm sure the feeling is mutual for those that get complete sets, or even multiple complete sets.

[Clownzilla]

I personally prefer to play EVERYTHING that I collect when it comes to video games. Granted, I might not play it for a few years or not at all (my backlog is pretty massive) but I always buy with an honest intention to eventually play the game. However, I can see why people like to collect second CIB duplicates. I collect sports cards which in essence is a piece of cardboard with a picture and if your lucky an autograph or piece of the player's clothing. What do I do when I buy a cool card or pull a cool card from a pack............I catalog it, encase it, and put it in a box. Occasionally, I will get my cards out to look at but they pretty much stay in the box. When I look at it my joy comes out of the hunt of the cards and the comradery with my fellow collectors, not necessarily the cards themselves.

[PapaStu]

I think you added an extra apostrophe in there, Stu.


That very well could be correct, but maybe I was just trying to break up that whore that I put down there, because I know that I am one...


And Kirby, anyone who's buying up anything other than something like Stadium Events thinking that they are going to help protect/control the investment price is just a fucking idiot.

[Baloo]

Mine is, "why do people care about the way other people collect?"

Because some of us might want to actually play the game and be able to buy it at a somewhat affordable price!

[eskobar]

Many of us are perfectionists and we are annoying with almost every detail of our life, I am one of those assholes that needs to have a perfectly ironed T-Shirt/Pants ... My car has to be perfectly clean everyday at everyhour .... I hate that my friends borrow my consoles and return it dirty and this actually made me purchase a new one.

I even have my own controller that no one can touch LOL

When possible, I purchase a 2nd CIB or sealed copy of my games =D

[SegaAges]

It all depends on what you mean by multiple games. Right now I am going for every Jet Set Radio game, which spans all consoles, which means I will have a bunch of duplicates per region. I am doing that out of love for the game.

As for multiple of the same game from the same region, I could see that trade bat and/or flipping would be a great reason.

[punkoffgirl]

Mod note: Moved this thread from Off Topic to Classic Gaming forum, figured it'd get more views by the type of members you'd be interested in replying :)

[Blitzwing256]

I collect transformers star wars AND video games,(and tons of other crap) and I totally understand going for the second set, with transformers I completed my g1 set, and realized I was only a few away from a second set so I completed that,and am now working on a third set. its completely valid and I still enjoy collecting them regardless of how many of each figure i have, for my nes collection I am working on a boxed set (10 away) a loose set (2 away) and a sealed set (780ish away), like many have said, its more the hunt than the "I caught them all" mentality of it all.

[tubeway]

I think that much of the time it's a completely illogical act, but people think about it and just come up with reasons to justify it after the fact. If you've spent any time interacting with schizophrenic or genuinely ocd people you will see this same kind of behavior when they do something that initially makes no sense to anyone but them.

For those people whose finds are limited to garage sales or thrift stores, collecting subsequent sets may be justification to buy something they already own, rather than denying themselves the pleasure of feeling like they are accomplishing something significant by buying something to take home. It's an excuse to not leave a bargain at the store for someone else, because many ocd collectors are also compelled to define themselves by crap they own rather than some other measure of worth or accomplishment in life. Someone else getting the game makes them less special. It's why you see people randomly rambling on about what they own or deals they got in threads that are completely unrelated to it, and why few people also really acknowledge others finds unless it's something insanely cool or insanely lame.

[Rickstilwell1]

That very well could be correct, but maybe I was just trying to break up that whore that I put down there, because I know that I am one...


And Kirby, anyone who's buying up anything other than something like Stadium Events thinking that they are going to help protect/control the investment price is just a fucking idiot.

Kind of like the guy on Sonic Retro who said he bought like 51 copies of Final Fantasy 7 just because its his favorite game... hoarder.

[Perkar]

I think you added an extra apostrophe in there, Stu.

when i read Stu's post that was the first thing i thought of too... Oob beat me to it

[Bojay1997]

You would be surprised, actually.

Although you make a valid point about the reasoning concerning why I should give it importance, there are scenarios, direct or indirect, that can cause potential harm to the collecting community, or just somehow affect it in general.

I've been on several boards, and I've met members who continue to purchase 2nd sets, or a subset of it (like a particular game), with the sole intention to either:

-Prohibit others from purchasing the game they were after, and/or

-Prohibit others from purchasing a game at a cheaper price than what they paid

Both instances basically sums it up as "protecting their investment". Problem is, on both instances, the price of the game raises, all because of the actions of one or more members. This, besides having economical issues, also convey availability issues.

True, this might seem like a far fetched scenario, but truth be told, there are people (many known to us from different sectors of the gaming community) who do indeed practice them. A shame really, but a true one, unfortunately.

Perhaps some collectors collect for the love they have for a particular console. Perhaps it's the thrill of the hunt...or an obsession for something that one collection cannot subdue. But it's quite vexing if the intention is a negative one, more towards causing harm than good.

True, to each his on. However, for me I admit, is quite alarming.

I'm sorry, but your theory is ridiculous. With the exception of literally a handful of games, most of them not fun to play in any way, there are thousands and thousands of copies of most games out there. Yes, if someone buys two copies, you might not ever be able to own those two specific copies, but with a little bit of patience, literally every game pops up between Ebay, swap meets, thrifts, message boards, Craigslist, etc...This is the same whining people engage in to attack sealed collecting, CIB collecting (I've actually had lengthy arguments with other collectors at local meets about why anyone would collect a box, after all, you can't play a box as they claim), etc...The reality is, there will always be someone richer than you are, luckier than you are, with more storage space than you have, with more free time than you have to surf Ebay all day, etc...You need to just get over it and learn to appreciate and enjoy your collection.

[ericfnbaker]

No doubt you'll get a ton of lengthy responses, but no matter what they are you'll be able to boil all of them down to two five-word phrases:

1) The thrill of the hunt.
2) Different strokes for different folks.


Best explination about anything ever.

[megasdkirby]

I'm sorry, but your theory is ridiculous. With the exception of literally a handful of games, most of them not fun to play in any way, there are thousands and thousands of copies of most games out there. Yes, if someone buys two copies, you might not ever be able to own those two specific copies, but with a little bit of patience, literally every game pops up between Ebay, swap meets, thrifts, message boards, Craigslist, etc...This is the same whining people engage in to attack sealed collecting, CIB collecting (I've actually had lengthy arguments with other collectors at local meets about why anyone would collect a box, after all, you can't play a box as they claim), etc...The reality is, there will always be someone richer than you are, luckier than you are, with more storage space than you have, with more free time than you have to surf Ebay all day, etc...You need to just get over it and learn to appreciate and enjoy your collection.

As much as I want it to be a theory, it's actual fact. I state the examples because it's something I've already come across, mainly from forums that give particular emphasis on a single company or console.

The following is a quote taken from another message board, in which the member's name has been taken out for the sake of privacy:


As far as buying multiples of things you already own - I do it on occassion. I usually don't intend to simply keep it from other people. Though I will here and there on particular items. I typically just don't want anyone else to buy something for less than what I bought it at. If I paid $400 for a game, I'm certainly not going to allow the next guy to get it for $80.

As you can see, part of what I state is my theory is not a theory at all, but something that has happened in the past, continues to happen, and will continue to happen. There is clearly some bad intent in the quote above, mainly towards the selfish side.

You might state that "it's his problem" and all, and you are right. However, in a different standpoint, it can be a very bad thing if the game is extremely hard to find. Like you stated above: most games are available in large quantities, but a handful of games are not. My focus are on these, the "rare" ones...and it becomes more and more rare when searching for a particular condition or state (like it being complete). The problem above makes things worse because if it wasn't for the person creating such bad intent, the game could have been purchased at a much affordable price. But because of ego and selfishness, this was not the case.

It's not so much the idea as it is the reason. Sure, they can be millionaires. They can have mansions as space to put up their stuff. They can be the luckiest in the world...but all these combined still don't actually gives a reason as to why they, the collectors in question, do this. And as you saw above, some do it for bad intent than the actual love of collecting.

If it's done because of the love for gaming, awesome! That's perfectly fine with me and it shows devotion and passion for the hobby. But when there is a more sinister side to it, that is when things are different.

And like you say, I should enjoy my collection...and I do! I don't have much space, but bah, I continue buying games! But it makes me think...those who's intentions are not positive...do they enjoy their collection? From the looks of it, they do not.

[Parodius Duh!]

I collect transformers star wars AND video games,(and tons of other crap) and I totally understand going for the second set, with transformers I completed my g1 set, and realized I was only a few away from a second set so I completed that,and am now working on a third set. its completely valid and I still enjoy collecting them regardless of how many of each figure i have, for my nes collection I am working on a boxed set (10 away) a loose set (2 away) and a sealed set (780ish away), like many have said, its more the hunt than the "I caught them all" mentality of it all.

Id say action figure collecting is quite different from game collecting. I collect figures and will take multiples of specific figures any day, but as far as games go I just buy what I want to play, cause games are meant to be played, not looked at on a shelf.

[Aussie2B]

I actually have 10 copies of one game (Wonder Project J2), and I'd never part with any of them. That, however, is only because they're in a manufacturer's box, and I want to preserve them in that state. Since they're Japanese, they're not sealed to begin with, so it's more or less like having 10 CIB copies (minus that they don't have their controller paks, and I have no idea if this batch was manufactured this way or if some store removed them).

I also have some second copies of games that I wouldn't part with because of each only having one file and/or the ability to link up.

So in some cases, there are more logical reasons to keep dupes around.

[kupomogli]

I even have my own controller that no one can touch LOL


II also have some second copies of games that I wouldn't part with because of each only having one file and/or the ability to link up.

Same for both of these. I also don't allow anyone else to switch games when wanting to play something else. I switch games for them. With cartridge games, the only ones that I own that I have duplicates of is Final Fantasy due to one save file, and Tactics Ogre Knight of Lodis because of the ability to link up. Not counting different versions of the same game on different consoles.