Canada's Largest Video Game Collection?

[DreamTR]

http://www.sydbolton.com/

I was perusing the web and I came across this and I'm a little confused who brands people "top" collectors?

It says he is the top collector in Canada (according to the CBC) but there's an old school collector up there with way more games than that already....

It also states he was the first person in North America to acquire a complete XBOX collection in June 2011? I've had that finished myself for well over a year and I am sure others have finished it besides me...

I don't know, in this day and age I see a lot of claims about a lot of stuff these days but I just don't get how people "assume" they have more games than everyone else or how they would know they have complete collections over others...there's a ton of people who just don't talk about their stuff...

[Oldskool]

Its just like fighting. When you think you are the best fighter in the world.. there is always someone out there that will knock you on your ass.

[Steve W]

He completed the Xbox collection in 2001? Wasn't that the year the console came out? Doesn't seem like it would be too difficult in that case, not too many games had come out at that point.

[The 1 2 P]

Its just like fighting. When you think you are the best fighter in the world.. there is always someone out there that will knock you on your ass.

Unless you are Anderson Silva. Everytime someone new comes to take their shot at beating him he either knocks them out or submits them(I think he's only been to a decision twice since becoming champ). He's been the best middleweight fighter in the world for 5 years straight. If nobody comes around to beat him soon he'll probably retire from boredom.


He completed the Xbox collection in 2001? Wasn't that the year the console came out? Doesn't seem like it would be too difficult in that case, not too many games had come out at that point.

That was a typo on Dream's part. In the picture it says June 2011 is when he completed his Xbox collection.

It is a fairly large collection, one that I'm sure he has played less than half of all those games. But I definitely wouldn't mind having all of those myself....except the early Atari systems. I'd give those away to charity.

[SpaceFlea]

His collection doesn't seem too remarkable. Hell, half of it is last generation, I consider that crap filler at the moment because it's so cheap and easy to get in mass compared to more retro systems. He also seems to only collect US releases which are considerably cheaper than imports. He is certainly more of a quantity over quality fellow. And, while having a vast quantity is a nice achievement, it should not be what determines who is at the "top."

[Gameguy]

I know the guy on another forum, he runs a computer museum in Canada and occasionally has "game nights" where he invites the public to take a look through his collection and play games. He mostly collects PC stuff though, anything vintage.

Here's his PC stuff, that's the largest part of his collection. It's the computers and computer games that makes his collection the largest(supposedly), not the console stuff alone.
http://www.pcmuseum.ca/

More info about his collection;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMLASTYIq_8

I've never been to any of that stuff as it's too far away from me, I've never met him in person. The only other collector I know of with a huge collection is Jumpman Jr, but he's only into Nintendo stuff.

[Sydric]

OK so here I am - time to reply.

First of all, it was the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) that declared me as the top collector - not me personally. A true journalist made the claim, after doing his own research. While it is true that not everyone "talks" about their collection, if they don't then there is no sure way to know.

As far as my collection goes, I am not sure why it matters how the collection is split up. Since I have never published the breakdown of my collection, I am not sure how anyone can say - one way or the other - how much of my collection is "old school" vs. current generation. What defines old school anyways? That varies in everyone's opinion.

Here's what I can tell you. Someone had to make the claim - and I am happy to do it, because it draws attention to the Personal Computer Museum. The museum is a not for profit (and charitable) organization I started over 5 years ago with no government funding with the purpose of preserving old computers, video games and everything that surrounds it. We give school tours, refurbish old computers for families that can't afford them and bring back ALL KINDS of great positive memories for so many people.

As for breakdown, I have over 8,000 CONSOLE games ... the exact number hasn't been nailed down because I am still cataloging. It might be closer to 8,500. And there are well over 3,000 original computer games in the collection. Again, probably more but we are feverishly cataloging them.

That brings the total to a minimum of 11,000 original video games in the collection. If someone in Canada has more than that, I would love to know!

It's not a challenge or a claim I make for personal attention. I do it to bring attention to video games and computers as a whole - as an acceptable hobby, as a worthwhile historical project, and because I love sharing the collection with other like minded people--like you guys here. I have been told countless times that I am an inspiration to other collectors that have come and seen the collection in person. If any of you knew me personally, you would know that those are my motivations and what it is I do what I do. The collection has become a research resource already (it has been used in several big projects which you will hear about shortly) and as the generations get older - the "current gen" stuff will become "old school" stuff soon enough.

I hope that explains it.

[Arcade Antics]

First of all, it was the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) that declared me as the top collector - not me personally. A true journalist made the claim, after doing his own research.
That's Dream's point - the "journalist" (Peter Nowak) didn't do any actual research, and his editor(s) also dropped the ball by not following up. It's 2011. It's not difficult to go online to a popular game collecting forum and ask around for feedback before making an unfounded claim.


As for breakdown, I have over 8,000 CONSOLE games ... the exact number hasn't been nailed down because I am still cataloging. It might be closer to 8,500. And there are well over 3,000 original computer games in the collection. Again, probably more but we are feverishly cataloging them.

That brings the total to a minimum of 11,000 original video games in the collection. If someone in Canada has more than that, I would love to know!
Shoddy journalism. How can Nowak make a claim if he doesn't even know what your actual numbers are? And the claim is "top video game collector." If that's the definition, adding computer games to the mix is irrelevant.

[portnoyd]

Is this you?

http://www.funmansion.com/pics/huge_video_game_collection.html

If not, pretty sure he's from Vancouver and he's got you beat.

Edit: What AA said.

[DreamTR]

Is this you?

http://www.funmansion.com/pics/huge_video_game_collection.html

If not, pretty sure he's from Vancouver and he's got you beat.

Edit: What AA said.

Portnoyd hit it right on the money, that's the guy I was referring to with more games that I knew just off the top of my head. Just didn't mention pics or names.

Arcade Antics also hit on my point, it's the research done on the whole thing. It doesn't matter if it is for charity/research/whatever, etc. It's the fact that the people that "claimed" this was the largest allowed Syd to go with it and it's all over his website and on Wikipedia on top of all that....

All I was saying is that you can't simply have someone come in and "claim" it is the largest collection unless more research was made. The old school gentleman's collection from Canada has been on the web for awhile and I've known the guy since 1998-99 myself right before PayPal existed and I was trading with him via money orders and all that, lol....

It is a nice start towards a museum, that's for sure, but it's not the largest in Canada, that's all.

[Smashed Brother]

Is this you?

http://www.funmansion.com/pics/huge_video_game_collection.html

If not, pretty sure he's from Vancouver and he's got you beat.

Edit: What AA said.

This is a bit off-topic, but Jesus! How do you get to the games on the back shelves?

[Zing]

...and on our next episode of Hoarders...

[DreamTR]

smashed brother, I think he had his doubles and some of his flea market stuff in there during that time, who knows what it looks like now, lol

[Sydric]

This will be my last reply to this thread.

First of all, someone who is a seller/retailer of video games cannot and should not be considered as a collector. That collection is essentially "inventory" and does not count as being a true collector. Argue if you wish, but that's a highly shared opinion. I could increase my collection easily if I started a store and took trades all day long. How is that collecting?

Secondly, adding the computer games to the mix is absolutely relevant and allowed. They are video games. Are you telling me that "Platoon" on the Commodore 64 is somehow less than a video game than the NES version (graphics and sound differences aside?). If you think that, then you don't know what video games are.

Thirdly, to anyone who claims to have a complete Xbox collection ... I would love to challenge you on that considering that until recently, an actual ACCURATE complete list of what comprises an Xbox collection DID NOT EXIST. Not on this forum (items missing), not on Wikipedia (don't get me started about the issues there) - not ANYWHERE. If anyone who claims to have a complete Xbox list would care to send me a list of their collection I'd be happy to validate it for you. I have spent many hours researching this situation and have even gone so far to contact Microsoft about it.

Believe what you will, think what you will. I DID give Peter Nowak my numbers - that is how he made the determination. He did not publish a breakdown. That's all. I never said I didn't give out my numbers--I said I didn't give out a breakdown and I was referring to the claim that "most of my collection is PC based" (untrue BTW) etc. My point was, unless you have talked to me, how on EARTH can you make assumptions about what my collection is comprised of? It just doesn't make sense.

The bottom line? I have been declared Canada's top video game collector. If someone else has a larger collection, speak up! Show us your numbers. Retailers/sellers don't need apply. And MOST importantly - collecting is supposed to be fun and a challenge and something positive for us to be involved in. If you're going to be negative, go somewhere else!

[DreamTR]

This will be my last reply to this thread.

First of all, someone who is a seller/retailer of video games cannot and should not be considered as a collector. That collection is essentially "inventory" and does not count as being a true collector. Argue if you wish, but that's a highly shared opinion. I could increase my collection easily if I started a store and took trades all day long. How is that collecting?

Secondly, adding the computer games to the mix is absolutely relevant and allowed. They are video games. Are you telling me that "Platoon" on the Commodore 64 is somehow less than a video game than the NES version (graphics and sound differences aside?). If you think that, then you don't know what video games are.

Thirdly, to anyone who claims to have a complete Xbox collection ... I would love to challenge you on that considering that until recently, an actual ACCURATE complete list of what comprises an Xbox collection DID NOT EXIST. Not on this forum (items missing), not on Wikipedia (don't get me started about the issues there) - not ANYWHERE. If anyone who claims to have a complete Xbox list would care to send me a list of their collection I'd be happy to validate it for you. I have spent many hours researching this situation and have even gone so far to contact Microsoft about it.

Believe what you will, think what you will. I DID give Peter Nowak my numbers - that is how he made the determination. He did not publish a breakdown. That's all. I never said I didn't give out my numbers--I said I didn't give out a breakdown and I was referring to the claim that "most of my collection is PC based" (untrue BTW) etc. My point was, unless you have talked to me, how on EARTH can you make assumptions about what my collection is comprised of? It just doesn't make sense.

The bottom line? I have been declared Canada's top video game collector. If someone else has a larger collection, speak up! Show us your numbers. Retailers/sellers don't need apply. And MOST importantly - collecting is supposed to be fun and a challenge and something positive for us to be involved in. If you're going to be negative, go somewhere else!

Trust me. I have a complete North American XBOX Collection. www.gamedude.com, www.xbox.com, it's not hard to find every single game out there. Had it done for a couple of years now. Heck, I even have an NTSC copy of Barbarian that plays on a retail unit and that Steel Battalion test thing and unreleasd stuff like the NTSC King of Fighters 94 Reboot; so I am pretty sure I have that all covered...

Saying that someone who is a retailer/reseller shouldn't have their games counted towards a collection is naive. If you keep store inventory separate and games in your personal collection at home, I don't see what the problem is. EVERYONE sells stuff once in awhile.

In fact, by all means, open a store. I opened an arcade/game store and I've picked up "maybe" 20-30 games for my personal collection from there in the 3+ years I have been open.

I count games as "unique" titles or variants on each system. Not doubles. I have well over 16,000 different games and complete in box collections of who knows how many game systems...I don't exactly advertise this every five seconds but my stuff has been filmed and people have been here to see it...I had all of this stuff BEFORE I opened an arcade...Heck, I have 225 arcade and pinball machines to go along with this.

What is my point? I am sure someone out there has more stuff than I do, but I have a lot of really crazy unique one of a kind items (protos, NWCs, all the rares you can think of, etc) that makes what I have stand out, but you just can't "assume" you have the "top" collection in Canada because someone said so who isn't involved in this community or knows about all the collectors.

The guy I showed all the pics of that has a flea market booth, we don't know what he has that are separate and flea market; I am sure he has doubles, and I am sure they are integrated, but if you sell on eBay ONCE you are a seller. IF you have EVER sold a video game in your life to someone, you are a reseller/seller; you can't change that fact, but I do agree keeping store/personal inventory separately is important but you seriously have to be naive to think that someone's collection of that stature would not "count."

What would make sense is if you actually denoted precisely what stuff you had in terms of numbers for unique titles.

For example: I have 900 unique NES Games (PAL, NTSC, CIB NTSC collection) and 750 unique Famicom and Famicom disk system games and 350 unique NES prototype carts, so I know just with NES alone I have 2,000 games...breakdowns like that would give your stuff more validity; your pics show loose Genesis games and a lot of stuff that doesn't properly transfer to what a "collection" is.

How many games do you have for each? What are you missing? Are you collecting complete in box for this museum?

I'm not trying to be a naysayer, and you do have an impressive collection, but it's not Canada's best or "top" at all; there are just too many people out there that do NOT talk about what they have....

[RCM]

I've actually had the pleasure of filming Dream's stuff for a feature I directed/produced (coming soon, I think). I've had access to several "top" collections and very few can touch his.

Not that it resolves the issue at hand, but he knows his shite and has an awe-inspiring amount of stuff in remarkable condition.

[skaar]

I'll chime in on behalf of Canada and point out this guy's from Ontario.

Not Canada. ;)

CBC often considers Ontario to be all of Canada, it's a well known issue with them.

[ProgrammingAce]

If people who run stores shouldn't count their video game collections, then neither should those who run a museum...



Thirdly, to anyone who claims to have a complete Xbox collection ... I would love to challenge you on that considering that until recently, an actual ACCURATE complete list of what comprises an Xbox collection DID NOT EXIST. Not on this forum (items missing), not on Wikipedia (don't get me started about the issues there) - not ANYWHERE. If anyone who claims to have a complete Xbox list would care to send me a list of their collection I'd be happy to validate it for you. I have spent many hours researching this situation and have even gone so far to contact Microsoft about it.

I'm probably not the guy you want to play the xbox collection card against. I've had a complete Xbox collection since 2008, including every japenese and european exclusive title. I know even I'm not the first person to have a complete set. I have 27 prototype xbox consoles, i have the Xbox Alpha Development kits versions 1 and 2, more then 20 xbox development kits, every limited edition xbox console released in the world aside from 3 (the white console given to EA employees, the blue console given to taco bell winners in 2001 and the green Hulk system given to 5 winners in the UK). I have the only known complete Bill Gates Signed Xbox Launch Team kit, including the controllers that were never available to the public.

If your list of games is so much more accurate then wikipedia, why don't you just update it? That's kind of what it's there for... I would think someone running a museum would welcome that kind of public service.

Oh, yeah... and i was on the Xbox 360 Design Team...

Real xbox collectors have the Hello Kitty Xbox:
http://kotaku.com/332246/hello-kitty-xbox-is-totally-real

[Arcade Antics]

Believe what you will, think what you will. I DID give Peter Nowak my numbers - that is how he made the determination. He did not publish a breakdown. That's all. I never said I didn't give out my numbers
No, you said this:


As for breakdown, I have over 8,000 CONSOLE games ... the exact number hasn't been nailed down because I am still cataloging. It might be closer to 8,500. And there are well over 3,000 original computer games in the collection. Again, probably more but we are feverishly cataloging them.
If anyone is confused here, it's you and Mr. Nowak. Nowak took your numbers - which you admit are not confirmed - and assumed they were correct.


I said I didn't give out a breakdown and I was referring to the claim that "most of my collection is PC based" (untrue BTW) etc. My point was, unless you have talked to me, how on EARTH can you make assumptions about what my collection is comprised of? It just doesn't make sense.
What's all this about? The two issues at hand are that a) you admittedly don't have a handle on the actual numbers, and b) Nowak did zero research, he just took what you said at face value. To use your very own argument, unless Nowak talked to other collectors or experts, how on EARTH can he make the assumption that you are the "top collector," especially since you don't even know what you've got on hand?

[DreamTR]

Programming Ace: That Bill Gates Launch Team XBOX is different than the one I used to have? I had one that said that in the circular part of the XBOX symbol on the console with his signature with these special green beefy controllers? If I recall the Halo one looked the same with the exception of the controllers and the Bill Gates stuff obviously not in there unless you are referring to ANOTHER version of that because that sounds like the one I used to have....

[jcalder8]

I really don't see what the big deal is. He's marketing himself and he is posting what someone else has said about him. Personally I would only be bothered if CBC came out and made a correction saying someone else had a bigger collection and he still left it up there.

The xbox collection though..... yeah that's just a little out there claiming to be the first.

[maxlords]

Mine is bigger than yours. *sigh* So sad.

</thread>

[Guyra]

I really don't see what the big deal is. He's marketing himself and he is posting what someone else has said about him.
My thoughts exactly. Personally, I think it's great that he got that title, even if the journalist could've done a better job.

And people who don't "speak up" in any way can't really be counted, can they? If you were to count those, there could never have been made any "top X" awards in anything. Take sports - "fastest runner in the world!", the news might say about a person, but somewhere in the world there are probably several people who can run even faster. Point taken?

As with all "better than you" competitions, unless someone steps up to the plate and proves they're "better", they are not counted. I'm sure Sydric would acknowledge not having the largest collection in Canada if someone else were proven to have a larger collection. In fact, if someone here has a larger collection, or knows of someone who does, and the live in Canada, why not just contact the CBC about it?


I also see his point about people selling and trading items from their collections on a larger scale - sure, you get a lot of games, but in the end it's all inventory. Someone seems to have misunderstood the part about this not being about a seperate collection apart from the inventory, though...


Mine is bigger than yours. *sigh* So sad.
This. ;)

[portnoyd]

I think what we like to see is some humility when you have a large collection and this article wasn't exactly a shining example of it.

[DreamTR]

I really don't see what the big deal is. He's marketing himself and he is posting what someone else has said about him. Personally I would only be bothered if CBC came out and made a correction saying someone else had a bigger collection and he still left it up there.

The xbox collection though..... yeah that's just a little out there claiming to be the first.

Yeah but that's the whole thing, first he's claiming he is "not" doing this for personal gratitude when it is obvious it is about "him" more than the museum when you look at his website and Wikipedia thing.

I mean, it's great for marketing, the problem is, he's not "admitting" it is for that, rather pretending to be an innocent bystander with this whole thing...

[bangtango]

It's not difficult to go online to a popular game collecting forum and ask around for feedback before making an unfounded claim.

It's not difficult for people in Canada with "bigger" collections to get the word out about themselves either. In fact, it is a hell of a lot easier for video game collectors in Canada with huge collections to find this forum than a hack journalist who is probably working on a deadline and was probably "tipped off" about Syd or actually ordered by his bosses to talk to him.

Without knowing how much work the reporter had on his plate or how long he had to throw the story together, who can honestly say he had time to Google search individual video game forums, sign up on them and hang around long enough to get all the right names and numbers? Yeah, the guy is still a hack, but not every reporter out there has the luxury of writing stories at their leisure, nor are they afforded the necessary weeks/months that some stories require to properly research.

Going back to the Canadians with bigger collections:

If someone is modest or likes to maintain a certain degree of privacy, I can respect that. However, it takes two to properly determine Canada's "top collector." The reporter is just one part of the equation.

I guess the point is, DreamTR shouldn't have to vouch for other people in Canada who have bigger collections. If they gave a shit, they would have come forward themselves by now. If they are too lazy, busy, scared or disinterested to, that isn't Syd's problem.

[skaar]

Is this the guy who ripped off Jason/DB's stuff awhile back?

[Bojay1997]

I guess I don't have strong feelings about the whole CBC declared me the winner and so I don't feel the need to correct them discussion. I will agree that his claim of being the first to have a complete Xbox collection in North America is complete BS and really should be corrected as the CBC didn't declare that, he did and now knows that to be false. I also question how he can operate a museum only one day a month and not raise questions from the tax/non-profit regulators about whether this is really just a private collection masquerading as a "museum". I am not familiar with Canadian law on the subject, but I suspect in most states and under Federal law in the United States, you would be hard pressed to maintain non-profit status by being open to the public one day a month in the absence of other civic or educational objectives being otherwise completed.

[geezuzkhrist119]

he lives in my town and i met him once at one of his spring cleaning yard sales. he is pretty cool.

[ProgrammingAce]

Programming Ace: That Bill Gates Launch Team XBOX is different than the one I used to have? I had one that said that in the circular part of the XBOX symbol on the console with his signature with these special green beefy controllers? If I recall the Halo one looked the same with the exception of the controllers and the Bill Gates stuff obviously not in there unless you are referring to ANOTHER version of that because that sounds like the one I used to have....

There are actually 2 different versions of the green Bill Gates signed consoles. The first was sold to the development team for $500 with 5 games and 2 controllers. It says "Launch Team 2001" and is signed "Great work Bill Gates". The second looks almost identical, but instead of saying Launch Team, it says "Thanks for partnering" with Gate's signature. This one was given to the executives of the companies who helped develop the Xbox (IBM, Nvidia, etc). They're about even for rarity, less then a dozen of each known to exist.

Fun fact: it was cheaper for the launch team to go to walmart and buy a console then to purchase the launch team model from Microsoft. I don't think many were bought. For the 360, Microsoft gave the launch team their specialized console for free.

[GrandAmChandler]

Do you guys have Halo 2? Halo 2 is totally hard to get. Steelbook Edition.

[DreamTR]

It's not difficult for people in Canada with "bigger" collections to get the word out about themselves either. In fact, it is a hell of a lot easier for video game collectors in Canada with huge collections to find this forum than a hack journalist who is probably working on a deadline and was probably "tipped off" about Syd or actually ordered by his bosses to talk to him.

Without knowing how much work the reporter had on his plate or how long he had to throw the story together, who can honestly say he had time to Google search individual video game forums, sign up on them and hang around long enough to get all the right names and numbers? Yeah, the guy is still a hack, but not every reporter out there has the luxury of writing stories at their leisure, nor are they afforded the necessary weeks/months that some stories require to properly research.

Going back to the Canadians with bigger collections:

If someone is modest or likes to maintain a certain degree of privacy, I can respect that. However, it takes two to properly determine Canada's "top collector." The reporter is just one part of the equation.

I guess the point is, DreamTR shouldn't have to vouch for other people in Canada who have bigger collections. If they gave a shit, they would have come forward themselves by now. If they are too lazy, busy, scared or disinterested to, that isn't Syd's problem.

Bangtango: Yeah, I agree on that, but the dude is going with it, though...he's going with the "top" collector thing as a huge marketing thing and that's the problem itself; it is incorrect. I mean, who the heck even knew about this to begin with? I just don't see anything in here except what bojay mentioned, a man's "personal" collection being submitted as museum which is not the same thing.

[Arcade Antics]

It's not difficult for people in Canada with "bigger" collections to get the word out about themselves either. In fact, it is a hell of a lot easier for video game collectors in Canada with huge collections to find this forum than a hack journalist who is probably working on a deadline and was probably "tipped off" about Syd or actually ordered by his bosses to talk to him.
Except that it's not their job. It's a reporter's job to be accurate and to do research.


Without knowing how much work the reporter had on his plate or how long he had to throw the story together, who can honestly say he had time to Google search individual video game forums, sign up on them and hang around long enough to get all the right names and numbers? Yeah, the guy is still a hack, but not every reporter out there has the luxury of writing stories at their leisure, nor are they afforded the necessary weeks/months that some stories require to properly research.
Then the story shouldn't be printed until there is time to do it right. Otherwise, why not just make up the entire article?

[maxlords]

Then the story shouldn't be printed until there is time to do it right. Otherwise, why not just make up the entire article?

Isn't that 3/4 of news now anyway?

Regardless, I know Syd and he does run a VERY cool Computer Museum just down the road from me. It is very much a non-profit venture with a board of directors and everything from what I understand, and it's open by appointment as well as specific days. He does all sorts of neighborhood functions, recycling drives, all sorts of things. Don't be bashing the museum. It's definitely separate from his collection.

He also has a very impressive personal collection and is NOT a braggart about it. He gives tours of his place all the time too. He has been getting a lot of press locally and doing a lot of public speaking as well, so it's not surprising that CBC would do an article at all. If you guys don't like what the article says...email the journalist.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Yeah but that's the whole thing, first he's claiming he is "not" doing this for personal gratitude when it is obvious it is about "him" more than the museum when you look at his website and Wikipedia thing.

I mean, it's great for marketing, the problem is, he's not "admitting" it is for that, rather pretending to be an innocent bystander with this whole thing...

The first thing that stuck out about this whole ordeal is his name-domain and his face on the page. Not lining up at all...

[Arcade Antics]

Isn't that 3/4 of news now anyway?
Sadly, yes.

[bangtango]

Except that it's not their job. It's a reporter's job to be accurate and to do research.

I know it isn't the same thing, but it isn't American Idol's job to go door-to-door looking for the best singers. Their job is to weed out people who show up at tryouts. A guy can't bitch about being a great singer with star potential who has never been discovered if he never showed up to the American Idol tryouts in his town.

How is someone supposed to "find" him otherwise? Idol would never get a new season on the air if they had to chase millions of leads across the country or "research" without running any tryouts.

Just like the Guinness Book of World Records isn't obligated to go door-to-door looking for the world's fattest man or the guy who has eaten the most pieces of Godfather's Pizza in a single sitting. That'd take forever. At some point, they gotta depend on people to come forward and take credit for these sort of things, which is why they ask for submissions.

If I felt I had Canada's biggest collection and was concerned about someone with a smaller collection taking credit for being Canada's "top collector", I wouldn't be couch surfing with a Slurpee, a bag of Doritos and Season 3 of Lois and Clark. I'd be contacting somebody.

How long ago did CBC do this article and how long has Syd been taking credit for being Canada's top collector? There's no excuse for guys with bigger collections to have not come forward by now and say "That's wrong." I'd have done it in a heartbeat, if it were me.



Then the story shouldn't be printed until there is time to do it right. Otherwise, why not just make up the entire article?

Right, but if the reporter is given an assignment to do the story and if he isn't given a decent amount of time from his company to complete it, that isn't the reporter's fault. That is CBC's fault.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you entirely, considering a story about Canada's top video game collector is hardly an urgent matter that ought to be rushed into completion.

[horseboy]

My local paper verified me as having the largest video game collection on my block. I am also the first known person to have a 100% complete Tiger R-Zone collection.

[bangtango]

My local paper verified me as having the largest video game collection on my block. I am also the first known person to have a 100% complete Tiger R-Zone collection.

I live alone in a two-story house in the country, but it hasn't been verified yet that I have the largest video game collection in my household. At least not solidly.

[DreamTR]

I have a large ePenis. Biggest in the mall.

[mastamuzz]

The guy must have a sad life! having to take care of all those games can't be easy and time consuming.

most people collect games they like and play often!
collecting just for the sake of collecting?
I bet my username that one can't play that many games from start to finish on a proper manner if you also have a normal lifestyle like most people do family time, work and stuff not just that sad video game obsession!

what you have after the title of the greatest collector is an empty room with walls covered in plastic with stickers on top! so sad:(

[horseboy]

The guy must have a sad life! having to take care of all those games can't be easy and time consuming.

most people collect games they like and play often!
collecting just for the sake of collecting?
I bet my username that one can't play that many games from start to finish on a proper manner if you also have a normal lifestyle like most people do family time, work and stuff not just that sad video game obsession!

what you have after the title of the greatest collector is an empty room with walls covered in plastic with stickers on top! so sad:(


I collect for the sake of collecting. People collect all kinds of different things. I just happen to collect video games. There isn't anything wrong with that. Of course my collection is nothing like this guy's. I used to be a gamer and a collector. Then I got married and had kids. I might have played 3 hours of video games in the last 8 years. I just think collecting is enjoyable.

[cartman]

Could you break down how many different GB, GBC and GBA you have?

[jonebone]

Well this thread is definitely humbling. I thought getting a Mountain Dew Xbox Complete in Box or Sealed was a nifty item to a Xbox collector. I didn't realize there were more Xbox console variants than funtastic N64 controllers...

Nice read though.

[mastamuzz]

I collect for the sake of collecting. People collect all kinds of different things. I just happen to collect video games. There isn't anything wrong with that. Of course my collection is nothing like this guy's. I used to be a gamer and a collector. Then I got married and had kids. I might have played 3 hours of video games in the last 8 years. I just think collecting is enjoyable.

and that is the secret answer!
you got married and you can't play anymore and your collection is not as big as that guy's. secretly inside you there is a gamer that still wants those games not just the collector so you are not only collecting for the fun of it! so you as I posted have a normal life like everyone else and you enjoy the other aspects of life instead of sickly obsessing over video games (this as far as your answer let us see I could be so wrong) so not because you want that guy's collection means you will have it!

some of us that collected games for many years can tell you lots of stories about selling most of our stuff because of the mayor events on a mans life and starting all over again when you settled and started missing all your sold stuff, each time you start over you become wiser and more specific on what you want and the conditions!

as far as I know big collection equals no time for a healthy life, for a wise collector and\or gamer the secret is quality over quantity! having a Barbie game besides Gears Of War makes no sense! unless you want to become one of those lame internet douche reviewers!

[98PaceCar]

as far as I know big collection equals no time for a healthy life

And you would be very wrong. A whole lot of folks here have very impressive and sizable collections (bigger than our canadian braggart even) and still have time for families, careers, and other hobbies.

[mastamuzz]

And you would be very wrong. A whole lot of folks here have very impressive and sizable collections (bigger than our canadian braggart even) and still have time for families, careers, and other hobbies.

first hand info or just a guess?

[portnoyd]

First hand, as, at the very least, I am.

[98PaceCar]

first hand info or just a guess?

Very much first hand. I've personally met most of the mods here as well as folks like Joe, John, Sean, Portnoyd, DreamTR, Ianoid, Marriott_Guy, etc and all of them fall into a category of having a great life and amazing collections.

[Atarileaf]

http://www.sydbolton.com/

I was perusing the web and I came across this and I'm a little confused who brands people "top" collectors?

It says he is the top collector in Canada (according to the CBC) but there's an old school collector up there with way more games than that already....

It also states he was the first person in North America to acquire a complete XBOX collection in June 2011? I've had that finished myself for well over a year and I am sure others have finished it besides me...

I don't know, in this day and age I see a lot of claims about a lot of stuff these days but I just don't get how people "assume" they have more games than everyone else or how they would know they have complete collections over others...there's a ton of people who just don't talk about their stuff...

I find it interesting that this bothers you enough to start a thread and argument about it. Must be some jealousy there. Who gives a shit anyway. Enjoy your collection because to YOU, that's all that should matter. This all sounds petty and stupid.

The comments bitching and whining about who's is biggest makes you sound like a bunch of jealous children.

[Doonzmore]

Why don't you stop collecting games like a faggot and tell me how you really feel!

Quote of the fucking year, folks.


I find it interesting that this bothers you enough to start a thread and argument about it. Must be some jealousy there. Who gives a shit anyway. Enjoy your collection because to YOU, that's all that should matter. This all sounds petty and stupid.

The comments bitching and whining about who's is biggest makes you sound like a bunch of jealous children.

It's just the shoddy journalism that has everyone up in arms, but since when is that new? The fact that it pertains to video game collecting seems to have hit a sensitive spot with a lot of members here.

[mastamuzz]

Very much first hand. I've personally met most of the mods here as well as folks like Joe, John, Sean, Portnoyd, DreamTR, Ianoid, Marriott_Guy, etc and all of them fall into a category of having a great life and amazing collections.

so if it's not you then is 2nd hand thanks for clearing that up!

[horseboy]

and that is the secret answer!
you got married and you can't play anymore and your collection is not as big as that guy's. secretly inside you there is a gamer that still wants those games not just the collector so you are not only collecting for the fun of it! so you as I posted have a normal life like everyone else and you enjoy the other aspects of life instead of sickly obsessing over video games (this as far as your answer let us see I could be so wrong) so not because you want that guy's collection means you will have it!

some of us that collected games for many years can tell you lots of stories about selling most of our stuff because of the mayor events on a mans life and starting all over again when you settled and started missing all your sold stuff, each time you start over you become wiser and more specific on what you want and the conditions!

as far as I know big collection equals no time for a healthy life, for a wise collector and\or gamer the secret is quality over quantity! having a Barbie game besides Gears Of War makes no sense! unless you want to become one of those lame internet douche reviewers!

I never said my collection wasn't big. ;) I only said it wasn't anywhere near as large as the real BIG dogs. I have my fair share of stuff.

Your assumptions are still a little off. I have been collecting since the mid 90's. Many years before I stopped gaming. I think everybody can do whatever they want and have balance in their lives as long as they prioritize correctly. There are many many many more people that have lost "real life" to gaming than there are people that lost it to collecting.

[98PaceCar]

so if it's not you then is 2nd hand thanks for clearing that up!

Lol!!! Is this the best you can do? I swear, the trolls around this place are getting to be laughable!

Actually, my collection, though not the size of some of the ones I listed, comes in at right about 4,000 games. Hardly small by pretty much anybody's definition. With that, I manage to maintain a full time job, attend classes to further my career, spend time with my wife, keep my dogs well exercised, travel extensively (spent the past 2 weeks traveling), maintain a house, maintain several cars, and still have time to pursue not only my other hobbies, but spend time playing and hunting for video games.

So if you want "first hand" knowledge, yes, I can offer that and yes, you are incorrect in your assumption. Maybe from your perspective it's not possible, but I've given you several names that prove that it is indeed possible to have not only a sizable and quality collection, but also a meaningful life away from the hobby. Perhaps you can't manage it, but it is certainly possible.

[portnoyd]

so if it's not you then is 2nd hand thanks for clearing that up!

Dynamite comeback right there. Look out, this guy's on fire.

[Hep038]

The clique has spoken your collection is invalid. You now have the smallest video game collection in Canada, Thanks for playing.

[Trebuken]

Wow. The only thing that bothered me is that he acquired such a large collection and is only now posting on Digital Press. Where's he been? How come he is only now cataloguing?

Game CollectorZ is a good choice of software.

Dude's console collection is impressive, but as was mentioned the retro-PC portion was more impressive.

DreamTR has 225 arcade/pinball machines?? Really...or is that PCB's. That would be one awesome arcade.

I disagree that any true Xbox collector needs to have a Hello Kitty Xbox...but I respect those who disagree...

[Shingetter]

Are you telling me that "Platoon" on the Commodore 64 is somehow less than a video game than the NES version (graphics and sound differences aside?).


It is if it isn't cartridge.

[Atarileaf]

It's just the shoddy journalism that has everyone up in arms, but since when is that new? The fact that it pertains to video game collecting seems to have hit a sensitive spot with a lot of members here.

I never heard the initial claim but even I'd see it as spurious considering some of the collections I've seen online.

It still all seems like a trivial thing to get up in arms about. Since when do journalists ever get facts right anyway ;)

[Atarileaf]

Wow. The only thing that bothered me is that he acquired such a large collection and is only now posting on Digital Press. Where's he been?



Because DP is the center of the universe and EVERYONE must participate in the glory and honor or posting here? ;)

I've been collecting for 20 years and I don't have a high post count here. What does DP matter really?

I'd assume someone told him about this little thread and he felt compelled to defend himself, right or wrong.

Let me know when it becomes a world wide law that all owners of huge video game collections must sign up and post regularly at the might Digitpress.

[Trebuken]

Because DP is the center of the universe and EVERYONE must participate in the glory and honor or posting here? ;)

I've been collecting for 20 years and I don't have a high post count here. What does DP matter really?

I'd assume someone told him about this little thread and he felt compelled to defend himself, right or wrong.

Let me know when it becomes a world wide law that all owners of huge video game collections must sign up and post regularly at the might Digitpress.

You are awfully sensitive. I do have some respect for Digital Press, but my universe is a bit larger. My train of thought is more general. I feel that the internet is probably the best tool collectors are using to identify games, create lists, and share information about. Most searches will eventually lead to a handful of sites, including Digital Press (an the ones that make up your universe). I think the journalist and his research is not the only one lacking in research, but that Canada's number one collector may similarly be lacking.

[skaar]

Because DP is the center of the universe and EVERYONE must participate in the glory and honor or posting here? ;)

I've been collecting for 20 years and I don't have a high post count here. What does DP matter really?

I'd assume someone told him about this little thread and he felt compelled to defend himself, right or wrong.

Let me know when it becomes a world wide law that all owners of huge video game collections must sign up and post regularly at the might Digitpress.

Leafs suck.

[GrandAmChandler]

Because DP is the center of the universe and EVERYONE must participate in the glory and honor or posting here? ;)

I've been collecting for 20 years and I don't have a high post count here. What does DP matter really?

I'd assume someone told him about this little thread and he felt compelled to defend himself, right or wrong.

Let me know when it becomes a world wide law that all owners of huge video game collections must sign up and post regularly at the might Digitpress.

You're right, it's more a U.S. Law. Sorry about that, I know Canada is a few years behind and all.

Just kidding, LOVE YOU GUYS!

http://codecrackx15.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/strange-brew.jpg

[portnoyd]

Let me know when it becomes a world wide law that all owners of huge video game collections must sign up and post regularly at the might Digitpress.

VIDEOGAME COLLECTING MESSAGEBOARD ISSUES HOBBY WIDE DECLARATION OF MARTIAL COLLECTING LAW

CLIFTON, NJ, July 26th, 2011 /DPNewswire/ -- Joe Santulli of Digital Press Co, Inc. announced today that if you collect games and don't view the Digital Press forums on a daily basis "he will come to your house and taze you in the butthole". This new, bold initiative comes from the Digital Press collective after years of dedicated research and tens of dollars on research materials (e.g. beer). Commenting to reporters, Santulli comments "Yes, if any fuckers out there don't want to browse these forums and get some fucking education, they can kiss my red ass." This new initiative is part of a multi-step process where collectors are identified for not browsing DP, isolated from fucking everyone and then, as mentioned early, shocked directly on their anus. When asked how exactly how Digital Press would carry out this final solution, DP administrator Roberto 'O' Flacko said "We know people. Who know people. Who have tazers."

About DP News Wire

DP News Wire is a very small public relations company located in my head. It currently consists of myself, Port, a raving lunatic and GrandAmChandler, his trusty alcoholic cohort. Port formed this relatively new (minutes old!) PR firm in response to some asshole hating on collectors hating on some other collector with a giant ego. DP News Wire features some of the hardest, fastest reporting and press releasing you've ever fucking seen. You haven't seen shit until you've seen DP News Wire.

[ugly_monster]

port, you're the reason I keep coming back.

[horseboy]

DreamTR has 225 arcade/pinball machines?? Really...or is that PCB's. That would be one awesome arcade.


He owns a commercial arcade.

[allyourblood]

http://www.killedaway.com/images/tazeinthe.jpg

[Kitsune Sniper]

It is if it isn't cartridge.

So, video games can't be on floppies? Is that what you're saying?

[Atarileaf]

You guys are hilarious :D

BTW, no I'm not sensitive on the subject as someone alluded to. I'm more incredulous that its such a big deal. Even the person in question used an asterisk after "Canada's Biggest Collection" or however its worded.

I've had very large and small collections. What matters is enjoyment. Stop worrying about what the other guys says, does, or owns. It shouldn't affect anyone else.

[Atarileaf]

Leafs suck.

Thems fightin' words!

[Glitch695]

Ok, so I just followed the link to that guy's game list on his site, and uh, I guess I could have 8,000 games if I bought every sports game and guitar hero I came across, but I'd rather have something that doesn't suck.
He's got like 25 copies of the same year Madden games. Then there's a huge number of other repeat, cross platform sports games and guitar hero stuff, among others.
I understand the people that want to have complete collections of a certain system (or systems), and that's cool, just not my style. But I don't know if I would be tooting my own horn about my greatest collection in an entire country when I don't even own Snatcher, Guardian Heroes, Little Samson, Panzer Dragoon Saga, ad nauseum.
I don't mean to sound like a prick, but like I said, if I started buying up every 25 cent sports title I saw at Goodwill every day I'd have the biggest collection in Wisconsin in a year. It just doesn't mean it's the best, or even noteworthy.

[kafa111]

guys dont worry, i have star wars battle front 2 for my xbox. i have the best collection. even though it is modded and requires a cellphone charger to turn on

[Shingetter]

So, video games can't be on floppies? Is that what you're saying?

They can be, I just think they are less (for my personal collection) collection worthy. I've got a few computers from the 80's but wouldn't if they didn't take carts.

[horseboy]

They can be, I just think they are less (for my personal collection) collection worthy. I've got a few computers from the 80's but wouldn't if they didn't take carts.

I am the same way with my collecting. Cart based systems only. Nothing against the other stuff. It just isn't for me at the moment.

[Trebuken]

He owns a commercial arcade.

Oh. I did not realize there were any left...