What is the most common reason to stop collecting

[Dashopepper]

Okay, so I just did a quick tally of all my video game consoles, Not including handhelds, and I came up with 81. I've never really sold anything and I've always had the space, money, and time for it all.

So my question to people who have either stopped buying with the intention of collecting, or have sold off major parts of their collection is why? Money, Time, Space, Kids, or bored with vintage systems or find something bettter?

[SpaceFlea]

As with most any hobby, at some point, it ceases being fun. In particular, if you do it to fill a void, it will eventually fail to satiate that need. That is why I am selling my collection.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Personally, I stop collecting for a particular console when one or more of these conditions are met:


1. I have acquired everything I deem worth owning for the format; as I am not a full set collector, I will only buy games I'll actually play.

2. I have exhausted local supply and or/online sources

3. If the platform I buy for no longer works, or is generally prone to widespread hardware failure, such as my open hatred for the Famicom Disk System. A few years ago I was a avid collector, then the hardware woes began.....and never stopped.

4. At the point where the remaining games I'm missing that I want are no longer affordable. I doubt I'll ever own an original non reproduction or bootleg copy of Little Samson, for example.


For me loosing interest or running out of space are non factors. I collecton only what I am interested in to begin with and my collection, while fairly large, isn't unmanageable.

[A.C. Sativa]

It's money for me. Not really because I have less of it (but that is a factor), but the fact that prices have just exploded over the last few years. I collect stuff to actually play it, and most of these games just aren't fun enough to be paying 3-4X what they cost in the mid-2000s. I haven't sold anything off yet, but I'm pretty much done with buying stuff to add to my collection. I've actually been getting into the newer systems lately, it's just better value for money.

[Atarileaf]

Interesting timing for this topic to crop up as I've been thinking seriously about hanging up the collecting hat, and with it my participation in the youtube side of things. I find making videos almost tedious anymore and its depressing that the reviews that I make which take some time get so many less views than a simple "pick up" video which I almost hate doing anymore.

For me part of it is that my collection is fairly complete, although I'll never say never as an interesting console, item or game might cross my path that I'll pick up. Another part is that the fun of hunting has become a lot less fun between an explosion of resellers, thrift stores that want ebay BIN prices, and an almost complete lack of anything older than 16 bit at thrifts, pawns, yardsales, etc which is where my interest lies.

And the biggest reason - I'm also finding that I'm going into a swoon where I'm getting quite bored with playing any of it. Not sure of the reason but this has happened before. See, I've been collecting on and off for over 20 years now. I've gone through these cycles before of collecting for a few years, selling it all when I tire of it only to start up again a couple years later. This cycle has happened 3 times in those 20 years

This time though I'm not selling it. If I must, I'll put it all away safely and store it properly because I'm sure the interest in it will rise again eventually.

For now though, I think I'll be more of a watcher of this hobby than a participator.

[Damaniel]

In my case, it was the fact that I had gotten far enough in many of my collections that the parts remaining to get (like my missing NES games) were too expensive to justify purchasing. Plus, once I wasn't able to find things that I needed locally anymore, the idea of having to turn to eBay to buy new games completely ruined the thrill of the hunt. I ended up getting burned out and stopped collecting entirely for a couple years. Of course, now the prices on older games are crazier than ever. If I wasn't willing to pay $75 for a copy of Little Samson 7 or 8 years ago, I'm certainly not going to pay $350 for it now (fortunately I had that one already, and actually just recently sold it :)).

However, despite all of my complaints about prices and availability, my interest in collecting has been renewed - I've just changed my focus. I'm now very hard at work on acquiring a complete US PS2 set, and while that might seem like a daunting task, it's certainly far cheaper than collecting for my other systems, and the games are still widely available. I like being able to walk into a used game store and walk out with a bunch of reasonably priced games that I didn't already own.

[Daria]

Death.

[gokugohandave]

Time, money, space, in no particular order. I first started trying to get every game system and some games, then full sets of games and then I slowed down to just buying things I would play. Now I really only buy stuff that I will play if it's not an ebay or gamestop price, like the Goodwills and some other small stores all do around here. Let me tell you that method keeps you in check really quick :P Once in a while I like to splurge. With more people aware of the hobby and the prices some things can fetch the thrill of the hunt seems to be few and far between nowadays. :(

BTW Daria your pic is like an angel to my nerdism. <3

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I paused my collecting after I lost my job a couple of years ago. I'm working again now, but only as a temporary employee. I still buy old games from time to time, but not like I did when I had a full time job.

My interest in the hobby still remains though. I enjoy playing what I have, and enjoy making Youtube reviews. I'm into gaming for the long haul.

[wiggyx]

College was for me. Sold a lot of it to stay afloat. Now I'm back in the game for what I hope will be as long as there are games to collect.


Death.

This.

Well, I actually hope that my child in progress (wife is 4 months preggers) will take the torch from me :)

[Tanooki]

Okay, so I just did a quick tally of all my video game consoles, Not including handhelds, and I came up with 81. I've never really sold anything and I've always had the space, money, and time for it all.

So my question to people who have either stopped buying with the intention of collecting, or have sold off major parts of their collection is why? Money, Time, Space, Kids, or bored with vintage systems or find something bettter?

Ask any kid/teen of the early 90s who got their sports card and comic book hobby ruined by various nefarious types. All those reasons that applied then that killed those markets heavily are in play now. So you have to ask yourself, is it worth the effort fighting all the trouble? Is it worth it to buy a game that was just 3 years ago $5 for now $20+? Or how about a $50 game that's now $300? The problem is predators and the outflow of a lot more cash due to their behaviors in your hobby of choice (gaming in this case.) If you hit a wall where it would just be cheaper and more worth it to outright quit, pirate and use emulators and ROMS, or to slow to a crawl and just get stuff when you can luck into a cheapie still then perhaps it's time to re-evaluate or cash out.

Other factors like you said could be room, kids, or moving on. I have a 14 month old and she limits my time but I still get stuff and pick away at it as I can because I know soon enough she'll be able to play by herself a bit and I can get some time back and recently moving into a larger house from a condo and getting my own large room, space isn't a problem.

[Sinizar]

Okay, so I just did a quick tally of all my video game consoles, Not including handhelds, and I came up with 81. I've never really sold anything and I've always had the space, money, and time for it all.

So my question to people who have either stopped buying with the intention of collecting, or have sold off major parts of their collection is why? Money, Time, Space, Kids, or bored with vintage systems or find something bettter?

I started collecting by just buying games I wanted to play. Eventually I started buying all the good games. One day I realized if I started playing just the games I have I will never have time in my lifetime to finish them all. So I started selling off games that might have received good reviews but really don't interest me. I also got tired of owning a rare game worth all kinds of money only to have it released again and the bottom dropping out of the value. Space is always an issue too. So in the end I sold off 50% of my collection and I spend a lot less time cleaning and organizing.

[Tron 2.0]

In this order for me any ways.

1.Time and Money:If the console i collect for get's to be expensive then that's it.

2.Space:When you collect for more then one console it can run out fast.

3.Collection complete:meaning i have all the games i want for that console.

Still any console ive bought for is buying what i want to play on it.That means for me not buying every game made for it.

[Trebuken]

In order to continue collecting you need to evolve what your collection stands for, or get burned out. I've played enough games that they all have begun to look like I have played them before, that the newest is just shinier. You will see a number of people on DP who are into the hardware and modding, others the history of gaming and nostalgia; collecting is just a stage. If you stick to just collecting you will lose interest, eventually.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Many people are citing a rise in prices as a reason. The thing is, I don't think people realize there are many systems whose games have actually been dropping for the past three years: GBA, PS1, PS2, X-box, and a handful of others. You can go to Video Game Price Charts and see for yourself. If you click on a system name it'll show a history of the average game prices for that system.

Other systems, like most of the Nintendo consoles, are just the opposite, rising all the time. The bottom line is that don't just assume that ALL the video game prices are rising.

[Blitzwing256]

girlfriends and broken condoms.

[PROTOTYPE]

Many people are citing a rise in prices as a reason. The thing is, I don't think people realize there are many systems whose games have actually been dropping for the past three years: GBA, PS1, PS2, X-box, and a handful of others. You can go to Video Game Price Charts and see for yourself. If you click on a system name it'll show a history of the average game prices for that system.

Other systems, like most of the Nintendo consoles, are just the opposite, rising all the time. The bottom line is that don't just assume that ALL the video game prices are rising.

Why? when a bad game or average one goes up in price because somebody needs it for their collection. Those charts don't tell the whole story, Example batman arcade Ps1 60.00 give be a break or street fighter the movie ps1 50.00 to 100.00 That game was laughable at best.And don't go and say rare has anything to do with either... there are always games for sale. Xbox IHRA Drag Racing sportsman Edition again another very average game 50 to 100 because its RARE! ha Nooo because some collector pay way to much for it or got caught up in the heat of the moment and over bid for it, just to add it to his collection.Resellers see this and BOOM it's Really RARE...$$$$$:onfire:

[Graham Mitchell]

girlfriends and broken condoms.

Every time I stopped it had to do with a girlfriend. I didn't play games at all for an 8 month or so period in 2006 because my girlfriend at the time thought it was "weird". When we broke up the first thing I did was go buy new super Mario bros. for the ds. Bitch.

[PreZZ]

girlfriends and broken condoms.

LMFAO!!!! but so true!

[Hep038]

When I got married my hobby time cut in half, when I had a kid it was cut in half again. At that point your resources for your hobby ( Time, Money) are greatly strained and make it difficult to really put in the time do it right. I figure once my daughter gets older that I will get a little of that time back.

[Atarileaf]

Many people are citing a rise in prices as a reason. The thing is, I don't think people realize there are many systems whose games have actually been dropping for the past three years: GBA, PS1, PS2, X-box, and a handful of others.

But thats a moot point if you don't collect for those systems. That's like saying that vintage baseball card collectors should just start buying cards made in 2010 if the stuff from the 60's is too pricey.

Last gen stuff doesn't appeal to every collector so suggesting that people just start buying for it doesn't solve the problem. Personally I'm not a "buy anything and everything collector" anymore.

[treismac]

While I can't comment on "common reasons" to stop collecting, per say, I can speak from my own experience as an off and on collector of different subjects (baseball cards, kung fu movies, video games, etc.). I feel my collecting and subsequent immersion into a hobby or subject matter can either be a source of stimulation or a means of distraction from more meaningful endeavors. As it stands, I'd like to devote a bit less of my time to the hobby of video games in collecting, playing, and learning about and discussing them online. There is little chance I will ever rid myself of my systems and games, completely abandoning video games, but I could see myself only picking up new games on rare occasions, and perhaps converting my video game room into something else.

[MachineGex]

Like a lot of things in life..............MONEY!

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Why? when a bad game or average one goes up in price because somebody needs it for their collection. Those charts don't tell the whole story, Example batman arcade Ps1 60.00 give be a break or street fighter the movie ps1 50.00 to 100.00 That game was laughable at best.And don't go and say rare has anything to do with either... there are always games for sale. Xbox IHRA Drag Racing sportsman Edition again another very average game 50 to 100 because its RARE! ha Nooo because some collector pay way to much for it or got caught up in the heat of the moment and over bid for it, just to add it to his collection.Resellers see this and BOOM it's Really RARE...$$$$$:onfire:

I'm talking about the overall prices over a long period of time, good games and bad games. Some system libraries are declining in value. There are systems that are a lot more affordable to collect for NOW than they were a few years ago.

For example, Intelligent Qube for the PS1 is supposed to be a good game, but has fallen from the $70 range to the $50 range (over a five year period) . Not a huge decline, and it's still expensive, but the point is not everything is increasing in price as the message boards seem to suggest.



But thats a moot point if you don't collect for those systems. That's like saying that vintage baseball card collectors should just start buying cards made in 2010 if the stuff from the 60's is too pricey.

Last gen stuff doesn't appeal to every collector so suggesting that people just start buying for it doesn't solve the problem. Personally I'm not a "buy anything and everything collector" anymore.

Did I suggest that people switch to another system? Nope, but it's not the worst idea in the world if someone is having trouble paying prices for a particular system. PS1 isn't exactly last gen by the way, but yes, most of the last gen systems have games that are falling in prices.

Another thing to point out, is that GBA games are similar to SNES games, but the GBA library is declining (fast) in value, while the SNES library is rising in value. (Yep, one's a handheld, but the gameplay is solid). So it's not just about what generation a system is in, it's about popularity as well. Similarly, it's not just about old baseball cards and new baseball cards, it's about the popularity of a brand. People may prefer Donruss over Score.

The point is, people make blanket statements that everything in the gaming world is getting more expensive. I suggested otherwise, and pointed to a few systems where that it simply isn't true. Of course it's a mute point if you don't collect for those systems.

[Atarileaf]

Did I suggest that people switch to another system? Nope, but it's not the worst idea in the world if someone is having trouble paying prices for a particular system.



Of course its not a terrible idea IF those systems and games appeal to you.



Another thing to point out, is that GBA games are similar to SNES games, but the GBA library is declining (fast) in value, while the SNES library is rising in value. (Yep, one's a handheld, but the gameplay is solid).



Again, if you're a SNES collector, then GBA prices aren't important if you aren't interested in GBA games. Whether the titles are "solid" or not isn't at issue.


it's not just about old baseball cards and new baseball cards, it's about the popularity of a brand. People may prefer Donruss over Score.

I agree. The popularity of Nintendo is driving the prices of NES, SNES, and N64 up right now. But again, if you're a Nintendo collector, which is the brand as you say, then the prices of Sony's PS1 games being lower doesn't help you.


The point is, people make blanket statements that everything in the gaming world is getting more expensive. I suggested otherwise, and pointed to a few systems where that it simply isn't true.

I'd have to re-read everyone's posts to see if they did make blanket statements but I was speaking from my personal POV - I collect based on my interests, not what's cheap or easy to find so the prices of xbox or PS1 games are irrelevant to my outlook on collecting. Sure I know of a couple of places where I could buy boxes of xbox or PS2 games right now that I won't play or care about but to find that elusive Atari 2600 or NES game I'm after is still going to be difficult and pricey regardless.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand what you're saying. My point is simply that what's cheap isn't necessarily collectible to everyone.


Of course it's a mute point if you don't collect for those systems.

Moot = rendered unimportant
Mute = be silent ;)

[Daria]

Ok, now for a serious answer. I've actually been in a financial rut for the past two years or so. Consequently my collection hasn't exactly exploded in that time. I haven't quit collecting mind you, I figure a slow two year period over the course of what I consider to be a lifetime hobby to be... well nothing. Sure I still don't own Earthbound and Panzer Dragoon Saga, and yes their prices have done nothing but gone up in that time, but fuck, I'll own them eventually. Either I'll get really lucky (hey great finds happen!) or someday $300 won't be as expensive to me as it is right now.

After reading through the comments of this thread, all I can think is that some of you sure get discouraged easy. But that's cool. When collectors sell out it just means more games for the rest of us. (:

[Tron 2.0]

Ok, now for a serious answer. I've actually been in a financial rut for the past two years or so. Consequently my collection hasn't exactly exploded in that time. I haven't quit collecting mind you, I figure a slow two year period over the course of what I consider to be a lifetime hobby to be... well nothing. Sure I still don't own Earthbound and Panzer Dragoon Saga, and yes their prices have done nothing but gone up in that time, but fuck, I'll own them eventually. Either I'll get really lucky (hey great finds happen!) or someday $300 won't be as expensive to me as it is right now.

After reading through the comments of this thread, all I can think is that some of you sure get discouraged easy. But that's cool. When collectors sell out it just means more games for the rest of us. (:
If you look at it like that 'sure there is a constant market for buying and reselling.I see it all the time for any one that collects for the neo-geo aes&mvs.Person buys it all for that said console 'then sells it all after getting sick of it etc.Funny you should mention earthbound,that's a game i'll probably never own but playing it off a flashcart is good enough for me.As for panzer dragoon saga the jp version can be often had for cheap prices.I will say this money has been tight for me lately also.So i can't buy every game i want at the moment either.

[AceAerosmith]

girlfriends and broken condoms.

Getting married hasn't put a dent in gaming/collecting as much as I thought it would. She really doesn't care what I do.

Rugrats would definitely make game collecting near impossible with all of their expense but I've dodged that bullet.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I'd have to re-read everyone's posts to see if they did make blanket statements but I was speaking from my personal POV

Moot = rendered unimportant
Mute = be silent ;)

I see people complain about rising prices all the time, on multiple message boards. I don't recall too many conversations about falling prices though, so I sometimes try to bring it up. They always seem surprised to hear that certain games have been declining.

Thanks for the grammar correction. I actually thought it was you who used the wrong term.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Getting married hasn't put a dent in gaming/collecting as much as I thought it would. She really doesn't care what I do.


My wife doesn't care much either. After we bought the house, I told her that I was planning on making a game room and she was cool with it. I'm pretty lucky to have her.

[Atarileaf]

I see people complain about rising prices all the time, on multiple message boards. I don't recall too many conversations about falling prices though, so I sometimes try to bring it up. They always seem surprised to hear that certain games have been declining.

Thanks for the grammar correction. I actually thought it was you who used the wrong term.

:D No problem. At least you didn't think it was "moo point" :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIkJ4BUChxI

[Atarileaf]

After reading through the comments of this thread, all I can think is that some of you sure get discouraged easy. But that's cool. When collectors sell out it just means more games for the rest of us. (:

I'm not seeing that. I see comments that are realistic and reflect real life. Sometimes people do lose interests in hobbies and give it up. Sometimes you just need a break, like I have. Sure its harder out there to find deals with the huge increase in collectors and resellers as well as the general uptick in prices, which is why I'm so glad my collection is about 99% complete.

If I ever did "sell out", I'll be damn sure to get my money's worth this time. Not giving big deals to other collectors like I've done in the past (only to have a lot of it resold for a lot more, I found out later)

[Daria]

As for panzer dragoon saga the jp version can be often had for cheap prices.

I collect RPGs released in English. So yeah, cheap Japanese games don't interest me much right now. Should I learn Japanese then shit, I'll have to buy a bigger house. :P

I'm thinking about it actually, once I'm through with my programming classes.

[StealthLurker]

Not "the most common" reason I would assume for the majority, but for me...

It usually ends up where I find another hobby that starts to interest me more. Then I'll stop collecting or slow to a tiny crawl for several years or more. I never sell it all because I know at some point I'll be back. I've sold off or traded a few things in the past and I eventually regretted it every time.

In the end, I've found that my interest in things are pretty cyclical and that I'll always be back... no matter how "done with it" or tired/bored I may seem at the time. It's also kind of neat "re-discovering" some of the amazing little pieces in your collection that have been stored away for many years.

.

[Tron 2.0]

I collect RPGs released in English. So yeah, cheap Japanese games don't interest me much right now. Should I learn Japanese then shit, I'll have to buy a bigger house. :P

I'm thinking about it actually, once I'm through with my programming classes.
Yeah,learning japanese would make it easier on the pocket book for you ;) It's often with jrpgs there jp counter parts are cheaper in price.Just recently i was looking for soul blazer and i notice it really jump in price compared to a few years ago.

[Haoie]

For me, I'm at the point where I've practically run out of stuff to collect [only collecting for 1 platform obviously helps].

[jonebone]

Probably money or boredom would be my guess.

[Daria]

Yeah,learning japanese would make it easier on the pocket book for you ;) It's often with jrpgs there jp counter parts are cheaper in price.Just recently i was looking for soul blazer and i notice it really jump in price compared to a few years ago.

I dunno dude, it's a question of a few expensive games in English over a ton of cheap games in Japanese. The math may not be in my favor after all. :P

[Edmond Dantes]

I don't really "collect" in the first place. I only buy the games I want to play. So for me the only conceivable end is if I just get bored.