The mysterious mind of collectors

[lendelin]

I'm a videogame player, but sometimes I have the urge to collect games. Then, on the other hand, it almost hurts to have games on my shelves which I can't play. Last week I got 8 great Dreamcast games at once, peeked at them, but so far didn't play them. Sometimes I think it would have been smarter if I had gotten ONE.

So many of you are serious collectors. What's the psychological setup of a collector, when and WHY do you cross the line from being a gamer to become a collector? Let me have a peek in your collector brains! :)

[tynstar]

The psychological setup of a collector is that off a pack rat. I crossed the line a couple years ago. Why? Cuz I have collected a lot of different things. When I was younger it was comics and trading cards. It then just moved into video games. The only thing I collect now are fantasy books (Forgotten Realms, Dragon Lance, and other TSR books) and video games.

I also collect video games for the hunt. It is fun to track down a game you have been looking for. It is also when you get a great score for cheap. That can make your week.

[josekortez]

For me, it's really about the variety, or at least that's what I tell myself. I like the idea of being able to choose from a library. I usually buy more than one game at a time, and yes, I don't get a chance to play them all as much as I should.

If we're talking Dreamcast and PlayStation, many of which go for a fraction of what they used to cost, I can legitimize a multiple purchase to myself. I still love the DC and I never owned a PS before I bought the PS2, so most of these games are like trying totally new experiences.

Today, I bought 3 GameCube games for less than what I planned to pay for Soul Calibur 2. Why? Because 3 games IMO are better than one. I figure if they're cheap, I don't want anyone else to get the deal I should have gotten.

I remember someone explaining on this site once that they never got a lot of games as a kid. I think I only owned 10 NES games, 8 SNES games, and 2 Genesis games during my childhood. The reason? Because new games were $50 a pop, and my family couldn't afford that many. These days you can go into a store (if you're not choosy) and buy a new GC, PS2, or Xbox game for $20 or less. Plus, most of us are in control of how we spend our money...

I guess I would consider myself a collector except I don't usually buy for the rarity. I want to buy games that I haven't played before, but if they suck, I'll still keep them in most cases. However, I still have yet to buy a single import or pay out the nose for a holy grail to complete a collection because I don't devote enough time to any single game.

I used to "collect" comic books, but I read all of them. I used to "collect" action figures, and I took them all out of the packages. I "collect" video games, but the only ones I don't play are the doubles I have for future trade. See a pattern here?

But I have to agree that the thrill of the hunt is part of it. I can't tell you how fast my heart beats when I find a game for one of the newer systems for less than $5 or if someone sells or gives me something for a fraction of what it's worth.

Still, I'm sticking with variety and volume. As I explained once to an EB Games employee back in my hometown, I just want to have as many games as possible...

In closing, no offense to the hardcore collectors on this site. I have nothing but respect for you guys, and your knowledge about the hobby is what keeps me coming back to this site several times a day...

[PDorr3]

Im 15, and im sad to say that my addiction to becoming a packrat is becoming worse and worse. In the past years I used to buy games because they looked good, I would play all my games, but not beat them all, but I DID playthem. But the past 2 years I have found myself buying more and more games, and not being able to keep up with them. There are a few games I have bought and not even played, and In 2 days (not too long ago) I had bought 5 new games. Usualy I used to get about 1-2 new games a month, but now im in a sickness of hunting down the used, cheaper games, like blockbusters, I cant resist passing up a ps2, xbox, or gc game that is 15$ or below, even if i know the game is bad.
My habit is getting worse, and when I am about 20 years old...I think i will be declared an official pack rat...

[digitalpress]

Excellent question and I'm really impressed with the responses, too. It doesn't leave me with much to say that hasn't already been very well articulated.

But since I've never been known to keep my mouth shut...

I know for a fact that you can be BOTH collector and player. I have swayed back and forth over that line many times over the years (as of now I'm definitely more "player" than "collector"). The collecting comes in when you find a great deal, make trades with your friends, or are actively seeking to fill holes in your collection, but the playing comes in all of the rest of the time. The two mindsets can co-exist.

I still have a ton of games that I haven't even opened yet, let alone played, but that's OK. They're there for a "rainy day" or after the armageddon when there are no more new games to play at all :)

[kainemaxwell]

I've been a pack-rat most my life, especially as a kid with collecting comics, gaming, trading cards and even Sobe caps (I have abour 2 dozen taped to my wall). As a gamer I always wanted games that were fun, sometimes the best new ones out there, even not beliving some the hype behind them or Nintendo Power (Yes, I subscribed).

Now as a gamer and collector I tend to look for the games I want for my collecting goals as well as fun ones to play. Heck all the game spretty much in my collecting goals are games I enjoyed playing as a kid up to now (most the Final Fantasy games, many the Atari Activision titles I had or never had I got refamiliar with in Anthology and the mega Man games and most my tengen carts I do play for fun too).

[Oobgarm]

Hmmm.

I collect games now simply because I have to means to do so. I've been a huge fan of this stuff for as long as I can remember. Like josekortez, I didn't have much growing up, so being able to get what I want now is what keeps me collecting. I often pick things up that I've never seen before, but I also have yet to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a holy grail. Granted, I've spent more money on these things than I'd like to admit, but no super expensive buys for me yet. I love reading the "finds" threads, especially when grails or unreleased protos pop up in the wild.

I think that everyone here is a player first and foremost, regardless of how much they collect or how serious they are about it. Honestly, why would you be collecting games if you didn't like playing them? I don't play classics very often, only when I fire up my 2600 or good ol' NES toaster. I personally play the newer games quite a bit. But I'll still collect for the older stuff since it was a part of my childhood.

Bottom line: Do what makes you happy, but don't go overboard, and be sensible about what you buy if you do start collecting. No one likes to go back and sell off part of their hard-earned collection because they spent too much on it. ;)

[YoshiM]

Good question.

It started out because I never got to play or even see some of the systems I own (or used to own). My parents also didn't have a lot of money so when I had a more disposable income I started to go on the prowl. Before it became a "collectors market" in my area I could regularly find many systems out in the wild on a regular basis. So then it became the "thrill of the hunt". My original collection was built up mainly from what I found locally.

After many changes of heart and lack of space, my attitude has changed. I try to be more of a player now but sometimes I can't resist the cheap bargain. Just last week I snagged The Pandora Directive (a Tex Murphy game) for $6 and Zork: Nemesis for $3 at a Goodwill store. I don't know when the hell I'm gonna PLAY these games, but I couldn't pass up the price. I never know if I'm going to find some rare fun gem that's going to suck my game time away. Addiction? Maybe, but I'm recovering. Going to get Soul Calibur II yesterday I bypassed a stack of cheap Dreamcast games and refused to purchase any.

Baby steps...baby steps....

[AB Positive]

For me, it's become an obsession over how it all started. Usually when I get into a hobby for the first time (or back into it repeatedly) I learn the history of it. With video games, what better way to understand where it all came from than by playing them?

However, this also has to do with a dream I had when I was a 12-year old little King-loving freakazoid... I always wanted to have every video game and system ever made. My friend and I would plan out how we'd become rich and just build a giant shrine to the industry. Although we just called it "Video game museum" back then.

Now that I have a bit of spending cash and the resources to do so, suddenly I feel the need to try and get it done. This started in May when I added a NES to my XBOX and Dreamcast. I now have 19 systems and who knows how many games. I've gotten lucky a lot this summer and hope for my luck to keep going in my mission to eventually get a full complete. True, it's technically impossible but hey, it's all about the fun of trying.

-AG

[Atari7800]

I'm not quite sure what happened to me and collecting... maybe adulthood and more responsibilities? I think I may be an obsessive-compulsive type personality, which certainly doesn't help things.

I used to be a gamer, first and foremost. I played hell out of the Atari 5200 when it came out (yes, I'm carbon dating myself) and had a pretty good collection. But I bought these games to PLAY. I even beat 5200 James Bond (which is a feat in itself and I still don't understand why people hate this game so much.)

In college, we played the living crap out of our NES, SNES, Genny, Super Gameboy (don't knock it) and finally the PSX. Then I kind of lost touch with gaming for several years.

Then I found a 2600 with some games on the side of the road. That was what did it, I think. My ex-wife wasn't much of a gamer, so we didn't play much.

Since then, my collection has gone from 30 or so goes to well over 1300. Some of the systems I don't even like that much anymore (sorry guys... my 2600, O2, Intellivision, and 3DO have been sleeping for some time now. I'll probably get rid of them eventually.)

For awhile (like 3 years) I was absolutely crazy... tens of thousands of dollars later and 1300+ games everywhere, I hope that I have snapped back into reality.

Just yesterday, I drove by an EB games (cheap PSX and occasional SNES) and didn't even go in. Of couse, on the way back, I decided to get my hair cut, and the SuperCuts just happened to be RIGHT NEXT to the EBgames. I had to wait a few minutes, so what to do? I went next door... and spent a whopping $2.88 on a cheap PSX game. So unlike me... I've just lost the desire (hopefully PERMANENTLY) to collect everything in sight. I've amassed quite a few rarites (nothing like some of the guys here, though), a huge shooter collection, and one complete collection (32x)... I'd like to complete the domestic Saturn library at some point, but I'm in no real hurry as most of the stuff I have left is sports related.

I just bought a tiny loft, and space is at a premium. I plan on eventually building some sort of storage for my collection, and then getting down to playing all of the games I've either played for 5 minutes or never played at all. I have nothing never than a Nintendo 64. I've got some plans for some informative websites, and I'm going to try and focus my obsesssive-compulsive behavior on paying off my loft ASAP. I hope that I am a recovering video game collecting addict who will stay on the wagon... it's been ugly at times, guys. Maxed-out credit cards, running to the PO every other day, crap piled everywhere. I now have money in SAVINGS (gasp!) and my credit card is paid off.

Be careful, would-be collectors... it can be a rocky, dangerous, and expensive road!!!

[christianscott27]

my re-entry into the gaming world coincided with my garage sale/thrift store awakening. i went out and got a SNES strictly to play games, i hadnt devoted much time to games since the 7800 but playing donkey country at a friends house over beers got me into it again. at that same time i was really getting into retro clothes and funky housewares, i still am into that stuff actually. i was just getting the fun titles here and there, then i caught site of the nomad and had to have it, i hate flying so i wanted a great distaction and the nomad fit the bill. when i went to the family home i dug thru the closets and reclaimed my 2600/7800 colecovision collection, just to play galaga and Wargames really. next thing you know i'm going to funcoland to get more nomad and SNES games so they start to pile up. the old systems are fun and when i see more carts at the thrifts i pick them up, when the price is low i'm quite the impulse buyer.

back in the pre-ebay days it was quite easy to score old games for nothing so i did. then i hit the web and discovered the newsgroup RGVC, i think having a big online community spurred me on. soon after i met a couple local collectors and that really got me going. both of them had fairly sizeable collections that opened my eyes to how many games were out there. one look and i knew i had to have a vectrex. somewhere along the line it became more about the thrill of the hunt than the games but either way it still brings me a lot of enjoyment and to me thats the whole point.

[Half Japanese]

I'm definitely moreso a player than a collector. I've caught myself at times looking at a used game in a store that I can barely afford and thinking "Hey, DP gave that a R7, maybe I should pick that up!" when I know to myself that there are two other games I could pick up for the same price that I'd enjoy a lot more. I try to just collect which games make me happy and the ones I can play over and over again (perhaps why I prefer racing and arcade type games). I can agree with some of the guys about not having a whole lot when I was growing up, not because I was unfortunate, it was just because $50 games weren't a priority to my family (and in a sense, I think this kept me from being so spoiled as many kids are these days). That said I don't have anything sealed (just traded off my only sealed game to another DP user yesterday :D) and I try most of my games AT LEAST once. I think one thing that makes a collection isn't so much liking the games themselves, but not being able to get a good trade in for them and just keeping them around (at least in my case, with a large number of psone games that aren't worth much). I'll stop rambling now before I become incoherent and need to be tranquilized.

[Nature Boy]

I also collect video games for the hunt. It is fun to track down a game you have been looking for. It is also when you get a great score for cheap. That can make your week.

This is probably *the* biggest reason I collect period. I definitely enjoy the hunt as much as anything else. I 'collect' video games, comics, books, CDs and DVDs and I *always* get a thrill when I find that certain novel I've been looking for or a game for a really good price.

However I wouldn't be a collector of any of those things if I didn't use 'em. I love reading (novels and comics). I love playing games, watching *great* movies, and listening to music. So even after the thrill of the hunt is over I still feel I enjoy the fruit of my labours.

One last item that makes me personally a collector: I love making lists. (Maybe that's why I'm a database programmer :)). But honestly, I make lists of *everything* I've mentioned. Part of the buzz of finding that great game is being able to enter it in a list for me. I get razzed about it from my wife and my friends, but I love it nonetheless.

[Saturn Sensei]

One last item that makes me personally a collector: I love making lists. (Maybe that's why I'm a database programmer :)). But honestly, I make lists of *everything* I've mentioned. Part of the buzz of finding that great game is being able to enter it in a list for me. I get razzed about it from my wife and my friends, but I love it nonetheless.

I'm a list freak too. I think I should have been a statistician. I actually have a giant spread-sheet of every game I have ever played. 4000+ entries!!!

Then I also have lists of all the games I own and such.


I'm sort of ashamed to say it but I collect more than I play. I just find it difficult to find the time to play. Not to say I don't play, but I spend perhaps a couple of hours every week actually playing games. A few more when a great game is released. Wife, job, friends, classes, books, movies, all take their toll.

Though I imagine people who collect say Pez dispensers or action figures probably don't have any qualms about not playing with their collections. In some ways I think playing and collecting are separate hobbies. Though, personally I would probably quit collecting altogether the day I quit playing.

[Nature Boy]

I'm a list freak too. I think I should have been a statistician. I actually have a giant spread-sheet of every game I have ever played. 4000+ entries!!!

Actually I wondered that about myself at one point too. In university I really enjoyed the 3rd year Stats courses I had to take, unlike a lot of my buddies. Plus there's my love of the best sport of all when it comes to stats: baseball!

I have to ask: what info do you keep in this 4000+ spreadsheet? Just the name or high scores and stuff? No wonder you don't play as much as you used to - having to update the list is a dis-incentive if you're in a lazy mood :)

[Saturn Sensei]

I have to ask: what info do you keep in this 4000+ spreadsheet? Just the name or high scores and stuff? No wonder you don't play as much as you used to - having to update the list is a dis-incentive if you're in a lazy mood :)

yup, I love baseball too :)

Um, I started the list about 5 years ago. When I started the list it took quite a bit of time to update and input all, or as many as I could remember from a decade or two of gaming. Now it takes about two seconds to input a game once I have played it. fyi: My recent gaming malaise didn't set in until about 6 months ago.

Arcade has the most entries with around 500. Genesis around 450. PSX around 400. Dreamcast around 300 SNES. around 200. AND!!! I do NOT ever include games played on an emulator.

sample entry:
name-"X" if I own it-year-system-publisher-developer-region-entry #-date-number of games played on that system

Sno-Cross Championship Racing-X-2000-Dreamcast-Crave-UDS AB-USA-#3954-17-May-2003-DC #251

Most recent entry is Jedi Knight 2(Xbox)

Systems listed so far:
32X
3DO
Arcade
Amiga
Atari ST
Atari 2600
Atari 5200
Atari 7800
Bally
C64
CDI
CDTV
Colecovision
DVD Video
GameBoy
GBC
GBA
GC
GameGear
Genesis
Intellivision
Lynx
Mac
Master System
N64
NGCD
NeoGeo
NeoGeo Pocket
NGPC
NES
PC
Pinball
PSX
PS2
Radofin Telesports
Saturn
Sega CD
SNES
Turbografx
Turbografx CD
Turbo Duo
Vectrex
Vic 20
Virtual Boy
Xbox

[Sylentwulf]

Personally, I find it downright UNNATURAL to NOT have SOMETHING to collect.... I can't even imagine not having ANYTHING to collect, it would just seem really weird to me.

Videogames especially are easy and fun, just because so many of them are still so CHEAP. Yes, you may never finish any particaular system, but so what? At least it's fun trying :)

[kainemaxwell]

Yes, you may never finish any particaular system, but so what? At least it's fun trying :)
And isn't that what matters? :)

[Lifebringeroftorv]

If I were not collecting video games, I would be collecting something else. I have an addictive personality, fortunatly I do not spend it drinking, smoking, doing drugs, gambling and unfortunatly a sex fiend. I used to collect the new starwars figures that came out i think 8 or so years ago. I had 2 of every figure (rares included).

I might have got my collecting bug from my family. My grandmother was a huge barbie and doll collector before she passed away. Her house has so many dolls it is not funny. She just collecting what ever she found at garage sales, but there were some key pieces to her collection. Even though I do not collect barbies, I had to save her first production barbie just cause it is the the #1 barbie ever made. (valued at $4000 - $5000)

But about 6 years ago, for some reason I wanted to play pong. So I made it a mission to track down a pong unit. I did not even know where to start. So the hunt was on. It took me about 2 - 3 weeks to find one. And finding my goal gives me such a rush. So I started thinking about my childhood, and wanting a 2600. And it exploded from there finding other games, and units while searching for Atari.

I consider myself a console collector and more of a PC gamer.

[lendelin]

Very interesting posts. I really enjoyed reading them. Let me respond in a split personality - dialogue. I hope I get it right.

A videogame room. While playing a game, the collector personality of the player suddenly appears.

CO: Collector
PL: Player

PL: Hey man, don't interrupt me! Can't you see I'm playing Metriod Prime?

CO: Hi...well, decided about collecting yet? (smiles)

PL: Oh please, no thanks, you know I wanna PLAY games!

CO: So?? ...you know, your love for games isn't just about PLAYING.

PL: Oh yes, it is! Playing is the reason why I like games, not STARING at them on a bookshelf, gimme a break!

CO: It's not only about playing, you know better than that! Remember when you got "Rygar" in this fantastic box, like new, and you opened it...how nice it was just to LOOK at the cover art of the NES box and the manual, was this about playing too?? and how much you enjoy looking at all your old games neatly organized, making a list of the games you have,...

PL: Ok, ok...(gives up and puts the controller down)

CO: ...and when you read about videogame history, is that about playing?? Man, you even read from time to time your old videogame mags which you never threw away, not even one issue!! and if it's only about playing, why do you then refuse to buy loose cartridges and insist on boxes? (smiles)

PL: Ok, ok, what's your point?

CO: ...the point is your love for games isn't just about playing, pal. It goes much deeper. There is no reason not to collect.

PL: Ok, you little devil, you know my weak points and almost got me, but let me tell you something...do you really think I wanna collect and buy every lousy game for one system? I know how pedantic and quality obsessed YOU are, collector boy, when it comes to the mint condition of boxes and manuals. Hell, even your game mags from 15 years ago look like new...and now you're telling me I should forget about game QUALITY and buy even bad games? Some bad space shooter X which was nothing else than a clone from average space shooter Y which copied the great seminal space shooter Z?? Thanks, I love GOOD games, I stick with the great game Z, thank you.

CO: Not again, oh man, I thought we are beyond the playing issue. Every game is part of videogame history, therefore the quality of an individual game is secondary. It is YOU with all your gaming experience who always says that there isn't a big bang revolutionary event but rather that progress is gradual. Every game is influential for other games in a positive or negative way over time...and even a not well executed game can leave footsteps in history because it points in a new direction; remember Wolfenstein?? Do you wanna restrict yourself to "Doom"??

PL: I see ...even you, collector boy, know your games well...did you play them, merely stared at the boxes, or just read about it? (smiles)

CO: Don't be childish, don't make a sarcastic comment like this, you lost the argument already five reasonings ago. The point is...

PL:...thank goodness...don't digress in your LECTURES again, phew...you lost all message board readers anyway FIVE minutes ago (smiles)

CO: ...the...point...is...collecting is about videogame history, it's about having a part of videogame history right there on your bookshelf, good games, bad games, good old controllers, bad controllers, it doesn't matter; important is the condition of the item, not their usefulness or quality back then.

PL: What a nice altruistic reason. C'mon...collecting is egotistical and doesn't make sense. Hunting down games for the thrill of it, adding one game and system to another, looking for rare bad games which I don't even like...what's the point of all that? Showing off? "My collection is bigger than yours?" No, I love my Mega Man X3 because it's a good game, because I played it, and therefore it's part of me and my past. I like it not because of the insane price tag and not because others want it. In the end you collectors collect for collecting sakes, and maybe it doesn't even matter WHAT you collect as long as you collect.

CO: Don't be silly, you only collect what you like and what you're interested in. Hey, don't forget, I'm YOU, just with a bit of pedantic hunting obsession thrown in and some anal retentive tendencies.

PL: A game was developed and is there in order to be PLAYED, guy, just having them and looking at them isn't their purpose...

CO: Yeah, like stamps from the 19th century should be put on envelopes today and be thrown in a mailbox; that was and is their purpose, every stamp collector knows that.

PL: ...ok, ok, you made your point, it's about preserving game history...

CO:...and enjoying it because you love videogames. Of course it's partially egotistical...part is to show off, to enjoy what others don't have, and it's the satisfaction to find finally a game for a cheap price which you hunted down, the thrill of the hunt....but you're like me. It's very similar to the feeling when you, player boy, finish a challenging game, it's the feeling of accomplishment. Therefore, a collected game becomes also a part of you. Remember how proud you were when you got this absolutely mint Rygar game for $2.50??...and there is nothing wrong with it. Love, my friend, is always altruistic and egotistical at the same time, you know that. You give a lot, and you get a lot, in a non-calculating way. Or did you turn into a puristic Plato, or even worse, into Rousseau?

PL: Oh geez, spare me your cheap philosophy references, Aristotle or Voltaire, this is about games, so give me a break...still, I don't know... collecting is a neverending task. There is a legion of games out there, and then all the accessories, the publications, it's a sisyphus attempt, it's insane.

CO: Be realistic, set a goal, focus on one system and/or certain games. It's like always in life, learn walking by making one step at a time; besides, to have a COMPLETE collection isn't necessarily the ultimate goal.

PL: You sound so reasonable. You're right, we have much more in common than separates us. We are ONE, and that's exactly the problem...

CO: What do you mean?

PL: If I collect games, then I have less time actually playing them. If I spend 80% of my game time collecting, then there's not much time left for playing. I accumulate games, and the more I get the less I end up playing them, paradox, isn't it??? We have one common root, that's our love for games, and it produces two activities which, exercised, are at the expense of each other. There you have your conflict, collector!

CO: DAMN! Is that why you designed this topic as a dumb dialogue?

PL: Guess so...beats me...just ask my psychologist...

CO: Maybe we can co-exist?? worked in the cold war, as long as it doesn't develop into a hot war it's fine with me.

PL: Sure, but don't forget, after being more of a collector than a player, I have to switch back into the player role for some time. After all, what fuels our passion is the love of playing games, and if the car runs out of gas, I have to refuel it by playing games. Never forget, there is a conflict between us based on different interests and activities, that's why we have to switch back and forth.

CO: DAMN, ok, this is more complicated than I thought..DAMN

PL: Ok, let me get back to my game. This Metroid Prime has atmosphere, identification with the story, exploration, and it's a challenge.... it has everything to draw you into a game. It's great.

CO: (rolls his eyes) You're a hopeless case; I leave you alone, but...(in a really bad Arnold imitation)...I'll be back!

PL: (rolls his eyes) I can't wait.

NOTE: I did not transform into Gollum from Lord of the Rings, not yet anyway. :)

[CRaCKeRJaCK1980]

aaahh, my retirement. Thats why I collect, so I can sell them and retire.
ahahahahh. I collect just for the pure joy of collecting. I have never been that great of a player, my brothers could kick my ass in about every game out there, except the racing ones, I am the best at them....especially when it comes to the real thing. Any whoo, I have been collecting for just over 1 year know. I have spent well over 10000 dollars and loving it.

[Neo_Veteran]

Great topic.

I think being a collector is more like a hobby. It is kinda like collecting
baseball cards. The urge to get a new game is uncontrollable, but very
satisfying at the same time. I mostly collect the stuff I like, except
for my favorite system (Neo•Geo) I collect all I find.

The collecting is not bad if you don't over do it, I see it as a resource
when you want to get away from real life...