View Full Version : Game Collector Interview & Possible Reason for Downtime
Griking
03-31-2006, 07:59 AM
I just found THIS story and interview (http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/103) with someone here about their game collection. The story links to the videogamecollectors website where I believe the game collection pics here are located. The author goes on to mention that word of the collection (as well as the pictures) has spread (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/oddities/the-greatest-video-game-collection-evar-160561.php) across the internet. Surely this is part of the reason that we can't access the game collection pictures here recently. There was then a follow up (http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/109) to the interview a week or so later with a friend of the collector. I got to admit, it's a pretty impressive collection.
Oobgarm
03-31-2006, 08:11 AM
There was a big discussion about that very same room a few months ago.
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=77893
That interview gave a little insight, interesting.
Jumpman Jr.
03-31-2006, 08:17 AM
That interview gave a little insight, interesting.
Not really. (Well, the one that "videogamecollector" answered.) Every answer was basically "I'm not sure" or "I don't want to know"
The one that Nesvidiot did is pretty cool, but there are no real specifics, still.
googlefest1
03-31-2006, 08:29 AM
i read both articles twice am i missing it or was it not mentioned where this guy lives.
not that i want to hunt him down or anything but in the articles it says he and his buddy go hunting at flea markets and thrift shops and i was just wondering what part of the country this never ending fountain of games exists. It realy, realy, sucks up here in the north east.
Nesvidiot,when you spoke here:
http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/109
Why saying he's not French?
Are you referring to someone?
Darren870
03-31-2006, 09:31 AM
He is from canada...
rbudrick
03-31-2006, 10:40 AM
I believe he lives in Alberta and sells games at a flea market.
-Rob
DreamTR
03-31-2006, 07:17 PM
Is he a collector, or is that his stock for his flea market? It's always sketchy trying to figure out what is what these days, but it's impressive nonetheless. I wish I had a basement that size to put stuff in. The apartment is the only thing I have= /
badinsults
04-01-2006, 12:14 AM
I bet Cowering's collection rivals that size. I know he has complete genesis, nes, intellivision, 90% Pal NES, and piles of other games...
Darren870
04-01-2006, 12:35 AM
Is he a collector, or is that his stock for his flea market? It's always sketchy trying to figure out what is what these days, but it's impressive nonetheless. I wish I had a basement that size to put stuff in. The apartment is the only thing I have= /
Thats his collection apperntly.
DreamTR
04-01-2006, 02:39 AM
Like I said, it's all relative. The guy could have 10 of every common game there is for every system, really hard to say. I've got close to 11,000 games, and none of them are doubles sans the "Faria" collecting probelm I have.
What if you own a store with 30,000 games? That could be someone's collection persay.
Personally, i'm pretty sure mine is worth more :)
I haven't made pics of it fully yet,but you can see CLEARLY titles when i make pictures...when i post pics of a complete fullset,like MD,PC engine,etc...you clearly see them all
Make a full basement of old NES/Genesis boxed games wouldn't cost 10% of what i have now...so yes,pictures are nice,but we can't see a damn thing of what he has..
DreamTR
04-01-2006, 08:16 PM
Adol: I don't think they are discussing whose collection is "worth" the most money. Just the sheer number of games the guy has is what is being discussed. Also, Adol, I've got some pretty expensive unreleased stuff, and complete collections of a crapload of systems...PC Engine, Mega Drive, Super Famicom is impressive if you have them complete, I'll give you that....
NESVIDIOT
04-06-2006, 01:25 PM
Adol- no the French remark is that there was speculation after his interview that he didn't speak english , and was maybe from Quebec. I was just clarifing that he is infact not French speaking, he was just being really vague.
DreamTR- what you see in the pics is his collection- there is not 10 of every common- not to say that there is not some duplicates, but there is not very many and only if there is a box variation or something. Any duplicates he gets he sells at the market. Obviously he keeps games he gets in on trade that he didn't have.
He has never owned a store, just the booth at the flea market. If there is an archive pic of the original "Room of Doom" section he was the 3rd or 4th set of pics on page 1, titled as "videogamecollector" and although there was only 3 pics and they were poor quality, you could definately tell it was the same collection, and that was 6 or 7 years ago.
I know him better than anyone, and I am still amazed by his collection, and a little jealous(of the fact that he has been able to do what he does for so long and successfully)
As much as I've been into the video game market, I've still always had to have a "day" job. This is his day job.
DreamTR
04-06-2006, 01:33 PM
I still want a flea market...YOu can probably get a crapload of stuff buying/selling with a booth at one of those.....especially one with a day job. I knew a guy at tHe Ft. Lauderdale Swap Shop once with the same type of stuff too, had a warehouse full of games, but never really sold them....
Bojay1997
04-07-2006, 01:45 AM
If you just do a count of what is visible in the pictures, it looks like this guy has the same 10K games or so size that a lot of collectors on this site have. I guess the difference is that his are all in one location instead of in multiple rooms, boxed up or in storage. Really, I could care less who has a bigger or smaller collection and I sure don't care who has a more or less valuable collection. If I could have any collection in the world, it would be the one I already have. I built it and I get to decide what goes in it. I don't collect much Japanese stuff, mostly because I don't read or speak Japanese, so systems like the PC Engine or Megadrive mean very little to me. So much ego involved in collecting today. Why don't we have a debate about who has the hottest girlfriend or wife? That would at least be interesting.
The Shawn
04-07-2006, 05:35 AM
I would have to agree. I don't have nearly one tenth of that collection. But the only one i would want is the one one I'm still building. I got mine through scavenging and trading, pawn shops new releases,flea markets ect. Not that it isn't quite an accomplishment but I only collect games I want or are valuable either to play or scarecity wise. I like to know in my head what I already have and what I don't Besides My wife would kill me if I filled up the basement.It's bad enough we had to buy a 3 bedroom house just for gaming. And where to hell do people find these awesome flea markets with all the game vendors?
DreamTR
04-07-2006, 12:22 PM
Bojay: Then you should take that to another website.
You can say that about anything..WHO HAS THE BIGGEST BALLS?? MY WIFE IS HOTTER THAN YOURS? I SLEPT WITH MORE WOMEN THAN YOU? MY CAR IS MORE EXPENSIVE!
Who cares. It's all relative. People say everyone is bragging about everything, but that is what this site is about, people coming together as a community and discussing and showing off their stuff.....
Every website I go to has their armchair quarterbacks and "experts" on something. "Who's the best at Street Fighter?" "Who picked Florida to win the NCAAs? I did!" It can be said for anything.
Bojay1997
04-08-2006, 02:05 AM
That's exactly my point, who cares? This site and the fanzine that spawned it has never been about who has the largest or most valuable collection. It has always been about sharing information, interacting with others who have a similar interest, making some trades, sales or purchases and generally creating a community. The fact that this guy has a basement full of games or that Adol has a particularly valuable collection of Japanese games is pretty irrelevant. In fact, I can't even understand why there have been this many responses.
cyberfluxor
04-08-2006, 02:28 AM
In fact, I can't even understand why there have been this many responses.
Because we like to respond to things, isn't that the point of a forum?
Sure, people have some nice collections on here and know their stuff, but it always boils down to that I'm happy with what I have. I'll never have a massive collection beyond belief nor will I ever own a complete collection of anything because I don't want everything in the world ever created.
It's nice to just check up on DP from time to time and see what's up and what people wish to talk about. It's what all of the on-line communities are about. This one has a passion for games so expect to see people posting what they have and find and if you don't want to care about it, then don't post or even click on that thread. It's that simple.
Fuyukaze
04-08-2006, 02:44 AM
See, basicly I see his colection as an expanded on version of my own. A much, much larger version as there are many systems he has I'd never consider collecting for. Could this whole interview/pictures be considered a cry for fame? Sure, it could be. Does having so many games make the guy off? Maybe it does. Thing is, the guy has alot of games which he bought with his own money. He got those games by working hard for em I'd say. He doesnt deserve any respect for the sheer number so much as the dedication. If being dedicated to a hobby is bad, what good is one in the first place?
Poofta!
04-08-2006, 03:01 AM
If you just do a count of what is visible in the pictures, it looks like this guy has the same 10K games or so size that a lot of collectors on this site have. I guess the difference is that his are all in one location instead of in multiple rooms, boxed up or in storage. Really, I could care less who has a bigger or smaller collection and I sure don't care who has a more or less valuable collection. If I could have any collection in the world, it would be the one I already have. I built it and I get to decide what goes in it. I don't collect much Japanese stuff, mostly because I don't read or speak Japanese, so systems like the PC Engine or Megadrive mean very little to me. So much ego involved in collecting today. Why don't we have a debate about who has the hottest girlfriend or wife? That would at least be interesting.
ditto.
DreamTR: Yeah,and guess who was the best player in NCAAs?
A french guy,yes! :) Joakim Noah...son of Yannick NOAH,who won Roland Garros (Tennis) 23 years ago:)
DreamTR
04-09-2006, 10:50 PM
Adol: Yeah, and he played for my state's school....
You can't say you have the "best" collection, no one really knows who would have such a thing because there are so many different ways to judge one's collection.
boatofcar
04-09-2006, 11:05 PM
Adol: Yeah, and he played for my state's school....
You can't say you have the "best" collection, no one really knows who would have such a thing because there are so many different ways to judge one's collection.
No, DreamTR. Adol has the best collection. He takes clear pictures, that means his is the best.
:roll:
DreamTR
04-10-2006, 01:10 AM
boatofcar: you are right, crap. LET THE JAPANESE FAMICOM GOD COME OUT OF HIS SHELL!
Lol
I never said i have a better collection (even if i think so :)
But collecting DOMESTIC Games is WAY easier than collecting imports,that's all.
Getting a complete PC Engine collection for a french guy like me would be like getting a complete MD Pal collection for a japanese guy,and it isn't easy when you collect something that wasn't officially released in stores of your country
That was just my point.
DreamTR
04-10-2006, 10:59 AM
Adol: If you go to Japan back and forth and understand Yahoo Auctions like you have been doing for years, or have contacts in Japan, it is entirely possible. A collection is all relative. Imagine trying to collect prototypes for a system...that's even worse....
One of these days I am going to go for Famicom, but I am going to need some crazy help on that one.
If you think wrong things like "i go to japan all the time"then you're just plain idiot.
The last time i want to Japan ( and i went only 3 times) wais in 1999.
yes,1999!
Getting prototypes isn't that hard then,if you have the contacts like you do..
rbudrick
04-13-2006, 11:19 AM
You can say that about anything..WHO HAS THE BIGGEST BALLS?? MY WIFE IS HOTTER THAN YOURS? I SLEPT WITH MORE WOMEN THAN YOU? MY CAR IS MORE EXPENSIVE!
Who cares. It's all relative. People say everyone is bragging about everything, but that is what this site is about, people coming together as a community and discussing and showing off their stuff.....
Every website I go to has their armchair quarterbacks and "experts" on something. "Who's the best at Street Fighter?" "Who picked Florida to win the NCAAs? I did!" It can be said for anything.
Well, if it matters, for the record, my balls ARE the biggest and I've slept with more women. Didn't pick Florida to win, though. Just thought we should settle that.
-Rob
DreamTR
04-13-2006, 11:50 AM
Adol: Read what I said, I said "OR". This is a problem when you are not understanding what I am saying in English and changing the words around. I said it is EASIER for you "if" you go to Japan and have contacts there "OR" pay attention to Yahoo Auctions. Please re-read what I said and stop jumping down my throat.
As for it being easier to collect prototypes? Yes, I have good contacts, but it took me a long time to gain these, and it's not something that you can just jump into, such as collecting Japanese games. It's just a personal preference, and I know you seem to have some type of conflict with believing you have the best game collection in the world, which is all fine and dandy, but no one really cares. We are doing this for ourselves (at least I am) and I understand you are a great collector, but the way you misinterpret things and "snap" at everyone is beyond me sometimes.
All this boils down to is to please re-read the words "or" in the sentence, ok?
Fuyukaze
04-15-2006, 02:00 PM
Domestic? Import? I figured if any of the game companies wanted me to have their games, they'd have just given them to me. Aparently, just like the guy who buys games released for their native country, or import from outside their homeland, we both spend our hard earned money. So in the end, if taste is not a factor, if region is not a factor, if system, genre, variation, and all that other stuff is not a factor in what makes the best collection then that leaves only one thing. Money. It's all about how much you spend I guess. Those of you with your hundred thousand a year jobs, or who live off of ramen so they can go pick up every version of Madden Football, you have won my 15 minutes of fame respect. My respect realy isnt worth that much, but if your so dead set on getting it, you can have it for atleast 15 minutes.
I know you seem to have some type of conflict with believing collecting prototypes makes you superior than collecting regular games, but no one cares.
Getting Home Alone SNES prototype version,with the main character getting blue shirt instead of red doesn't interest anyone.
I'm sorry about the "or/if" thing...but if i was going to write french from now on,i really doubt you'll understand it better than i understand english, and you'll probably won't answer better than i do in English.Please realize that not everyone on this planet is english native.
PS: I have no big issue with jealous people,don't worry :)
I know that american fellows are more rich than people here in France..they can spend thousands of $$,i can't...i just answer to $$ with my brains, and try to get games for cheaper elsewhere...no harm in that...more power to you if you can buy everything you want.
digitalpress
04-17-2006, 05:28 PM
The Room of Doom pages are back up. Sorry for the delay.
cyberfluxor
04-17-2006, 05:43 PM
The Room of Doom pages are back up. Sorry for the delay.
:) Thanks!
YIPPPEEYYYY
hello my sweet little doomy roomy (missed me you know)
DreamTR
04-20-2006, 01:36 AM
ADol: No, but you seem to believe that I think I am "better" than people because I collect prototypes? Now Americans have more money than the French and spend thousands of dollars?
All I have to say is what kind of crack are you smoking? You have ALWAYS come across as someoe very arrogant and proud of his collection. You have pictures of all your stuff posted all over the place. You can barely see my prototype stuff anywhere to be honest, it interests ME, and nowhere did I say I was better.
Also, about having all this "money", I am pretty sure I make LESS money than a lot of people on these forums, and if I did not buy/sell like I do, I would not be able to afford my stuff.
You can believe what you want about what you " think" of me, but your perception is bit confused about the way I think.
Chronodriftersx
04-20-2006, 02:19 AM
no dreamtrs is thes best you cant front. LOL swerious thoudg guy you all make good points
I just think you're the arrogant person here,and you try to make me one,which i'm not...
you just try to "flip" positions here,making me the arrogant person,when you're that one,in fact.
Your way of seeing things/people isn't an universal one..neither is mine!
I posted pics because ppl asked to,into the APPROPRIATE section (game rooms),and they're not anywhere else by now,so what the hell are you SMOKING?
Maybe you make less money than many other people here,but you surely make more than me, for buying all the crack you smoke :)
Mayhem
04-20-2006, 08:00 AM
Here's two sample jars, I suspect a pissing contest in the making ;)
DreamTR
04-23-2006, 02:55 AM
Mayhem: I never claimed my collection was "better" than anyone's.
Adol: How am I arrogant? You'd think I'd have a website or something with all of this stuff I have, right? All you have to do is check the various posts in this forum and there is a bit of you bragging about sealed games here and sealed games there, and arguing with everyone about your games.
I'm not saying I'm an angel here, you can think what you want about me, but if you actually re-read the things your wrote, and taken out of context, you will see you are being a bit naive about who is being arrogant about their stuff.
No,i never said you have a website or something like that..neither am i!
When i spoke about sealed games,this was to go with bronty-2 point of view or other people like him,that there's no need to laugh at ppl paying $700 for a Sealed Chrono Trigger Factory Sealed,when the same game,moint&opened,is $100...i know WHY there is $600 difference,i know too WHY Kizuna Encounter is $12500 in European version,and $500 in Japanese form,for just 1 sticker,cover&instructions difference...
Too,i said (which is pretty obvious) that sealed games are more valuable than complete&mint games,which are too more vaaluable than loose carts/CDs
Then,when i collect complete sets on japanese systems,i collect COMPLETE Games at least,if not factory sealed when i have the opportunity...if i can get for the same price a factory sealed copy of a japanese PC Engine CD game instead of a mint complete one,i'd choose definately the factory sealed one,that's all!!
But i don't collect factory sealed games only (precisely because all japanese nintendo games,until Gamecube/DS generaiton were NEVER Factory sealed)...but complete games only!
For example, I think it is "too easy" to have a complete US NES LOOSE CART fullset,because if you have the money at the right time you can have 80% of it by winning just ONE auction on Ebay...where is the challenge here?
For Neo Geo CD,i found too easy to collect them all,then i took the challenge to get all of those factory sealed...and that was an interesting one!
You can think whatever you want about me, by re-reading the things i wrote "taken out of context"....i could say the same to you,but i don't see the point to read your texts "taken out of the contest"...
Moo Cow
04-23-2006, 07:41 AM
Adol, DreamTR, just stop arguing.
Adol, your collection is impressive because you have an ass of games.
DreamTR, yours is impressive because you have beta and prototypes, which are fairly rare.
I have a perfect way to settle this:
Both of you guys give me your collections, and you'll have nothing to argue about :)
Bronty-2
04-23-2006, 12:29 PM
I agree that's it too easy to just do a loose set like that where you can get it almost complete in one auction.
It's funny, you guys are bickering but both of you, all three of us actually, collect the way we do for that exact reason I think. We want a challenge in collecting and all three of us have gone separate ways to find that challenge - japanese games, prototypes, sealed games.
I'm sure the main reason adol likes to show his collection is because it was a hell of a lot of work and there's pride in ownership. That's not that hard to understand really, although I'm more like you Jason and prefer not to show as much of it. I just don't think too many people care that much - it could never mean as much to someone else as to the person who put in the work to build it anyway.
PS Jason - any word from your contact? I'll pm you now.
Griking
04-23-2006, 12:56 PM
Yeah, really. Who cares how big yours is?