Would you rather own or play every game you want?

[Emperor Megas]

Definitely play them; the alternative is not even a consideration. I really don't get my kicks from just owning games. They aren't something that I get kicks from just looking at them sit on a shelf, like a painting. I do like seeing them on a shelf, because I like seeing anything I own organized and tidy, but it's all about having access to them to play.

Games just aren't the sort of thing that I feel are collectable like stamps and coins at this point.

[Sunnyvale]

Games just aren't the sort of thing that I feel are collectable like stamps and coins at this point.

Not quite to the level of stamps and coins, I agree. But it seems to be heading there. As video games become more entrenched in society, the appreciation of the history of them grows, as this forum and others are evidence of. From kids' toys to complicated RPG's to draw in the adults to the modern day, where almost everyone has a video game in their pocket, whether they know it/play it or not (cellphones). I think that's why Atari 2600's have seen a good price hike lately; the history of that console is pretty rich.

[SpaceHarrier]

Thank you, this thread has answered my age-old question, "Why does my copy of Legend of Zelda smell like sweaty wang?"

[Gamevet]

Thank you, this thread has answered my age-old question, "Why does my copy of Legend of Zelda smell like sweaty wang?"

Somebody didn't understand what the manual meant when it said insert cartridge.

[geezuzkhrist119]

I wouldn't mine having every game. But I'll say playing every game. Since I'm a console collector not a game collector so this would make sense to me.

[Leo_A]

There's no point to owning every game I'd want but not be able to play them. So it's not a difficult decision from my point of view. If I had to choose one or another with this theoritical question, I'd pick to be able to play every game I ever wanted to.

[SpaceFlea]

100% Own everything. I can't stand playing any game for more than a few minutes without suffering sheer unrelenting boredom. The most joy I get from a game is the moment I catalog it and place it in its new home - the pine (shelf) forest.

[Polygon]

That's easy, play. Owning the game is useless to me without being able to play it.

[Nebagram]

Play. No brainer really. The way you've worded it hints that the 'play' option includes unlimited access to any game I want at any time.

[Leo_A]

100% Own everything. I can't stand playing any game for more than a few minutes without suffering sheer unrelenting boredom. The most joy I get from a game is the moment I catalog it and place it in its new home - the pine (shelf) forest.

Why do you want to own them if you don't even enjoy playing them?

[Cornelius]

Well, if the 'being able to play any game' confers with it the time to actually play them, then I'd go that route. If not, well, I'd still probably choose 'play', but if I could have them all and still play just current gen stuff that I can afford, I'd probably go that route. Sadly I just don't delve into my old collection too often even though I love having it. I think it is mostly the time constraint.

[thebeyond105]

This is a hard one, for old school games I would rather own, because i would hate to play on an emulator, just on the original system with the original controller. New school games, for the most part I could give a crap less. I have a small collection of RPGs and Shooters, but when it's all said and done i'll probably just sell most of my new games.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Own to play when I want to play or have the time to play..

I don't rent games..I buy then play when i can...and go back to when i want.

Not much collecting games anymore just specifics..but the games I own to play start to pile up..

[elmsa114]

It only sounds easy, but it’s actually a tough question, I would have loved to own every game that I enjoyed, but if I have to make a choice, I guess I would enjoy playing a whole lot more than collecting.

[markusman64ds]

I would own them and then sell them. Then I would use the money to buy some games I could actually play.

[buzz_n64]

I would own them and then sell them. Then I would use the money to buy some games I could actually play.

That would be cheating. In that case everyone would choose own, then sell, then buy back and play. I'm onto you! :P

[markusman64ds]

I guess I choose play then. Playing games is more fun than just owning them, unless that game is Action 52.

[Genesaturn]

Much rather play every game than own them...if I never played them I wouldn't know how awesome they were in the first place to want to own them!

[mobiusclimber]

If I could sell them, then I'd choose own. I would gladly give up ever playing games again if I could have that kind of money.

[drthielegood]

While playing the games is why most of us have them I fear that the game industry is banking on more "plays" than "owns" in the gaming marketplace. The digital download trend is increasing in momentum, from XBLA/PSN to Steam and others, in the future we may not have this choice to make. The results of this thread seem to indicate that it might not be that big of a problem, however the collector in me (and many of us) has a problem of spending the same money, or more, with no physical media to OWN.

For me, that is what makes this such a difficult question to answer. As it stands right now....I'd probably say own(can we still watch gameplay vids on youtube? lol)