CIB

[recorderdude]

If standard terms don't differentiate games with just the box, cartridge and manual and those that are TRULY complete as originally packaged, why not just adopt two terms? CMB (Cart, Manual, Box) and CIB (Complete In Box).

Then again, lots of games ARE complete with just cart, manual and box, so perhaps the universally confusing CIB term would be...less confusing?

[SOL BADGUY]

If you have everything that you got when you took the shrink wrap off and you list it on Ebay you should just say "complete", if its missing something or wasnt originally packaged with something then you should say it. Thats why they dont limit you in the description section on Ebay.

[Tron 2.0]

Never had a problem with the term so it doesn't matter to me in the least bit.

[Rickstilwell1]

I think the reason CIB is a commonly used term for cart, instructions and box is because those are the three components that you know every game has to come with. It is really hard to find out sometimes which games came with which posters, which maps, which magazine subscription ads, which registration cards and other such extras that not everybody even tries to collect.

If there were some kind of master database where people who bought games sealed and opened them to display all factory new contents with every game and showed the pictures it would be doable. Otherwise it is hard to even tell which editions of which games came with which extras. For example, the Player's Choice version of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past did not come with the map that the original release had. I know this because I got the Player's Choice version new for my 10th birthday.

[SOL BADGUY]

If there were some kind of master database where people who bought games sealed and opened them to display all factory new contents with every game and showed the pictures it would be doable. Otherwise it is hard to even tell which editions of which games came with which extras. For example, the Player's Choice version of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past did not come with the map that the original release had. I know this because I got the Player's Choice version new for my 10th birthday.

Well, people can still lie about what they mean by CIB or complete, its up to the buyer to make sure that what the person is selling them is what theyre paying for. So CIB is just a redundant term that is useless if people dont actually know what something is when its listed as complete. People can shop around online and look at different postings of the same item and know what was in the box.

[Dr. BaconStein]

It never really bothered me unlike stupid stuff like "RARE!!!" and "L@@K!"

[SpaceFlea]

It shouldn't be used with games in general. As has been stated, it is redundant since the games typically can't be considered complete without the box. But the term makes perfect sense when discussing other electronics or things like action figures. They can be complete with all their components, but not in the box, or they can be "complete in box."

I'm more annoyed by people who use it as cart/instructions/box. It's like nails on a chalkboard. I can't stand it.

[Polygon]

It never really bothered me unlike stupid stuff like "RARE!!!" and "L@@K!"

Exactly. I've not seen an abuse of the terms complete or CIB. But it get's old seeing people calling a game on eBay rare when there are five pages of auctions for the same game.