Collector Gamer Split Persona
Collectors very rarely just "collect". Often they would play games during some spare time, and in the least, likely to playtest some of their games to see if the games work or not. Conversely, gamers by default, are likely to buy a "collection" in order to play their favorite games. So in reality, any gamer/collector are likely to have dual split personas in collecting and gaming, but in varying proportions.
So, the question is:
1. What are your favorite games to collect and favorite games to play?
2. Are your 2 "personas" merging as one, or are they diverging in completely different tangents?
So, the question is:
1. What are your favorite games to collect and favorite games to play?
2. Are your 2 "personas" merging as one, or are they diverging in completely different tangents?
Comments
The only time this is in conflict is Metroid. I have sealed copies of games (multiple Supers), multiple open copies of each game, and opened/sealed toys/figures from the series. It is the one thing where I can genuinely say there is a collector's mindset when it comes to gaming.
I still don't consider myself a "collector", just a person who plays games that has a collection.
1a. My favorite games to collect are Atlus games, because I'm weirdly obsessed with them for some unknown reason and I'm amassing a crazy collection of them. However, my philosophy here has shifted a bit as when I initially started collecting I didn't think I'd probably get around to playing them all, but I've changed in that regard and am playing some of the weird/obscure/crappy ones. I'm also considering selling or trading some of my sealed games for CIB copies for this exact reason.
1b. My favorite games to play are....well, I enjoy playing Atlus games per above, but really, just anything that is fun or that I enjoy. I play all sorts of games and I go back and forth all the time between older, modern, physical, digital, etc. I just love video games and always have. I like physical copies and things to collect, but I just love playing good games, and if that is digital-only or EVEN MOBILE (there are some good ones I promise), I'll still play em
2. My 'personas' just shift all over the place - but as I said at first, it really just depends on timing. Sometimes I go weeks without really playing anything, and sometimes I don't collect at all and just play games a ton. Sometimes I think...jeez, I want to get rid of all this crap forever, and other times I'm really happy with all the cool, unique stuff I have that I've spent years gathering. My ultimate goal is to organize everything and share interesting things with others as opposed to just keeping locked away in my room.
The term "collector" is a relatively new thing IMO. Growing up if you played video games, you just kept the games you were given (before trade ins) but we werent calling ourselves "collectors"
I still don't consider myself a "collector", just a person who plays games that has a collection.
Well said. When I was a kid the options were to buy the game or rent the game. I never got into trading in my games or game systems I just packed them away in storage. When we built our new house I wanted a room with the ability to set up and play games or pinball so thats what I did. My game collection (at least the NES games) just kind of happened. I havent played all my NES games but I fully intend to someday. In the next 10-15 years when I retire I don't plan on fishing or standing in front of my house with a hose watering my lawn, I do plan on playing games ......(if thats okay with my wife )
I don't like seeing resentment and judgment at the 'other group' that is sometimes thinly veiled, and sometimes blatantly obvious. The subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle tension between 'gamers' and 'collectors' is just a bit silly. The passive aggressive comments and ridicule about one side or the other are not really needed here. But, I do realize it's going to happen regardless and as long as people aren't overly negative and hateful, it is fine to share opinions and frustrations. Just be reasonable.
[This is not meant toward you OP - just a general comment on the subject]
2. My 'personas' just shift all over the place - but as I said at first, it really just depends on timing. Sometimes I go weeks without really playing anything, and sometimes I don't collect at all and just play games a ton. Sometimes I think...jeez, I want to get rid of all this crap forever, and other times I'm really happy with all the cool, unique stuff I have that I've spent years gathering. My ultimate goal is to organize everything and share interesting things with others as opposed to just keeping locked away in my room.
To organize everything was my goal as well. Now completed, I really enjoy when we have people over and they see it. It is either a large conversation piece or they start to geek out and turn into little kids. I can't tell you how many times a football game party or a kids party turns into all the adults in the basement playing Duck Hunt or Tecmo Bowl. Maybe thats why I continue to by more games??? IDK.
For me, I have stashes of games I've collected to be able to play, but I also want them to be in nice condition because, let's face it, even the games I love, 99.99% of the time that aren't and won't be played. I want them to look good in my collection, for that reason. Then, there are other games and items that I love and have amassed CIBs and even sealed/graded items and I'm not into that stuff, mostly. My passion is old SquareSoft stuff, before the Enix merger.
My profiting, though, isn't looking to scalp or even become rich. I invest personal money into this so that I can acquire the games/stuff that I want. However, I take time to do a bit of research and figure out what's worth a bit of $$$ for systems I could care less about because I know I could by a $20 item at a Thrifty Shop, flip it for $200 and have extra money to take my wife on a date AND by a few extra games I do want. The difference is that I actively shop looking for profits, but the end goal is to collect items I know I can sell or leverage in trades for stuff I do like. It's not just part of the process. I enjoy doing it. Although not necessarily "profitable", by engaging trading, I've made a few friends around here, and I try to keep my eyes open for them. If I see something for a fair deal, I'll buy it for them and give them first-dibs at a discount or close to cost.
I mention that because I think it's an important "persona" as you call it, that not everyone has. Profitability is always on my mind with this stuff, but it's also the lowest priority.
2. My 'personas' just shift all over the place - but as I said at first, it really just depends on timing. Sometimes I go weeks without really playing anything, and sometimes I don't collect at all and just play games a ton. Sometimes I think...jeez, I want to get rid of all this crap forever, and other times I'm really happy with all the cool, unique stuff I have that I've spent years gathering. My ultimate goal is to organize everything and share interesting things with others as opposed to just keeping locked away in my room.
To organize everything was my goal as well. Now completed, I really enjoy when we have people over and they see it. It is either a large conversation piece or they start to geek out and turn into little kids. I can't tell you how many times a football game party or a kids party turns into all the adults in the basement playing Duck Hunt or Tecmo Bowl. Maybe thats why I continue to by more games??? IDK.
This is awesome - I completely understand! I would love to finally get my stuff downsized and organized and displayed where I can really share with friends - whether that is people coming over and checking things out / playing games, or even just sharing some cool items with NA and online. I don't have anything mind-bogglingly rare or amazing, but I do have some obscure things and I'd like to catalog and scan/share what I have for anyone who might enjoy it.
Collect the past, play the present.
Sure, I deviate from that when I want to play a classic every now and then, but I mostly collect cardboard era games and play new releases. I'm not a big fan of replaying titles once I beat them, not the type to play a classic game over and over.
And you'd be surprised how many people just collect and don't play their stuff. Nothing wrong with that, just do what makes you happy
What I like playing is pretty much the same, with a few modern things mixed in. I have little interest in actually collecting modern games with their length, online services, patches, DLC, ridiculous statue LEs, narrative-focus, etc. It's not my thing, but it's nice that I can focus as a result.
What I like playing is pretty much the same, with a few modern things mixed in. I have little interest in actually collecting modern games with their length, online services, patches, DLC, ridiculous statue LEs, narrative-focus, etc. It's not my thing, but it's nice that I can focus as a result.
Agree with that 100%. Though, I am getting interested in some LE's for modern games. No ridiculous staues, those are stupid as fuck. But a nice steel case and artbook, on a game that I do like? sold. Its very rare that I get really into a modern game anymore.
2. My 'personas' just shift all over the place - but as I said at first, it really just depends on timing. Sometimes I go weeks without really playing anything, and sometimes I don't collect at all and just play games a ton. Sometimes I think...jeez, I want to get rid of all this crap forever, and other times I'm really happy with all the cool, unique stuff I have that I've spent years gathering. My ultimate goal is to organize everything and share interesting things with others as opposed to just keeping locked away in my room.
Yeah, this point rings with me. I'll go months without playing much of anything sometimes, only collecting, and vice versa. And I'm cool with that. I see a lot of friction coming from "gamers" against "collectors," mostly on game groups, other sites, etc. I get annoyed by that (as I see it mostly coming from a place of ignorance) and often find myself more in the opposite camp. With emulators and, more importantly, flash carts, the games themselves become mostly JUST collector's items. They function, but they're effectively obsolete, if, like me, you have several flash carts. And I prefer it that way. The games are on the shelf, the Everdrives are in the systems, ready to go.
As more and more time goes by, I think opting for the collecting/preservation side becomes more important. Less wear and tear on the finite (admittedly not small for most titles) supply of functioning/good condition games. Although I also realize they're video games, and I won't begrudge people who just want to buy and play them.
I like to collect the Top 25 games for all the systems I have, full sets, sub sets, paper and all sorts of stuff. One day I will get around to playing.
I've always been a collector. Good or bad it is in my blood.
I wanted to collect Automobiles but had to settle for collecting Video Games.
Being able to go back and play my "collection" is what made video game collecting fun.
I guess I was just curious to see which games people enjoy playing, and which games people enjoy collecting. Whether these sets are one in the same or whether they're of different trajectory.
Im just in it for the money and the hos.
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