Are you a collector or a gamer?

Lordstar · Post by **Lordstar** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:35 pm

i buy to play and i keep them becuase i know i will play them again.
im not one of these shumcks that buys and trade in a week later only to loose the majority of my cash on a trade in.

I have no problem waiting months for a second hand copy to pop up or even wait for the price of a new one to come down.

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:47 pm

benstylus wrote: I'm a gamer who buys all his games instead of pirating them. I guess in your mind that would make me a collector

You've hit the nail of the issue on the head here. The collector/gamer distinction is a ridiculous one that is far too black and white. You can be a collector on still play everything in your collection. And you can certainly choose just to be a gamer without resorting to piracy. In the end between a sealed collector and a legal emulator or pirate there's an innumerable number of different levels, and most of us no doubt fit in on more than one place on that scale, so why even bother to make two rigid categories? Anyway, that must be a point discussed numerous times here before. Shame the old beast still rears it's head.

And Skykid collects the seals from games and throws away the games, so don't listen to him. His house is like a clingfilm library

Lies of course!

EDIT(S): Spelling

Lordstar · Post by **Lordstar** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:06 pm

question is what makes you a gamer over say joe public since every person and his dog has some sort of game console in there house.

LaserGun · Post by **LaserGun** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 2:52 pm

I'm pretty much both, I don't sell or trade in my games because I'd be losing out on a lot of money since I buy most of my games brand new, I also play my games more than once and I just like owning nice things.

black flag nc · Post by **black flag nc** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:39 pm

Video games don't hold their value for shit, so I can't see why anyone would be a "collector".

Just play the damn games. That's what they're for.

Guardians Knight · Post by **Guardians Knight** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:03 pm

ahh well at least i got some sensible comments, altho i guess the old piracy of defunkt systems debate has some way to go before abating. Thanks Subcons i think you probs hit the nail on the head for me, - buy my favs to keep and burn the rest to play occasionally. - not that i couldnt afford to buy em all like, more that my missus would kill me for spending so much on nonsense. i aint told her i want a jap xb360 yet

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:15 pm

spadgy wrote: And Skykid collects the seals from games and throws away the games, so don't listen to him. His house is like a clingfilm library Lies of course!

What about that corkboard thing you had where you collected and hung all the plastic strips that said 'playstation 2' on them - the ones you pull to open the shrinkwrap?

Did you ever get around to ebaying them?

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:18 pm

Skykid wrote:
spadgy wrote: And Skykid collects the seals from games and throws away the games, so don't listen to him. His house is like a clingfilm library Lies of course!
What about that corkboard thing you had where you collected and hung all the plastic strips that said 'playstation 2' on them - the ones you pull to open the shrinkwrap?

Did you ever get around to ebaying them?

I've made them all into smocks, and have subsequently thrown away all my other clothing. By the time me, you and Lara Croft meet up next week, I might have sewn enough together to cover below my waist.

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:42 pm

That won't be enough Spadge. If Lara catches sight of your dong you might find yourself being wrestled to the ground in a snarling fury only to have twin handguns open fire on your nether regions.

Can you believe Ubisoft have a sodding 'roof party' on the SAME day? WTF? I really wanted to see Far Cry 2 as well, but now I can't make it.

That said...I think it runs into the evening - if there's time we can crash it for drinks later on.

Or do vegetarians not drink alcohol?

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:56 pm

I use games I enjoy and generally I purchase if I have the means to use them, either on original hardware or through emulation. If I no longer enjoy the game I get rid of it. Pretty simple policy.

I'll agree with EDO:

I find playing Saturn games via ripped ISO in the SSF emulator less trouble than hooking up a Saturn (especially since I wasn't able to get my Saturn working when I last tried it out). Less wear and tear on everything that way.

It's only within the last couple months that I obtained a computer capable of decent SSF emulation and honestly, I wish I had access to it before.

Sega Saturn must be the only system I never had the ability to try before I buy. I think assessment of a game is only valid if you'd actually ran it and play tested it yourself. Opinions/reviews help and so do other points of reference but ultimately until boot it up yourself, you'll never know what you get.

It's nice too, since I recently tried out Sega Ages OutRun (NTSC-J) and Sega Ages Memorial Selection Volume 2 and both seem to be alright. Now I can actively seek them out.

I'm Alec · Post by **I'm Alec** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:33 pm

Instead of spending all that money rebuilding a Saturn collection you've already had, just copy them on CDR and buy a CAVE game or two instead. Once you get into that, you won't play Saturn games anymore anyways.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:37 pm

Guardian Force > being stuck in a DARK DAMP HOLE IN TEH GROUND

thx but I will keep my copy of Guardian Force

KindGrind · Post by **KindGrind** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:05 am

Pretty much like every other sensible person around these here parts, I keep some stuff and everything I have gets playtime. Once in a while I let go of some things that are collecting dust, though. I probably keep 30-40 games around for old consoles. I could keep more, but I've got to focus or else I'd buy the planet... and can't afford it.

Next gen consoles are another story: I keep 1-2 games for every console and sell them when I need to buy new ones.

I think playing burned games takes away the sexiness there is in the "act" of playing on the old consoles. It's quite a feeling, hooking up the console you played as a kid to your TV and play it just like you did back in the day.

Daedalus · Post by **Daedalus** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:46 am

jpj wrote:otherwise, i own all original stuff. ketsui, doj black label, galuda 2, futari, pink sweets, muchi muchi pork, etc etc

That's a pretty impressive collection. I can only surmise that you have a great job, or you have a mediocre job and not a whole lot of interest in life outside of games. In either case, it makes your rabid anti-copy stance pretty arrogant. I'm sure if Guardians Knight could afford all those PCBs, he wouldn't have any qualms about purchasing OOP games either.

black flag nc wrote:Video games don't hold their value for shit, so I can't see why anyone would be a "collector".

Just play the damn games. That's what they're for.

Assets that hold or increase in value would be investments. People collect video games because they like them, not because they're looking for a retirement package.

As for me, I never get rid of old games. Partly sentimental, and partly because the used game market is so weak I get far more value holding onto games on the chance I'll play them again.

I think playing burned games takes away the sexiness there is in the "act" of playing on the old consoles. It's quite a feeling, hooking up the console you played as a kid to your TV and play it just like you did back in the day.

I know the feeling. I can fit all my NES games on the xbox, play with a smoother controller and get better graphics... yet every time I'll opt for the original cart instead.

Post by **spadgy** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:28 am

KindGrind wrote:It's quite a feeling, hooking up the console you played as a kid to your TV and play it just like you did back in the day.

This a lot!

Daedalus wrote:sentimental

This a little bit more a lot!

EDIT(S): Clearing up my idiot quote formatting!

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:51 am

Daedalus wrote:I can only surmise [...]

you could just ask me...

Deadalus wrote:rabid anti-copy stance [...]

nah, my problem is with this moronic thread. "hey guys! i really love games! it's cool if i copy them, aint it? aint it...?". gamer = pirate. yeah, good one

Daedalus wrote:I'm sure if Guardians Knight could afford all those PCBs, he wouldn't have any qualms about purchasing OOP games either.

Guardians Knight wrote:not that i couldnt afford to buy em all like

and

Daedalus wrote:That's a pretty impressive collection.

just listing the stuff that can't be emulated

Post by **spadgy** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:06 am

jpj wrote: gamer = pirate. yeah, good one

That's just it. If people want to pirate games then while I'm going to avoid it (using MAME for STG Tourny arcade games I don't own, and one failed attempt at backing up DC disk that was playing up is pretty much my only experience.), they can do as they please. I just don't like the suggestion that gamer = pirate.

D · Post by D » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:48 am

There are those that collect pirated games.
Come to think of it. When is pirate day? Harrrrrrrrrrrr.

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:42 pm

My first cabinet was a MAME one. I never played anything, even though I had thousands of games. I just scratched my head. What am I going to play?

Now I have a much smaller collection of PCB's (mostly). And guess what, I actually play them. A lot.

So pirating *can* actually lead to not playing.
Emph

Lordstar · Post by **Lordstar** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:04 pm

emphatic wrote:My first cabinet was a MAME one. I never played anything, even though I had thousands of games. I just scratched my head. What am I going to play?

Now I have a much smaller collection of PCB's (mostly). And guess what, I actually play them. A lot.

So pirating *can* actually lead to not playing.
Emph

I agree dude. I play the same 5 or six games on mame on my PC. I have a few PCBs but there not at mine atm so i dont really play them at all. When i find a nice cabinet which will fit in my shoe box room or move out I will really sort out which games I want and which I will sell.

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:12 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz-grdpKVqg

mr_m0nks · Post by **mr_m0nks** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:15 pm

I reckon people would be less likely to download illegally if it was known as being a pikey as oppose to being a pirate

i love the idea of being a pirate

i blame johnny depp

Post by **spadgy** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:53 am

mr_m0nks wrote:I reckon people would be less likely to download illegally if it was known as being a pikey as oppose to being a pirate

Amazing idea.

I've always got on with pikeys pretty well, or rather, they always take a shine to me. I'd never complain, as they're a better group to have on side than not, and often I've escaped a good beating thanks to my pikey pleasing demeanor...

Curiously, the one who stole my car 10 years ago has become one of my closest friends.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:38 pm

emphatic wrote:My first cabinet was a MAME one. I never played anything, even though I had thousands of games. I just scratched my head. What am I going to play?

Now I have a much smaller collection of PCB's (mostly). And guess what, I actually play them. A lot.

So pirating *can* actually lead to not playing.
Emph

All this means is that you weren't very adventurous. :D

I try out games in MAME I've never tried before all the time.

LaserGun · Post by **LaserGun** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:11 pm

Ed Oscuro wrote:
emphatic wrote:My first cabinet was a MAME one. I never played anything, even though I had thousands of games. I just scratched my head. What am I going to play?

Now I have a much smaller collection of PCB's (mostly). And guess what, I actually play them. A lot.

So pirating *can* actually lead to not playing.
Emph
All this means is that you weren't very adventurous.

I try out games in MAME I've never tried before all the time.

Same here, my friend gave me a DVD with MAME on it for my Xbox and I used to spend entire evenings listening to the radio and trying out and playing different games.

Guardians Knight · Post by **Guardians Knight** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:48 pm

perhaps i should have named this topic:

does the coolness of owning the orig game outweigh the somtimes rediculous costs you have to pay to buy em - specifically relating to old systems? - discuss

^^ i guess this was what i was getting at. i just made the distinction that for me personally it would seem that hunting down the original games would seem more like an act of collecting for the sake of it when, i have a viable means of playing said games already.

i do however feel comparing me to a 'scrotey cunt who nicks alcohol from the supermarket' goes a little far, altho i am quite happy to be a pikey a pirate or any other variety of amusingly stereotyped people

Post by **spadgy** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:04 pm

Guardians Knight wrote:perhaps i should have named this topic:

does the coolness of owning the orig game outweigh the somtimes rediculous costs you have to pay to buy em - specifically relating to old systems? - discuss

Good point. If only lived in a world where we could get pikey cunts to pinch rare game PCBs from supermarkets on our behalf, we'd all be happy! I'd happily pay in White Lightning and Mace Own Brand cigarettes for a complete mint Progear kit or copy of Recca

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:10 pm

Ah Recca. I can but dream.

KindGrind · Post by **KindGrind** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:12 pm

The thing's only worth 4-500$

Hardly what expensive Cave PCBs go for!

LSU · Post by **LSU** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:35 pm

Guardians Knight wrote:perhaps i should have named this topic:
does the coolness of owning the orig game outweigh the somtimes rediculous costs you have to pay to buy em - specifically relating to old systems?

For me, yes - absolutely - it does.

Although I'd have to quantify what a 'ridiculous cost' is - I may well never pay several hundreds of dollars for a copy of Taromaru for example, but I've very willingly paid up to a hundred or so for certain games I really wanted.

I far more enjoy the whole experience of taking an original game out of my cupboard, putting into the console and playing it on a real controller than just booting it up in an emulator. Of course, each to his own, I do understand the space saving thing. I guess I am kind of a collector but that is all 100% driven by the urge to own and PLAY these wonderful old games. It's the playing that I enjoy. (I never keep any games sealed, because I want to open them and play them - although it's nice to buy them that way since it ensures true mint condition.)

When I was a lot younger, I used to copy tons of ZX Spectrum games off my mates, and ended up with so many that I just didn't have any time to play them, which was pointless. Nowadays I'd much rather just buy a few really nice games a month, and own them for real. Over time you can build up a nice library before you even know it. It's also quite rewarding waiting to find a game you really want for a good price, then snagging it and knowing you got a good deal on it.

Add to this the fact that emulation so often just doesn't look, sound or 'feel' right - unless you have a proper cab set up for it, maybe. If I'm going to play a game designed to run in lo-res on a CRT, I want to play it in lo-res on a CRT. Not to even mention controllers.

The things I do like about emulation of older consoles are the lack of loading times, and the ability to test out stuff I might consider buying.

So for me, for so many reasons it has to be original games played on original hardware - It's simply the best way to experience them. But that's just me. I'm old fashioned.