Why are some people against Physical Game Collectors?

[wiggy]

And the used copies on the shelves which were traded in very likely helped customers to fund the purchase of *GASP* other new games.

Used is good for everyone. 

[Thom Grayson]

And the used copies on the shelves which were traded in very likely helped customers to fund the purchase of *GASP* other new games.

Used is good for everyone. 

I never said it wasn't, just that it's slightly more complicated than most people want to make it. And that's the extent to which the 'used game' thing is relevant to the topic of "Why are some people against Physical Game Collectors?' - because some people take it to an extreme conclusion based on faulty premises.

[Einhander]

Based on this I guess it's the digital advocates that can't stand collectors or what they call hoarders. They believe that digital is the way to go and they have faith that Sony or MS will give us much cheaper deals if we would all give them our power and allow them to cut costs, earn a bigger profit, and offer us a way to play lots of games and save a lot of money. They think that people that buy used games and put them on their shelves are vane hoarders that hold the industry back. So that is why they say we have no reason to collect, they want things to go their way.

But I don't have faith in these companies. If digital gaming is supposed to be so cheap, then why aren't the digital versions of these games a little cheaper on PSN? After all, you would think that by them saving costs and shipping, they'd be able to gives a little discount. I think it's greedy, sneaky, fishy, and rotten for these companies to want to have so much power and control. Plus with all the hacking going on, they don't look good, it can happen again. Yet they charge a boat load for their service.

[hoverboots]

I fear the day when gaming goes completely digital. I really hope it never does, but one can only be so optimistic.

[Hoggs17]

I don't understood the desire to have everything digital.  I like having actual copies of my games (and what few movies i have as well).  It's not about resale value (who on TCP is actually going to sell their lifelong collection?), it's about the memories and nostalgia.  Hell, i still have CD's in my car.  Maybe it's just because we are all in our low-mid 30's; but my friends also prefer physical copies.  It's probably just a generational thing, but digital media is for all these young bloods who never knew the joys of having physical games with no tutorials, cassette tapes with two sides and VHS movies that needed to be rewound before returning them to the local videostore!  

<gets out of rocking chair and picks up cane>
Keep you fancy digital media you meddling kids, I will keep my physical copies!

[hoverboots]

It hurts me to open up a new game and find no manual, but instructions on how to access your digital manual. Does anyone remember how cool instruction manuals used to be? The Pokemon Red/Blue one in particular. I always looked forward to reading the manual before I even popped the game in, it set the stage in a magical way, provided that much more immersion into the adventure that was about to unfold. Just part of the magic, man... and we're slowly losing it. :/

A huge reason I want to learn to make covers, and why I joined this site, is to make cases for all my games that ARE digital only, like Double Dragon Neon, Strider (PS3), Shovel Knight, etc... Waste of space? Maybe. But it's a display more than anything, right?

[Hoggs17]

Agree 100% with the manuals.  After I started collecting games again, i started with the manuals (affordable ones at least).  They still smell like they did 20 years ago...what magic!  I mean I can't sit down and play F-Zero until I know the story and how much the Wild Goose weighs!

[sheep2001]

I can remember as a kid, meeting with friends in town, going to the game shop for ages, and playing the games, and looking at them, before choosing one, opening it on the bus home and reading every page in the manual.   Building the excitement before actually getting it home and playing.  Kids these days miss out on all that.  Digital distribution takes all the fun out of it.

[hoverboots]

All that anticipation is traded for instant gratification. I guess there's an argument for both sides... but I know how I like it, and nobody's going to take that away from me. That's also a huge draw to me when looking at Kickstarter projects. If they've got physical rewards? Just shut up and take my money lol...

[Thom Grayson]

<gets out of rocking chair and picks up cane>
Keep you fancy digital media you meddling kids, I will keep my physical copies!

Yeah, shelves beat the pants off of menus. Physical copies give your collection a physical presence... no one ever doubts my game collection credentials! But a menu with over a thousand things in it isn't impressive... it's sort of tedious.

[TDIRunner]

They way I see it, if production of all video games ceased to exist tomorrow (or if video games switch to all digital which I consider to be the same thing), there would still be enough games that exist in the world to keep me happy for the rest of my life. 

Therefore, I don't fear the digital only world.  I could simply care less. 

[cynicalmatt]

In a related story, a new gaming shop is opening in my town in about two weeks.  I went in tonight to have a browse (they're open for buying only, so they can stock the shelves), and it basically summed up everything people have said in this thread.  There's a palpable excitement between me and my best friend who is also a collector for the store's opening.  We've been taking inventory of what we want to try and get, how much it'll cost us, and all that good stuff.  I'm thrilled at the prospect of getting some of these physical copies, be it stuff like the later Mega Man NES games (all for under $25 each), or even common Genesis sports titles (NHL '94 first edition, complete in box for $2?  YES, PLEASE!). 

Waiting on a digital game to unlock after preloading it just isn't the same, even when compared to buying a brand new game and tearing off the shrinkwrap. 

[madrocsz]

I can't say I have had anyone give me flack for being a collector, when I tell them I collect video games its the usual "oh thats cool, I wish I could, I would love to get some of my older games etc". It is however a different story when they see the size of the collection I have, that's when I get the omg looks or the clearly sarcastic wows etc.

That said, I don't think anyone has judged me on it yet personally. I try my best to display it well , keep things organized etc. The only other odd point I hit is when someone asks what the collection is worth, or what the most expensive game I have is and then once they finish picking their jaw up off the floor they then start with the "how much did you pay" questions. Whole other scenario when I admit to how much I have spent on one individual game.

[Rx_79]

Just ordered The Hong Kong version of Residential HD Remake.  Capcom you suck for not releasing a disc version.

[cojack16]

In a related story, a new gaming shop is opening in my town in about two weeks.  I went in tonight to have a browse (they're open for buying only, so they can stock the shelves), and it basically summed up everything people have said in this thread.  There's a palpable excitement between me and my best friend who is also a collector for the store's opening.  We've been taking inventory of what we want to try and get, how much it'll cost us, and all that good stuff.  I'm thrilled at the prospect of getting some of these physical copies, be it stuff like the later Mega Man NES games (all for under $25 each), or even common Genesis sports titles (NHL '94 first edition, complete in box for $2?  YES, PLEASE!). 

Waiting on a digital game to unlock after preloading it just isn't the same, even when compared to buying a brand new game and tearing off the shrinkwrap. 

Those prices don't sound right. Are you sure they'll give those games to you for that $? All the retro game stores around here price above ebay