Backlog - A Bad Thing?

[ElkinFencer10]

So I know this has been discussed before, but I've been thinking about it lately as I take advantage of Steam's holiday sales. Do you guys think it's bad to have a big backlog? I know it shouldn't bother me - collecting is my hobby, so just collect, right? - but I sometime feel like I'm "doing it wrong" for lack of a better phrase when my acquisitions far outstrip my completions. I've got just over 1700 in my collection, and my backlog is sitting around 37% unfinished at the moment.

What are yall's thoughts on the pros and cons of a large and/or growing backlog?

[Anapan]

So I know this has been discussed before, but I've been thinking about it lately as I take advantage of Steam's holiday sales. Do you guys think it's bad to have a big backlog? I know it shouldn't bother me - collecting is my hobby, so just collect, right? - but I sometime feel like I'm "doing it wrong" for lack of a better phrase when my acquisitions far outstrip my completions. I've got just over 1700 in my collection, and my backlog is sitting around 37% unfinished at the moment.

What are yall's thoughts on the pros and cons of a large and/or growing backlog?

You're doing it better than I am. I made my Steam backlog mostly out of co-op games, and It's going faster than my backlog of oldschool-type single player RPGs I wish I could play. I find that my backlog of Steam games is appealing to my friends and is being consumed faster than console solo games I can't find time for. In my case it's money well spent. If you're able to maintain your level over 50% you're definitely "Doing it right". A sale may not be there next time you check. IMHO.

[Fragems]

I just really like hunting for good deals almost as much as I like playing games so I'm at nearly 3000 games in my collection now . That being said I don't look at it as a bad thing while my backlog is at over 1000 games its all stuff that I'm interested in and I like the idea of having a literal library of games .

Plus I kind of like to catalog and organize stuff so this is perfect for scratching that itch. Need to go on another submission spree over at RFgen sometime it's been a while.

[8bit]

Whatever makes you happy and doesn't negatively affect the other areas of your life is doing it right. And at only 37% uncompleted, for the size of your library, that is incredibly good. I believe your concern crosses into the topic of "is collecting games vs playing games two different hobbies?" which I do believe can be separate and rewarding hobbies. It seems though that you have a good balance of doing both so congrats and keep enjoying yourself.

[Snatch1414]

If you're okay with it then I wouldn't really worry about it. If you enjoy the collecting aspect then that's all that matters.

I enjoy hunting for deals but there's so many people in my area doing the same that I don't find anything anymore honestly. I just treat myself to something on eBay for a fair price once in awhile. I still like to collect for certain systems, especially when it gets warm and fall/winter sports are over, but it's not a big focus for me most of the year anymore. Not enough finds to make it worth my time and if I have a bunch of newer games to play, like now, then collecting is just kind of a money pit until I get out from under some stuff I mean to finish.

I will probably always be on the lookout for reasonably priced CIB Sega console titles though since those are my main points of interest with collecting. At this point I have a nice humble collection so for the most part I'm done going crazy buying up games I have little interest in playing though. That is, unless "the market" ever crashes.

[MrPopo]

If your goal is to beat it then yes, purchasing tons of games isn't the greatest idea for a backlog. But if you enjoy the collecting aspect then don't worry about it.

[BoneSnapDeez]

be me
play atari games
finish 1 game per day
play faster than backlog accumulates

[Exhuminator]

I think calling a collection of unplayed or unfinished games a "backlog" is a bad term. The term implies that the games accumulated are a pile of unfinished work, mere tasks that need to be completed. When in reality, a collection of games is more of a library, a wealth of fun to be enjoyed when you have the time. If you never finish all your games, who cares. The point should be to enjoy playing a game when you can, not stressing over checking games off like a to-do list.

I wrote about this stuff one time in the best video game blog ever* that no one bothered to read:

http://ardentexhuminator.blogspot.com/2 ... cklog.html

*In my admittedly totally biased opinion.

[ElkinFencer10]

I think calling a collection of unplayed or unfinished games a "backlog" is a bad term. The term implies that the games accumulated are a pile of unfinished work, mere tasks that need to be completed. When in reality, a collection of games is more of a library, a wealth of fun to be enjoyed when you have the time. If you never finish all your games, who cares. The point should be to enjoy playing a game when you can, not stressing over checking games off like a to-do list.

I wrote about this stuff one time in the best video game blog ever* that no one bothered to read:

http://ardentexhuminator.blogspot.com/2 ... cklog.html

*In my admittedly totally biased opinion.

I'm gonna read that once I get my students doing some busy work to review (shhh, don't tell anyone I go into "shitty teacher" mode the first week after winter break). My thing is that I LOVE collecting, organizing, and displaying, but I always stress that I'm missing amazing experiences by not playing all of my games. I've always had anxiety issues, and I think that's just how they manifest with gaming (because they ALWAYS manifest in some way with everything).

[Fragems]

Whatever makes you happy and doesn't negatively affect the other areas of your life is doing it right.

Definitely collecting is a good hobby as long as you manage your time and money efficiently. There are so many games out there that setting rules and boundaries for yourself is a must.

The big problems I currently see with collecting are people who:
A.) Collect for Monetary Value. Buying/Selling to support your habit isn't bad but buying games solely for their monetary value is a bad idea.
B.) Spend Excessive Amounts and then get in a cycle of buying/selling huge chunks or the entirety of their collection. Setting an allowance per pay check or per week/month etc. is a good idea. Splurging on occasion is fine but a game library isn't a savings account and doesn't give you much of a safety net for financial emergencies.
C.) People who rapidly buy huge collections then get burnt out. Like everything else collecting is best done in moderation bing purchases are hardly ever a good idea.
D.) Feel the need to play every game they get. Let's face it some games that look amazing end up sucking. If you get to the point that it's a drag and the end is no where in site move on to the next game. Games are for the most part meant for entertainment so don't turn them into work. You can always go back to a game later.