Classic games economics and ethics

[Sarge]

Yeah, they're both not legit. One leads to a more authentic experience, sure, but that doesn't make the medium any more legitimate than running ROMs on a computer, or indeed, running them off of a flash cart like I do at times.

No, it instead makes the whole experience a great deal more enjoyable...for some people.

If you don't get it then that's fine. I don't understand the appeal of playing Roms on Zsnes but I can understand how some people might. Not everyone feels the same way but at numerous points I've had the entire SNES library downloaded and emulate-able on PC or Xbox or whatever else. I've always ultimately discarded them.

I have a Super UFO cart. I don't NEED to buy any reproduction. Yet I still have about 10 sitting on my shelf right now. It's the way some people's brains are wired. Nothing to do with moral or ethical reasons.

I think we're in agreement. That's why I said "one leads to a more authentic experience". I, too, enjoy being able to play games on the actual hardware, even if I miss some of the niceties of emulation. However, its actual legitimacy is no better from a legal perspective than ROMs. I've made a couple of my own repros, but I also recognize that they're effectively pirated copies, I just happened to create them myself. They don't count as any legitimate part of my collection. I'm sure you view it the same way, but the ability to enjoy those games on the actual hardware makes it a superior option for some, as you say.

[marurun]

I feel like it is disingenuous to blame hoarders and scalpers for high prices. The market is what the market is.

The market has been carefully crafted to be the way it is. It isn't a natural curve. Ebay's changing business plan, youtube and the community as a whole have all played their part in engineering it.

I guess I still disagree with this part. This isn't a market where there's a singular monopolistic or oligopolistic control vector. There are lots of YouTubers, and lots of collectors, and lots of sellers. And they aren't all part of some vast conspiracy. There's no intent at the top engineering everything. I would argue that from an economic perspective the market is doing what a market will do. We're a bunch of collectors and enthusiast weirdos fighting over an ever-shrinking supply of goods in a market where more people have more information (not all of it true) than ever before. This is a healthy market. That a lot of us are being priced out doesn't make it unhealthy or wrong or damaged or dead. It is what it is. I want a Tesla, but guess who's priced out of that market, too (hint: it's me).

I did have the impression you were trying to justify reproductions. If you weren't doing that then my words on that topic are saved for someone who is.

[MrPopo]

I'm reading it as "this hobby used to be fun before people started to engage in it and now I actually have to spend money to engage in it thanks to competition for a limited supply."

[o.pwuaioc]

I'm reading it as "this hobby used to be fun before people started to engage in it and now I actually have to spend money to engage in it thanks to competition for a limited supply."

There's nothing particularly odious about that sentiment.

[MrPopo]

Other than the undercurrent of resentment towards the newer people.

[o.pwuaioc]

Other than the undercurrent of resentment towards the newer people.

That's hardly limited to classic gaming enthusiasts, and really is an entirely separate issue. All groups frown on newcomers, or at least wary of them, especially when they make splashes. Your resentment against people who resent newcoming splashers is akin to Trump's "deep state" rhetoric. Of course there are state actors who want to see him fail---he's making waves in the worst way possible.

Is some of the resentment unfair? No one claims otherwise. Is some of it fair? It would be incredibly naive and short-sighted to deny that.

If the political hyperbole ruffles your feathers too much, pick any established hobby, tradition, or club, where a newcomer comes in with a splash. Facts of life, and honestly, the naysayers aren't automatically wrong.

[MrPopo]

The resentment we're talking about is only fair in the sense that it's natural for people to indulge their selfish urges, and that's all this is. This is not the resentment of "these damn kids are only buying SNES's as a mantelpiece because it's the latest hipster thing to do". This is "if this were less popular it would be less expensive for me", and that is entirely driven by self interest, not concern for the greater nature of the hobby.

This is not newcomers entering with a splash. This is the first day of macroeconomics where you have a fixed supply and demand slowly but steadily rises.

[marurun]

We must be careful lest we ourselves become the hipsters of classic gaming. Many of us were doing it before it was cool. Now it's popular and expensive and dammit, we were here first!

[o.pwuaioc]

Ya know, nevermind. I should have just called out the BS instead of attempting to reply.

The "resentment against newcomers" trope is a tired strawman. Far, far more blame is pinned on shitty sellers.

You might try to say otherwise, but you're wrong.

[MrPopo]

How dare they try to charge what the market will bear.