How Digital Downloads Affect Values of Collectable Games

[racketboy]

A little research piece:
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2010/01/ ... games.html

Any thoughts on this situation that I didn't touch on?
Anybody experience different results with other games?

[bobbynewmarkiii]

Cool artice - unfortunatly I have nothing useful to add to proceedings!

[wip3outguy7]

Amazing observation. I remember believing over a year ago that digital downloads wouldn't affect the prices of these specific games at all. I was obviously wrong (in some cases, drastically wrong).

One other possible side effect or trend I have noticed - with the drop in price of these high profile titles, lesser known titles are experiencing price increases.

Game compilation releases appear to be affecting prices of certain games, too. I have been watching auctions for Elevator Action Returns for the Saturn for some time now. I actually saw one go for less than $30 just last week. If you currently look at auctions for EAR, I believe you could pick up a complete copy for less than $50. This just wasn't possible this time last year or before.

[swiftzx]

That means I should go pick up a copy of Ikaruga then

[jfe2]

Great article! I actually really enjoy the digital distribution of some of the harder to find games like Rez and Ikaruga. I don't have a ton of money to spend on games these days, and to me at least, gaming is about the fun factor, and less about the potential money I could make off of collecting.

There's nothing wrong with collecting, but I personally only collect stuff that appeals to me and makes me want to play it. I know that some people over at the forum for the upcoming Genesis title, Pier Solar, are talking about getting copies and leaving them sealed to keep them at a high value. Where's the fun in that?

[corn619]

Whats weird is most of the rereleases can be easily had for free over the internet and burned to disc or played via emulator. Yet these factors have no bearing in regards rare game value.

I have a feeling once this generation of fragile consoles die off, and the servers are long dead and redownloading these games are impossible, the value of hard copies will go back up I think. A hard copy will always be there were a digital product is like leasing the game.

Like racket had mentioned, the real issue for collectors though is companies like http://www.gamequestdirect.com. There is little to no difference between the 1st print run and 2nd print run. A good example would games like the Fatal Frame series and Samurai Shodown Anthology. Prices were way up on these games and Gamequestdirect reprinted these games and values have plummeted since.

I have no problem with them reprinting rare games as it gives me a chance to buy them sealed on the cheap. Also it gives me a chance to try a rare game I may have missed. I will not buy a game via download though. Paying the same price and sometimes more for less of a product is not my style. Not to mention no resale value. But we've all had this conversation before anyways.

Anyways I think the days of game collecting are over and I just collect because I like games and know I will probably not make any money on my games. Anyone who plans to collect games as a investment should really find a more secure way to make a buck.

[Luke]

Nick,
Interesting article and good write up. It was a good, quick read.

However, I'd give your graphs a 3 out of 10. That being said, to me, it's paramount that charts/graphs are easy to decipher and pleasing to the eye. Yours just seemed to be rushed. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, just giving some honest criticism.

Now, criticism wouldn't be constructive if you didn't give advice. I would have used the game art from the box as a background (watermark would work). The Marvel vs. Capcom 2 game covers up a good amount of data. I'd also add a legend, as you really shouldn't add a chart/graph without one. Another idea would be to highlight the "Highs and Lows", and not point out every price point.

I could go on, but displaying research puts food on my table, so I'm pretty opinionated when it comes to it. I'm happy to lend a hand if you'd like.

[Dakinggamer87]

Great article!!

[Limewater]

Another idea would be to highlight the "Highs and Lows", and not point out every price point.

I could go on, but displaying research puts food on my table, so I'm pretty opinionated when it comes to it. I'm happy to lend a hand if you'd like.

Heh. As an engineer and, for practical purposes, not a real person, I prefer having extra data points.

[GamerMON]

Great article! I actually really enjoy the digital distribution of some of the harder to find games like Rez and Ikaruga. I don't have a ton of money to spend on games these days, and to me at least, gaming is about the fun factor, and less about the potential money I could make off of collecting.

There's nothing wrong with collecting, but I personally only collect stuff that appeals to me and makes me want to play it. I know that some people over at the forum for the upcoming Genesis title, Pier Solar, are talking about getting copies and leaving them sealed to keep them at a high value. Where's the fun in that?

Yeah it will command a high dollar, if they ever actually release it. But if it sells well, they most likely reprint it.