Collecting vs. Hoarding

[samsonlonghair]

I think video games are meant to be played, but I have to admit that I have the same problem. I have a bunch of classic "must-haves" for Genesis ans SNES, but there are some I never play. I seriously need to stop buying for a little while.

[k.vlaros]

A super and timeless discussion that could largely apply to many hobbies!

I actually think the 'big e-peen' one-line post deserves more discussion. Because I know I've been caught in that mind set. Another big forum I post in is related to wrist watches. Well, a lot of guys - myself included - have their watch collection in signature lines, profiles, and 'collection shots' threads are ever popular. I do think it's in good fun and not necessarily "boastful", but it's an expensive and rather pointless trap to fall in. I know I've bought pieces just to have in my signature.

The term collector and hoarder probably should mean different things, but in practice I see them used interchangeably. I've bought for all previously given reasons. Because it was a quirky series I was a fan of. Because it had great reviews. Because it was on 'must-buy' lists. Because it was a good deal. But - and I think this is one distinction from hoarding - I will try to sell any game that I don't end up connecting with.

And I mentioned this to NR after his great Skate or Die blog post, but I too relate to the feeling of simply savoring whatever NES game I talked my Mom in to buying that month. So I understand suffering through real dreck because that's all you had to play. It seems natural that, now grown(ish!), and with an income - plus with the greater number of choices in gaming - one might find himself... overcompensating?... for a modest childhood collection.

[synbiosfan]

It's such a fine line between Collecting & Hoarding that it's nearly indistinguishable to differentiate between the two. I say I'm a collector while others may call me a hoarder.

[itsmattxp]

I think theres a fine line between hoarding and collecting. Collecting all falls under a certain category such as you either collect sega saturn, neo geo, gameboy, playstation, and etc. Obviously you can have more than just one collection, and it doesn't matter if you play the games or not because it is collecting. Just like collecting stamps. Hoarding is just getting as many games as you can get for tons of different systems with no goal in sight.

[Mr.White555]

Honestly I think this is a trend that transcends age group. I am 17 and I only find myself playing maybe 3-5 different games most of the time and I have way over a hundred games. Donkey Kong '94, Contra III, and Megaman X have been on my play list for the last month or two. This changes about every month or two. Last time was starfox and super mario all stars. Owning a collection of games is more of a novelty if anything. The ability to arbitrarily play a random title if you wanted to. This seems to transend video games too. My vinyl collection is the same way. Listen to 2-3 albums for a while then maybe a couple of others, while the rest collect dust.

[dlmvii]

A hoarder is someone who acquires items even if they are "worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary"

I would call a "collector" as someone who prides themselves on what they collect, they would keep it looking nice. A hoarder conjurs up images up people with an insane amount of junk filling up their home.

[noiseredux]

I feel like everyone's jus defining the two words now, which is not really what the OP was about...

at any rate, what I've sort of decided at this point is (1) to do some Spring cleaning, and get rid of some carts that I absolutely will not be playing. I added them to my trade list. (2) that for the time being my collecting is going to be a bit more focused. Meaning, for a while my way of collecting was to look for as many cheap games as I could find. But right now, I'm going to start focusing on specific titles that I really want to own. They might cost a bit more, but they're ones I really want.

[skyknight]

I feel like everyone's jus defining the two words now, which is not really what the OP was about...

at any rate, what I've sort of decided at this point is (1) to do some Spring cleaning, and get rid of some carts that I absolutely will not be playing. I added them to my trade list. (2) that for the time being my collecting is going to be a bit more focused. Meaning, for a while my way of collecting was to look for as many cheap games as I could find. But right now, I'm going to start focusing on specific titles that I really want to own. They might cost a bit more, but they're ones I really want.

I think that's the better way to do, and I was in the same shoes as with you. I will also do the same as well with all the games we have.

Just gotta know when to let go.

[Hobie-wan]

at any rate, what I've sort of decided at this point is (1) to do some Spring cleaning, and get rid of some carts that I absolutely will not be playing. I added them to my trade list. (2) that for the time being my collecting is going to be a bit more focused. Meaning, for a while my way of collecting was to look for as many cheap games as I could find. But right now, I'm going to start focusing on specific titles that I really want to own. They might cost a bit more, but they're ones I really want.

That's why I keep a list of older games I want based on reviews or a series I already know I like. Sometimes I end up impulse buying things if I see them cheap that are at least somewhat interesting to me, but I try not to.

[Breetai]

This thread makes me want to sell my cart-only copy of Earthbound. I've had it since... I think 1997, and haven't bothered to play it past the second town (two-something? I just remember the towns were named after numbers). One of my friends gave me his SNES and games after Final Fantasy VII came out and that's the SNES I still own. I was a Sega guy back in the 16-bit wars.