sealed game discussion

[pompeyparsons]

A game that is hermetically sealed off from the world by a thin layer of plastic is lifeless. No one has ever enjoyed it besides those who find in enjoyment in looking at it. This is similar to someone who enjoys looking at a beautiful woman more than kissing her; it’s just not right. Much like women need to be kissed, a game should be played. In fact to me a game is given life when it’s placed into the system for the first time and it appears on screen much to the joy of its user. That first play is the beginning of the game’s history.

[ott0bot]

I think it would be sorta funny it when they finally opened some of these games they.....

1-Crumbled to dust because of oxygen exposure. like artifacts in Egyptian tombs or buried treasure.

2-Had a copy of a terrible or low valued game inside instead. your sealed Chrono Trigger actually has a copy of Mystic Quest inside. damn you Squaresoft.

3-had a sock full or sand equaling the weight of a game cart. of coarse the sock should have some buttons sewed on it for eyes and maybe a stitched mustache.

...of coarse doing this would devalue the game in the first place. So you'll never really know, will you?

man this is ridiculous.

[Pascal]

A game that is hermetically sealed off from the world by a thin layer of plastic is lifeless. No one has ever enjoyed it besides those who find in enjoyment in looking at it.

but maybe he/she enjoyed the cheap used copy from ebay and also enjoy the sealed copy in his/her collection!

[pompeyparsons]

A game that is hermetically sealed off from the world by a thin layer of plastic is lifeless. No one has ever enjoyed it besides those who find in enjoyment in looking at it.

but maybe he/she enjoyed the cheap used copy from ebay and also enjoy the sealed copy in his/her collection!

What it basically comes down to for me is this. Opened games have a history. A painting, a statute, a monument as well as a used video game, have a unique past. This past consists of the creative process that shaped it, and the people who have played it before you. When we play a particular game, we remain conscious of its special quality because the life of the original, much like a diamond's structure, is encoded in its history.

We sometimes refer to this as the "aura" of a product, that special glow "embedded in the fabric of tradition." Never do I believe was it the intention of the people that created these games for them to sit inside their original packaging, they were meant to be played and admire in this way. Not to sit on a shelf in original plastic wrap. Each person is entitled to collect what, and how they wish. For me the appeal of having a sealed copy of a game is nonexistent. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it's just not what I like to collect.

Still even with your response they may have played a different copy of the game but it doesn't change the fact that their only finding enjoyment in looking at it in their collection. Fine if that's what brings you happiness, go for it. I just don't get it, nor will I ever.

[Niode]

A game that is hermetically sealed off from the world by a thin layer of plastic is lifeless. No one has ever enjoyed it besides those who find in enjoyment in looking at it.

but maybe he/she enjoyed the cheap used copy from ebay and also enjoy the sealed copy in his/her collection!

What it basically comes down to for me is this. Opened games have a history. A painting, a statute, a monument as well as a used video game, have a unique past. This past consists of the creative process that shaped it, and the people who have played it before you. When we play a particular game, we remain conscious of its special quality because the life of the original, much like a diamond's structure, is encoded in its history.

We sometimes refer to this as the "aura" of a product, that special glow "embedded in the fabric of tradition." Never do I believe was it the intention of the people that created these games for them to sit inside their original packaging, they were meant to be played and admire in this way. Not to sit on a shelf in original plastic wrap. Each person is entitled to collect what, and how they wish. For me the appeal of having a sealed copy of a game is nonexistent. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it's just not what I like to collect.

Still even with your response they may have played a different copy of the game but it doesn't change the fact that their only finding enjoyment in looking at it in their collection. Fine if that's what brings you happiness, go for it. I just don't get it, nor will I ever.

Wtf are you talking about dude? Aura of a product... It's not like you get a verbose description of the previous owners of the game. It's not like upon purchasing a used game, an orb of light ascends from the case while a chorus of angels serenades you as you insert it into your console. cmon... Seriously?

I think most people are satisfied with just playing the game, some people are satisfied in having a mint condition piece of gaming history. And that's fine too. I don't think many people have really given it that much thought. Let alone the grandiose Pratchett-esque pseudo Indiana Jones and the Sealed Game Aura you're refering to.

Gave me a giggle reading it though.

[glynnahab]

Yeah. Sometimes that "aura" consists of some 12-year old's signature scribbled in permanent marker or goddamned rental stickers with 15-year old goo stuck beneath them.

I don't like this "aura" of which you speak.

[SealedCollector]

A game that is hermetically sealed off from the world by a thin layer of plastic is lifeless. No one has ever enjoyed it besides those who find in enjoyment in looking at it.

but maybe he/she enjoyed the cheap used copy from ebay and also enjoy the sealed copy in his/her collection!

What it basically comes down to for me is this. Opened games have a history. A painting, a statute, a monument as well as a used video game, have a unique past. This past consists of the creative process that shaped it, and the people who have played it before you. When we play a particular game, we remain conscious of its special quality because the life of the original, much like a diamond's structure, is encoded in its history.

We sometimes refer to this as the "aura" of a product, that special glow "embedded in the fabric of tradition." Never do I believe was it the intention of the people that created these games for them to sit inside their original packaging, they were meant to be played and admire in this way. Not to sit on a shelf in original plastic wrap. Each person is entitled to collect what, and how they wish. For me the appeal of having a sealed copy of a game is nonexistent. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it's just not what I like to collect.

Still even with your response they may have played a different copy of the game but it doesn't change the fact that their only finding enjoyment in looking at it in their collection. Fine if that's what brings you happiness, go for it. I just don't get it, nor will I ever.

o.O oooookay ....

[pompeyparsons]

Let alone the grandiose Pratchett-esque pseudo Indiana Jones and the Sealed Game Aura you're refering to

You're absolutely right I do tend to to be a bit verbose and grandiose when I get caught up in my writing. In any case I got a great laugh at your quote above! I'm thinking of even turning my earlier answers into a blog post with that title.

[Saraph]

I have a sealed Sega Saturn - Street Fighter Collection US-NTSC copy. I keep it sealed not only because it's rare, but my Saturn was/will be modded again (as soon as I receive another chip in the mail). I'm sure I could get around $100 bucks for it too!

[manillaungol]

Factory Sealed doesn't always mean its without defects as someone already mentioned, the best bet is always complete copies that have been tested and perhaps not played much, I don't really care about that stuff though if I am gonna get the game cheaper cartridge only all the way, I could do without names and shit and peeled off labels but if I can get it cheap enough not even that will stop me.