I don't have anywhere near a "complete" collection but just speaking about selling off one's collection in general I'd probably either need the money or have the collection become a burden to me in some way. There are certain meaningful games I'd probably never part with though.
This happened to me too. During high school, I got my first job; with no bills to pay, 90% of my income went to building my game collection. I used to order stuff off of EBGames.com's retro section practically daily. I amassed a pretty big collection.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpaceFlea
So anyway, I remember reading message boards back then and older users saying things like, "now that I'm older, I just don't have time for games anymore." I always thought comments like that reeked of pretentiousness. Users saying that they "grew out of games" or that they "don't have time for them" came off as almost flippant, as if they were implying that games were unsophsticated or childish. That's not what people meant of course, but that's how I took it. Like you, I proclaimed it would never happen to me.
But then it did. Games taking up space got to be a burden. Lugging them around every time I moved was a pain. Emulators were just more convenient (more accessible, less cord clutter, etc). I decided I'd rather use my discretionary income on other things. I went from Hardcore Gamer™ to Casual Gamer™; worse, my interest in collecting games vanished. Everything is just sitting in nondescript boxes in my closet. I don't even have them on display anymore. I contemplate selling my collection daily, especially rare stuff like Earthbound + guide.
I still love video games and gaming culture. After all, I spent the majority of my youth playing video games. These days though, it's just not the passion that it once was, and I say with all sincerity that I never saw this coming.
I got rid of a huge amount of my collection due to lack of space. I have never considered myself a collector but I had a large collection. I used to have an entire room for that stuff at my old house. Since I really only play a core selection of games these days, it just made sense to get rid of a large amount of it. Most of the stuff was really more about memories than playing the games these days. I got to keep the memories. :mrgreen:
I'll probably eventually let go of some of the sports games and other low-tier stuff, but I'll never sell off my Sonic 2 or my Shining Force. I love 'em too much ;)
I'd like to say I'd never sell but I said that about a project car I sold last year. I guess if someone offered me some obnoxious, unrealistic amount, like $5,000 I'd take it. But as of right now I wouldn't sell even for full retail.
My collections can be inherited, or burned, for all I care. I only get rid of games to seed another's collection. Most of my best NES games went to a couple close friends and relatives who were getting into classic gaming, and didn't want to get suckered into paying for ROMs through Nintendo.
Godlike superpowers.
My collection of Mega Drive/Mega CD games is very much a part of me and since I started it about eighteen years ago when I was still in school I'd no more part company with it than I would my little finger. Yes I don't play the games as much as I used to granted, but that is down to life getting in the way more than it is me losing interest. I love being able to just be free to sit down, feel like a kid again, and play through Landstalker, Streets of Rage, Shining Force or any number of great games that mean so much to me. When I die my nephew can have my entire collection and then it's up to him what he chooses to do with it.
Life is cyclic, I go through periods of feast and famine when it comes to gaming and free time. I've gone a few years when I barely touched the collection, but the passion and enthusiasm eventually rolls back around. Selling during a low point seems impulsive and short sighted. For me anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by JungleStrike