Collection

Collection. Collectables. Collectors. Collecting.

Language, depending on context and user, often falls under scrutiny and requires further definition. When pertaining to Titles (real skill-based videogames, not market researched fluff) I like to employ the same rules I apply to Kino and Comics.

What you don't buy is sometimes more important than what you do buy. Buying anything that hits shelves, or buying something that sucks but has holographic embossed cover art is consumerism. Remember, gamers are consumers, gamers are not players, players are free thinkers. Just because it's exclusive doesn't automatically make it worth buying.

I've never thought of myself as a collector, I don't fit the profile, though I do have collections. But my collections are always the result of what's left over. After pairing down as we all do over years, after a company has released another console to replace the previous generation, what I'm left with becomes a collection. What has earned it's right to remain on my shelf. This is how I view my titles.

A special edition of a title, maybe, I mean can you tell someone not to love a title? To keep it unwrapped, not my thing, but hey that's cool. But to buy a game not worth playing, only for the figure, I can't see that. You've basically fallen into an industry ploy; pretty package trap.

To my fellow Sony enthusiasts, I would say this: Is Lair or Pain still on your shelf? If so, then why? Rainbow 6 Vegas and Fear are actually a part of your collection? Check yourself... You are what you play, be judged by what remains on your shelf, add value to your shelf space, require more of developers and hardware manufacturers. Be a player, not a gamer.



As a side note, I don't trade in games, because well - I try not to buy games, I aim for titles. But should I fall prey to bad advice of a trusted friend, and get stuck with a disappointing game, I throw them out. Why? Because I don't like keeping the cycle of fail going. You won't receive anywhere near what the items worth, and you're just victimizing the next guy. This practice also keeps me sharp, making me do my research thoroughly before a purchase.