With the many years spent being a video game collector, sometimes a person just reaches their peak. At least, they think they have. There is so much to potentially collect of one group of items that have meaning and value placed in it, only due to demand. The items in question don’t even have to be all that great or appealing. It could be something as simple as books of a series, or just books in general, and anything from trading cards to antiques.
The start of a new year means the race begins again. Looking up those deals through Amazon or Ebay, only to place the item in your cart never to be touched. As a hobby, video game collecting is certainly very expensive. Here we will discuss collecting video games while coming into the new year.
Finding What You Want as a Collector
Yes. Sometimes we like to take a humble break. This doesn’t mean you stop collecting, it just means you stop seeking for the time being. Most games will still be there to collect further down the line. There are some rarities that have drastically risen in price, but it shouldn’t worry you. If you really have a goal in mind, there is no harm in holding off for a bit. There are cases where it’s best to acquire the product early on, but it’s becoming less of a need. With more remasters coming to systems, even as a collector myself, I find less of a need to grab the original copy of the game.
As a collector, that time spent taking a break may mean just acquiring funds, feeling burnt out, or the fact the same passion felt 3 years ago is lost. At some point, we will all need that break, and most of us for those exact reasons. It’s never a bad thing. Although, it’s good to note what you may have to deal with when you get back into it. The start of the new year is also possibly the best time to start up again.
The Value in Being a Video Game Collector
A video game is possibly one of the most worthwhile items to collect, and rarely would it ever depreciate in value. The few exceptions of depreciation are current market retail games, but primarily because of how much is produced and whether it has also gone digital. Of course, when one does depreciate, it’s not to say that there isn’t value of the same caliber to be had from it. Streamers, critics, and internet personalities alike will all be able to find some value out of nothing. A video game can be completely free, but that game could be worth a lot of money to someone who regularly streams or uploads videos. It has value.
The other side of value in collecting, if you’re not particularly into streaming or recording, is sentimental. Perhaps sentimental means escapism in this context, which people often strive for against their daily routine. It’s certainly not uncommon of those who do gaming as either a hobby or sport. As long as you’re happy doing it without actually neglecting the real world responsibilities, all the power to you. There are whole communities surrounding the collection of video games, or even collecting in general. It’s possible to even seek out a lasting supplier who may sell to you on the cheap.
From one collector to another, making friends is best for both involved. One person gets a find the other wants for their collection with the promise to pay the other one back. It’s always a win-win in those situations.
For Those Who Are Fans of Collecting in General
Let’s say video games are not the only items you have collected over the years, or even continue to collect to this day. While the market has shifted somewhat, you may be surprised at how much your collection is actually worth. You may have valuables just lying around. Here are some extras I once collected but have since shifted away from.
- Marbles
- Pogs
- Beanie Babies
- Trading Cards (Pokémon, DBZ, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc)
It’s 2019 and the start of a new year. So, start the year off right and with a plan. Anything you may hold value to at the moment may be just as valuable or more-so to others. There’s a whole market for collecting. Whether picking up a video game box, DVD boxed set, or a few simple trading cards, it’s never too late to start. It’s never too late to pick up where you left off either. It’s the start of 2019, so we must start the year off right!
