VIDEOGAMING & MATERIALISM...
is that the same as videogaming and collecting? Is collecting games materialistic, or is it simply a byproduct of a mentality that prefers to hold on to the games they love, well... as opposed to not doing.
I've read all of what has been said here already over the last 2 pages, and I can definitely relate to parts of everyones experiences or opinions here and there. Like lists, for example. I have a constant 'virtual' list of titles in my mind at all times. It doesn't get in the way of life or anything, but as soon as I hit a gaming event or a store serious about multi-gen gaming, my mind goes into auto-pilot when I come in contact with the products. For example, if someone asked me right now: what games are you looking for for 'x' system (specifc format: PAL or NTSC etc), I could reel off a pretty concise list, here and now. Let's face it, that's NOT healthy. Doesn't matter which way I try and paint that... it's just not. BUT... I do get a satisfaction from near completing the structures I have laid out for my collections/formats. And nowadays, condition matters - as doe show complete the item is. Don't blame me for that. Blame the Japanese. I would innocently order a low-value title for my DC or something - with listed grading 'acceptable'... and when it arrives and I open it all up, it would be MINT! Unlike here, in the UK, where toilet roll sold as 'new' comes pre-stained. The constant intake of immaculate, beautiful and well cared for gaming items from Japan ruined my more carefree nature towards gaming. Definitely.
'Collections'... just read that back and it sounds like I buy to collect. I don't... not primarily. I actually buy to play, and if I like the game enough, it can remain with me. If not, it gets sold. I'm not a completist. That's a mentality I'll never fully grasp. Who f*ck wants a full 'western' Sega Saturn collection for the right reasons. The reasons being, in my own opinion, to own and enjoy the games you ACTUALLY give a sh*t about. Not Hardcore 4x4 or Trash IT 'just for the collection'. For example, I recently acquired HC4x4 for Saturn, and I can reassuredly confirm, it will be weeded out soon enough. Doubt I'll sell it though. Couldn't do that to a man.
Another psychological transference from childhood to adulthood, I think (for some/many?) plays a bit of a role here too... and for me, it was that I had to trade the f*ck up... playground, friends, not friends etc to make progressions and changes to my existing systems and games as a child - as I didn't have money to simply acquire games I wanted - and keep them. As many no doubt here have already experienced, the nostalgic pull of revisiting a system you had as a child can be great... even greater, the financial means to explore the system like you couldn't before as a youth and extract the full potential from a system you once adored, and fall in love again (no, I'm not talking about Tigergame.com here). SNES', MD's, NES' etc are likely culprits here, traded in long ago for Saturns and PS1's etc (hmmm... or Jaguar *gulp* like I did *don't hit me*).
So, I'd say a combination of all sorts of psychological defects and inconsistencies in my personality (OCD chestnut thrown in here for good measure) have lead up to me being a player/collector/materialistic f*ck. But, I'm only materialistic about games - because... I love 'em.
Sorry for rambling. I do that. Should be banned. Not probably.