How many people play your game ?
You've just spent your hard earned on a shiney new (or retro) game.
Perhaps one that you had to save for and it took ages to afford/find/import a copy.
Remember one scratch and it could be unplayable or the possible trade in value
could be ruined.
But you're ok with them.
Always handling them with care, replacing them in the case after play.
Handling and reading the instructions so you don't crease them
or leave finger marks (don't forget to wash your hands).
But, once they've left your sight, what then.
Your mates can't afford these games, they've got bills/kids/morgages/unemployed and you're a good mate.
But are THEY?
Ahhh, that look on your face when they return your items to you, all wrapped up in a carrier bag.
Baby's home, all's well.
I remember a time when the above virtually described my routine with the
games that I puchased. I'd been into gaming many years, having emigrated from the home
computers of the 80s to the PCE, MD, Snes and NeoGeo. Yeah those were the days, having access
to all those crazy games that people drooled over in C+VG/Mean Machines.
Unfortunately they came at a high price (Just like those releases for the 360, the importers are shafting us again >
)
The PCE was my main machine although my 'so called' mates laughed at the '8bit' machines -
until they got one. Then it was time to beg, borrow and steal.
I was/am very easy going and loaning out games (sometimes with the hardware to play them on)
became a regular occurance. Then I started to notice things were missing when I got them back.
Spines and registration cards were missing from the PCE / NEO CD games and the case lids had developed 'nipples'.
Neo Geo AES games were returned with the shock box inserts smashed and instruction booklets were
dog-eared/creased and on occation water-soaked. None of this mentioned when they returned the items.
I even had a copy of WipeOut for PS (US) returned with JAM/JELLO all over the box and JAM/JELLO finger prints on the CD, were they accidental or was something deliberate going on?
This all came to a head when a person that I was introduced to by a 'borrower' decided to help himself
to a few of my most prized (expensive?) PCE games. He was one of the few PCE collectors that I knew
at that time (everyone else having moved onto the 32bits ) and would spend ages thumbing through the
CD storage I kept them in. Perhaps making 'mental notes' where the ones he wanted were located and
when I nipped to the loo......Bye Bye.
It was also goodbye so called mates.
When I look at the condition of the games that I puchased after I stood at the door and said "not interested - go away" they're all basically new. However when I look at the stuff prior - I think to myself:
"I must have been a right pr*ck".
What nightmare scenarios have you faced when loaning out/receiving back games, or does the prospect of being parted from them mortify you?
Has loaning out games ever stressed a friendship or do you trust them because they also collect/appreciate them?
Or, you're not a collector and only purchase pre-owned games so the condition of them not matter so long as it plays?
You've just spent your hard earned on a shiney new (or retro) game.
Perhaps one that you had to save for and it took ages to afford/find/import a copy.
Remember one scratch and it could be unplayable or the possible trade in value
could be ruined.
But you're ok with them.
Always handling them with care, replacing them in the case after play.
Handling and reading the instructions so you don't crease them
or leave finger marks (don't forget to wash your hands).
But, once they've left your sight, what then.
Your mates can't afford these games, they've got bills/kids/morgages/unemployed and you're a good mate.
But are THEY?
Ahhh, that look on your face when they return your items to you, all wrapped up in a carrier bag.
Baby's home, all's well.
I remember a time when the above virtually described my routine with the
games that I puchased. I'd been into gaming many years, having emigrated from the home
computers of the 80s to the PCE, MD, Snes and NeoGeo. Yeah those were the days, having access
to all those crazy games that people drooled over in C+VG/Mean Machines.
Unfortunately they came at a high price (Just like those releases for the 360, the importers are shafting us again >
)The PCE was my main machine although my 'so called' mates laughed at the '8bit' machines -
until they got one. Then it was time to beg, borrow and steal.
I was/am very easy going and loaning out games (sometimes with the hardware to play them on)
became a regular occurance. Then I started to notice things were missing when I got them back.
Spines and registration cards were missing from the PCE / NEO CD games and the case lids had developed 'nipples'.
Neo Geo AES games were returned with the shock box inserts smashed and instruction booklets were
dog-eared/creased and on occation water-soaked. None of this mentioned when they returned the items.
I even had a copy of WipeOut for PS (US) returned with JAM/JELLO all over the box and JAM/JELLO finger prints on the CD, were they accidental or was something deliberate going on?
This all came to a head when a person that I was introduced to by a 'borrower' decided to help himself
to a few of my most prized (expensive?) PCE games. He was one of the few PCE collectors that I knew
at that time (everyone else having moved onto the 32bits ) and would spend ages thumbing through the
CD storage I kept them in. Perhaps making 'mental notes' where the ones he wanted were located and
when I nipped to the loo......Bye Bye.
It was also goodbye so called mates.
When I look at the condition of the games that I puchased after I stood at the door and said "not interested - go away" they're all basically new. However when I look at the stuff prior - I think to myself:
"I must have been a right pr*ck".
What nightmare scenarios have you faced when loaning out/receiving back games, or does the prospect of being parted from them mortify you?
Has loaning out games ever stressed a friendship or do you trust them because they also collect/appreciate them?
Or, you're not a collector and only purchase pre-owned games so the condition of them not matter so long as it plays?
Comment