Dealing with Video Game Collecting Burnout

[@jayw5619]

I've watched your videos a long time, John. This video, more than most, really shows your experience in this hobby. Thank you for sharing your advice. Much respect.

[@emperorlarsxviii6321]

I feel it’s a problem when collecting, searching, and buying games takes more of your free time than actually playing the games. The collecting part becomes the hobby rather than enjoying the games. 😀

[@beezle1976]

Why is that a problem? Absolutely nothing wrong with collecting for the sake of collecting. There's no right or wrong way to do a hobby contrary to what some with their own perspective sometimes suggest.

[@emperorlarsxviii6321]

beezle1976 sir, i am a collector. Most would call me a hoarder as well. I meant no disrespect to collectors. But I do feel many lose sight of the reason they are collecting and for most it began by acquiring games they love to play. Then the thrill of the hunt takes over and we spend less time actually playing. Spending months and years trying to track down “Care Bears Adventure 2” cartridge that will never get played.

[@alexbest2999]

Spending more time searching for, and researching games, over playing games is actually a healthier balance for me.

[@rudolphrofinot4963]

This statement, more than any other, describes my burnout.

[@igg_static6802]

I agree don't get me wrong collecting is fun especially comming across a cib game of any kind or that one rare game for cheap but it kinda does defeat the point of why the game was made it was made to be played lol these companies didn't make em to just sit on the shelf 100 percent of their life I play all my games in my collection i do like to collect but i wouldn't collect sumthing i can't play eitherwise I just would collect sumthing else to sit on a shelf which I do like dbz cards magic yugioh pokemon marvel cards comics manga ECT

[@terrybroadway]

I sold almost 90% of my 900+ game collection and couldn't be happier. I only kept a few current games I still play and the few old games that meant something to me as a kid. I collected pretty heavily from about 2010 to 2016 because I was married and needed a hobby, had the money, and wanted to relive some childhood fantasies. It turned into collecting for the sake of accumulating a large collection, and not so much for the love of games. Now my priorities have changed. Single, I travel more, move around a lot, and spend the majority of my free time outdoors. Plus, I really hate having tons of physical belongings. So it was great selling off nearly everything and only keeping the ones I played now and the few old ones for nostalgic purposes. I find that in the 2 or 3 hours a week I still manage to play something, the gaming experience is far more meaningful because I now stick to one or two games until I complete them, rather than bouncing around playing 15 minutes of tons of different games.

[@hankchinaski1095]

Your wife left you lol

[@terrybroadway]

@NotSnarl Yeah for sure, that's the smartest way to do it for me. All the old cartridge based stuff, and some disc based games, I just emulate now if I ever really feel like playing them. Just makes more sense to me at this point in my life

[@terrybroadway]

@@hankchinaski1095 lol for the record, it was mutual and we're still really good friends. Sorry to spoil your "joke?"

[@hankchinaski1095]

@SilentRobFan Z Married happily with two baby boys. HAHA loser.

[@jerminator0688]

Im getting to that point now. I have a nice little retro collection but I never play it. It sits in my closet in totes. I am waiting for the day I buy a house to make a game room but as time passes things keep getting pushed back. I thought to myself about selling it all except what I really play (PS4/X1/Switch) and maybe getting an NES/SNES classic for fun nostalgia purposes and emulate anything else. I’m married now and have a baby so priorities are a little different. Also I am getting tired of having tons of belongings as well and am ready to try and live as minimal as possible. But it would hurt to sell it all and regret it down the road. So for now, it sits in the closet. Lol

[@pimpedoutstereos9747]

Thankyou for ur advice John. I’ve currently going thru burnout as dealing with depression, a bit of financial stress which I’m pretty much on top of now and just not currently enjoying collecting or tinkering with my handheld projects. I was close to having a huge clear out and sell most of my stuff but after u mentioned people u know selling and regretting wat they had sold made me think twice and I know I would b one of those people too so I’ve stopped myself from listing more things for sale and I’m just gonna take a break from it all. I’ve been going pretty hard at it for months now with collecting to the point of it being an unhealthy obsession almost and I think that’s wats made me get burnt out

[@js.sunset]

I get the other burnout, in regards to actually playing my games in collection. One thing I've found that helps is to invite friends over and let them choose something to play and we make a game night of it.

[@NYCJoeBlack]

JS Morgan - Ha! Similar to my way of thinking in that I have a TON of video games in queue dating as far back as the Nintendo 64/Sega Saturn/PSOne era up to the present and I figured if I invite friends over, they can help me complete games that are co-op. I collect to play! I don’t collect just to have the games sealed on a shelf. No judgement, but I am not that type of gamer.

[@js.sunset]

@@NYCJoeBlack Exactly! I even find myself collecting games that I normally wouldn't even play, because I know certain friends or family members will enjoy them. I also love playing single-player games in a "pass-the-controller" fashion. Now, I just need a friend that loves RPGs and I can REALLY start knocking out my backlog! Lol

[@NYCJoeBlack]

JS Morgan - Lol!

[@jerminator0688]

Step 1: Get friends. Lol

[@btread8875]

Excellent advice!

[@sneshead3326]

Thanks John I needed this today was feeling over whelmed lately and needed to thin out my collection but now I’m going to wait a bit

[@dianahyman7806]

Great topic! For me, it’s important that I have other interests that bring me joy. Whenever I start to feel less inspired with my game collecting/playing, I cycle on for awhile to focus on one of my other interests...like getting into a good book series, or model building. Eventually a new game or unusual find will spark my interest bring me back around again. I agree that you should never be too quick to sell off a collection until you have given yourself time away to assess how you feel. Unless you truly need to from a financial standpoint, just take your time so that you don’t have regret later on.

[@gamingtv394]

Diana Hyman it sometimes could take years. I say put it all in boxes in the attic. In a couple years it'll all still be there when you're ready to GAME ON.

[@TheUpliftingGuy]

I can give you guys some advice as well. If you get burned out. Only keep the games you like the most or have good memories of from your childhood. Get rid of the filler titles you'll never play or touch. Keep the ones that make you happy. This way you can save money, earn money for the filler titles and enjoy the titles you like the most. That's what I'm doing right now. Only collect certain games for certain consoles which I've good memories from. I don't say everyone has to do it, but give it a thought and make a decision you can live with. Don't do it if you're going to regret it later on. Remember that! :)

[@junioro3166]

3 years later and I’m still coming back to this video. This is such a great video and the advice always comes in handy especially since the retro market is insane during these time. Thank you and much appreciated for the knowledge you put out.

[@GodfathersGodfathernet]

A lot of great comments here. Ways I avoid burnout: 1. Play what I have. I've seen this in multiple comments and it was mentioned in the video. This is good advice. If I'm really not feeling like searching for games or can't find what I'm looking for I enjoy what I have. Many collectors have waaay more than enough to enjoy. 2. Collecting for different consoles at different standards. I primarily collect for Genesis. I only collect 100% complete games with strict condition standards. While this is more expensive and less likely to be found in the wild, it really limits what I purchase. I might be paying more for each game but it also means I buy less and only when all standards are met. It also makes me more satisfied when I do find a game and buy it. To complement this, I strictly collect cart only for NES and SNES. As long as the label is decent and any writing can be removed from the cart, I'll pick it up. It's much cheaper as well and still allows me to pick games up if I don't feel like dropping a crazy amount of money. I also collect complete PS1 and PS2 games in good working condition. These latter options are much easier to find in the wild. 3. Share retro games and the experience of playing them on original hardware with friends/family. There's nothing like playing these older games with others. It also reminds me why I'm so fond of the hobby. I love the reactions from people when they play [insert nostalgic game here] for the first time in 20+ years. They feel like they're a kid again and it brings back all kinds of memories.

[@peter.peter.r]

Spoken like a true community mental health advocate. Keep up the good work!

[@jaredkoohestani1580]

I love that we, as a video game collecting community, experience the same ups and downs and we can find motivation and encouragement in each other.

[@PetenPelit]

Great video! I did have a sort of a collectors burnout. But then I did just as you said: instead getting rid of most of my games, I had a pause and started thinking why I started collecting in a first place. It was getting my childhood games back. After 10 years of collecting I was still missing only a couple of quite common NES and SNES complete in box games I had as a kid so I decided to focus getting them to my collection. It took me couple of months because I wanted them in good condition and I stopped buying games those did not matter to me so much. Next step was analyzing what kind of collector I am and I made a decision to sell some of my games I felt are only gameshelf fillers for me. I did end up selling about 180 games from my 700 games collection. I did not have a huge collection, and it still is about 600 games because I sold those less than 200 games about two years ago and I’ve been collecting titles (retro and new games) I’m really interested in after that. I know I’d regret if I would sell some of my really hard to find collectible games and taking a pause was absolutely a way to go. I’m keeping my collection small and I collect titles I really want. Actually, only yesterday, I finally got my self a Commodore 64 unit which I’m super excited and I’m looking forward collecting some games for it.

[@drubesrubio]

My problem is just collecting them and just having them sit on shelf for a long while until I might pick it up. My main reason is I like to have an available library I can play anytime

[@DWyn-xq4yf]

I have the same issue. I feel frustrated that I have a collection on a shelf, but don't have the time to enjoy playing them as I intended, so I also feel guilty. Like the person below me mentioned, playing them with another person helps...

[@moz92si]

Great video! I know im super late to the party. I just experienced collector burn out. These past few months have been difficult staying at home and staying busy. It also made me appreciate my collection during this pandemic. One of the things I started doing was actually playing my games and completing them, getting my revenge from when I was a kid. Its also helped staying connected with friends who playing the same game and share the same passion in their homes in this pandemic and bragging about who beat the game first. I try to stay on schedule and chip away at my games and staying true to completion of a title. Keep videos coming and we appreciate you. Stay safe.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

I must say this is very good video, thanks for sharing.

[@DerekDomino71]

This is fantastic advice, and I wish I had heard it sooner. Regret is real. Many years ago I went through burnout and foolishly sold a large amount of my games, and I ended up regretting it. I also collect VHS tapes, records, dvd's and magazines. Now when I get burned out on something, I go to the next thing for awhile.

[@denniscleary7580]

I love the thrill of the hunt, once when I was searching and selling at the flea market I found both twilight princess and wind Waker for the game cube for a dollar each! And yes they were in mint condition and complete

[@retrogamer-]

I agree with the other comments here. Thanks for the advise, John. 👍

[@coylevideo]

Have more than one collecting hobby. I collect comics, games, toys, vinyl, and Magic cards. Never a lull.

[@biteme109]

Ditto i collect starwars action figures, dolls, mtg, books(here and there), vidoe games, legos, smart doll, transformers and power ranger toys for the kiddo hes 6 years old

[@biteme109]

Vinyl and cds as well :)

[@FamousCanadian]

I’ve had Video game collecting burnout. That bit about cheap games drying out is big. Having a really awesome run, riding a wave of picking up great games only to then find nothing for months afterwards is such a bummer. To me, the higher the high, the lower the low. Too, collecting has a seasonal nature to it IMO. Spring’s here now so it’s good. People are Spring cleaning! Summers alright with yard sales, but come fall and winter, yikes! I like to sit down and play a game or two in my collection that I have a reasonable chance to enjoy. With movies and games, if I experience something surprising and fun about my experience (bonus points if it moves me emotionally), then there’s an automatic jumpstart to my love of collecting. When I’m back, I’ll explore top ten lists and recommendations on the internet. By then I’m ready to go out hunting for the next find.

[@GameHammerCG]

Your final comments about stopping, digging out an old game or console and playing that is exactly how I deal with burn-out. It reminds me why I love gaming and why I love to collect games.

[@maxgamingpowernorway5566]

Stop for a few months. Focus on what you want and buy that. Don't pick up everything

[@Fenrir102787]

Hey John I was born in 1987 and videogames have been a part of my life since I was about 4. I have a small collection I mainly collect SNES and original Playstation games. I've hit the point where I lost the thrill of the hunt before but all in all I love videogames so much I can't stray away from collecting day by day. The older games I collect I love. I think about them all the time and all the memories behind them always can make me happy on the crappiest day. I love all of your content and all of your advice. Keep on keeping on man ;)

[@ninjasec]

A lot of the factors you mentioned, is why I am not aggressively/actively collecting, but I am grateful for my collection, and hopefully one day, will have more time to play it

[@markm4033]

Good video john. Yes I been feeling this burn out lately. Could be the weather affecting me. Several times I did sell some games I regretted selling. My suggestion for anyone feeling like selling their games, just store them away somewhere out of sight. Then when you feel as if you regret it, just go and take them out. I agree with you John, very good topic and video.

[@nicknite10]

Great Information and Video John Hancock! I like the chill factor,and this video is really spot on! Yes I had I would say a "light" video burnout,and what I did was invite trusted friends over,gave my nephews and niece and friends video game console and games as Christmas and Birthday gifts. I also trade a few things where I only have to pay for shipping.

[@RetroRaider]

I´ve bought a couple of collections here on the store from people who wanted to get out of the hobby, and Im starting to see more of that especially from people in the mid 30s. People are getting a house, getting married, kids, new jobs, lack of space you name it. Fortunately I have the time, space and extra income to keep going with the collection. I am self employed, I have my own place, I do KZbin as a hobby also but...I dont have kids yet so...in the future who knows? Thank you for making a video about this subject John, I think it is a very important topic to talk about. Take care my friend.

[@trippleseven37]

Don’t be fooled. Most of the guys you see in their mid thirties selling their collections is because their wives are making them do it.

[@RetroRaider]

@@trippleseven37 lol

[@mrpepperami01]

I’m thinking about collecting video game collectors.

[@Retro.LabRat]

Im thinking about collecting video game collectors who collect video game collectors

[@TheQuantumMechanic]

That's what KZbin is for!

[@benkizer9509]

Great video and advice. As a more casual collector, I got to a point where I realized my back catalog of games was so big, I was never going to have the time to play them all. With work, a wife, family obligations, other hobbies and interests, I wanted my gaming time to be, well, fun and not this stressful journey of finding this or that or having a never ending back catalog. Now I usually focus on 1-2 games a week, usual a new game with a retro one I never got into, and that's made gaming fun again. I appreciate the collecting you and your peeps at MJR do and understand the dedication required to succeed. I guess I just don't have the time or desire to do that, so I'm keeping my gaming goals a little more realistic these days.

[@GameFreak4Ever]

I've been collecting for 8 years. I have to say this video is very INFORMATIVE! Thank you!

[@nastynck]

Great video, as always! I couldn’t agree more ... burnout happens but I have done everything you said, try different consoles, play the backlog of games, joined Facebook/local groups. Sometimes just going to a local retro game shop and get recommendations or find a new KZbinr. One of best things is bringing over a close friend/family member/my wife and let them choose a random game or console and brings back the enjoyment having someone else appreciate and you get to educate!

[@dege13]

I think a good tip would have been to play the games. Many collectors don't actually play a lot of what they have and it's really what games are about. Sit down and put 5 minutes into a game, if you are not enjoying it, try another one. Most of us could do this for days before playing anything we have played before.

[@gamecubeforlife5285]

I’m 300 into my GameCube PAL collection. I’ve taken a break and just scanned and hit a rare title. Got me right back into it! Great video.

[@Mikebloke]

Nice! I find gamecube so prohibitably expensive even for Nintendo. I always make sure when I get a new gamecube game I'm going to be playing it start to finish before it ends up on the shelf.

[@DrGamelove]

Your collection never ceases to amaze me. I only collect games I love and truly value, not for completion. That can be tough though because at this point most stores are picked clean of anything good. 95 percent of Genesis games I see are sports titles. But, admittedly we don’t have great options here, a couple stores in 100 miles.

[@TheMultiGunMan]

This is great advice John. I just recently got back into collecting for Sega Genesis (the console I had as a teenager). I got back into it about 6 months ago. So I haven't burnt out yet. But, I'm glad I watched this anyway. Your videos are excellent John.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

I think the problem can be the whole obsession with COLLECTING. I can understand how that can take hold for sure. Around the time emulation was starting to really replace older consoles in the mid to late nineties I began moving away from ownership of the older consoles. I kept everything that was not well emulated or new, but everything else I ended up selling which I put into an emulation machine at the time and paid some other bills. At first it did feel strange to get rid of those games and consoles but I did adjust. Especially now with the hyperspin interface having box art and preview videos of alot of the games and the instant access, zero maintenance or organization and alot of extra features , using any controller for any system, save states to practice, etc. These days I just have the last few generations of consoles, games. I sell alot of the new games I buy after beating them. If I do want to replay them later I rebuy when a system dies. So now I can experience any game I want to play. Aside from the benefits of emulation I wouldnt have the space or money to spend on all the great old games, even without collecting the shittier ones. Sometimes I get burned out briefly on certain types of games or certain games. I switch constantly between old, new and different types of games to keep it fresh. That way I never really get burnt out with what Im playing.

[@nororengo286]

dont get married dont have kids got it :).

[@Doors067]

かな kyleyked06 smart!

[@untested3344]

Nooo don't. I know this is probably a joke but having children is the best thing in life.

[@astrideavolta]

Great video as always John - taking a break is crucial. You've also reminded me about selling and regret. As you get older, the amount of games you can buy is inverse to the amount of time you have to play them, and this can lead to the path of collecting for the sake of collecting, which can still be fun, though I think us retro gamers in particular spend more time talking about them and watching others play them than we do playing them ourselves. Also, like you say......APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE! EVERYONE HAS A BACKLOG! Example: I got Asterix for the Master System on my 10th birthday (I'm now 36). I finally finished it a couple of weeks ago haha (great game by the way).

[@DAportfolio]

Hey John, I went though some serious collector burnout a few years ago. I had a decent sized collection of NES, SNES, Gamecube, PS2, etc. which amounted to a collection about the size of one of your shelved walls. However, I just got tired of carrying them around from apartment to apartment, and never taking the time to really appreciate the games that I had. I took a good year of pausing my collecting try to appreciate what I had, but also to ask myself why I started collecting in the first place. I was reading Konmari's book around that time as well because I just needed to reduce clutter in my life, and asked myself, what about this hobby brings me joy? I had a few self realizations, most of my collecting was the thrill of the hunt; going to swap meets, flea markets, and garage sales in the off chance I can find a deal. I then kept the games with the intention of playing them on my own time, or sharing them with my friends. I rarely, if ever did this though, and could no longer justify having hauling around such massive collection, and letting it take up so much space in my home. I didn't start by just getting rid of everything though, but rather picking out the games I was least attached too and selling them. After selling them off, I sat with that for a few months, focusing on how I felt about it. I didn't miss them, so I then went through the process again, and again, each time pausing to see how I felt about missing the games I just sold off. I honed down my collection to the games that I do truly care about, the games that spark that joy. I realized that if I do truly miss a game that I got rid of, I can always buy it again, even if it might cost a lot more down the line. I know that I can scratch that itch and sell the game once again when I am ready. Gaming is not about collecting the objects to me, it is more about the experience of playing the game and sharing it with friends. Now, all of my consoles and games easily fit on one small shelving unit. Every game I own is a game that I love and wouldn't hesitate to play again. I still go to conventions and pick up a few games, but with the understanding that it is not staying in my collection forever, unless it earns its place on my shelf. Getting rid of my collection wasn't about getting out of the hobby, but rather refocusing on why I got into it in the first place. I don't regret my decision.

[@feethebunny]

I like how this is really good advice that can be applied to most any kind of collecting. I have this kind of burnout with video games sometimes, yes, but also with my humble collection of tobacco cards, especially when there's a dry spell in the supply of cards for a set I'm working on. I remember having it with comic books years ago too. That was a tough one too because I took the break and really thought about it and that's a case where I decided to let go and put the money towards other things instead. So again, great advice and hopefully it helps someone out there.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

I'm over collecting, haven't played any of my old games in years. I think I'll sell the lot

[@jonyoungmusic]

The only thing that really causes me to feel burnt out is that I literally have zero time to actually play my games. There's games on my list that I want to pickup still but I haven't touched 90% of what I already have to so it keeps me from grabbing more. Most of my collection is curated but Sega CD is what got me into collecting so I've been working on a full set since I started. Sometimes I think about just reducing that collection down to a handful of titles I care about instead of having INXS, Power Monger, and other crap I'll never touch. But I also see it as a goal and the thing that got me into the hobby to begin with so I feel obligated in a way. Retro collecting also got me more into modern games so I grabbed a lot for Wii U and Switch but I've began to stop playing those and use what little time I do have to play my retro titles. I have the mentality now that when my kids are older I'll have more time to play so I just hang on to everything but then the clutter starts to get to me lol. I also collect records, tapes, CDs, and vintage apple gear (off & on) so it can become overwhelming.

[@XxBishop78]

Dude my buddy just sold his complete sega cd collection,there is no need to feel any obligations to own those terrible titles,youll never put real time into them anyway

[@CinemaMacabro]

Here is my thing, I have a youtube channel that reviews horror and sci-fi, and cult films, I am also a pro video and photography guy. So collecting video/photo equipment is a necessary option. Now I got into collecting vfd and board games. I have over 20 VFD games, so I started feeling burnt out, so I built a nice shrine for my vdfs. Well because of my photography and video background I took it to the next level, and want to start a retrotech channel, and book since I product photograph my collection. It all works out in the end, and even if it does not, I managed to do something other with my collection than show it off. Great video Mr. Hancock!

[@Cosanplayprops]

WOW John really hit the nail on the head, I've had burn out for months now. I did decide to take a break till our next game event then after that I'm taking a long break. But good to know I'm not alone.

[@GingerbeardthegamingDad]

Great video john love the point you made about switching to collecting for another console if you get burned out thats what i have been doing and it keeps me happy and going with our great hobbie

[@XEric30]

what helping me not getting burnout by video games is by doing other stuff from time to time. like playing guitar,airsoft ect. I think its all a matter of ballace. Thanks for the advice John. always a pleasure to hear you talking about video games!

[@markw2097]

This is great video, I've been collecting on and off for years and you're right diversity is the key.for staying positive and interested. There are so many resellers at carboots now so finding a game or an console is so difficult nowadays, which can take some of the fun out of it. Luckily we have the new minis out there to keep us going ;)

[@TgtRick]

Thank you John, I needed to hear that. I was starting to get a little burnt out myself with finances and a big move coming up and kids. It's a lot. And I was definitely starting to feel that fatigue. Again thank you for the video, keep up the amazing work!

[@huemungus5934]

I been burnt out before I was 18 sold my whole collection and had instant regret now my collection has grown almost double the size and recently been feeling burnout again I just started picking out games I haven’t played in years and playing em and that’s helping me get back into it

[@ArcadeDude44]

Great advice, John. I had major life changes the past few years (divorce of long marriage, move across the country, loss of a good paying but terrible job, etc). I'm glad I didn't sell my collections, as I considered. Now, with a new marriage on the horizon, a stable (but not great paying job), I'm slowly getting back into collecting. My main passion is the games that I grew up with, so I am mostly moving on with growing those collections, for now.👍

[@christhompson6642]

Some of the best advice I have heard. I almost quit collecting and sold my collection, but I decided to stop purchasing, and instead spend more time playing. As I make it through a certain percentage of my current collection, I reward myself by allowing myself to add a few more titles. I am a fairly focused collector, as I collect primarily RPGs and Platformers, which when the list starts to dwindle, it gets depressing to not have more to look for or to see so many of them at huge price points. After taking my first break, I actually narrowed down my focus to what I REALLY wanted to play, and what I really wanted to share with my son. That reinvigorated me, and got me both collecting, and playing games at the same time. I now spend about 50/50 of my time playing/collecting. Before I went on my break, I bought a handful of my favorite gems that were missing that I knew I would play upon mail day, and that helped me stop collecting for a while since I had plenty to play and enjoy in the meantime while I restructured my viewpoints. Start small, start focused, and when you hit a snag branch out to something new for a while. There are a lot of amazing systems and trinkets out there for video game collectors who really enjoy collecting. I actually spend time going out to "collect", and buy nothing except sometime replacement cases for cracked cases and things, just to get myself out to maybe find that deal at the market.

[@dewinter1411]

Your best advice was Don't sell your stuff. So many people do it and regret it later on. Then spend even more buying it all back.

[@TheWorstThingEver]

I once had a massive Gamecube and NES collection. I sold most of it off, and indeed do regret it.

[@420shrekit5]

A Green I have some gamecube games that i've had for 10+ years and my brother sold like 3 of them and I miss them, so I can only image your feeling :'(

[@John_Q]

Another exquisite video by Mr. Hancock. I have many hobbies. I never ever get bored.

[@VanceVelez]

The best way with dealing with video game collecting burnout imo is to play the games you've collected so far, engage with other people who play the same games, content create and enjoy life. Turn too much of a good thing to something that brings positivity to the other aspects of your life!

[@manuell3505]

When I can't find a game to play at certain moment, I go re-check if everything works as desired, and reorganize the cables and such things. Currently making a wooden box for all my gaming-related remote controls. ^^

[@gustavolopez2599]

Great topic of discussion and great advice John

[@ChangolionComics]

Great advice! Sometimes it is necessary to take a pause. It is easy to get rid of the stuff you collect, but hard to build a collection.

[@CollectingRetro]

I had a complete -SE NES set and enjoyed having it on the shelf for a few years. The journey of completing it was probably the best part. I discovered some new games I enjoyed, but most of them were not worth playing for me and I decided to thin it down. I also needed some money to fund other hobbies. No regrets and for the games I didn't keep, there are easy ways to still play them or I could buy them again. Know yourself and what you want out of life, don't think you need to follow anyone else or impress them with your collection.

[@Atari2600_Dude]

Great video. I think another issue collectors can have is being overwhelmed by their collections.

[@derek-64]

it's because people buy so many games. they want complete libraries of several consoles or mostly complete and they just buy a bunch of games even if they don't really need it. it helps to focus on buying and collecting the games that you really want. i may not have complete libraries, not even close, but that's ok because i just get the games i really want.

[@gamingtv394]

derek221122 I have about 1000 games and I want moooorrre(little mermaid Ariel voice).... But I'm happy with what I got.

[@darylnez5635]

Mad respect! John Hancock you are an ultimate one of a kind collector...

[@WildcardZwei]

I think I needed this today. I've been buying a lot of digital games lately on sales, even when I have little to no interest in the titles. Every once in a while I'll find something sick and unexpected like Frederic Resurrection of Music. But meanwhile I have a backlog of over 50 games I bought overseas for PS4, or at retro game stores on a hunt. So even with a good stream setup and a bunch of expensive HDMI cables, output devices and splitters and such ready to go, I haven't felt like streaming. Because gaming has felt a bit overwhelming and unfun with my option paralysis from my huge backlog. I will take your advice and wait to buy something exciting and meaningful and learn to appreciate what I already have, knocking out some Gen 6 stuff I've long left untouched.

[@joshmartimez2235]

I've had collector burn out in the past and when that happens I take a pause and reflect on wht I started collecting again. I started because of my love for video games which started in 1990 or 1991. I nearly stopped buying and collecting for about two years in the early 2000's. I bought a Master System game the other day to possibly start a new collection and buy for a system I've never played. I collect for about 15 home gaming consoles and PC. I've slowed down with collecting so I can enjoy what I have and save money for other things in life. Great topic for a video!

[@jeff97ish]

I haven't got burnout yet. My biggest passion is retro video games. To be honest, the Everdrives have driven me to collect more. I have found a lot of games I never played on the Everdrives, and it makes me wanna get the physical cartridge. So if anything I have gotten more strong in the collecting field.

[@TRJ2241987]

I just stopped caring one day after about 20 years. It didn't make me sad though, it's helped me focus more on my career and life for sure. I will never sell off my collection, these days I am just happy with where it is at and enjoy playing my games from time to time

[@GaryGrimtooth]

I had burnout a few months back. I did something similar to what you said, I just slowed my buying for a while.. I only bought things that I really wanted to play, not just to collect. Then I spent my time actually playing those games and I remembered my reason why I started collecting.. to play awesome games! Another thing that helps me is to be involved with the community, keep watching videos and reading comments about awesome games. The bigger your wish list is, the less chance you will burn out.

[@themcfaceman]

Great video on the subject. I've definitely had burnout before due to moments of feeling like I am wasting my money at this stage of adulthood. Also, the increasing backlog of games I'll never play much less complete is discouraging. I really should stop buying games for years but I can't seem to help myself. I try to alleviate burnout by immersing myself in other entertainment like movies and tv, and focusing on other things in life like career, dating, and politics

[@Mikebloke]

I never really considered myself a collector of video games until really a year or so ago. I was closer to a hoarder/gamer. I started cataloging games in a spreadsheet a few years ago and at first it was just a list to avoid buying doubles , then I started recognising what games I had left on a system - hence the collecting. However it also served a second purpose and that was to track which games I had played, and actually finished. I've encountered the borderline of burnout in terms of collecting, although it's usually down to income / expensive rare games to finish collections that stumps me. I've learnt to go back and enjoy - and actually finish games on consoles while I'm waiting for a good deal or for another game to pop up. I find that helps a lot to keep both my original passion of gaming (no emulation for me!) and ensure I feel like I've got my moneys worth in entertainment. I don't think I could spend more than £10 on a game if I thought it was only ever going to live a life on a shelf.

[@jkajmo]

Been collecting for 15 years now, have a decent collection 4K games, mainly focused PS1 & PC Big Box stuff & I've come to this stage of my life where I am absolutely NOT burned out but I heavily pumped the brakes on collecting because I am seriously appreciating my collection. Been finally playing all those AWESOME games I've had on the back burner. Also I've been collecting grunge vinyls lately, Alice In Chains, Screaming Trees, Dinosaur JR etc. God I love that Seattle scene.

[@VoidReplicant]

I didn’t get burnt out I realised it was time.. Time to get radical!

[@whitewolfinc]

I have Three Systems - PS3/WiiU/X1 I focus on those, I play through what I have physically and then move onto my digital purchases. Not only does it allow you to revisit old favorites, but it allows you to gain new experiences and create new memories once you decide to add to the collection you have. Involving family and friends in multiplayer (Wii Especially) makes it that much more rewarding and enjoyable.

[@steadycamscottford]

Thanks for the video John! I’d say one of the issues with game collecting especially retro games is the condition of games. I do get bummed seeing tons of scratched discs, cartridges with permanent marker, messed up boxes and cases and trying to find official replacements for those. I wish I could get a brand new copy of older games. You have to compromise on the condition. But good advice. I took a break from retro games for a bit and went into getting new switch games.

[@TheMultiGenGamer]

Wise words dude. I'd hate to burn out on my collecting. I'd like to think I'd simply just hold off for a bit, as you suggest, before jumping back into it again. People change over time, times and situations change. I'd say don't focus too much on it, otherwise it becomes a job rather than a hobby, and once that happens it can be a downward slope.

[@IcePakOG]

Great video. This is something that's happened to me and I've sold stuff. Sometimes I find selling stuff actually helps clear my head, other times I regret it. It depends on what I sell. Something else I have experienced is burn out of the hunt. It's great to go out and find games, but I've had many times where I went out and took a chance on something or brought something, then I got home and just felt burnt out because I'd either brought something I didn't really want just to buy something or I would have too many games to play through.

[@stevetb7777]

How I handle video game collecting burnout: I let others do all the collecting and I collect vicariously through them. Thank you John, for doing more than your share! =D

[@MorganJustGames]

I've been collecting for many years. Not quite as much as you. I'm a big Commodore collector. I still buy the ocational game from time to time but times I have to stop and save up for a bit. I live on my own which helps with collecting. One day I'll get a bigger place and hopefully more room for my stuff. Great Video and great info.

[@ARJohnson101]

To build on appreciating what you have, don’t worry about the size of other collections. I’ve been a victim of this, but seeing large collections while impressive can also be depressing in contrast to your own collection. Not worrying about other collections will go a long way in maintaining your happiness when it comes to avoiding video game burnout. My collection is only a few hundred games but I love what I have. I think it should be mentioned as well, don’t feel guilty about having to sell a high value item if you need money for bills, a trip, etc; I know people who kick themselves for selling things because they need the money. That’s a distinction that should be made as well. Financial stability is key when it comes to collecting too, can’t stress that enough.

[@Gappasaurus]

Great video & great advice for collectors of all types. The collecting world has changed drastically over the decades, and sometimes re-evaluation is needed. 🤔 Thanks John 👍🏼

[@RodanChi]

Burnout or not, people should definitely ask themselves (honestly) why they are collecting.

[@johnalbertson79]

@Most Deadest Pool of em All. Correct. That's about all you'll get too, literal bitches. No real woman is going to find a video game collector attractive.

[@MrKanejoe1]

I was really focused on Gamecube for a long time. I got to the point where I pretty much acquired all of the games I wanted to play and then started getting into the "shovelware", sports titles and games I just didn't care about. Of course there are some games I just would never attain due to cost/rarity. I decided to shift my focus to other consoles for a while and now I'm feeling better about collecting. I guess the real trick is deciding whether you care about complete collections or just having the games you WANT.

[@Shad0wProphet]

I really enjoyed this video sir. I can totally relate to this video. Having a child really destroys your disposable income and your ability to play your collection. But I just switched focus to paying down debt and playing with my child. Now that I am in a better space, I am back to buying more common, an easier to find titles, but glad I never progressed to selling off what I had. Amazing video.

[@benrlego]

Great video John. I used to get burned out, but generally I would just play through some of the games, then move on to another system/set for a while before coming back to what burned me out.

[@sonicmario64]

I actually gave up on collecting retro games after realizing how expensive cartridges have been in recent years, and I decided to purchase reproduction copies of games that can be played on the original hardware, especially since my primary reason for wanting to purchase older games is to play them and not just show them off proudly like most collectors nowadays.

[@robert8192]

Every collector story is different. I was a poor kid and had an Atari2600 but few games, like 6 of them. A king time passed, and I saw GORF in a thrift store. Since I couldn't afford it back when I was a kid, I bought it, and about 4000 games later, I am pretty happy with my humble collection.. C64 A2600, 7800, 5200.. and I am getting into Sega Genesis.. Thanks J-H for your overwhelming perspectives..

[@1Critler]

Sold everything that will emulate on my steam deck this spring. Haven't touched 99% of it in the last 3 years.

[@fentazen2677]

Definitely taking the family on vacation to visit the museum when it’s ready!

[@Lem0nSlice]

Stopping is the first thing you should do. I go try to play my games instead of buying more and more and of course looking on other things I collect less also can help

[@beezle1976]

Closest to "burn out" I've had is on the odd occasion that I struggle to find stuff I don't have that's affordable. When this happens I try to step away for a few days and play some games instead. I absolutely agree that diversifying helps keep the enthusiasm. The wider degree of machines you have to collect for the more games in total their are to seek out, and the more likely you are to keep finding good buys. I also agree that strange stuff is great fun to find. Only yesterday I managed to get ahold of something I had no idea existed,..... motion sensitive controllers for ps2, pre Wii. Couldn't walk away from that, it's just too obscure. Despite being the 8bit console I played the most as a teen I still don't own a Master System, but a few days ago I managed to get ahold of it's light gun. This has really helped inspire me to start collecting for the system; the enthusiasm is sky high. Point isn't anything specific to those 2 systems; I enjoy and collect for most (or want to if I've not started yet). It's simply to say a person needs to mix it up. If you don't you *will* get burned out. That's just part of being human and it's not unique to collecting.

[@chopsmccartney6786]

I've been feeling burnt out due to financial pressures and life changes. I thought about selling off my collection, but I knew I'd have a heavy dose of seller's regret if I did, and I likely would never see some of the rarer items in my collection ever again. So I just stopped spending so much of my time buying and found other things to do. I started playing the games I already have and took up other hobbies. It's been working so far!

[@carviss4179]

I had it. What got me through it was actually playing my collection and before you know it, 6MO passes and didn’t buy not one video game and slowly my burnout fell away but I tell ya it was least a year before I felt that collector excitement again. And I noticed that after my burnout I became a different type of collector, it was more about quality not quantity and I now ONLY buy what I want to play. Hope this helps those still in burnout mode.

[@mattweatherly]

I Overhaul my "Gaming Office" when I need a break from game collecting. I Work, Play, and Sleep(sometimes) in my Game room. Well I work full time from home so I have to keep my desk for work in my Game Room, so my wife dubbed it my "Gaming Office". I also love working on electronics, repairing consoles, fixing small electronics that would normally be tossed, I also love computers so i tinker with my many comptuers, and last but not least I have a few servers that need upkeep. The key is to have other hobbies to do while to cool down and ready to get back at collecting.

[@carlossince92]

Regret yes when i was younger i sold soooo much video game systems and consoles for chump change, i think you nailed it about just taking a pause from gaming. Something will spark that interest again for sure.

[@eriksojka9209]

I've had it!!! Was collecting for 30 years. Now I'm just relaxing enjoying what I have.

[@designateddaddy8413]

I've been collecting for maybe 4 years now and have gotten to a point where I just can't afford to add things to my collection but I'm still extremely passionate even though I have to sell bits of my collection but I feel like having rare games at the very least feels really nice. I got my boxed copy of stronghold for free and it's my holy grail but it's always really nice to be able to show off

[@americantadpole7162]

Anytime I'm in a collecting burnout, I play some Super Mario 64, and I'm back on track. Not sure how that helps me, but it does

[@L1KECLOCKWORK]

American Tadpole one of my favorites of all time

[@StusGameReviews]

When I started collecting 25 or so years ago, the focus of my collection was adventure games of all types on the IBM PC platform (and successors). Eventually I got to the point where I could not find any games that I didn't have. Not that they didn't exist, but they were impossible to find. So I branched out, both into non-adventures for IBM, and adventures for other platforms, and eventually to non-adventures for other platforms (including consoles). So I still have a lot to collect...but the downside is that I wish I had bought some of the stuff I'm trying to buy today when I first started collecting, when they would have been much cheaper.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

I've been collecting since the late 90s/early 2000s and got burnt out on it in the mid 2000s. Then in 2013 I got back into it when I discovered homebrews. I once had the goal of completing sets, like the ColecoVision and NES but with the prices of carts (even loose ones) and also the discovery of flashcarts, I kind of gave up on it. Now I have flashcarts for everything and only really buy homebrews for my favorite systems. I'll always be into 8 bit era consoles, like 2600, Intv, Coleco, Vectrex and NES. I wouldn't mind going after a complete Vectrex set because I absolutely love that system! I have a bunch of hobbies though and though I make great money nowadays, the cash flow and having the space to store everything can only go so far.

[@trevorpyle5884]

I agree that its a good idea to diversify. It helps to have something to always strive for.

[@ricksutcliffe584]

in my local area we dont have any specialized retro gaming stores, we have pawn brokers and CEX, thats about it. so for me i went from collecting games for any console i own to old computers themselves, building machines to play the games that i own is what brought me back into collecting again.

[@moandaindesigns]

My first big burnout on collecting was after I completed my Working Designs collection. It was such a defining goal for me. After I got the last game (Exile: Wicked Phenomenon) I was looking around thinking.... well... what next? It was hard to not compare the feeling of a lifelong and seemingly unattainable goal to the feeling of collecting other games. It was really strange for me and almost a bit depressing. I am doing better now, and still love video games and collecting them. I have collected seriously for 22 years now, and thankfully I have not sold my collection. Now it is more about creating memories with family and friends.