Is this Hobby going to Die??

[steve]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Its been interesting to watch whats been happening with
arcade collecting. Jukes took a big hit, and now vids are
in a slide but pins have gotten very popular and prices
are crazy. Personally, I'll always have my favorite jukes
and vids along with pins (the majority, and always has been).
If I can pick up some rare vids as others dump their collections,
great.

Hobbies seem to run in cycles and I'll bet vids will become
popular again in the future.

Steve

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

I don't care what all the nay sayers say, certain titles will ALWALY get
big $$ ( Centipede, Tempest, Ms Pac, etc..) I remember when any turd
with a board and a monitor fetched $500 but the market adjusted to what
it should be...shitty for sellers good for buyers.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Pinball died with WMS!!

 

[larryc]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

As the hobby dies the number sources for parts, technical assistance/repairs
and quality art reproductions goes down. Look at a lot of the better
sources for repro artwork and look at where their efforts are - PINBALL.
Try to get one of them to take on a new Video Game art reproduction and
they'll tell you it doesn't make good 'business' sense to do it. That
impacts a lot of collectors who prefer to buy broken down games and restore
them. Anyone (with money) can simply purchase a nice game, but to me the
hobby is restoration and if the 'hobby' dies I'll never get Track and Field
side art, a Joust 2 CPO or a non-flaking tempered glass Joust bezel.



"Jon eXidy" <evil.exidy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:B%JWe.85877$xl6.35869@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> since when do we care if the hobby dies? I collect for myself.
>
> jon
>
> --
> http://www.arcade-classics.com
> "Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
>> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
>> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
>> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
>> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
>> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
>> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
>> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>>
>
>

 

[mark]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

It's all about Pinball now.Video has one foot in the Grave.Im even wanting
to buy the new Sopranos Pinball that just came out.Pins have much more
action and since they are making all of the themed one'slike movies and even
one of the most popular shows like the Sopranos,Harley Davidson.ETC..It
makes me want to start a collection of nifty pins like those.
"LarryC" <larry@nospam.hermitcreek.com> wrote in message
news:wtLWe.29864$mb4.18510@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> As the hobby dies the number sources for parts, technical
> assistance/repairs and quality art reproductions goes down. Look at a lot
> of the better sources for repro artwork and look at where their efforts
> are - PINBALL. Try to get one of them to take on a new Video Game art
> reproduction and they'll tell you it doesn't make good 'business' sense to
> do it. That impacts a lot of collectors who prefer to buy broken down
> games and restore them. Anyone (with money) can simply purchase a nice
> game, but to me the hobby is restoration and if the 'hobby' dies I'll
> never get Track and Field side art, a Joust 2 CPO or a non-flaking
> tempered glass Joust bezel.
>
>
>
> "Jon eXidy" <evil.exidy@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:B%JWe.85877$xl6.35869@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>> since when do we care if the hobby dies? I collect for myself.
>>
>> jon
>>
>> --
>> http://www.arcade-classics.com
>> "Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
>>> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
>>> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
>>> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
>>> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
>>> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
>>> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
>>> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[larryc]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Well, everyone just needs to bring their games to Wisconsin. I haven't seen
a bargain around here yet. In fact I've sold most of my best games in the
last few weeks because people were just offering too much money. These were
games that were in my collection and I wanted, but the money was too good to
pass up. Everyone has been telling me there are just no games on the market
and they are willing to pay to get just about anything. And if I do want a
game at a decent price I usually have to drive 5 hours to get it.


"Troy" <troyl@lvcm.com> wrote in message
news:T5LWe.14990$mH.13649@fed1read07...
> it's sad to see the value of your games drop to nothing, rare games
> included.
> it's great if your buying them. but they are only worth what you are
> willing
> to pay anyways anymore, no more.
> with mame and the multi games what came out, there is not much market
> anymore for dedicated games. I think guys will keep the games they like
> and
> sell off what's left.
>
> me personally, I don't even bother picking up games anymore unless it's a
> game I really want.
> And I already own or have owned most of those.
> I went this whole year and only bought 1 game so far, and it was a pin and
> has since been sold.
> unlike the old days when I would grab anything and everything.
> I don't ever see the prices returning to what they once were, however it
> wont die off completely.
>
>
>
> Troy,
>
>
>
> "Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
>> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
>> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
>> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
>> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
>> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
>> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
>> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Yep thats the new wave - I wish I hadnt dumped the 12 SFii Champs and the 15
MK1s and 2s I got in a bulk deal 3 years ago - I was practically giving them
away to clear space

--
Art
"Arcade_Spirit (Chad Entringer)" <arkenstone3@earthlink.net> wrote in
message news:1126925352.334812.274820@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I came up with a theory on the new generation of collectors. Coined
> them the Street Fighter Generation. Collectors of the late 80's early
> 90's games. A vision to share. So it will boost I beleive. Lots of us
> (street fighter generation) have more spending bread and are buying up
> the games we dreamed about as teens.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

"pinball" is where its at? Mark is a goddamn idiot. i think both the arcade
and pinball hobbies will continue. However I can see that the pinball
bubble will pop very soon.

jon

--
http://www.arcade-classics.com
"Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>

 

[Mac]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Is this hobby going to die?
I really dont think its going to die off completely, but rather a
cleansing back to reality. You will always have true collectors, both
in video and pinball. What you wont have in the near future in BOTH
markets are those that are "investing" or those parasites that are "buy
low - sell high, rip you off with shitty restoration/service/tech".
Common sense would tell you that there are better ways of investing,
and if you need a quick buck - get a job.
As for the parts business and who makes what for who. There are
major efforts to reproduce pinball parts, but that bubbble is bursting
right now. Gottlieb protects its rights, so there are limited parts
made, Williams/Bally which for the last 5 yrs almost didnt care what
was done/made has since changed their mind when they sold some
remaining assets off to Wayne (MrPinballAustraila) earlier in the year.
Which MrPinAus is now with legal action taking on all of the people
making parts/graphics. Thus parts sources are drying up. We will see
what happens Oct 12 2005 when all of the cards should be laid upon the
table. Itellectual Property rights for items both in video and pinball
that were left to die, should be remade if there is a public that wants
or need those items. Go Darin! If your products for video are the same
quality as Pinball, You should be leading the graphic revolution in
both groups.
Also for one pinball manufacture, Stern. There is competition
supposedly with MrPinballAustraila, know known as The Pinball Factory
(TPF). They only have a limited liscense with the Bally name, thus can
only produce a "Bally" product with no reference to Williams?
Also to keep in mind in both markets, The exceptional example, or
the rare title will retain its value. Speaking from a Pinball point of
view, When the bubble bursts on that market, your still not going to
see a MM, or CC under $4500.
Mac

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

I'm in it for 2 reasons...

1. My kids, they enjoy the games and enjoy having their friends over to play
the games
2. Fixing... This is, for me, where the fun is. There's nothing like
bringing in a heap and making it nice again.

Yes, I'll go down stairs a few times a week or so and play some Robotron or
run a few Indy races, but I, and I'm sure most don't, really do this for the
games themselves (let's face it... would you have really bought 1/2 the
games you have if it was just for the *fun*?)

What your seeing is just e-bay. Pure and simple. It's destroyed the
"collector" scene. I'm sure it's not just rgvac, but I bet if you trolled
the coin collection and the card collecting, etc. groups you'll see they're
probably all down.

steve

"Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>

 

[Scott]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

A big part of the "boom" of this hobby was eBay and the internet. You
had a ton of people come into the hobby at that time that never thought
about it before. They had money, were at the right age, and suddenly
had instant access to tons of games via online sources.

I've collected since 1994, and prior to the internet days were the true
bargain days. If I'd known then what I know now I would have loaded up
on all the $250 Galagas and Centipedes I saw at auctions and flea
markets around here. But ah well.

Now you are getting to the point where people who truly collect for
themselves have most if not all of what they want. Others grew tired
of the hobby and bowed out. But the prices aren't really down....
they've shifted. Later 80s and early 90s titles are climbing in value.
Street Fighter II? I get asked about it all the time, and gone are
the days of finding them at "give away" prices.

The hobby won't ever die, but it will change, just as the baseball
cards and the action figures and everything else did. I used to sell
collectable action figures and it did well until a few years after
eBay. Those prices slid down about a year before these arcade games
did. People who could only find those toys regionally once upon a time
now had eBay, and they used it to get what they wanted, and did... and
now that they have them, the demand dropped.

It'll be interesting to see where the hobby goes from here, and if the
lower prices help me get the last few games I want, so be it. Parts
and artwork are my main concern, but at the rate people destroy classic
cabinets for multigames and part outs, I can also see demand rising
again someday as supply diminishes.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

The future of this hobby is us. As long as we maintain our websites,
have shows [videotopia and cal extrem], answer questions and get others
involved this hobby it will not die.
Even though the interest hasnt been there like it used to be people
still are enthused about video games.
Video games changed everything. They opened people minds
psychedelically and pushed hardware to new extremes.

This hobby wont die, it will only evolve.

Don
www.arcadeguy.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

LOL Art...............
I always though 50% of Florida was in trailors because of the news
always showing them getting blown away in Hurricanes.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

I just thought of something else. If less people go to arcades these
day's, does that mean less people will be buying games in the future?
The 80's is the era I like to collect because I went to the arcade's
everyday and played the games, so did a lot of people. Will the lack of
arcade business today equal the slow death of future collectors and the
industry? Who really knows? Let the future collectors worry about
themselves., For me, I have too many vector games to fix that I need to
be worrying about. Just enjoy your game collections, that's what I'm
doing.

Todd

 

[Andre]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Here are my 2 cents on the topic..some of you may know about my business of
working on arcade boards and games and I can tell you that I never been
busier as I have been this year. I had been toying around with the idea of
hiring a tech and moving into a bigger shop. As it has been pointed out
that the newsgroup isn't the only place collectors hang out. Most of my
clients in this area have never logged onto the newsgroups even though they
know about it.



Sure the prices have come down on games and I'm sure they will drop more but
there are always going to some true collectors out there. Lets face it most
collectors are in there mid 30s to early 40s who grow up with these games
but I always hear of their kids starting to play these games more and more.
I have a client of mine who runs a youth center in WI. He has a nice
collection of arcade games in his center. He buys only classic games from
me (no violence) that the kids play every day.



Bob Roberts will be missed if he decides not to reopen, he has helped me out
many of times in the past and will always be one of my choices for parts but
he is not the only source of parts out there. Sure he makes it very easy to
buy all the parts at one location but there isn't any part on his site that
can't be found on the internet somewhere else.



This hobby will go through many changes in the coming years and I'm sure it
will decline as we who grow up with these games age but for now I'm still
into it 100%.



Happy gaming,

Andre


--
thanks,
Andre
www.arcadesolution.com


"Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>

 

[guinness]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Well thats the thing...kids aren't going to recall video games in the future
like we did in the 80's. Yes, PS2's will sell well in 20 years. No, 18
Wheeler American Pro Trucker will not. Low arcade, more home, equals more
nastalgia in the future for home games versus arcades.

tim (NH)

"Studiobassist" <studiobassist@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1126982125.755693.202400@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I just thought of something else. If less people go to arcades these
> day's, does that mean less people will be buying games in the future?
> The 80's is the era I like to collect because I went to the arcade's
> everyday and played the games, so did a lot of people. Will the lack of
> arcade business today equal the slow death of future collectors and the
> industry? Who really knows? Let the future collectors worry about
> themselves., For me, I have too many vector games to fix that I need to
> be worrying about. Just enjoy your game collections, that's what I'm
> doing.
>
> Todd
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

no. no. no... that's in OHIO where the TORNADO'S hit!

"arcadeguy" <arcadeguy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1126981649.746439.180580@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> LOL Art...............
> I always though 50% of Florida was in trailors because of the news
> always showing them getting blown away in Hurricanes.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

well.. of course we all had to pick the the friggin biggest, most unwieldly
hobby there is... hell even car collecting is easier (at least they can get
*themselves* where you want to go). It's a lot easier to collect something
that you can hang on your wall rather then something you need several
thousand square feet for.

steve

"arcadeguy" <arcadeguy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1126980905.156436.242380@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> The future of this hobby is us. As long as we maintain our websites,
> have shows [videotopia and cal extrem], answer questions and get others
> involved this hobby it will not die.
> Even though the interest hasnt been there like it used to be people
> still are enthused about video games.
> Video games changed everything. They opened people minds
> psychedelically and pushed hardware to new extremes.
>
> This hobby wont die, it will only evolve.
>
> Don
> www.arcadeguy.com
>

 

[Andy]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Pins can't be emulated and that is one reason for the steady decay / decline
of arcade collecting vs pins. Put the whole arcade in one *Mame* cabinet
and wala! You don't need a huge room and you won't get tired of the
selection. Plus - many original games are over 20+ years old and less and
less people know how to work on them. I used to have 10+ vids back in high
school. Now I have two linked race games a Reunion Ms Pac / Galaga and a
720 oh and 10 pins.

If Mame didn't come along, the video markey wouldn't be as far down the
toilet as it currently is.

Andy

"MARK" <MARKLINE@OPTONLINE.NET> wrote in message
news:hCLWe.1808$gE7.493@fe08.lga...
> It's all about Pinball now.Video has one foot in the Grave.Im even wanting
> to buy the new Sopranos Pinball that just came out.Pins have much more
> action and since they are making all of the themed one'slike movies and
> even one of the most popular shows like the Sopranos,Harley
> Davidson.ETC..It makes me want to start a collection of nifty pins like
> those.
> "LarryC" <larry@nospam.hermitcreek.com> wrote in message
> news:wtLWe.29864$mb4.18510@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> As the hobby dies the number sources for parts, technical
>> assistance/repairs and quality art reproductions goes down. Look at a
>> lot of the better sources for repro artwork and look at where their
>> efforts are - PINBALL. Try to get one of them to take on a new Video Game
>> art reproduction and they'll tell you it doesn't make good 'business'
>> sense to do it. That impacts a lot of collectors who prefer to buy
>> broken down games and restore them. Anyone (with money) can simply
>> purchase a nice game, but to me the hobby is restoration and if the
>> 'hobby' dies I'll never get Track and Field side art, a Joust 2 CPO or a
>> non-flaking tempered glass Joust bezel.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Jon eXidy" <evil.exidy@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:B%JWe.85877$xl6.35869@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>>> since when do we care if the hobby dies? I collect for myself.
>>>
>>> jon
>>>
>>> --
>>> http://www.arcade-classics.com
>>> "Plisskin" <scorpiokings@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1126915061.917223.133350@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>> Lately there has not been much going on here on the group. With all
>>>> the rants and spam ,most off topic, there does not seem like this group
>>>> and hobby is what it used to be years ago. Now with the possible loss
>>>> of marketplace (which is only because people can't use the groups
>>>> properly) and the possible loss of Bob Roberts, I personally do not see
>>>> the future of this hobby being good. Also, some collectors have sold
>>>> their collection and moved on with their lives. Are we getting too old
>>>> for this stuff now? What is the future of this hobby?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

It used to be 50% now it's down to 41%.

Sorry, bad joke but oh well!!!


"arcadeguy" <arcadeguy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1126981649.746439.180580@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> LOL Art...............
> I always though 50% of Florida was in trailors because of the news
> always showing them getting blown away in Hurricanes.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Good points Mac. There are those in this hobby purely for monetary
reasons (see shitted out MsPacs on ebay with opening bids of $750 WTF??
) and those who really love the games. Im sick of seeing "reserve not
met" or auctions ending with ZERO bids because the opening was $1200.
WTF??. Put your game up for auction and what you get is what it's
worth. If you think it's worth more, hold on to it like a stubborn SOB
and have yourself burried in it when you die. HA!! an Asteroids coffin,
imagine that. Or a PacMan Marquee as a tombstone, HA!!
But there are exceptions in this hobby. Anthony from Quarterarcade
truly turns out great pieces. NEW monitors and excellent cabinet work,
plus a WARRANTY. Iv'e seen his shop, bought project games from him, and
chit chatted whenever at an auction or expo. He really loves this
hobby. I wouldnt classify him as a dealer, no, he is a restorer. His
games are worth every dollar.
Fools will be weeded out in the next few years (if not months) and
the true gamers will prevail.

Drew@Bunkercade