Expensive "hobby"?

Alienblue · Postby **Alienblue** » February 4th, 2007, 4:58 pm

I apoligize for all the posts today, but I think this is an important question. I was talking today with some kids from "my" demographic, POOR people, who said that while they enjoyed playing games at their freinds, their family could never afford a system. Also, they were surprised I called videogames my "hobby"!

So again, two questions. When I got into Atari 2600 in 1982, Videogaming WAS a hobby. IS it still? Or has it become a mass entertainment medium, like CDs and DVD movies? Or is it BOTH?

Also, how can poor kids today AFFORD gaming? Yes, I realize you can get outdated systems cheap but kids want the LATEST, Wii- 360- PS3. These systems and games are far beyond the reach of many families and kids. I myself can only afford around ONE DS or PS2 game every two months! What do you all think?

bluemonkey1 · Postby **bluemonkey1** » February 4th, 2007, 6:57 pm

I manage to get 360 games at half price pretty consistently (somethine that never used to happen in the 16 bit and 32 bit generations) and game prices have been falling in the UK over the past few years. In terms of the consoles don't forget in the old days how expensive systems used to be. If you look at inflation things like the 360 and Wii are bargains.

Anayo1 · Postby **Anayo1** » February 4th, 2007, 7:20 pm

Um... a lot of people I know just play Playstation 2, XBOX, Gameboy Advance, or stuff on their PC's, and these might not even necessarily be "poor" people (at least I don't think they are). I'll have to disagree with what you say about kids wanting PS3/Wii/XBOX 360, Alienblue. Most of the casual, non-gamer people I know (friends and relatives namely) see these next gen consoles as being too expensive.

Steerforth · Postby **Steerforth** » February 4th, 2007, 10:50 pm

I'm with you Alienblue, I game on a budget as well. I think the financial commitment for gaming makes it a hobby. I don't own a lot of games, and every once in a while I "cull" some games I don't play much anymore, regardless of how good they are, to free up some cash for new games. I think most people who really are into games have a pretty good idea of what they are going to get before they buy a game, and with the internet out there it is easier to not get burned by really crappy games. Though sometimes we all get dissapointed when some miss their mark! I buy a LOT of used games from Last Stop CD Shop, and just use Ebay to sell, because in my opionion people have no self control on Ebay and it is really hard to get a deal. It is a good place to buy stuff you can't find anywhere else, though. Solid DS and GBA games do REALLY well on Ebay right now. I sold Trauma Center for $29 (with shipping) and Tertris DS for $26 (with shipping) after I had got all the use I wanted out of them. You just can't beat that, at least good games hold their value.

As an aside, anyone else noticed how the decent NES games spiked when those generic Nintendo's were released? The Wii's VC is priced high enough, but games like LOZ and Metroid, etc. make it look like a bargain. Supply and Demand, baby!

Roperious1 · Postby **Roperious1** » February 4th, 2007, 10:59 pm

I can't see a rational person seeing the Wii as being "too expensive". Looking at previous generations and especially the current.

chrisbid1 · Postby **chrisbid1** » February 4th, 2007, 11:44 pm

i think kids often trade in games at gamEBstop to be able to afford new games. and gamEBstop makes a killing

Quill · Postby **Quill** » February 5th, 2007, 4:25 pm

[QUOTE=Alienblue]
So again, two questions. When I got into Atari 2600 in 1982, Videogaming WAS a hobby. IS it still? Or has it become a mass entertainment medium, like CDs and DVD movies? Or is it BOTH?

Also, how can poor kids today AFFORD gaming? Yes, I realize you can get outdated systems cheap but kids want the LATEST, Wii- 360- PS3. These systems and games are far beyond the reach of many families and kids. I myself can only afford around ONE DS or PS2 game every two months! What do you all think?[/QUOTE]

I'd have to say as a video game collector that it is definitely a hobby or can constitute as one depending on how you treat it. It certainly is becoming a mass marketed entertainment medium just like movies and music however there are some people whose hobbies are movies or music by collecting, making or studying them. Just because it's quickly becoming mainstream makes it no less a hobby.