Fear of wasting money

[Keith]

I have many video games and DVD sets, but because of this I seldom watch or play them. I also have a subscription to Pandora which my parents pay for. Incidentally, I often have trouble figuring out what I'm in the mood to watch, listen to, or play. I worry this is a waste of money. When I get a new game, I play it for a few minutes to get a first impression. When I come back into the living room my dad, seeming upset, acts as if he thinks I'm done with the game and will never play it ever again. I've even heard him say things like "You're done with it already?!" and "He plays them for like two minutes and then they just sit there.". What? Does he think I'm going to play the game for twelve hours a day?

I guess it depends on the game/DVD set and my mood. If I can relax and allow myself to be absorbed into the game or be able to do commentary while playing, my attention is better. However, there are some games which are hard, boring, or disappointing. I do have an obsession with beating every game, but due to the greedy corporations there are too many games I like.

 

[Etzelaire]

Maybe you could do something to foot the bills, that stuff is not that expensive. It won't need for you to work any hard.

 

[The Penguin]

I own many game consoles that I never played with. I wanted to collect consoles I use to play with during my childhood. As time progressed, I wanted to own other consoles I never owned before. Most of these game consoles I was able to get for between $20 to $30 including PS2 and the original Xbox. I also got very lucky to get the 6 switch Atari 2600. Some people say it a waste of money. I can also think of stuff other people buy is a waste of money. But buying things have different meanings with different people.

I know this one person they rather buy Lego than pay their bills.

Maybe you might be like me liking to collecting video games?

 

[Keith]

In recent years I've gotten more old games than new. I'm kind of a retrogamer. I even got Wind Waker HD when it came out. One thing I enjoy is NES Remix, because it allows me to experience those games without buying them. When I do play those games I can carry over those skills and maybe be better at them.

I do have a part-time job. I can occasionally use that money to buy the games I want. Conveniently, I've run out of old games to get.

 

[Keith]

I own many game consoles that I never played with. I wanted to collect consoles I use to play with during my childhood. As time progressed, I wanted to own other consoles I never owned before. Most of these game consoles I was able to get for between $20 to $30 including PS2 and the original Xbox. I also got very lucky to get the 6 switch Atari 2600. Some people say it a waste of money. I can also think of stuff other people buy is a waste of money. But buying things have different meanings with different people.

I know this one person they rather buy Lego than pay their bills.

Maybe you might be like me liking to collecting video games?

I have felt more like a collector than a gamer. Some games I get because I wish I'd known about them as a kid. Some I get because I always wanted them. Some I get because I haven't played them in years. A few I'd only played in arcades. Some I got out of curiosity. I've even downloaded a few because I didn't want them on fragile discs. A few I have remind me of my childhood: Star Fox and Mega Man 64 in particular. I had a PlayStation growing up, and those games remind me of those days, back when just polygonal games were the latest thing. I even downloaded the original Crash and Spyro games and Tekken 2 because I always wanted to play Tekken.

Some games I got because they relate to a part of my childhood (Rescue Rangers NES, Ninja Turtles Xbox).

 

[The Penguin]

In recent years I've gotten more old games than new. I'm kind of a retrogamer. I even got Wind Waker HD when it came out. One thing I enjoy is NES Remix, because it allows me to experience those games without buying them. When I do play those games I can carry over those skills and maybe be better at them.

I do have a part-time job. I can occasionally use that money to buy the games I want. Conveniently, I've run out of old games to get.

Buy Games and Systems | Used Video Games at Lukie Games is a good website to buy games and get free shipping in Canada and USA. Also, they have a rewards program that you can get free games. I use their site as a guide for value of games and if I buy else where, they must match Lukie pricing or be lower otherwise I will not buy a game from that person. Lukie was also nice. I got a game didn't work and I got a replacement with no hassle.

I found a local person sold me FF7 with the case and book for $30 last year. I consider that a steal as most people sell it for much more.

 

[clg114]

I have many video games and DVD sets, but because of this I seldom watch or play them. I also have a subscription to Pandora which my parents pay for. Incidentally, I often have trouble figuring out what I'm in the mood to watch, listen to, or play. I worry this is a waste of money. When I get a new game, I play it for a few minutes to get a first impression. When I come back into the living room my dad, seeming upset, acts as if he thinks I'm done with the game and will never play it ever again. I've even heard him say things like "You're done with it already?!" and "He plays them for like two minutes and then they just sit there.". What? Does he think I'm going to play the game for twelve hours a day?

I guess it depends on the game/DVD set and my mood. If I can relax and allow myself to be absorbed into the game or be able to do commentary while playing, my attention is better. However, there are some games which are hard, boring, or disappointing. I do have an obsession with beating every game, but due to the greedy corporations there are too many games I like.

I commend you for your concern about the cost to your parents. I wish my kids had been that concerned when they were at home. My youngest son is 31 years old and like you, is obsessed with beating the game. Then he trades it off and gets another game. He has about every game system there is but seems to like X-Box the best.

 

[King_Oni]

I suppose this is a problem of luxury.

The more things you have, the harder it is to be satisfied and occupied with something for longer periods. The moments I didn't have a lot of money (nor access to stuff) were the times I'd get most out of the few things I did have.

 

[Judge]

I used to be an avid gamer, right up to when I became worked for a major software entertainment entity in 1999 which was bought by a corporate giant everyone here knows. I worked in the marketing department as a web developer. Learned from individual game producers the ins and outs of the business given I had to learn the future product and then create a metaphorical website for it.

Most of all to learn that the entire process was geared to pacifying shareholders on a quarterly basis rather than consumers. The known and deliberate release of buggy, questionably compatible products just to meet a timeline. I was even warned not to expect product rebates to work. It eventually soured me on gaming altogether.

At least with the console format you have far less compatibility issues. But even then, it doesn't preclude a game from being released that doesn't work as advertised.

One should always have a fear of wasting their money whenever they purchase a computer game. Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware). They don't care about you the gamer. Only you the shareholders. This from a one-time insider and a shareholder ...not just another gamer.

 

[Keith]

I commend you for your concern about the cost to your parents. I wish my kids had been that concerned when they were at home. My youngest son is 31 years old and like you, is obsessed with beating the game. Then he trades it off and gets another game. He has about every game system there is but seems to like X-Box the best.

I had the problem of "Ok, I'm done. Let's get rid of it.", only to want it again weeks later. It annoyed my Dad obviously.

 

[Judge]

I suppose this is a problem of luxury.

The more things you have, the harder it is to be satisfied and occupied with something for longer periods. The moments I didn't have a lot of money (nor access to stuff) were the times I'd get most out of the few things I did have.

Great point. Perhaps why I prefer more creative hobbies, where you not only control your own quality through skill, but also time which can make it a far better value in the monetary sense.

 

[The Penguin]

I used to be an avid gamer, right up to when I became worked for a major software entertainment entity in 1999 which was bought by a corporate giant everyone here knows. I worked in the marketing department as a web developer. Learned from individual game producers the ins and outs of the business given I had to learn the future product and then create a metaphorical website for it.

Most of all to learn that the entire process was geared to pacifying shareholders on a quarterly basis rather than consumers. The known and deliberate release of buggy, questionably compatible products just to meet a timeline. I was even warned not to expect product rebates to work. It eventually soured me on gaming altogether.

At least with the console format you have far less compatibility issues. But even then, it doesn't preclude a game from being released that doesn't work as advertised.

One should always have a fear of wasting their money whenever they purchase a computer game. Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware). They don't care about you the gamer. Only you the shareholders. This from a one-time insider and a shareholder ...not just another gamer.

I hate EA Games. Poor quality control. At least my experience of Simcity last year. I wish EA never bought Maxis.

 

[Judge]

I hate EA Games. Poor quality control. At least my experience of Simcity last year. I wish EA never bought Maxis.

Maxis used to operate very close to where I once lived. Great little company. Soiled when bought out by the typical mega corporation. Old story...no matter what corporate Silicon Valley player you're talking about.

I still have the original SimCity on 3.5 diskettes.

EA is quite a player on Wall Street. Maybe more so than on Main Street. But no, I don't invest in entertainment software. The last software I had money in was a great company that makes software that involves machines which make other machines.

 

[Dusty285]

Fear of Wasting Money:

How about rephrasing it to "Concern that 'my' money or 'resources' are used productively?"

In my little world where I am a much older person I have always been concerned that my money was used to best effect and not wasted. I bought tools to work on my cars (because I had to do it myself; cost of a shop was out of reach) and it was an obsession to have good tools. Not the most expensive, but good tools that would last and would do what was needed. In the few sports activities I pursued I accumulated many more items of equipment than I needed. Sometimes because I wanted a better thing and sometimes to expand my range of possibilities. Then I stopped doing the sports and am bothered that I am surrounded with quality equipment that I do not use but can't imagine selling or otherwise getting rid of.

My computer is a version of that. I bought the best computer I could find, based on advertising hype. I am using my fourth computer; thinking about its replacement. I buy Logitech gaming keyboards (G110 that this is being typed on) for the specific design and way it is back-lighted. Samsung very wide monitors because they have the best specs; at least within the range of products I can afford or find for sale in my tiny part of the world.

Everything I do is aimed at being "cost effective." I pay bills early so there are no interest charges or 'fees.' Credit cards for the necessary Credit Record that get paid off in under a month; usually paid online before the bill is due. Things with payments get obsessive attention to pay as much as possible as quickly as possible so the thing gets paid off. Then I will go on to the next big-ticket item and start over. I am happiest when I can go for months or even years and live within my basic income. Only groceries and utility bills. Have a few dollars left each month; if the money is sufficient I overpay the electric bill and get a month sometimes with a 'zero due.' Then I can pre-pay the gas which is small in warm weather and go all summer with no gas utility due; no concern about late-payment penalties. It can, in a good year, make money available for big and little items to help improve my quality of life. Better cooking pans. Maybe a new computer than can cope with the ever-higher tech of new software? Whatever may be needed.

And no "charity." The gubmint takes enough of my money to give away. I have more than enough ways to spend money to help family. That is my own version of charity.

 

[Keith]

I've found I like to experience my video games, not just play them. That's why I like hub areas where I can wander around and think, knowing that there is no way in this location that I can encounter enemies.

 

[AsheSkyler]

I'm always concerned I've wasted money when I buy a $0.80 2L drink for myself even though I always drink it. If I'm willing to buy a game, I'm quite happy with it since I find one at a used price and will probably play the heck out of it over the course of the time I have it.

 

[Randomperson]

I almost never buy games new just because of how pricey they are at release, and how many I already have, I make myself finish the ones I like playing and then get new games after they have been out a while and only cost half as much or less than new.

Currently I have been playing Rocksmith to learn guitar and kick its ***. I have a few basic skills into the upper 99th 99th percentile (99th percentile of the 99th percentile) among the 120k or so recorded players of the game, not bad for only 13 hours of practice, but then they are only basic skills, what can I say, it makes your fingers hurt and you need to put in lots of hours to toughen them up.

I did buy Shadow of Mordor new, and 100% completed it in around 40 hours, but now it is boring because there is nothing left to do in it.

 

[Saragrl]

What about playing an MMO, like World of warcraft, or Final fantasy 14. I know there are free ones out there, and most people complain about games with subscriptions. I find that the MMO's with subscription fees (currently playing FF14) have better content and game play, as they want you to continue to subscribe to their game. This also means new content added more frequently. I don't mind paying $15 a month on a game I know is going to save me money I would have spent buying one or two $60 games. I know both games have a free trial. If you try out ff14 send me a PM I will give you my server name and character name so we can play together.

 

[Keith]

I keep forgetting many of my games aren't designed in a way that you can "beat" them. My concern is that I play them so little I'm worried I'm wasting my parents' money.

 

[Hopeless_Aspie_Guy]

I hate EA Games. Poor quality control. At least my experience of Simcity last year. I wish EA never bought Maxis.

Oh god, maxis, that takes me back. EA games 'ruined everything' (rather than 'challenged everything' as they say in their ident), preferred them when they were primarily 'EA Sports'. They especially ruined 'Westwood studios', command & conquer was never the same after that.

Fear of wasting money, lol, I've spent thousands of pounds (almost 10 thousand USD) on train horns for my car lol, but it'll be worth it when it's all done and I hopefully bag a couple of world records