A Change in "Collector Interest"

Collecting has always been one of my hobbies. Back then when I was on my pre-teen years, I've started a book collection, because I love reading. My first book collection was Harry Potter series. After the series ended, the next series that caught my eye is Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which continued to The Heroes of Olympus. The next series that I'm planning to collect is the Maze Runner series.

But that is not the main discussion of this post.Starting over...

Three years ago, when I first got my Nintendo 3DSXL, my first game is Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. Then I think this is when a collection was formed. From 2013 to early 2016, I've accumulated as much as 20+ games in DS and 3DS cartridges. The games are mostly RPGs and strategy games, with the addition of some multiplayer fighting and racing games.

I've accumulated that much games because I'm thinking of collecting those with game series. For example, all the Final Fantasy games that are in the Nintendo DS and 3DS. There are also some games that I've bought because these games hold a special meaning in my life. These games are those made by Intelligent Systems, the company known for making challenging strategy games like Advance Wars and Fire Emblem.

I thought my collection is going to last, but during the second quarter of 2016, I have to let go of some of my games. The games that I sold are those that (for me) does not have any value after finishing the main story, and those which I can let go without the pain of losing my save files.

As of this month, these are the only games remaining in my library. These are still plenty, but not as much as I had before I started selling them one by one. I might even let go of some of the remaining ones in the following months.

Insert: Bravely Default (which is borrowed)

Those on the left are games by Intelligent Systems, and I have no intention of selling any of these, especially those two DS games above. These two games are very rare, and is worthy of keeping. Advance Wars was the stepping stone into me playing Fire Emblem. Advance Wars is also a part of my awesome gaming childhood. Intelligent Systems is why I appreciate turn-based strategy games a lot.

Those on the right, Pokemon games, might be sold when the time comes. I might sell them as a bundle, so I could get enough cash to purchase Pokemon Moon. Thanks to Pokemon Bank, I will be able to transfer those from Y and AS easily. What hurts is the effort that I've put into farming battle points, and getting those battle items, since you can't transfer them through the Pokebank.

I haven't bought a new game, since February 2016, because of having a change of interest as a collector. Thanks to collecting "keybies" as the stepping stone, I have taken interest in becoming more serious in collecting anime and game figures. Blog post on keybie collection coming soon.

Late 2014 is when I bought my first game figure. It is Dissidia Trading Arts - Terra Branford, bought 2nd hand. The problem with collecting that specific character is, she does not have a lot of items to collect, compared to other characters of Final Fantasy. This is why I settled for collecting other stuff of her such as custom-made ones.

Only two are legitimate SQEX stuff, while others are custom-made and one is customized.

I've thought of starting collections for other characters, because my Terra shrine will not really be a large one, and I've also taken interest in other characters.

Amiibos of some Fire Emblem characters that also appear in Smash

I've thought of collecting amiibos of some characters, since I can also use them in my games. These four amiibos can be use in three games that I own: Fire Emblem Fates, Codename: S.T.E.A.M., and Super Smash Bros. 3DS. Three of them are given as gift, while I purchased one, and the amiibo reader, because my unit does not have a built-in one.

My first piece in my more serious collection, is a Figma Lucina. Being a character from my favorite game series, I thought, why not get her? And until today, I haven't get her out of the box, because I don't have a space for display (yet).

I have taken interest in Black Magician Girl, blame the anime for giving her a lot of personality, and making her so adorable. I only have one figure of her, and the Figma I pre-ordered might arrive this month.

As I venture deeper into Idol Hell (see details here), I've also started a collection for my best girl, Koizumi Hanayo. I've already got a lot of stuff of her, ranging from legitimate items, to fan-made items bought from artist booths on conventions. There's much more which is not included in the picture below. I will have a more complete picture in the future.

Doing a ritual to get UR Hanayo in SIF.

TL;DR

I used to collect games, but in the second quarter of 2016, I've started selling them one by one, because of change in what I'm interested in collecting. With collecting keybies as the stepping stone, I now collect anime and game figures.

My current figure collection are:

• Terra Branford - Final Fantasy VI
• Black Magician Girl - Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
• Koizumi Hanayo - Love Live! School Idol Project
• Some Fire Emblem stuff

Collection that I'm considering to build:

• Kunikida Hanamaru - Love Live! Sunshine!!

I know this hobby is expensive, which is why I'm aiming to finish our thesis this semester, so I can graduate, and start working. Some of these items are hard to find also, which is why I'm really aiming to go to Japan, specifically Akihabara, someday in the future.

Some people think that this hobby is crazy, but at least this is better than doing vices. I don't smoke, and I rarely drink. This collecting hobby is one of my new sources of happiness. I feel that this is fine, as long as I don't overspend just for these.

Nowadays, I'm less of a gamer because of this new hobby. I gave up a part of my gaming library, just so I can continue this new passion that I have.