Backlogs: How do you deal with them?

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boarder542

CAG Veteran
Hey guys, I'm new to CAG. After finding myself sick of people's hoarding habits on other sites like Fatwallet, I decided to check out this site and I'm definitely liking it. Everyone here is really polite and you guys seem to help each other out.

I know one of my common problems is having a massive backlog from buying cheap games (I'm sure it might get bigger after staying on this site!). How do you guys deal with it? Do you sell them off, do you put them away for awhile until you have time, or do you just let them sit on the shelf?

Personally, I put the games I think will hold up well enough in a few years (usually any RPGs) in a box or something, then pull them out later when I get time. Other than that, if I buy a game that has many iterations and sequals that I will be able to find later (GTA, various FPS, etc), I usually will just sell it off to find something I want now.
 
I just play the games that I want and slowly work my way through them. I have enough games that I don't know when I'll ever play them all. I don't get rid of them though, since I'm somewhat of a packrat.
 
Let them sit. I never usually bought a game I didn't have interest on playing when I got it, they just usually built up and sat there.
 
I like to pick up a stack of 5-6 of them and give each one half an hour, the boring ones go on ebay in the morning.

Also I typically try to get rid of games that will likely drop further in value quicker, so rarer RPGs tend to stay around longer unplayed that SquarEnix titles.
 
I try to let my RPGs sit until I get sick of them or until they gain enough value to sell them. Occasionally I actually play one.

Other games I finish.
 
Sell the ones I know I won't ever realistically play, try the rest, and sell the ones of those I don't like. Then play further into the ones I like.

Only a few times have I bought and sold a game without even playing it. I believe one of them was some Need For Speed...bought it based on reviews, then watched more videos, and decided to get Burnout instead.
 
I usually play one game at a time while buying about 3 new games (at CAG prices, of course) every week. My backlog of games usually go to other CAGers.
 
I rarely buy games just because they are cheap, so...the ones I do I usually end up not liking and selling. My backlog only has about 5 games, all games I play to play sometime in the near future.
 
Ahh, the backlog. The inevitable pitfall of the CAG lifestyle. Sometimes I think I enjoy buying games more than playing them. Let them sit, but keep telling yourself you'll get to them soon.
 
I *LOVE* having a backlog-knowing I’ve got tons of stuff to play and I won’t be bored. I’m sort of a packrat too I guess, thinking I have to “be prepared” with enough games :)

I never buy games unless I actually want to play them. Granted, I’m a lot more willing to try a game for $3 or whatever than I would be for $30, that’s for sure! But still, I don’t buy stuff unless I’m actually going to play it.

Most games I sell or trade in for credit when I finish them (unless I end up hating it and can’t finish it). Games I love I keep, although I’ve started keeping a lot fewer games. I’m realizing I hardly ever replay old games (quit buying DVD movies too for the same reason-they just sit there). Games I keep tend to be ones I have a strong emotional reaction to, or LOVE the gameplay, or both. I’m kind of mad at myself for selling Luigi’s Mansion-just bought it back from Toy’s R Us.

The one thing specifically I’m going to do to deal with my backlog is temporarily cancel my Gamefly account. I LOVE Gamefly, but it’s silly for me to keep using it when I’ve got probably two dozen games on the shelf.
 
The backlog can be worrysome or an annoyance, but it pays off big time when a new gen of consoles comes out. I plan on not getting a new gen console for at least a year or two, maybe more, as I wait for the drop in price. I'll have my backlog of current-gen games to play through while I wait, and that probably won't grow too much since developers will be transitioning over to the newer consoles.

Staying behind the tech curve is a great way to save money, and the games aren't any less fun if they're a year or two old. (The exception being games you play online against other humans - you want to play those while there are still lots of ppl playing them online. Though of course the best ones keep online players for years anyway).
 
GREAT point about staying behind the tech curve. I've developed the self control to do that for games, although I'm still bad about the consoles themselves. I'll probably pick up a Wii and PS3 if I can (though i wouldn't be buying any $50 or $60 games, that's for sure...well, Zelda maybe).
 
Try to only buy games that you know you are interested in and will play instead of buying games just because they are cheap.

I keep a core collection of stuff I love and know I'll keep playing, which comes out to about 20 games now, and then keep like 2 or 3 games that I got for cheap enough and would like to play eventually (like old GH games.) On the other hand, I have a side collection of games I've beaten and won't play again, but will fetch a lot of money on ebay later on.
 
I have a huge backlog of 50+ games. I don't know when I'll ever get through all of them but I plan to. In the meantime, I don't plan on picking up any more games unless it is a quick "pick up and play" game or a must have for myself like FF12.

The reason I do this now is because I just don't see the point anymore in buying games that I have no time to play and will only get to play them months later. For example, I pre-ordered Tales of Symphonia (GC) and didn't get to play it till about two months ago. Now that's $55 (after tax) wasted considering that I could have purchased it when I played it for less than half of that price.

The continuing problem is the fact that I do not like to get rid of games, good or bad. They stack up higher and higher in my closet collecting dust.

My ultimate goal is to keep only my top few favorites and sell the rest. When I get rid of the backlog, I'll buy games only when I have time to play them. If it hits GH/PC/PH then so be it. I don't see the point in collecting or buying games just because they don't have a red/yellow/silver border.
 
To me, having a backlog just equals work, and I view it as such. I have games that I'm going to play soon (like 3 or 4) but i hate having 60 + sealed games on my shelf and it starts to feel like a job playing through all of them just to play through.

I sold off 90% of my backlog and gaming for me became much more enjoyable, because I'm playing the games I know I'll love and not because I feel obligated to play it since it's part of a "backlog".
 
I know what you mean about it feeling like work sometimes. I'm usually kind of relieved when I finish a game and go to pick out another game from the pile. I usually pick the game I want to play least (weird, I know) just so I can get through it and get rid of it as soon as possible.

I just returned EyeToy Antigrav and Hot Shots Golf 4 because even though they were cheap, I didn't REALLY want to play them that much..
 
[quote name='Puppy']I know what you mean about it feeling like work sometimes. I'm usually kind of relieved when I finish a game and go to pick out another game from the pile. I usually pick the game I want to play least (weird, I know) just so I can get through it and get rid of it as soon as possible.

I just returned EyeToy Antigrav and Hot Shots Golf 4 because even though they were cheap, I didn't REALLY want to play them that much..[/quote]

hahahaha you are exactly like me! :lol:
 
[quote name='Puppy']I know what you mean about it feeling like work sometimes. I'm usually kind of relieved when I finish a game and go to pick out another game from the pile. I usually pick the game I want to play least (weird, I know) just so I can get through it and get rid of it as soon as possible.

I just returned EyeToy Antigrav and Hot Shots Golf 4 because even though they were cheap, I didn't REALLY want to play them that much..[/quote]

Wow, I thought I was weird. I was doing that also and then I realized it was June and I still hadn't played my copy of Shadow of the Colossus. I just finished that one and now I'm halfway through God of War. I'm having alot more fun gaming now that I'm playing quality games instead of the crap I just want to get rid of.
 
[quote name='Puppy']I just returned EyeToy Antigrav and Hot Shots Golf 4 because even though they were cheap, I didn't REALLY want to play them that much..[/QUOTE]

I'm not complaining about EyeToy Antigrav, mainly because I got it for $5 with what has essentially become a decent webcam :)

But yeah, I'm a bit overwhelmed with my backlog right now. 20ish games sitting waiting for me to finish Paper Mario and Trauma Center so I can move on to the next, it's feeling like a chore. Unfortunately (is it unfortunate?), they're all games that I bought because I'm interested, not just because they were cheap. Having said that, my $10 Cold Fear sits alone in the corner with about 45 minutes of play time since I got it 3 or so months ago.
 
I agree with the quality titles. That being said, if I pay $2-$3 for a game, I really don't feel bad if I don't play it too much. I'll let those sit there. I figure, if there is ever that rainy afternoon that I sit there and play through it, I just got my money's worth. Obviously, that doesn't make a ton of sense if you pay $20 for a game though.

Honestly, my problem really isn't the backlog anymore (though, it's pretty big), it's the number of games that I have every intention of going back to and finishing, but I haven't yet. Right off the top of my head, I have:
Galleon
Baten Kaitos
Paper Mario TYD
Syberia (Xbox)
Soul Caliber II (PS2)
all that I've put some time into, and really want to get back and finish up. But, it always seems I'm in the middle of 2-3 other games at the moment.

I think you just have to make a decision of some sort. Either stop buying games, play throught the backlog, and don't buy games unless you intend to play them next or live with a backlog, stopping occasionally to play the games, but living with the fact that you'll buy more games than you'll get through.

Right now, I'm doing option 2.
 
[quote name='lordxixor101']I agree with the quality titles. That being said, if I pay $2-$3 for a game, I really don't feel bad if I don't play it too much. I'll let those sit there. I figure, if there is ever that rainy afternoon that I sit there and play through it, I just got my money's worth. Obviously, that doesn't make a ton of sense if you pay $20 for a game though.

Honestly, my problem really isn't the backlog anymore (though, it's pretty big), it's the number of games that I have every intention of going back to and finishing, but I haven't yet. Right off the top of my head, I have:
Galleon
Baten Kaitos
Paper Mario TYD
Syberia (Xbox)
Soul Caliber II (PS2)
all that I've put some time into, and really want to get back and finish up. But, it always seems I'm in the middle of 2-3 other games at the moment.

I think you just have to make a decision of some sort. Either stop buying games, play throught the backlog, and don't buy games unless you intend to play them next or live with a backlog, stopping occasionally to play the games, but living with the fact that you'll buy more games than you'll get through.

Right now, I'm doing option 2.[/QUOTE]

This is exactly how I feel. If I pay $10 or less and only play it for 2-3 hours, I feel I got my money's worth. There are some that I want go back to, but even if I don't, no problem. I also have a huge backlog across four systems (DC, PS2, GC, XBOX and XBOX 360), but for the m ost part, I have at least tried them out.

I stopped selling games after have seller's remorse so often, so I will always have a big backlog. It comes in handy when there are droughts or when you decide to jump back into a game. I took over a year break playing Jedi Academy and KoTOR II, but ultimately came back and finished both.

Bottom line, cheap games give you your money's worth and are not worth selling since you get pennies for them. Keep you games and work through them when you can. Take the artifical pressure off of yourself by realizing that you do not have to finish every game you buy.
 
[quote name='Stryffe2004']Bottom line, cheap games give you your money's worth and are not worth selling since you get pennies for them. Keep you games and work through them when you can. Take the artifical pressure off of yourself by realizing that you do not have to finish every game you buy.[/quote]

That's good advice. Just don't buy a bunch of games just because they're cheap. It happens to every CAG. It seems like there's always a run on clearance games just because they're under 10 bucks. Buy what you want and you won't have a huge backlog of games you'll never want to play.
 
[quote name='depascal22']Wow, I thought I was weird. I was doing that also and then I realized it was June and I still hadn't played my copy of Shadow of the Colossus. I just finished that one and now I'm halfway through God of War. I'm having alot more fun gaming now that I'm playing quality games instead of the crap I just want to get rid of.[/QUOTE]

Same here.

I sold that crap off so if I am going to play a game from the shelf, I have no choice BUT to pick a quality AAA title.

So far it's working out great, I've finished 5 games or so in the past two weeks, which is awesome for me, seeing as how I haven't beat a game 100% in over two years.
 
[quote name='Puppy']I know what you mean about it feeling like work sometimes. I'm usually kind of relieved when I finish a game and go to pick out another game from the pile. I usually pick the game I want to play least (weird, I know) just so I can get through it and get rid of it as soon as possible.

I just returned EyeToy Antigrav and Hot Shots Golf 4 because even though they were cheap, I didn't REALLY want to play them that much..[/QUOTE]


hah, I did the same thing when I had 100+ games.

"hmmm, I'd love to play some , but gee, I really SHOULD play ."
 
I'm glad I'm not alone in this! :) It's like a support group.

I've had someone tell me I need to pick the game I actually want to play next to play next...but I just can't do it!
 
I decided to put my entire backlog in my closet and keep out two games I'm "currently playing". That way, I can only make myself play those two games. Just yesterday and today I've enjoyed the games a lot more than normal.
 
I have the same problem, but like others have said, I will wait on the next generation for a couple of years so I can catch up.

Another good part about staying behind the tech curve is that you get to see what's really good and what sucks. That makes it easier to weed through the games so you can pick out what's good. By then, those good games will be greatest hits games so you can probably find them for $20, saving you money in the long run.
 
Gameshark also helps with "tedious" games and for that "2nd or 3rd run through" of disgaea/dds/... SRPG. Those cheap crappy games make good trade in fodder for the next good/great cheap game.
 
[quote name='encendido5']I have the same problem, but like others have said, I will wait on the next generation for a couple of years so I can catch up.

Another good part about staying behind the tech curve is that you get to see what's really good and what sucks. That makes it easier to weed through the games so you can pick out what's good. By then, those good games will be greatest hits games so you can probably find them for $20, saving you money in the long run.[/quote]

Same here. I like being behind the tech curve. I didn't pick up a PS1 until 1999. I got a PS2 in 2002 and an Xbox a year later. The little GC came around Christmas 2004. I've been able to pick up most of the early games that I wanted and I've probably saved a small fortune by being a late adopter.
 
-not buying games just because they are cheap. just buying stuff I like.

-I recently got back to playing 1 game at a time. I found that over the past year, I would juggle multiple games. That would cause me to lose my focus in general.
 
Yeah, I try to just play one game at a time too, with the exception of sometimes I have a portable game going at the same time as a console game. I'd never get anything played through otherwise.

It is kind of weird of me to play stuff in the reverse order of what I want to though :D
 
Even though I got a 360 and have been playing that pretty much non-stop, I'm using the current before Christmas lul to catch up on some old stuff that I got really cheap and never played. I try to stick to 2 t o 3 games at a time, but nothing too similar in genre. I just beat Jade Empire so I started Fable:LC. But at the same time I'm playing Doom 3 when I want to get away from menus and leveling up and want to just blow holes in demons.

I had almost a year backup since I was playing WoW pretty hardcore but didn't stop buying games. So now I have maybe 20 games that I bought, opened, and played for an hour before running back to my PC. So far its feeling nice to actually accomplish things and play games with actual endings to them.
 
[quote name='depascal22']That's good advice. Just don't buy a bunch of games just because they're cheap. It happens to every CAG. It seems like there's always a run on clearance games just because they're under 10 bucks. Buy what you want and you won't have a huge backlog of games you'll never want to play.[/QUOTE]

I don't think that's what he was saying. I think he was saying, just keep the backlog, and don't worry about it. Who cares if you have 20 games you haven't played through? Just play the games that you want to play at that time, and don't worry about all of these other games. So, if a game is cheap, pick it up.

Plus, I have an issue (partially) with the don't buy a game just because it's cheap. I think this works great for games that are $10. But, when games drop to $2, then what? Do you not pick it up becuase you may not play it? What if you play it and really love it? Example, Backyard Wrestling. Terrible game overall, you'll probably hate it, but you could really enjoy it. For $2, is it worth the shot? I think it is, even though you may never give it more than 20 minutes (if you do, you got a steal).

I think sometimes you will end up with extra games because, you might enjoy them, and it's worth the money for a chance. There is no rule that says you have to complete every game you buy. Also, most people drop $2-$3 on coffee, smokes, snacks, money that gets pissed away all the time. $2 for a game that, at the very least, is still there is probably a better buy, even if you barely play it.
 
[quote name='jalu6']Even though I got a 360 and have been playing that pretty much non-stop, I'm using the current before Christmas lul to catch up on some old stuff that I got really cheap and never played. [/QUOTE]

Before Christmas lull?

Are we talking about now? Because October / November are packed with too many hot titles as it is, I'm not seeing a lull at all.

Unless you're just talking about the 360.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Before Christmas lull?

Are we talking about now? Because October / November are packed with too many hot titles as it is, I'm not seeing a lull at all.

Unless you're just talking about the 360.[/QUOTE]

Well, what came out this week? FIFA?

I mean, Okami was a few weeks ago, but things aren't starting to hit until a week or two from now. Thats a lot of 10 hour games I can get through before then. :)
 
[quote name='jalu6']Well, what came out this week? FIFA?

I mean, Okami was a few weeks ago, but things aren't starting to hit until a week or two from now. Thats a lot of 10 hour games I can get through before then. :)[/QUOTE]

Nothing this week, but the last few weeks were filled with awesome PS2 / DS games, and the next few weeks after this one are the same thing (except with some GBA games added in).

The only system that dosen't really have a constant stream of awesome games for October is Xbox / Xbox 360 (well, PSP too, but alot of awesome stuff comes out October 31st).

Haha, that's true about the 10 hour games, is Jade Empire really that short?
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Haha, that's true about the 10 hour games, is Jade Empire really that short?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it is short, but it was a very solid 10 hours and at $10 from the Sears clearance it was probably the best value I've gotten in a while.

Sadly, it doesn't have all that much replay value since there is a decision you make about 1/2 before the end of the game that shifts your good/evil completely one way or the other. So I was able to see all the endings by just reloading the last 1/2 hour of gameplay. Great game though, and as you can see, I'm really taking advantage of that 360 Backwards compatibilty.
 
[quote name='jalu6']Yeah, it is short, but it was a very solid 10 hours and at $10 from the Sears clearance it was probably the best value I've gotten in a while.

Sadly, it doesn't have all that much replay value since there is a decision you make about 1/2 before the end of the game that shifts your good/evil completely one way or the other. So I was able to see all the endings by just reloading the last 1/2 hour of gameplay. Great game though, and as you can see, I'm really taking advantage of that 360 Backwards compatibilty.[/QUOTE]

Yea, I just got it from Sears for $7 (price drop!) and I've been eager to play it for awhile. I think I'll fire it up soon and breeze through it.
 
I have a simple way of dealing with games nowadays

7 day rule

if I don't beat it in 7 days I'm done with them for the time being

eventually either through word of mouth, some internet thing, or just an urge I will return to them.

but otherwise I got a lot to go

damn ps3 trilogies...only got through sly, still working on jak, ratchet, prince of persia.
 
[quote name='lordxixor101']I don't think that's what he was saying. I think he was saying, just keep the backlog, and don't worry about it. Who cares if you have 20 games you haven't played through? Just play the games that you want to play at that time, and don't worry about all of these other games. So, if a game is cheap, pick it up.

Plus, I have an issue (partially) with the don't buy a game just because it's cheap. I think this works great for games that are $10. But, when games drop to $2, then what? Do you not pick it up becuase you may not play it? What if you play it and really love it? Example, Backyard Wrestling. Terrible game overall, you'll probably hate it, but you could really enjoy it. For $2, is it worth the shot? I think it is, even though you may never give it more than 20 minutes (if you do, you got a steal).

I think sometimes you will end up with extra games because, you might enjoy them, and it's worth the money for a chance. There is no rule that says you have to complete every game you buy. Also, most people drop $2-$3 on coffee, smokes, snacks, money that gets pissed away all the time. $2 for a game that, at the very least, is still there is probably a better buy, even if you barely play it.[/quote]

I used to believe in that theory also. But I've changed. I've got a stack of games that cost me from $2-$10 that I will never play. So I did waste that money. When people drop two bucks on a cup of coffee, they don't take it home and put it on the shelf for the possibility that they'll need a boost in a couple months. They buy the coffee and drink it. If you're doing that with games, there should be no problem. I was just talking from experience. He was asking what to do with backlog and I just stated that it's better to just buy the games you really want instead of jumping out on a limb for every 2 dollar game that comes by. You'll waste all your time playing so-so games instead of the numerous AAA games that come out all the time. On the other hand, the EB trade in deals make 2 dollar games good trade in fodder because you'll get at least 3 bucks for it. If you can take advantage of that deal while it lasts, you'll be getting paid(albeit a very small amount) to play games.
 
[quote name='depascal22']I used to believe in that theory also. But I've changed. I've got a stack of games that cost me from $2-$10 that I will never play. So I did waste that money. When people drop two bucks on a cup of coffee, they don't take it home and put it on the shelf for the possibility that they'll need a boost in a couple months. They buy the coffee and drink it. If you're doing that with games, there should be no problem. I was just talking from experience. He was asking what to do with backlog and I just stated that it's better to just buy the games you really want instead of jumping out on a limb for every 2 dollar game that comes by. You'll waste all your time playing so-so games instead of the numerous AAA games that come out all the time. On the other hand, the EB trade in deals make 2 dollar games good trade in fodder because you'll get at least 3 bucks for it. If you can take advantage of that deal while it lasts, you'll be getting paid(albeit a very small amount) to play games.[/QUOTE]

This is true... and that $2 you put towards a subpar game can just go towards a better one. If you're constantly buying $2 games just to put them on a shelf or only spend 20 minutes on it, you might as well save that money to put towards a $40 - $50 game you're really going to love, enjoy, and play 100%.

I used to follow that same philosophy of checking out anything $10 and under, and, in retrospect, it was a horrible idea, because I missed out on playing some awesome games because I was trudging through a backlog from hell.

That thing about the coffee made me laugh though.
 
[quote name='depascal22']Same here. I like being behind the tech curve. I didn't pick up a PS1 until 1999. I got a PS2 in 2002 and an Xbox a year later. The little GC came around Christmas 2004. I've been able to pick up most of the early games that I wanted and I've probably saved a small fortune by being a late adopter.[/quote]

I haven't been playing games for a long time. I didn't like them because I never managed to complete a game I was always stuck. That's how I endeed up behind the techcurve. I have not regretted it :)


I bought a Xbox for 900 Norwegian Kroner which works out to about $130 last week. That a steal here in Norway, Europe. But wait there is more, Expert has a final sale on Xbox games. 1 game for 99nkr about $16 :D
I bought:
Fable, Jade,Forza Live starter kit,Halo 2 Limited(Nice metal case:) ),Oddworld Strangers Wrath and Phantasy Star Online.
That is as cheap as i get's here. All video games cost about 500nkr, $85 when they are new :cry:
After half a year the price is still the same. I recently discovered CAG and http://www.bargains.britishgaming.co.uk/

I have bought Thief 1, 2 and 3. I am still stuck at Thief 1 at the first mission. This is my favourite game. Got all for $20.

You are lucky to get games so cheap in USA.

The Point is:
1. If you enjoy games, Norway IS NOT the place to stay :lol:
2. If you are staying in Norway stay behind, the Tech Curve :cool:

My main Point: Bring me some $2 games and I will buy em all
 
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