Sealed vs Open

[The Russian Bear]

I just wanted to gauge the amount of people who keep their CE's factory sealed for the resell value as opposed to people who open them and use the content.

Please elaborate the reasons why you do what you do below

Thanks

[Biggav4000]

Sealed everytime ,not just for the resale value,but i also think they look better on display in the factory packagking .:drool:

[MrBubbles]

Most items in my collection are sealed. When I'm looking for an item which is not available in shops anymore I sometimes buy it without the seal (i.e. when it's ultra cheap)

I've been thinking of opening all my sealed games, but everytime I want to start I just can't do it for some reason. My heart cries a little I think. :rotf:

[Queen of Mudcrabs]

I prefer to open them because I buy them in order to be able to actually use the stuff in it. Otherwise I would just buy the empty box on eBay and put it on display :P
Though I am planning on purchasing three copies of the Skyrim CE if it comes at a reasonable price.
One to open and play with,
one to keep sealed for years and years until it's market value has hit the roof,
and one to keep sealed on display forever and ever and ever and ever...

[The Russian Bear]

Interesting answers guys thanks :)

Personally I usually open the CE's i pre-order but tend to keep older CE's sealed as i usually have the standard/GOTY edition with all the content in anyway.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Almost every single CE I own is sealed, with a few exceptions which came unsealed (Star Wars: Force Unleashed II for example)

I don't keep them sealed for future profit though - Well, that's not the primary reason. Rather, more to keep them in nice condition, where any game I am interested in actually playing I will buy a second, cheaper, standard copy. A lot of the bonus DLC in most newer CE's I can often obtain elsewhere, either from a friend or someone else who isn't interested in DLC, and a lot of the other tat that comes with CE's these days I can live without


SteelBooks can scratch really easily, ruining the paint job, and you're only going to re-seal them in some kind of poly bag anyway, so best to keep them sealed and maintain their value and just buy a standard copy to play. Obviously I will buy a CE on release day and then wait a few months until the standard version can be had for under a tenner on eBay

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Sealed everytime ,not just for the resale value,but i also think they look better on display in the factory packagking .:drool:

Agreed, especialy those which come with figures. I can understand why people would remove these figures and dispaly them in a glass cabinet, but I prefer to keep all contents of a CE together in their original packaging so that they don't get misplaced or damaged. Plus they take up less space if kept together rather than separate


Also, one other thing I don't understand, is some people remove the contents and then discard the outer cardboard packaging and inserts of the CE! Eg, remove the Codex Edition and throw away the fantastic artwork box it came in! One reason why I prefer nice CE's like Far Cry 2 or the Fallout 3 lunchbox etc

[Queen of Mudcrabs]

Also, one other thing I don't understand, is some people remove the contents and then discard the outer cardboard packaging and inserts of the CE! Eg, remove the Codex Edition and throw away the fantastic artwork box it came in!

The box is part of the CE too. It is like buying a hot dog and then throw away the bread xD
I rarely throw away the plastic bags that holds smaller parts. I throw away the plastic wrap around the box and maybe shrink wrap that can't be re-used. I even kept those metal strings that keeps the Sam Fisher-figurine in place :P

[The Russian Bear]

Think the worse thing i've done to a CE was when i used the lunch box from the Fallout 3 CE as an actual lunch box. I had to buy another one since its full of dents now and i've lost the making of DVD and it smells of tuna. Bad times :(

[twistedsymphony]

I open all of my CEs, I do it so I can photograph them for you people :)

...otherwise I'd just keep most of them sealed.

[tallkid123]

Bit of both.

I open some out of curiousity but I'm loathe to actually use what came in it in a practical manner (my MW2 Prestige Edition's NVG shall forever remain sealed).

Some I keep sealed until the day that I decide and actually have the time to play them.

[matze1975]

I always open them, because I want to display them and play the game. I think I would buy two of a CE if I have the money, one to display and one to keep it sealed.
Sometimes I buy some games twice to play them, but on diffrent systems. For example I bought Black Ops for PC and XBox 360(Prestige Edition), because some friends play it on PC and some on XBox 360. I also had to buy the XBox version, because there wasn´t a Prestige for PC! :)
So I think I can understand both sides!:think:

[RaverX]

It's nice to have the games sealed, especially Collector's edition : we "collect" them. But if you keep them sealed how can you enjoy the content ? You cannot "read" the artbooks, you cannot listen the soundtracks, you cannot see the figurines, etc.

And you cannot play the game (unless you buy the standard version). Of course it would be cool to have 2 pieces of each game, one to keep sealed and one to open and play. But this is hard if you're not rich, especially with some very rare and expensive versions.

Most of my games are opened, I have a few sealed, but I will end up opening them anyway. Slightly offtopic : I also collect videocards and I'm facing the same dilema : opened or sealed. If I keep them sealed there's no way to see and test them, see how they work in games.

[mosavon]

I open all of my CEs, I do it so I can photograph them for you people :)

...otherwise I'd just keep most of them sealed.

and, its much appreciated:D

[mosavon]

I have some sealed but a lot are unsealed.

I only recently started collecting, i only buy edition's of the games i actually want to play or of the franchises i love e.g GT, Uncharted, GTA etc...etc...

I don't wan't to go down the road of collecting everything and anything as i have quite an obsessive personality as it is, i'd bankrupt myself lol, so for now it's a few "Big box" editions balanced out with some "steelbook's" etc...

[alk3civichater]

It's nice to have the games sealed, especially Collector's edition : we "collect" them. But if you keep them sealed how can you enjoy the content ? You cannot "read" the artbooks, you cannot listen the soundtracks, you cannot see the figurines, etc.

And you cannot play the game (unless you buy the standard version). Of course it would be cool to have 2 pieces of each game, one to keep sealed and one to open and play. But this is hard if you're not rich, especially with some very rare and expensive versions.

Most of my games are opened, I have a few sealed, but I will end up opening them anyway. Slightly offtopic : I also collect videocards and I'm facing the same dilema : opened or sealed. If I keep them sealed there's no way to see and test them, see how they work in games.

I feel the same, open and enjoy. Collecting is expensive as it is I cant afford to buy 2 copies lol

[gurpswoo1]

The vast majority of my games are sealed, I don't tend to buy duplicate copies of game unless it's ultra rare, comes from outside the UK, or has a very nice pre-order bonus.

The unsealed ones I play, but like many others I don't put all the contents on display. The ones I do open are ones I received in error, i.e wrong region, or format. Also some that have damage to the seal so I too can take some pictures for you guys. :bananayes:

Also Like Gemini I wait until the price drops to buy a normal version of the game. I have too many games already which need to be played anyway, so no rush.


I open all of my CEs, I do it so I can photograph them for you people

...otherwise I'd just keep most of them sealed.

I agree with mosavon It's very much appreciated.:thankyou:

[Ayiu]

I prefer to keep them sealed but I started rather late and many games are too expansive to buy them sealed these days so I would say bit of both.

But to be honest I love old sealed games and the feeling you get because you know they are old and still the same than before. No one ever has touched the content or played it.

[Queen of Mudcrabs]

But to be honest I love old sealed games and the feeling you get because you know they are old and still the same than before. No one ever has touched the content or played it.

Like a 50 year old virgin.

[The Russian Bear]

Like a 50 year old virgin.

Thanks for the creepy mental picture.

[Ayiu]

Like a 50 year old virgin.

That's creepy O.o

[MrBubbles]

That's creepy O.o


:lol:

[Skoolstah]

Like a 50 year old virgin.Rofl! I open my games. Better to pop the cherry while it's ripe, not mushy and rotting. XD

[The Russian Bear]

Just deflowered my Two Worlds 2 Royal Edition but My Oblivion CE is staying a virgin forever

hmm to far?

[scourdx]

I get both. These day most CE package comes with sealant tape.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Back on topic, I am especially paranoid about scratching my SteelBooks, therefore I like to keep these sealed out of fear of damaging them. I can usually obtain a cheap standard copy at a later date if I really want to play the game, but a lot of the CE's I have in my collection I only have because it was a CE, and I wouldn't have bothered with the game if it wasn't for that fact

And it's always there to open and play if I ever changed my mind, which to me is better than trying to search for a specific game in five or ten years time. It's there ready for me at any time I want, but in the meantime it just looks good on the shelf! Mind you, I have a backlog of well over 1,200 sealed games already, so chances are I will never get around to playing most of them in my lifetime - Perhaps somebody will appreciate them in the future when i'm gone?

[Drakan]

Very good question. Bit of both really. Gamer for me comes foremost than collecting.

Normally If I'm in the mood I'll buy two, exceptionally three copies if I really, really like it. One I open and play with. The others remain sealed & stashed away for personal display. Same goes with the CE Strategy Guides. The CESG remain sealed and I use the regular cheapo' ones.

Exceptions being seriously rare items of which I normally only have one sealed copy, such as DSULE, SMACX, ELSIII:MW, ACBCE, ACBBE. These will remain sealed for obvious reasons.

At other times, such as the upcoming Deus Ex Collector's Edition, I'll buy multi-platform. X360 Augmented Edition/GOTY for playing and the PC CE version for display purposes. I'll probably do likewise for Skyrim.

The thing is I don't collect everything that comes out just because, only very rare editions and games I enjoy, whether console (PS3 & X360 and older) or PC.

If I don't like it and play it, chances are I won't be collecting it.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Exceptions being seriously rare items of which I normally only have one sealed copy, such as DSULE, SMACX, ELSIII:MW, ACBCE, ACBBE. These will remain sealed for obvious reasons.

What do all of these acronyms stand for? :think:


If I don't like it and play it, chances are I won't be collecting it.

I used to have this mentality, but more recently I have found myself buying CE's for games I previously had no interest in, and only bought them because they had a nice CE. I really wish I hadn't wasted my time with some of them though to be honest...

[Drakan]

Hi

DSULE Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition
SMACX Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Alien Crossfire XP
TESIII:MW The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind
ACBBE Assassins Creed Black Box Edition
ACBCE Assassins Creed Brotherhood Codex Edition

[The Russian Bear]

Please post a picture of the Morrowind CE!!! I Want to revel in its awesomeness.

[Drakan]

Hi

I'm unable to do it right now.

In a month's time I'll upload you a picture on this thread, rest assured. ;)

[The Russian Bear]

Sweet, i wait in giddy anticipation.

[Drakan]

Here (http://imageshack.us/g/714/elderscrolls061.jpg/) you go Russian Bear, enjoy!

(Apologies for the tip of my finger).

[The Russian Bear]

that is awesome :D :D :D Thanks for Godlike pictures :D

[Drakan]

You´re welcome.

[Futbol 04]

Me personally, it just depends on what it is. Like the Call of Duty Modern Wafare 2 and Black Ops prestige editions I opened because I wanted to display the night vision goggles and rc car. But I recently decided to collect all the Sega Dreamcast games. I currently own 2 Dreamcasts (both white). One I play of course and 1 i display in my timeline. I'm still looking for that mint and new sega with box so I can display with the game collection. I will be buying the games sealed and displaying. Some I will by doubles to play such as Sonic, Marvel vs. Capcom, Hydro Thunder, Soul Calibur, and Power Stone. I truly didn't care about being sealed or not till I decided to get my Dreamcast collection :P

[Legendhawk]

I open mine to share it with people who wants to know about the content, and they can also see the size of the figur or artbook etc.

i have it displayed on my big shelf ;)

[mr_tris]

I open mine to share it with people who want to know about the content, and they can also see the size of the figure or artbook etc.

Couldn't have said it better!!:quote:
I also love to get my hands on all the meaty goodness!

[nipperkipper]

Back on topic, I am especially paranoid about scratching my SteelBooks, therefore I like to keep these sealed out of fear of damaging them. I can usually obtain a cheap standard copy at a later date if I really want to play the game, but a lot of the CE's I have in my collection I only have because it was a CE, and I wouldn't have bothered with the game if it wasn't for that fact

And it's always there to open and play if I ever changed my mind, which to me is better than trying to search for a specific game in five or ten years time. It's there ready for me at any time I want, but in the meantime it just looks good on the shelf! Mind you, I have a backlog of well over 1,200 sealed games already, so chances are I will never get around to playing most of them in my lifetime - Perhaps somebody will appreciate them in the future when i'm gone?

Oh my god:drool:,

BTW, whats ur address:rotf:

[tossin]

And it's always there to open and play if I ever changed my mind, which to me is better than trying to search for a specific game in five or ten years time. It's there ready for me at any time I want, but in the meantime it just looks good on the shelf! Mind you, I have a backlog of well over 1,200 sealed games already, so chances are I will never get around to playing most of them in my lifetime - Perhaps somebody will appreciate them in the future when i'm gone?

Whoa, do you have a list? Or at least distribution by system?

[Venomspreader]

new to collecting got my mortal kombat kollectors edition and deus ex collectors edition today ..my god its so tempting to opem them grrr lol

[Matrix6]

I'm on a mission not to open them up any longer. You can find better guides/strategies online anyway for guide books aren't so essential for me to use with a game. I do however like the art work in some of them. But if I'm to open it, I'd have another copy kept sealed :)

[Dreamcazman]

I usually open my CE's so I can play the game, but I generally keep the rest of the contents in the box it came in, in as mint condition as possible. If there a statue or figurine, then it goes in the display case. :D

The only CE I have that is still sealed is my US Demon's Souls deluxe edition that I got off eBay a few months ago that cost me a small fortune. I already had the game that was played to death so there was no reason to open it.

I'm very anal about my games, everything has to be perfect. :beer:

[Sana Sani]

I always open my CE´s.
I put the smaller things like the poker chips from Fallout New Vegas or smaller artbooks in my deposti box from GTA 4, to store them saftly.
The Figurines are standing in my glass cabinet so everyone can see them.

[comaamen86]

open all of them, to play the game and enjoy the contents, i try and keep all in great condition, but if the box is damaged in transit, what can you do.

[scottcross]

All mine are open so far as I've only just started officially collecting but I already have assassins creed revelations animus edition and collectors edition as well as assassins creed 2 white edition on order which I have no intention of opening.

[Steve50013]

I usually open the both American versions so I can actually play the game, but if I get something Imported I keep it sealed due to the fact I can't play the game anyway.
The new Zelda golden controller bundle is going to be an exception though, and I might pickup another goldeneye controller bundle to keep sealed. Golden eye is already going up in value for a sealed version. (About $10 over retail last I checked.)

[Ceohai]

Almost all of mine are opened. I'd much rather enjoy/display the contents of a CE than just have the box sitting there. The exceptions are a few games that I have yet to open, or games that were impulse buys that I have no intention of playing.

[AndyTheCollector]

I open all of my CE's, because I'm not spend money to staring on sealed boxes. I want to read and watch through various artbooks, story books, listen gorgeous soundtracks, display figures etc. However I try to keep them in the best possible condition.

[fattyuk]

Open without a doubt, mainly for the game but also so I can actually see wht I've bought lol couldn't sit there for years with nothing but sealed boxes :/ if I was to do that I'd rather just try and buy empty resealed boxes... would still look the same but cost hell of alot cheaper!!

[Onyxia]

I open them as I only buy games that I enjoy and will be playing. I guess I could buy a standard release... but then I'd rather use that money to buy more games instead. :D

[VGM-UK]

I started collecting CE’s or LE’s with the intention of opening them to enjoy the contents they come with. However – evil eBay - mentally reprogrammed me into wanting to keep them sealed for possible value increase reasons. I even nearly sold my pre-ordered FF13-2 Crystal back when they were easily pulling 100% profit :facepalm:

Next weekend I may just put an end to my keeping everything sealed syndrome (with the aid of beer) :nosleep:

I have cancelled a few CE pre-orders for this year simply because after a little thought – they are not games I would ordinarily purchase to play. I guess it’s easy to get a little addicted, but gamer first and collector second from now on :thumb:

[vhal_x]

I open them :) I'd rather see the contents and enjoy them :) Although I do have a few still sealed (purely due to the fact that they are either empty (sealed) steelbooks, or games I'm not too interested in playing just yet :)

Most things end up opened though (although my boyfriend is now becoming a sealed Zelda collector so there will be a lot of sealed Zelda games in the collection after a while) xx

[Johnny]

It depends, but CE's and LE's i usually open them, because i don't buy them with the intention of sellling, i buy them for myself and i enjoy the contents to see what the editions bring all that useless stuff :D.
I might keep some sealed but it's unusual.
Only regular games i keep sealed, but only from certain genres.

[vhal_x]

I should probably add that the actual games in a lot of my CEs are still sealed, purely because I tend to buy multiple variant CEs of a single game, so only one copy of the actual game will get opened :)

And for older CEs (as in, non preordered ones, ones I've had to hunt down on ebay etc) I've probably already got the standard copy of the game, so don't need to open a second one :) xx

[thatzeldacollector]

I buy 2 copies or one of each if there's a CE.

[BitWraith]

I always open mine. With enough time, they typically regain their value even if they're opened. I do, however, keep them complete - for example if there's a statue I keep all the Styrofoam and plastic baggies they were packaged in.

I have a little collection of complete, floppy based pc games from over the years. Even opened, they are quite valuable on e-bay.

[Mandras]

Some CE I open, because I want to enjoy them!
We spend so much money and that's why we have to enjoy all our CE.

When I don't open my CE why I should buy them? It is cheaper when I make pictures from all CE and put them on a frame!

If a CE is open it isn't less worth. In mint condition like new only without wrapping foil.
it is like new for me!

[Fitzgera1d]

I usually buy 2 or more copies of the game so i can open the other one. But half the time i dont open either of them and just buy the standard release and play it. so voted that i dont open them.

[c1ph3r]

I usually buy 2 or more copies of the game so i can open the other one. But half the time i dont open either of them and just buy the standard release and play it. so voted that i dont open them.

I do this too but instead of buying a standard edition game I try to get a promo copy (PAL Region) of the game (thats for the PS3 of course) so I don't have to open anything (I have issues opening sealed stuff)

[sleepwalker]

Why don't you guys just buy a second PS3 / Xbox 360 and DOWNLOAD games, haha, j/k.

All my PS3 stuff I always open. The only things I am going to keep sealed are PC Big Box editions of old games, because I guess that's what I "actually collect" now. And PS3 CE's - even though I do buy them for every game that I am going to play, it doesn't feel like exactly "collecting", because it is not purposeful collecting. As for SteelBooks, even though I do collect them, keeping them sealed or not isn't a question, because normally they are not sealed.

[ob1ob]

I open mine because I buy them to enjoy not to resell.

[Hans v Hube]

I open mine because I buy them to enjoy not to resell.

Just like Toy Story 2 untouched & unloved (well played that is).
I would say if you spend over £100 or $150 on one then yes get a std one?

[Bloodman]

Okay this might be bad for many people here.... but i don't want to insult anyone It's just my opinion and how i feel about this.

So... i collect CE's for 3 months only and i open all of them , I have no purpose to resell ever. I tried to keep one sealed but i couldn't do it , after 1 day i opened it :P .

I think keeping a CE sealed is a waste of my time , space and money(if i have no purpose of selling ). Opening a CE for me is the best and most satisfying part. I can't spent money just to have a box with shrink wrap sitting on my shelf.

If you want to resell a CE to make more money or you are rich enough to buy 2x Ce's because you can do it, then i understand. but keeping CE's sealed just to sit in your shelf forever i can't understand it.

Also i hate VGA grade things I believe they brainwash people just to make more money

[kittychloe]

I have a few sealed things a few were just lucky and i have a double of, and others i just havent gotten around to playing or dont have the shelf room for, usually i open things but recently i ran out of room

But i understand your view