Quoted from medeski7:I don't entirely agree. I'm new to the hobby and anticipated it would cost me $2-3K for a machine in decent shape when I got in a year ago. FTR, I have a good job and make good money.
That's nice, but for every person not willing to spend these prices.. there are more that are. And that pool got huge... hence the point about 'new to the hobby' - those that wouldn't pay, are being overran by the influx of a new population that will.
Nothing wrong with that at all. The idea that people even feel the need to decide to opt out of a game is a huge tell in itself. The expectation of 'latest game, gotta buy it' is in itself insane. People should be considering purchasing a game they like... not simply evaluating every new game. But that's where we are right now.. helped by the idea that people feel they can buy and sell a game with minimal depreciation.
Personally, recently I have even less reason to buy games myself vs the prior decades. Used to buy games because it was the only way to really secure access to titles or ones that were maintained. Now with the resurgence of location pinball, most areas have multiple options for playing games on-demand without having to spend $5-$15k for the privilege of playing a game that actually works each time you step up to it. I sold about half my collection this year because I found myself just playing out on location more than at home.
Thx for the shoutout for O-Town.. I hope you enjoy the games. 3-strike Tournament there this saturday