To learn or to keep hidden...

Fair play. But if you read my second post you'll see I basically mean this (well in a roundabout way).

I fully respect people who do what you describe, am grateful for it. But in the sharing of the info etc you are not buying said items for the purpose of 'owning' others or whatever the term might be. Which again is kinda my point. As you state, the pleasure is in letting others know what exists, which is a little different from gaining pleasure in others knowing you have them. Sure, its spiltting hairs to some degree, granted, but in my eyes at least there is a difference.

And like I say, full respect to all. Oh..and can I have a copy of everyone's protos/betas/demos/etc please:smt042:smt042:smt042:smt042:smt042?

 

LOL.

I totally agree. Those that do buy them for the sole pleasure of having a bigger virtual dick to piss on others with, well, they have that right. However, I don't have to like them or even read about it. (Free will is an awesome thing.) I just don't look highly on those people.

I have to say to those that play the peek-a-boo "I've got something you don't know! And I won't tell you!" game (outside of those legally restricted), that there's no better feeling than hearing from someone nearly as excited as I am about a find, and giving them as much information as I can. It really makes someone's day a lot of the time. (I wouldn't know half as much about the Jaguar's storied backstory if JaySmith2000 wasn't around sharing his information like he does, after all.) The system's really just more that interesting to mess around with because of it.

 

That's about the same vision I have on Sega protos/early versions.

 

I have been collecting videogame and videogame related items for half my life. I don't attest to own any thing 1 of a kind but I have a few nice items in my collection that I am very proud to own. I used my hard earned money to by these items. I can say that 95% of my collection is just that a collection. I didn't buy any of that for investment purposes (vgs no matter how rare are not the most sound investment anyway). The other 5%, consists of doubles or items I know I can trades and/or sell at a later date to expand my collection. Now it is always great to have people share information and resources with the community. It helps to better everyone’s knowledge and the community as a whole grows.

The bottom line is that people use 'THEIR' own hard earned money to buy the things 'THEY' want/collect. If that person wants to stow it away, wave it in front of your face and laugh or share this item/info it is 'THEIR' choice. They are 'NOT REQUIRED' to share 'ANYTHING' with 'YOU'. That person is under 'NO' obligation to give you anything.

It seems people always want things for 'FREE' (this has been mentioned plenty of times already) and don't want to actually have to 'WORK' to get what they want in life. People like this make me angry, and generally don't get any respect, at least not from me. If you want that $2000 demo/beta, save your cash and buy, buy, buy. We all have to make sacrifices, be it time and/or money for the things we want in life.

I'm so sick of people bitching about these things. I can't stand pretentious people but it is their right to act as they wish. I just hope they know to do it online and not when they are standing in front of me. :smt071


^_^_^

 

Might as well throw my stance on this matter in as well: Ifa person is able they will buy what they want, when they want, and can do whatever they want with it anytime they want (notice a theme in that sentance ). In the event someone else would like what said person has, asking for a copy isn't a crime, but if they say "no" then thats it. If they are so kind as to let you have something they probably invested a significant ammount of time/money into getting then thats very generous of them, but if not they shouldn't be ridiculed or lectured about it.

And thats all their is to it as far as im concerned.

 

This thread is too long to read. Where do I get my free stuff?

Seriously, my two cents. If people release protos, they're just not that special anymore. While I'd love to see someone release PC Cocoron (something I've been hunting for years) I doubt I'd like it as much.

And, oh yeah -- for whomever has the lame of idea of "private dumping": It does not exist. Period.

 

Private dumping is lame? In other words, you are telling me that people are stupid enough to take things with this much value, that can be easily preserved for their own backup, and never privately duplicate them, without distributing the ROM or disc image?

If you thought I meant private dumping within a group of people, that's not what I meant. "Private dumping" is the owner of the prototype doing the sensible thing and preventing an eventual death from bitrot or accidental damage/destruction (especially with EPROM-based prototypes - someday, years down the line, EPROMs will lose their data). Anyone who owns a prototype and risks irreplaceable damage like that doesn't even deserve to own the damn things. At least if you've privately backed up a proto you own, then you can still enjoy the contents, even if your authentic media is destroyed or otherwise unusable.

 

I love that!

 

That is indeed what I thought you meant.

 

Private dumping is indeed what you thought initially.

 

i want to work and buy prototypes!!!!!!!!!!!

the life is long and hard , suck my life!!!!!!!

 

I remember reading Assembler a while back saying that if he ever got a copy of Biohazard 1.5 that he would immidiatley release it, except he would replace the PSX model logo with his Thats pretty much what I would do as well. Just to let people know who spent their hard earned cash for their benefit.

With that said, yeah its sad that some beta's never see the light of day. As some know I am a major Biohazard / Resident Evil freak. Im engrossed in the storyline and I love reading about what Capcom had planned the games to be like before they were changed. Prototypes are notorious for being full of this kinda stuff so in a perfect world yeah everyone releasing this stuff would be great. But we dont live in a perfect world and we never will.



Does it suck when someone posts a picture of "super rare prototype ###" and not share any info on it? Yes. As others have said though, its their right to share or not.

The right people dont always get the prototypes.

For instance a Resident Evil beta might just be another beta to some, but to a fan of the series who followed that games development before the game was changed and who is so into the storyline its way more. Some people just dont know how happy it would make certain people if they released more info on their stuff. I'm sure a lot of us here fall into that catagory, myself included.

 

Science is not only science, its what you make of it that makes the difference, damn you xD! Its the good ol' "what can i do with a gun" thingie after all...

 

I think we are confusing two separate issues.

The first one is the informational value of these protos/one off's. I think it is great when people that own rare or one of a kind items share information and a screen shot or two with the community. In no way can I see this effecting the value (the main reason things stay locked up, like people that own 30 Ferrari's that never see the light of day or the track) and damaging the buyers investment.

Secondly, the tangible product (i.e. beta/proto/loose roms etc.) that is bought or traded. Things that are rare or one of a kind are usually bought for their value. From an investment point of view, the obvious release of a rare item/rom will affect the value, be it immediately or after this item has been filtered through the community.

Again, it is the persons RIGHT, to keep or distribute anything they own be it rare or not to a community, group or entity.

'Sure I will give you my one of a kind Mauser bolt action rifle, just stand here in front of this target while I test fire it to make sure you are getting a working product' :happyhap:

They probably have these already, with the absolute lack of security for sensitive material in the government.


^_^_^

 

RE:

I felt I needed to express some concerns about this debate.

First, I am a bit unsettled by the attittude displayed in people's personality here (where the human condition comes into play).

Let me start by saying this:

1) Do not judge others by the material things that they have. Owning these items does not canonize you as some kind of saint (ie; Mother Teresa). It does not benefit someone's character - For example; If someone wants to own these items simply to alter another person's attitude with negative behavior like greed and envy, then the reason is obviously for control, which only frustrates them and corrupts you, leading into a vain pursuit. Think about that for a moment and tell me how this kind of character actually benefits both you and others. Likewise, if one possesses it to preserve it and share knowledge of it with others without trying to profit on emotionalism, then it is fine.

2) Compensation provides mutual benefits. I never believed releasing a game for free was the best decision. I definately believe there should be some kind of exchange in turn for the item. This whole debate seems to be rooted in the idea of distrubution without compensation, and if someone is willing to share it for free, that's very generous, noble, not to mention brave and sacrifical of them, but don't be so upset if they ask for something in return.

3) I could also address the other issues such as value and ultimately, collecting, but this might lead into a more lengthy, complicated commentary rooted in philosophy/psychology stuff. Alot of my view in this area is influenced by my disinterest in said collectables because I personally find atavism to be empty.

Because of 3), I cannot go on any further without complicating the argument.

But I hope 1) and 2) give you some insight. Compensation is worthwhile but selfish pursuits are empty.

 

RE:

Feel free to lock the thread. I think we've said pretty much everything that needs to be said.