What causes Folks to 'Leave' the hobby?

I didn't hear gorfchampion was getting out.

Maybe he should admit to using performance enhancing drugs and give the world record back to the prior owner. j:O)
 
I personally can't envision getting out of the hobby altogether. I've been into mame since 98, eventually finished my mame cab project, and then not long after caught the collecting bug. I've loved arcade games my whole life. What I can see though, is paring down later in life once my kids are grown since they are a big driving factor in me wanting a good sized collection. But I think even after they're out of the house I will still want my arcade games.

It does make me a little sad to see people drop out but anyone that knows me knows that I'm the type that doesn't give up on something easily, so when I ask myself if I think I'll do the same thing at some point, I just don't see it.

I'm sure money does factor into it for a lot of people like RR mentioned. In fact it probably played a factor in me starting to collect. But I'm not in this hobby to make money. I'm in it for the fun and the nostalgia. So whether or not I'll get any "return on investment" has almost no bearing on what I'm doing.
 
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I don't have plans to get out, but I can understand why some do. Sometimes I do ask myself why I have a basement full of games and I'm the only one around. It doesn't help that I have a wife who isn't into the hobby (but she's great and lets me do my thing). I think if/when we have kids, I will need to finish the basement or move to a bigger house. At that point a decision would have to be made (but I'll never be totally out)
 
I guess that's what I mean. I have no plans to get out, and it would take a lot for me to sell my games, but even if I did, I would want to start all over again when I got the chance. I think some people have short attention spans and this hobby is just 1 in a lifetime string of many. Start out hot, burn out quick, onto the next 'it' thing. Even before I had games, I wanted them. And even before I came here, I had them. I'd rather have a sweet basement full of games than a basement full of a furnace, a water heater, and 'stored junk on a cement floor' like I grew up with.
 
Spyridon said:
I don't have plans to get out, but I can understand why some do. Sometimes I do ask myself why I have a basement full of games and I'm the only one around. It doesn't help that I have a wife who isn't into the hobby (but she's great and lets me do my thing). I think if/when we have kids, I will need to finish the basement or move to a bigger house. At that point a decision would have to be made (but I'll never be totally out)
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Imagine you were like me and didn't HAVE a basement, a garage, or even a house. Then think about what your wife would think about you bringing your hobby INSIDE where you have stuff all over, the kitchen table hasn't been accessible for 4 months, and you have to figure out where all the stuff you have is going to be put. The decide how you would deal with it.

That might give you an idea as to what it would take to get you out - or just greatly diminish your participation...
 
There's any number of reasons why people get out of collecting. The first time I sold everything was when I moved 2,200 miles. Then second time I quit I got bored with the games I owned and got into other hobbies for several years.

This time, I have more space and a lot more games than the other two times, but I could sell off most of these machines tomorrow and it wouldn't bother me that much. The key is feeling satisfied by a hobby and once it ceases to be satisfying or you find something else to do, you can walk away.

It's not any different than anything else.

BTW, whether you realize it or not, you are thinking about getting out of this hobby..........
 
I'd have to be in dire straits to sell my games (and I pray to God that never happens)... Most of what I've done in this hobby has been restoration so I have dumped way more money into them than what they are actually worth.

I think limits are important... it will at least prevent burn out or your personal space from becoming ruined by this stuff. Trading or selling one to acquire another can keep it fun and keep your house from becoming overrun. If you can afford to build a separate structure for your games then more power to you ... I know I wish I could... it would expand my limits ;)

I don't think I'll ever purposely walk away... I may stop repairing boards or cut back on restorations though... that really cuts into the personal time. My kids are all grown up now so who knows ;)
 
Clay Cowgill as everyone know built many multi-kits and even had/has his own arcade in Seattle seems to have disappeared except for his once a month post in the vector list.
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just as a note for clarification, Clay still sells his multi-JAMMA kits, and he co-owns Ground Kontrol in Portland [Oregon,] which is still open and for my money is one of the top 3 arcades left in the country.
 
modessitt said:
Imagine you were like me and didn't HAVE a basement, a garage, or even a house. Then think about what your wife would think about you bringing your hobby INSIDE where you have stuff all over, the kitchen table hasn't been accessible for 4 months, and you have to figure out where all the stuff you have is going to be put. The decide how you would deal with it.
Click to expand...

Good point. No basement would mean no hobby. At best I would be relegated to 2 or 3 games shoved in the corner of the garage. Too cold to park the cars outside here. The wife wouldn't let the games be all over the house and I wouldn't want that either.

Basement = Good!
 
I never had this hobby until I had room to have it. I bought a bigger house with a nice big basement where I could make whatever I wanted of it. Before I even moved in, I had bought a couple games to fill it.

I don't see ever getting out as long as I have:

1. Friends to share the games with.
2. Money to keep the games in working order.
3. Room to house the games where I can PLAY them.
4. A place to work on project games, separate from the arcade.
5. A forum like KLOV to keep me exited about classic games.
6. The internets, so I can find games, parts, and like minded individuals.

PS I have an old car related hobby thats big in my life, been doing that for close to 20 years now.......Don't see this one being any different.
 
Frankly... I'm surprised that I'm still in the hobby. My hobbies usually last a couple years at most then I get bored and move on to the next. Yet here I am... I still get that giddy feeling when I find a great deal... I still get that sense of anticipation as I go pick it up... I still get that sense of adventure when I open up the back for the first time.
 
FrizzleFried said:
I still get that giddy feeling when I find a great schwein... I still get that sense of anticipation as I go pick it up... I still get that sense of adventure when they slide it up my back for the first time.
Click to expand...

Uhhhh, Mr. Bare? I meant the arcade hobby. Again I've heard too much.
 
...plus where else are you going to find funny mo-fo's like brother Phet? I mean come on... dude's classic...
 
Taken from All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Star Trek

Having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting;it is not logical but it is often true. :)
 
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