Zombie Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 Well, I have a little more news to report. Just purchased the German version of the UFO/MoO "Twin Pack" compilation from my go-to source for German versions of X-COM games. (Been doing business with these guys for years and all their stuff is top-notch). For some reason, this version doesn't use the phrase "Twin Pack" but instead "Limited Edition" (in English, not German). So that's a little interesting. It's complete too and in great condition. I just love how folks overseas take care of their games! I know that celebrity deaths happen in three's, but my collection happens in two's... I purchased the French "Sold Out" version of UFO: Enemy Unknown today. Again, it's complete and (as far as I can tell) in excellent condition. So not one, but two ultra-rare versions acquired in a couple days. I payed a small fortune for them, but when versions are this rare and in superb condition, I'm a buyer! - Zombie Azrael Strife and Space Voyager 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Wow, still finding versions after all these years... Zombie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 If he finds X-Com in Suahili his collection will be complete Zombie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 Wow, still finding versions after all these years... Yup. I'm lucky that I got into collecting when I did though. A lot of the versions that I purchased, I haven't seen since. My belief is that it was due to the economy - people were cleaning house to make room and a little cash on the side. Now that the economy is improving (by a tiny bit) people aren't as worried. I'm still missing a bunch of versions though - either I saw them and let it slip through my fingers, or the language barrier got in the way, or a seller didn't offer PayPal, or it was way to high to bid on/buy... it's always something it seems. Part of the problem stems from the fact that eBay is country specific. If the creators would have made a single unified eBay, buying and selling would reach a greater share of the market. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Is there a complete list? I mean, do you know what you're still missing? Zombie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Is there a complete list? I don't know of a complete list compiled by anyone. But there haven't been any really serious collectors of X-COM before me though (some minor exceptions to this exist). So it's kinda being compiled as I go along? MobyGames comes close, but even it isn't always complete (I have acquired versions that were not on MobyGames, but later were added by someone). I mean, do you know what you're still missing? Yes and no. There are versions I saw that I couldn't buy for whatever reason. I never thought it was necessary to write down those versions, but darnit, my memory isn't like it used to be. (I might have a few that I saved screenshots on my old computer - will have to search them out sometime). That said, there are a few versions that MobyGames have that I don't. (Obvious ones like Interceptor from the Netherlands, German Smile & Buy release for Interceptor, Euro version of em@il X-COM, Brazilian Best of re-release Enforcer, and a whole boatload of EU versions: French PSX, Brazilian CD, Sold Out Belg & Neth etc). I also know I'm missing an Italian V2 for either Interceptor or Apoc, and a Russian version of Apoc (though for the last one, a fellow forumite has it, just haven't dug it out to send to me yet). What is worrysome are those Brazilian releases (impossible to acquire). Also the recent surfacing of a French PSX version of EU raises some other questions as well: is there a German PSX version? How about Italy? Actually, anytime a language version surfaces, I start to wonder whether the other languages are represented too. They aren't known by anyone, but that's not to say they don't exist somewhere. I just don't know. A lot of this is just playing it by ear. Best I can do is be more diligent writing down and documenting the versions I don't have and continue to work hard at sleuthing down and acquiring versions as they hit the market. Most of the time I'm able to determine at a glance if I have a version or not. So that saves me some time at least. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 Well, I have a little more news to report. Just purchased the German version of the UFO/MoO "Twin Pack" compilation from my go-to source for German versions of X-COM games. (Been doing business with these guys for years and all their stuff is top-notch). For some reason, this version doesn't use the phrase "Twin Pack" but instead "Limited Edition" (in English, not German). So that's a little interesting. It's complete too and in great condition. I just love how folks overseas take care of their games! Just received this in the mail and wow, it's in incredible shape! Looks to be nearly brand new, the box isn't dented, no scratches, no rubbing, no wear and the cover sleeve retains all of it's glossiness. The contents inside look much the same - perfect! https://www.animaatjes.nl/films-en-series/series/the-simpsons/tumblr_lqxe4xH2du1qlff32o1_500.gif I'll need to start up my other computer and do some scans tomorrow so show off this beauty properly. - Zombie Azrael Strife 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 If I may ask - How much did you spend on the collection already, and did anyone of your close friends said you are nuts? (Note: please don't think I say that ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 If I may ask - How much did you spend on the collection already, It's hard to say - I never kept track of my purchases. Back of the matchbook calculation would be 71 versions (73 with the recent additions) at ~$20 per version average (probably a little bit more) = $1500-$2000. That's only for the game versions. I think I have at least that much stuck into the collectable area. Subtract a donation of a few hundred and I'd say for a total, under $5000 USD. and did anyone of your close friends said you are nuts? Nope, not yet. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azrael Strife Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Congrats on the new addition Zombie Zombie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 No matter what was spent, I think the elephant in the room is one can scarcely put a price to a collection like that. The collecting itself is obviously personally gratifying, and the truth of the matter is Zombie is quite the expert by now - in appraisal as well as bidding. I should add we are extremely fortunate to have him regularly sharing his findings the way he does at SC. Go, Zombie!! :: @Zombie: I'm curious - chronologically, what was the first publicly available piece of UFO: Enemy Unknown / X-COM: UFO Defense software. A DOS demo? Unrelated Trivia: in a visit to wikipedia I've noticed a mention to a Limited Edition for the Amiga CD32 that came with a MicroProse travel alarm clock. Did you ever come by that one? Zombie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I think you got me wrong there Thor. I am not saying that the money is not well spent. I was just only curious. And btw Zombie. When I saw this: https://i1.kwejk.pl/site_media/obrazki/2013/06/7f6018c50992ae3f60bf0af7fb8cc0c8_original.gif I thought that this must be you when your new collection arrives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 20, 2013 Author Share Posted June 20, 2013 I should add we are extremely fortunate to have him regularly sharing his findings the way he does at SC. Go, Zombie!! Hehe, . StrategyCore is my home, if I wouldn't share it here I don't know where else I'd turn. I'm curious - chronologically, what was the first publicly available piece of UFO: Enemy Unknown / X-COM: UFO Defense software. A DOS demo? Pretty sure it was the DOS Demo (I have this on 3.5" floppy by the way). But there was a pre-release demo which BB found somewhere and I think that was publicly available too (though in very limited supply). Unrelated Trivia: in a visit to wikipedia I've noticed a mention to a Limited Edition for the Amiga CD32 that came with a MicroProse travel alarm clock. Did you ever come by that one? Yup, I have that (see the Enemy Unknown game versions page). The travel alarm clock didn't actually come with the game by the way, there was a card that you had to send in and it would get mailed to you. I do not have the clock. Still looking for it on eBay though. And btw Zombie. When I saw this: https://i1.kwejk.pl/site_media/obrazki/2013/06/7f6018c50992ae3f60bf0af7fb8cc0c8_original.gif I thought that this must be you when your new collection arrives Pretty close. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 Just to note, I'm currently scanning the contents of the German MoO/UFO compilation. It's gonna take me a little while to get everything scanned/resized. Luckily I can reuse some previous scans I made as they are they are the same between versions. Also another update to my collection... sorta. As some of you may know, I don't just collect game versions but also memorabilia pertaining to X-COM. I try to limit my collection to just X-COM related things, but every once and a while I'll spring for something MicroProse related. As long as it's from the X-COM time-period that is. Well I purchased a 1997 Annual Report for Spectrum Holobyte Corporation Inc./Microprose for cheap today. Fingers crossed there's a mention of Interceptor or Apocalypse in there - otherwise it's still a somewhat rare piece of literature. I also sleuthed down a version I don't have yet: The Best of MicroProse Strategy compilation containing Apocalypse, Civ and Magic the Gathering. Comes from a seller in Germany, but I think the version is in English. Will keep an eye out for this in the future. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azrael Strife Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Hey Zombie, where do you keep all of your collection? do you have it on display somewhere in your house or just stacked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 He's got secret apartment under his bed, guarded by some Chrysalids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 Hey Zombie, where do you keep all of your collection? do you have it on display somewhere in your house or just stacked? Nope, not on display. It's due to a couple reasons. First, I don't have enough room to put it all on display properly. This would keep things from getting damaged. Secondly, I live in the midwest. The collection is stored on the 3rd floor of my house so flooding can't get at it (we don't get flooded here but I like to be safe), but tornadoes are the other weather feature around these parts. We haven't had a tornado here either, but that's not to say it'll never happen. I'd much rather have it boxed up to give it some level of protection from that (and humidity - the other real killer of paper products). So for now, viewing of my collection is by appointment only. No chryssalids guarding my collection, but I kinda wish I did. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azrael Strife Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Maybe some day we could get pictures of all your collection put together? I think it'd be a sight to behold to see it all at once I'm thinking of starting a collection myself, but not of a specific game, rather than games that are special to me, or that I consider iconic or important enough; thinking of games like the Ultima series (awesome boxes, too, come with cloth maps, incredible), MOO, X-Com (of course), etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 Maybe some day we could get pictures of all your collection put together? I think it'd be a sight to behold to see it all at once I'll see what I can do about that. Might have to be a few pictures though as my collection is quite large - don't think I could fit it all in without taking the pic from outer space. I'm thinking of starting a collection myself, but not of a specific game, rather than games that are special to me, or that I consider iconic or important enough; thinking of games like the Ultima series (awesome boxes, too, come with cloth maps, incredible), MOO, X-Com (of course), etc. Hehe, funny how you mentioned the cloth maps from Ultima. A while back I purchased a version of EU because I thought a cloth map was part of the version. It wasn't of course, took a bit of sleuthing on my part to track down that it was from Ultima IX (see here). Quite unreal how some games went crazy on promo items back in the day. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoXTheRoXStaR Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Packers Rule! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 Also another update to my collection... sorta. As some of you may know, I don't just collect game versions but also memorabilia pertaining to X-COM. I try to limit my collection to just X-COM related things, but every once and a while I'll spring for something MicroProse related. As long as it's from the X-COM time-period that is. Well I purchased a 1997 Annual Report for Spectrum Holobyte Corporation Inc./Microprose for cheap today. Fingers crossed there's a mention of Interceptor or Apocalypse in there - otherwise it's still a somewhat rare piece of literature. Got this in the mail today and wow, it was better than I hoped. Inside the front cover is a picture of some of the games in development (which includes X-COM: Apoc), and inside the back cover is Apoc and Interceptor. Apoc is sprinkled throughout the booklet, and even TFTD gets a mention: The increase in videogame revenue in fiscal 1997 was due to the release of three videogame console titles as compared to the one title in fiscal 1996. The three fiscal 1997 titles (all for the Sony PlayStation) were Top Gun™ : Fire at Will!™, Gunship 2000®, and X-COM: Terror From the Deep™. Were Top Gun and Gunship 2000 really big PSX titles? My thought is that TFTD carried most of the revenue. A great find and ties into my collection nicely. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer_pl Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I don't imagine Gunship 2000 being PSX hit. I think Amgia and PC was better market for this game. I know I've enjoyed it - was pretty hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 I purchased the French "Sold Out" version of UFO: Enemy Unknown today. Again, it's complete and (as far as I can tell) in excellent condition. Got this in the mail the other day and it's basically brand new. That made scanning the contents so easy... Anyhow, you can see the scans on the EU Game Versions site page. I gotta say that this is probably my favorite version of EU so far. Super condition and super rare are a tough combo to beat! - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I gotta say that this is probably my favorite version of EU so far. Super condition and super rare are a tough combo to beat! :: Enchanté! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Sooner or later you'll need to contact Julian Gollop and sell the collection for millions. Just wait for Chaos Reborn, he'll need to get that million first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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