From Pixels to Prizes, The Evolution of Video Game Collectibles

There are so many fascinating little avenues in gaming culture and for me, collectibles are one of the most fascinating. Not only do you find the classic physical collectibles, like stuffies, dolls, and cards, but there are other kinds too. You’ll find in-game items that players strive to unlock. Expendable collectibles, which help you progress further through the levels of a game. The hunt for rare and unique treasures is a key motivator for many of us gamers.

 Over the years, video game collectibles have evolved from simple pixelated items into a wide range of digital and physical prizes. We’re going to take a nosedive right into the wormhole of video game collectibles. I can’t promise you’ll come up with a prize, but you never know!

The Early Days

In the early days of video gaming there wasn’t quite the variety of collectible that we’re used to know. But that didn’t mean there weren’t any! Even in Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros, you’d find collectibles of sorts, in fact, you could even find the odd Easter Egg! Both games introduced the concept of collecting items, whether it was power-ups, coins, or fruits, to progress. Sure, we don’t think of those coins as collectibles nowadays, but that is literally the meaning of the word. We were able to collect them. 

As gaming technology improved, so did in-game collectibles. Titles like The Legend of Zelda introduced quest items and artefacts that were crucial to advancing the storyline – and cool too! They weren’t just optional goodies – they were integral parts of the game. You’d got to go out and search for them, or conquer something for them, but you felt as though you’d really earnt something once you got them. 

Digital Collectibles

So, what’s next? It was kind of ‘the internet’ or the widespread adoption of it, that took digital collectibles to the next level. Have you got a Steam account? Do you ever have a little smirk of pride where you look at the achievements you’ve collected for one of your favourite games? Many of us do! Just like someone’s pride and joy might be their baseball card collection, yours might be your plethora of Call of Duty badges! If you’re scratching your head here, let me take a moment to explain. Steam badges are given to players for completing specific achievements in games. Once you’ve earned one, it stays on your account for everyone to see. It’s literally a well-done sticker, but for grown-ups. Now, we look at them as a symbol of a player’s skill level and dedication.

As well as badges, we’ve got to pause to talk about ‘skins’. These are items that change the appearance of something in a videogame. Some of them are common and available for general purchase, while others are rare. You might be able to buy them for a limited time only, you might have to earn them. Either way there are entire secondary markets dedicated to trading or selling them.

Collectible Mechanics

Going back to the idea of collecting, there’s another lesser-known digital collectible and that comes in the form of collectible mechanics. The most common genre to meet these in is real money slots. It’s here that you need to collect certain symbols on the reels in order to trigger specific mechanics within the game. Jammin’ Jars is a popular example, where you need to collect jam jar symbols to trigger cascading multipliers. Age of the Gods uses the same idea, allowing you to collect different symbols to unlock different characters during gameplay. 

Though the way these collectibles work is a little different, the ideas and motivations behind these collectibles is the same. They tap into the same drivers that make use want to collect trophies, and the ones that make us want to advance further in the game. While you wouldn’t consider these expendable collectibles to be in the same realm as a rare skin, they do create that same engagement that keeps us coming back! 

Game Merchandise

We’ve finally made it to gaming merchandise. I’ll bet this was what you were thinking of when you read the title. Gaming merchandise has become an integral part of the fan experience. Companies have created everything from stuffed animals or ‘stuffies’ to high-quality replicas of iconic in-game items. Pokemon is a classic example, with a veritable army of plush toys. I say toys, these are not just toys, they’re a way to bring a bit of the beloved Pokemon universe into our own. Not only that, but there are also some rare ones too. Combine this with Pokemon dolls, Pokemon comics, and of course, Pokemon cards and you’ll see why the Pokemon empire made so many millions!

It’s not just Pokemon though, let’s go back to The Legend of Zelda again. This is a game that knows how to capitalise on collectibles. Their line of merchandise is spectacular, featuring everything from Link’s Master Sword replicas to Hyrule-themed jewelry and clothing. Collecting them allows you to proudly show your love for the game – or just cash in on resale! 

Image credit: Unsplash