Game Backlogs; How I can help

[Thoth]

My backlog stands at 128 games.

Not including sequels.

I have a problem. But I am working on a solution. I am coding a Windows App that tracks your backlog, reminds you what you were doing in the game, and can assign you random games to play. Right now it's in alpha, and only for my personal use, but I was wondering, what features would you like to see?

Features I plan to add:
Assign a sequel to a game. When the game is completed, the sequel is automatically added to your database.
Vacation Mode. A game can't be assigned to you if you've loaned it to someone.

One of the reasons I'm not distributing it yet is I'm trying to figure out how to distribute it. It requires Sql Server Compact Edition 3.5, so I need to throw a redistributable and have it auto-install. Basically, I need to learn me some NSIS. But give your feedback. You can help design an app you might actually use.

 

[bps21]

I have what used to be a stack of games that has turned into an army.

 

[fazzle]

I think I would break your program. It wouldn't know where to start with me.

 

[vivisectvi]

Jesus Thoth, how does it get to be 128 games? Isn't there a time when you say to yourself, "maybe I should wait to buy this?"

 

[AntiLeaf33]

I seldom feel the need to buy a game if I am currently playing a game. I've done it on a few times if I see a game I want and plan on playing for half price or so, but I never go out of my way to buy a ton of games that I'll never play. I cannot say the same thing about DVD's and Blu Rays however.

 

[Matt Young]

Thanks to Cheap Ass Gamer, my backlog stands at around 50 games. That's pretty impressive for a dude who's been unemployed for 3 years!

 

[Kageho]

Thoth, could you extend that application from... ...wait, why am I assisting you? I could build-right, I don't recall any of my computer programming... ...just being about what you haven't played to what games you have played and also beaten as well?

When you've got over 200 games logged in a single genre, you sometimes forget the ones you've played. Actually that would be closer to about 300 by now, but regardless, any way to get the program to do that would be awesome.

 

[Thoth]

Thoth, could you extend that application from... ...wait, why am I assisting you? I could build-right, I don't recall any of my computer programming... ...just being about what you haven't played to what games you have played and also beaten as well?

When you've got over 200 games logged in a single genre, you sometimes forget the ones you've played. Actually that would be closer to about 300 by now, but regardless, any way to get the program to do that would be awesome.

I actually thought recently of adding an Inactive flag to a Game. Which would mean once you completed it, it would remain in the database instead of being deleted, but it would not show up in a normal view.

 

[Thoth]

Jesus Thoth, how does it get to be 128 games? Isn't there a time when you say to yourself, "maybe I should wait to buy this?"

If you include sequels, that number jumps to about 150.

 

[AndrewTS]

As of last year, I started tracking games I finish but not games I've not finished. It usually boils down to just what sort of game I feel like playing.

However, I don't think I really need a complicated tracking system.

IMO, to reduce your backlog:
1. Start beating games, or play backlog games until you've decided whether or not you want to keep/finish it.
2. Beat at least two games before you allow yourself to buy a new one.

I reduced my backlog by over 40 games last year (how many I actually have left in my backlog...I have no idea. ), and bought less than 5 new games all last year.

As a result, I've been splurging this month, and ended up picking up Bayonetta and Darksiders--but I'm opting to hold off on Mass Effect 2 a bit (maybe when I beat Darksiders, as I've already finished Bayonetta once, but plan on doing it again on a harder difficulty).

 

[oldskool]

Hell, we should all pile up our backlogs/games we finished & exchange them amongst each other, rather than having mountains of unplayed games sitting there while oldskool's got nothing new to play. ;D

 

[fazzle]

I'm gonna keep track of how many games I beat this year. I'm gonna aim for 20, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's more like 15.

So far: Uncharted 1

 

[bps21]

So far this year I've beaten (and to me that means got 100% achievements for) Wanted: Weapons of Fate and I just beat Assassin's Creed II moments ago. With only 5 days until Mass Effect 2 comes out I don't know if I'll have time to attempt another completion before that comes out.

 

[AndrewTS]

Hell, we should all pile up our backlogs/games we finished & exchange them amongst each other, rather than having mountains of unplayed games sitting there while oldskool's got nothing new to play. ;D

What I've been doing is using Goozex. First, I traded a bunch of games I wasn't going to play anymore and got a ton of points, then I put in requests for games I wanted but didn't want to spend a ton of money on, and now I have a bunch of games I got from the service and still have a healthy amount of points left. I have Assassin's Creed II on the way, right now. Aside from the points, the only cost for the games you get are one trade token (which cost a dollar each).

It's not necessary the quickest way of selling and getting games (each offer or request you make goes in a "queue" which can vary slightly depending if you are trading/requesting a full package copy or less), but it seems like the most cost effective. Plus, since I have a backlog, I'm not in a rush to get a lot of these games anyway. If you're patient, you can get some terrific deals. I managed to pick up Ninja Blade, BlazBlue, Tomb Raider Underworld, Tales of Vesperia, a Gamecube Twilight Princess, and Arkham Asylum so far.

There's also a section for DVDs. I've noticed it's often a long wait to get a DVD from there, however, if you offer up DVDs yourself, it can be a good way to get a lot of points quickly.

 

[Thoth]

I updated the program to have a priority set for each game. The higher the priority, the more likely it is to be randomly selected. I need to add completing a game functionality, to remove it from the list. After that, I'm gonna try to put an installer together.

Requirements:
SQL Server Compact Edition 3.5 (Will come with installer, but if you have Windows 7, you already have this)

I'll try to get that out soon, and maybe some of you will give it a try?

 

[Smues]

Did you ever release this? My backlog is a mess.

 

[Thoth]

Did you ever release this? My backlog is a mess.

lol

I can try. I have so much going on right now with Gamer Horizon though.

Cheap plug www.gamerhorizon.com

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