A healthy terror filled us at school at the moment of handing in the math test, knowing that on the ink-marked sheets we would find a little number, apparently small and unassuming, but of decisive importance for our afternoon on our bikes or at the field. When it comes to grading a product, knowing how to read a score and fully understand its true meaning can make all the difference.
Esistono very precise evaluation scales in this regard, written by industry professionals. Let's take Wata as an example just to get an idea: as their official website states, there are two types of rating, one numerical and the other alphabetical, depending on the parameters that will be measured.
From 1 to 10, we get into the specifics of the current condition of the physical game, for example that of our precious favorite title that we intend to grade. Up to 9, we move in half-unit increments at a time, from the lowest number, which indicates very poor condition, to nine, where it is on par with an almost new game. And it is here that the choice of surgical meticulousness comes into play, to give the collector the most appropriate grade possible: the increment will be 0.2 decimals at a time, but I will tell you more about this shortly.
With an alphabetical grading system, however, the focus is first and foremost on the factory seal: for those who are not familiar with the subject, the game with the factory seal certifies that it has never been opened, just as if it were still on store shelves, unsold. The grading scale in this case ranges from C, the minimum, to A++, the highest score obtainable.
Obviously, the factors that influence the rating are many and all of them must be taken into consideration in order to arrive at the final evaluation to “deliver” to the client: a broken, peeled, or partially or totally tampered seal is a major penalty, for example, as is general wear and tear, and even the presence of dust inside the package could affect the quality of the product itself, and therefore its rating.
Details and minutiae that constitute, and here we enter video game semantics, elements belonging to a common language between sellers and collectors, and perhaps this is one of the merits to be attributed to grading and its development.
Terminology such as Mint, Near Mint, CIB, NIB, Excellent or Very Good are just some of the definitions that belong to the world of grading, essential for distinguishing a product that is almost perfect from another that has scratches, marks, or tiny but sneaky damaging signs. For example, in the case of CIB (used games that have been opened but are complete), when the grade is 9.8, specific technical terms are used, such as “Near Mint,” a classification that indicates that the owner has opened the package to check its contents, but has not taken it out, let alone used it for playing. So it’s new, you might say.
No. “New” actually means it has NEVER been opened.
So how is it possible to carry out a truly complete grading procedure, one that seriously guarantees the quality and originality of a game or a console, without being forced to open the case and thus break the magic?
The Games Market is about to change the concept of grading and the way it is carried out, with an innovative procedure that is absolutely respectful of your collectible items, and Alberto talks about it in this interview on Games Collection:
The Games Market timeless gaming.
Simon Larocca
Mi chiamo Simon Larocca, e sono un videogiocatore, collezionista e amante della cultura pop in tutte le sue forme. Vado al cinema ogni volta che posso, leggo da quando porto gli occhiali, quindi da sempre, e ho la passione per lo storytelling in tutte le sue forme, così dirompente da farla diventare una professione. Ma come direbbe Doc di Ritorno al Futuro, non ci sarebbe presente se non si guardasse al passato con rispetto e ammirazione, ed è il Simon bambino di più di trent’anni fa, anno più anno meno.
Simon Larocca
Mi chiamo Simon Larocca, e sono un videogiocatore, collezionista e amante della cultura pop in tutte le sue forme. Vado al cinema ogni volta che posso, leggo da quando porto gli occhiali, quindi da sempre, e ho la passione per lo storytelling in tutte le sue forme, così dirompente da farla diventare una professione. Ma come direbbe Doc di Ritorno al Futuro, non ci sarebbe presente se non si guardasse al passato con rispetto e ammirazione, ed è il Simon bambino di più di trent’anni fa, anno più anno meno.
TGMGrading
Grade your titles
Inspection, sub-grades, seal and display case: every grade comes with the method behind it, written down in full.
