Strategy guides?

Maybe because I work in a library, but I kind of like having the shelf full of strat guides.  I've got around 75 of them.  I don't care what genre or publisher they are.  My only rule is that I have the game (with the exception of the Final Fantasy Tactics guide that I mistakenly purchased a long time ago).

I can see the appeal, but have never gone down that road. In the game stores I frequent they either a) Don't have them  except at launch, and then in limited quantities or b) They have plenty but they are all in complete tatters from being thumbed through so much. 

Insofar as printed materials I do save all my gaming magazines, but this is kind of nutty and I am begining to question why I have kept over 10 feet of pulp in my bookshelves.aspro73

I do this as well...I've got the last several years of EGM, GamePro, and several other random mags on the same shelf as my strat guides.

[QUOTE="aspro73"]
Insofar as printed materials I do save all my gaming magazines, but this is kind of nutty and I am begining to question why I have kept over 10 feet of pulp in my bookshelves.jollyroger78

I do this as well...I've got the last several years of EGM, GamePro, and several other random mags on the same shelf as my strat guides.

Well it's nice to see I'm not the only one who collects guides.  I'm really out of control with it though.  For example, I am working on buying all the collector's edition covers for the FFXII guides, so far I have Vaan, Ashe, and Fran.  Those are $30 each.  In the back of my mind I always tell myself that it's an investement but I also know that I'll never sell them.  I love guides because alot of times they are filled with tons of concept artwork from the game. 

They have plenty but they are all in complete tatters from being thumbed through so much.  aspro73

Which is why I always buy my guide on day one, otherwise, you'll end up with 'minor shelf wear' as the ebayers like to say.

[QUOTE="aspro73"]I can see the appeal, but have never gone down that road. In the game stores I frequent they either a) Don't have them except at launch, and then in limited quantities or b) They have plenty but they are all in complete tatters from being thumbed through so much.

Insofar as printed materials I do save all my gaming magazines, but this is kind of nutty and I am begining to question why I have kept over 10 feet of pulp in my bookshelves.jollyroger78

I do this as well...I've got the last several years of EGM, GamePro, and several other random mags on the same shelf as my strat guides.

I love guides because alot of times they are filled with tons of concept artwork from the game. 

duncanr2n

I'm glad I read through all the posts in the thread before putting in my two cents worth.  The above statement is pretty much the only value I see in strategy guides; the artwork.  From what I've seen/heard, printed guides are peppered with errors, omissions, and tables full of worthless data.  If I really want I guide, I'll go to GameFAQs, thank you. 

Mind you, I'm not opposed to those guides, I'm just saying they're not for me.  I don't have the money or the storage space (alot of that has to do with the fact that I am married with two children).  The only one I've ever actively purchased was the Neverwinter Nights World Builder Guide.  And I'll admit, it was usefull. 

The only other game guides I have are all the ones Nintendo gave out to their Nintendo Power subscribers.  Those were the days.  I don't know (and don't really care) if it's rare/valuable/whatever; but I love my NP Final Fantasy Guide. 

(Side rant: Nintendo Power was such a great magazine back when the NES and SNES ruled the home gaming industry.  Alot of great articles, recurring features, and not a single advertisement in sight.  Sadly, now-a-days its just a shell of it's former self, in my opinion.  Although that opinion might just stem from bias owing to fond childhood nostalgia.)