Here's an updated version of the Scale document, still a work in progress. The most significant change was based on a suggestion from Tom Hlavendy and Lee and others on the mailing list, which was to change "VG+" to a more specific grade. I agreed with him, so Very Good Plus (VG+) has been changed to Fine (FI). This should be even more clearer and eliminate possible confusion. (Note that the NUMBER of grades is still the same -- the meaning of VG+ didn't change, just the name of it.) I also added some example list entries; just free-form stuff off of the top of my head. If anyone can't read the ASCII text attachment, let me know. PS: MobyGames is still referring to "VG+", but I will fix this tonight as it's a simple database change. -- http://www.MobyGames.com/ The world's most comprehensive historical PC gaming database project.
The Official MobyGames Software Collectables Condition Grading Scale Version 0.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Background: The world of software collectables is an emerging hobby that is slowly easing into the mainstream. However, being so new, there is no standard scale for grading the condition of an item, which can lead to misrepresentation of an item's value. For example, in dealing with other collectors, a multitude of grading notations have already been found: One list used a single rating for the entire item, another used a numerical rating for quality grades, yet another wildly overused the term "MINT!", etc. This lack of standardization can lead to confusion when trying to assess an item's value based solely on a textual description of the item. Which grading scale is the right one? MobyGames.com believes there's a better way to do this, and has created a standard grading scale and specification for cataloging software for collection lists. This system is officially in place at MobyGames.com, but it is our hope that it is embraced by the collector community and used universally to describe item condition. Through widespread acceptance of this scale, we hope to eliminate misconceptions and confusion in the software collectable community. This document describes The Official MobyGames Software Collectables Condition Grading Scale and its use and application. For brevity, the condition grading scale will be abbreviated as "MobyGames Grading Scale" throughout the remainder of this text. Also included at the end of the document are some frequently-asked questions, and an example collector's list to illustrate the system in use. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item Breakdown: Before describing the actual scale, it is important to define how the scale itself is used. A common mistake for new collectors is to assess the overall quality of an item and give it a singular value. This may save the collector time, but creates confusion for other collectors attempting to view his list. This is because not everyone values certain aspects of an item the same. For example, one collector may value the condition of the box above all else, while another may value the manual and included trinkets/props/feelies higher than the box. Because of differing opinions of value, it is usually inappropriate to give items one overall grade. The solution to this is to apply a grade to as many pieces of the item that are relevant. This creates more work, but is the only way to ensure accuracy and avoid unintentionally misleading people who read your lists. For example, the most common pieces of a software collectable are: - Box/Packaging - Original Media - Manual - Reference Sheet - Catalog - Registration Card - Additional Items (listed individually) The more pieces that are graded, the better the representation of the item. A suggested minimum would be two grades: One for the Box/Packaging, and another for all other materials contained in that item. Also note that if an item is incomplete, it is appropriate to label it as such. The notation used for a missing piece is Item Missing (IM). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Condition Grades: The following are the official condition grades of the MobyGames Grading Scale. The possible conditions an item can be in are: - Factory Sealed (FS): No noticable defects and sealed in original factory or store shrinkwrap or sticker. (Not to be confused with a re-wrapped previously-opened box.) The best grade possible. - Near Mint (NM): No noticable defects, but not sealed. - Fine (FI): One or two slight defects (small scratch, slight worn corner on box, etc.) that prevent a Near Mint rating. - Very Good (VG): More than one or two slight defects (slight crease in manual, all corners slightly worn, etc.). Still in acceptable condition. - Good (G): More severe defects (box slightly torn or crushed; noticable wear on media, manual, or other materials). Acceptable only if the item is hard to find or highly desired by the collector. - Fair/Poor (F/P): Unusable defects (crushed, ripped, sheared, or missing box; diskette media bad; etc.). Acceptable only if the item is wanted for non-collectable purposes (like actually playing the game) or wants it for "parts". Note that it is only appropriate to label an item Factory-Sealed if that item is in Near Mint condition. For example, a factory-sealed box that is crushed should be rated Good or Fair/Poor, not Factory-Sealed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Examples: -------- Long form: Ultima Underworld, open and used item in good condition: Title: Ultima Underworld Year: 1993 Platform: DOS Box/Packaging: Very Good Original Media: Fine Manual: Very Good Catalog: Near Mint Reference Sheet: Very Good Registration Card: Item Missing Additional Items: Near Mint Comments: Has "Best RPG of 1993" sticker on front box. Additional items are a cloth bag with metal "runes". -------- Short form, multiple items: Tass Times in Tonetown (PC): Box GO, Media FI, Manual GO, Registration Card F/P (handwriting), "Newspaper" prop FI X-Car Experimental Racing (PC): Box FS Ancient Land of Ys (PC): Box GO, Media FI, Manual GO, Registration Card IM Archon (C64): Box NM, Media NM, Manual VG, Registration Card NM -------- Abbreviated form, multiple items: (Legend is Box/Inside Materials) Ancient Land of Ys: GO/VG Under a Killing Moon: VG/FI Pinball Construction Set: VG/GO Music Construction Set: VG/GO Dr. J and Larry Bird go One on One: NM/NM Daemonsgate: FS -------- These are just suggested list templates; you are free to use whatever format you choose. The MobyGames Grading Scale is a specification, but you can implement that specification any way you like. Note that, for all forms suggested above, there was only one grade listed for Factory-Sealed items. This is because all pieces of a sealed item must also be in the same condition, since the item was never opened. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frequently-Asked Questions: Q: Will the number of grades change? A: No. Many hours of thought were put into what appreciable differing grades of condition could be (as related to software items). Unless an extremely strong and convincing argument is made, they will never change. Q: Why only six grades? A: More (or less) grades wouldn't describe an item's condition any better than the grades provided. We deliberately created granular grades for the best conditions and coarse grades (only two) for poor conditions. This was done to best serve the needs of collectors without overwhelming them. Also, the more grades you have, the more their implementation is subject to debate -- which is precisely what the MobyGames Grading Scale is meant to eliminate. Q: Why isn't "Mint" on the grading scale? A: The primary reason is because the term "mint" is misleading. "Mint" has been misused by novice collectors in describing items in excellent condition but no longer factory-sealed. Not only is this incorrect (an item cannot technically be mint if it has been opened or handled), but "mint" has also been overused to describe items that don't even come close to "perfect condition". An alternate way of looking at this issue comes from Hugh Falk: "An item cannot be verified to be in 'mint' condition to everyone's satisfaction without the use of a microscope." It is for all these reasons that "mint" was specifically and deliberately not used for the scale. Q: Why isn't "Rare" on the grading scale? A: "Rare" isn't an indication of condition; it's an indication of value. (The harder it is to find an item, the more value it has to most collectors.) While an item's condition is a large part of what an item's value is, the topic of value/worth is unrelated to the technical act of grading an item's condition. Q: Can I add my own grades using this system? I've been using "Mint" and "Good Plus" in my own lists and want to keep doing so. A: No! That goes against the whole idea of standardizing condition grades; the purpose of the system is to map conditions to terms that everyone can universally use and agree upon. Adding your own terms deviates from the scale, and just confuses other collectors. If you add your own terms, you cannot advertise that you're utilizing the MobyGames Grading Scale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acknowledgements and Addendum: This grading scale is officially released to the software collectables community. Its use is highly encouraged, as long as it's not altered. Strict adherence to the scale is what makes it strong and useful; please don't deviate from or otherwise modify it. The inevitable legal notice: This document and its contents is Copyright 2000, MobyGames.com. It was authored by Jim Leonard ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), based on a scale created by Hugh Falk, which in turn was based on a record album grading scale of unknown origin. Any questions, comments, or suggestions should be directed to the author. You are free to copy, translate, reformat, and retransmit this text as long as these notices are included and the meaning of the content is not changed. Want to discuss software collectable issues with other collectors? Join the Software Collectables Mailing List! To subscribe, send email to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" with a subject line of "subscribe swcollect". After joining, you can send email to the list by emailing "[EMAIL PROTECTED]". Replying to list messages also sends your reply to everyone on the list. Mailing list archives are kept on the web; the URL will be provided to you after you receive your first message from the list. "The Official MobyGames Software Collectables Condition Grading Scale" is a mouthful, isn't it? :-) It's suggested that you merely tell other collectors, "I'm using the MobyScale." Many thanks to Hugh Falk, Tom Hlavendy, C. E. Forman, and others who provided suggestions that helped shape this scale.