Dewey Game-Collection Lifecycle (DGLC)
Way back in episode 84 of On Board Games, we talked about collection management in regards to your games. During this discussion, I introduced the Dewey Game-Collection Lifecycle (DGLC) that showed, in general, our behavior as game collectors. As time went on, we referenced it here and there and I realized that rather than force people to step back to 2012 to hear us discuss it, I could place it here for everyone’s reference.
The four phases of the DGLC
Discovery (originally called Introduction) - You have just discovered all of the awesome types of board games out there. This leads to a rapid learning curve about different mechanics, styles, and themes.
Accumulate - Having discovered all there is out there, you have to get them all. You start adding games to your collection relatively quickly and soon you have many games.
Culling - Over time, you realize there games that not getting to the table that often. Sometimes it’s because you found a game that scratches that itch better. Sometimes you realize that your tastes have changed. Sometimes, you just run out of space to store them. Whatever the reason, you realize you don’t need all of these games and you start to get rid of them.
Equilibrium - At this stage, you know what works and what doesn’t in your collection. You still add some games, but only if they do something that you “need.” You may adopt policies like “one in, one out” so that as you add a new game, an older one leaves. You focus more on getting games to the table rather than adding to the collection.
Based on On Board Games episode 84 – June 24, 2012
DGLC discussion begins at 34:30.
https://sites.libsyn.com/19999/obg-84-the-dewey-game-collection-lifecycle