One copy with two save files for myself and my primary system (New 3DS, AC: HHD edition), two personal use files that I'll easily rack up 75% or better of my total play time on. I usually run either alternating every other night saves or alternating at night before and middle of the day of saves. Always have a backup if things go bad, that's my motto, and getting in the habit of saving frequently and using both saves, well, it saved my butt when Story of Seasons happened to have that annoying crashing problem, didn't it? You can also use the top save for normal play and save over the bottom file after MP if you need to dupe items, though I usually don't except in cases where the items are stupidly rare, like the Energy Drinks for the Hot Spring in SoS or the stupid fancy Honey Bee (Mountain I think it was?) in ANB.Kikki wrote:This talk of anyone actually owning FOUR copies makes me wonder...just how many files do you guys usually have? What options are you trying to explore, if you need EIGHT files? Is it just for the purpose of being able to marry eight different candidates and keep those files permanently? Do you run different experiments in each one, or something?
I'll have two copies and I MIGHT not even end up needing the second copy and simply give it to my sis. I can't imagine playing the game eight times over from scratch (not even with the 'miracle' personality available.)
Second copy for my second system (my OG 3DS), usually to test things, mess around with seeing the other gender's events, and self trading should I need a willing partner for duplicating items. (Myself.) That way I keep duped items out of the trading ecosystem since not everyone appreciates that kind of shenanigans. This will always be a physical copy so I can resell it or get trade in value or use it as a gift. Bonus points if it comes with a plushie. I don't have ALL of the plushies, because of the Great Farming Sim Schism of 2014 and Natsume's tendency to make four different plushies for the same game, but I do have most of them.
Third and fourth copy may go back to the retailer for a refund or be given as gifts since I have multiple family members (both by blood and extended family) who enjoy this sort of game immensely. My sister's girlfriend and partner of seven years for example, who was a BokuMono fan long before I knew her. Even my husband has been known to play this series once in a while, though my daughter has never given it a real chance.
In this case, I ordered extra as "insurance" that I'll actually get the game and the plush, because Amazon is being so dodgy, though I've been known to order extra in the past just to give as presents to the people I love.
And to be honest, being an adult and a fan of this series as an adult for the full 20 years had gotten me kind of used to buying the same game twice, because before Magical Melody came along it was the only way anyone could play as a girl with rare exception(s). GBC 3 is the only one I can think of off the top of my head.
I usually never ask for flowers and jewelry and fashion and cosmetics and so on, all of my "frivolous" spending is on games and books, and then always in the place of major gifts I would have gotten anyway, because of Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, a budget surplus, etc. If I ever need or want anything else, I just don't buy games for a while and buy those other things instead.
ETA: just checked and Sis & Majestic GF have vacation coming up so they will be able to play. *cue evil laughter as I gather them onto the hype train*
