Being a nerd is sometimes rewarding, especially with trading card games
Often enough, people are usually judged by their hobbies and actions whether it be online or offline. Everyone has their own points of interests; they shouldn’t care what others think. As you establish a set identity, you become part of a community no matter how small your influence may be. My topic will be within the trading card community, specifically Yu-Gi-Oh! What peaks my interest is how a simple card can be worth hundreds of dollars, some even thousands. Most are quick to judge card games “only nerds play that”, but some just do it for profit. In addition, I will be researching how the market is regulated and why people choose such an expensive hobby.
Most of my research will come from private online groups via Facebook, and interviews from local Yu-Gi-Oh! players. I will immerse myself within a local community that meets up at a card store in the Glen Burnie area normally two or three times a week. My intentions are to actively observe and participate in discussions involving the current trends people follow, and gather data on how it relates to the market inflation of certain cards. Konami, the company that runs Yu-Gi-Oh! typically releases a new set every few months. I will pay close attention to the market and find out how this information released fluctuates online prices.
Here is my outline that I plan to follow:
Week 2: Find topic and join private groups
Week 3: Find local players and set up interviews. Start observing
Week 4: Observe the community and collect information. Start Essay
Week 5: View requirements and gather all findings. Complete Final and submit
