Every time they enter this room, halfway between a museum and an attic, Hervé and Guillaume are now thinking about what has disappeared from the shelves. Nemcoshow, their association, was founded in 2014, in order to present objects related to the history of video games at events and fairs: games, but also consoles, derivative and promotional objects, displays, etc.
“Really Rare Things”
“More than 400 pieces were stolen”, summarizes Guillaume Nicolas, alias Nemco. The burglary took place on the weekend of July 23 and 24, when the young man and his father were away. What was stolen from this room where the association stores its treasures: portable consoles, home consoles but also games, some of which are unique models. “There was a Castlevania prototype, Game Boy game prototypes…really rare stuff”laments Hervé Nicolas, Guillaume’s father.
The two enthusiasts estimate the damage to around 20,000 euroeven if the value of these collector’s items remains very difficult to assess, especially for insurers. “They’re going to set an average, explains Hervé again. But the average will not even be half of the true value. And they’re going to apply a dilapidation to it, when it’s collectibles.”
A sentimental value
Market value is not everything. This collection is the one that Guillaume started at the age of six. Gradually, it was enriched with donations entrusted to the association, to reach about 12,000 pieces. “When I saw the burglarized room, I collapsed on the floorsays Guillaume, now 28 years old. In this lot of coins, there are Christmas presents, things I got when I was little. These objects, there are stories behind. It’s as if we had played with my child’s soul.”
It’s a hard blow, but there’s no question of stopping. An investigation has been opened by the gendarmerie and the European association intends to bounce back. “Nemcoshow will continue its events and content on social networks”, promises Guillaume, who already has new pledges. The association is also focusing on the Nemco Game Show, a festival that it will organize on the weekend of September 17 and 18 in Beaumont-le-Roger.