### The Steam Emperor: Bow Down to the Man with 40,000+ Games
Picture this: You’re scrolling through your Steam library, mildly impressed with the 200 games you’ve collected over the years, most of which you’ve never played. Now imagine owning not 500, not 1,000, but **40,000+ paid Steam games**. Yes, someone actually did this, and no, it’s not Bill Gates trying to flex his wallet. It’s a real gamer who took the whole “collector” thing to absurd new heights.
Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on top: he’s spent **over $200,000** on this digital hoard. That’s right, a six-figure sum for a backlog that would take several lifetimes to complete. If procrastination was an Olympic sport, this guy would have a gold medal and a sponsorship deal with Steam.
—
### Who Is This Digital Game Hoarder?
Meet **Moe**. No last name needed—he’s basically Madonna of the gaming world now. Moe is a collector with a capital ‘C’. While most of us are out here buying games during Steam sales only to forget about them, Moe has turned this into an art form. According to the original report from Ars Technica, Moe is the proud owner of **every single paid game available on Steam**. Yes, that includes the weird simulator games no one asked for and the endless shovelware you regret downloading.
It’s not just about owning games, though. Moe sees this as a contribution to gaming history. That’s right, he’s not hoarding; he’s **archiving**—a noble cause, if you can look past the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
—
### Why? Just… Why?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Why would anyone do this? Moe likens his digital collection to a museum. “Some people collect stamps or coins,” he explains. “I collect games.” Because, sure, stamps and coins definitely cost $200,000 and require a 6TB hard drive to store. Totally the same thing.
But Moe’s rationale actually makes some sense. He believes many of these games could disappear one day. Developers sometimes pull their titles from Steam due to licensing issues, bankruptcy, or just plain indifference. Moe’s collection ensures that these games remain accessible—even if only to him.
Still, the question remains: **How does he even find time to play them?** Spoiler alert: He doesn’t. According to Moe, he’s played fewer than 10% of the games in his library. So, not only is he the king of Steam, but he’s also the king of unplayed games. Bow down, peasants.
—
### The Logistics of Managing 40,000 Games
Owning 40,000 digital games isn’t as simple as clicking “Add to Cart.” Here’s what it takes to manage a collection of this magnitude:
– **Storage Space:** Moe estimates he needs over **6 terabytes** of storage to house his collection. That’s more hard drive space than most small businesses.
– **Updates:** Imagine the chaos of updating 40,000 games. Moe’s Steam client must be in a state of perpetual meltdown.
– **Browsing:** Steam’s UI is barely functional for those of us with a few hundred games. For Moe, finding a single title must feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.
—
### Pros & Cons of Owning 40,000 Games
#### Pros:
– **Ultimate bragging rights**: No one can out-nerd Moe. He’s essentially the Jeff Bezos of Steam.
– **Historical preservation**: Moe’s collection serves as a time capsule for gaming.
– **Unlimited options**: Bored? Just pick from literally tens of thousands of games.
#### Cons:
– **Cost**: $200,000 is a small fortune. For perspective, you could buy a house or, you know, eat food for a decade.
– **Overwhelming**: Too much of a good thing is still too much. Decision paralysis, anyone?
– **Storage nightmares**: 6TB isn’t exactly pocket-sized.
—
### The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for Gaming?
Moe’s collection raises some interesting questions about the future of gaming. As more titles go digital, what happens to the games that fall through the cracks? Platforms like Steam aren’t libraries; they’re storefronts. Once a game is removed, it’s often gone for good. Moe’s collection might be excessive, but it highlights the importance of preserving gaming history.
For more on the challenges of digital preservation, check out our previous article on digital preservation in gaming.
—
### Final Thoughts: Should You Try This at Home?
In case it wasn’t obvious, the answer is a resounding “No.” Unless you’ve got $200,000 burning a hole in your pocket and an unhealthy obsession with digital hoarding, this is a path best left untraveled. That said, Moe’s story is a fascinating glimpse into the extremes of gaming culture. Love it or hate it, you have to admit: owning 40,000 games is an impressive—if slightly unhinged—achievement.
So the next time you’re feeling guilty about your unplayed games, just remember: Moe’s got 39,000 more reasons to feel bad.
—
### Call to Action
What do you think about Moe’s epic collection? Is he a hero, a madman, or a little bit of both? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more outrageous tech stories. Also, check out our guide to mastering Steam, because let’s be honest, you’ll never beat Moe—but you can at least try.
