completists

A completist is a person who aims to obtain every item within a defined set or category, or to complete every aspect of a collection. The term is used across collecting communities and has also become common in gaming, where it describes someone who strives to unlock all achievements, endings, or in‑game collectables. The concept rests on the idea that the value of the collection lies in completeness rather than in any single item.

Completists often pursue a systematic approach. They may use checklists, price histories, and condition standards to track progress and determine which items are still missing. Motivations vary and can include a sense of mastery, satisfaction from order, social status within a community, or the personal challenge of finishing what has been started. The pursuit can be time‑consuming and costly, and may require careful budgeting, trades, or long‑term planning.

In practice, completism appears in many domains. In the physical world, it includes stamps, coins, toys, books, or art editions. In digital realms, a common focus is video games, where completionists seek to complete all quests or achievements and collect all in‑game items. Critics note that extreme completionism can lead to hoarding, burnout, or a focus on quantity over quality, though supporters view it as a disciplined hobby and a distinct form of organism of collecting.

See also: collection, hobby, achievement hunting, completionism.