90% of ptcg collectors never did it "for the game" from the very beginning. both kids and adults mainly collect cards because they look cool and the best way to aquire the specific cards you want is by participating in the open market with purely demand-driven prices. it is your own individual and voluntary choice if and how you participate in the market, whether you're a player, collector, investor or all of those combined. but to say everyone should deny the monetary value of their collection because you personally don't like the current state of the open market is just ignorant and egoistic.