Grading Scale

Black Diamond, Gold, Silver or Bronze?

All video games are carefully evaluated by professionals with video game knowledge and auditing process skills. We offer an objective, consistent, fair and reliable methodology. We use whole numbers on a scale of 0 to 100. The final grade represents the whole game (box and seal) as one piece.

What are the evaluation criteria?

Our assessment is based on authenticity and condition. Adding the box (or case) and the seal (or shrink-wrap) together, we check 32 different categories of damage such as corner wear, rip or tear, holes, crumples/dents/dings/crease, dirt/mold/contaminants, adhesive residues, stickers, fading, yellowing, scuffs/scratches/scarring, curved faces among others.

After all the damage is analyzed, the same video game is handed over to a second analyst who will do the same checks, without knowing the results of the first analysis (blind double-check).

The many different types of damage and imperfections have their own weight on our grading scale, for exemplify, a light scuff will not hurt the final score as much as a 1-inch rip in the wrap.

There are 4 grade categories:
BLACK DIAMOND, GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE

  • A BLACK DIAMOND grade When no damage is observed, 100 is the assigned score. A 100 grade is the highest score a game can have, it’s rare and generally assigned to uncirculated games or multi-pack games that are graded individually.
  • A GOLD grade is assigned to sealed games that scored 85+, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98. In this gold range, a game scoring between 85+ and 98 means that some damage or imperfection was observed in the box/case and/or in the seal/shrink-wrap.
  • A SILVER grade is assigned to sealed games that scored 70+, 75, 80, and 85. Damage and imperfections were observed on a higher scale than the gold level. Note that the quantity of damage and imperfections combined with the damages affects the score and has different weights on our grading methodology.
  • A BRONZE grade is assigned to sealed games that scored 0 and 70. Damage and imperfections were observed on a higher scale than the silver and gold levels. Note that the quantity of damage and imperfections combined with the damages affects the score and has different weights on our grading methodology.

How are those scores assigned?

At Player 1 Grading, we don’t rate the box and the seal with different scales or methodologies. Both are rated from 0 to 100 and the final grade is the average of the two individual evaluations. As damage is identified and accounted for, the score gradually drops.

Once a game is analyzed by two grading analysts, it is handed over to the grading score specialist. The grading score specialist inputs all the damage identified by both analysts on our grading software, developed with a rigorous methodology (based on a 15-year experience in global auditing processes backed out by an auditing company).

We don’t guess a grade, we analyze your video game at least two times and input the damages and imperfections found on our grading software, and then our mathematical score methodology informs the final grade to the video game.

How can I get more clarity

We offer a Grader's Report for a small fee. You can order the Grader’s Report while submitting your order or after you have received your order. The Grader’s Report contains detailed information about the damage and imperfection found on your item.

What is in the label?

Front

  • 1. Grade / Score: Consist of grades ranging from 0 to 100
  • 2. Title: Video Game Title
  • 3. System / Platform: Video Game System or Platform
  • 4. Publisher: Company that developed the game
  • 5. Release year
  • 6. QR code: Gives access to additional information of the grading service, such as Pre-Grading Photos, Post Grading Photos (encapsulated), Grader’s Report (if requested), etc.
  • 7. Medal: Black Diamond (100) Gold (85+ – 98), Silver (70+ – 85) or Bronze (0 – 70

Back

  • 8. Seal Type / Wrapping Pattern: Y-Fold, H-Seam, V-Overlap, etc., or No Seal for games manufactured without a wrap
  • 9. Seal / Wrapping Pattern illustration: Representing the exact type of seal / wrapping pattern
  • 10. Game additional details: Player 1 Grading ID, Rating, Version, Manufacturing Country, Region, notes special edition, uncirculated edition, or other relevant information.
  • * Player 1 Grading ID / P1-Key: Unique identification that is also used as password to access the QR code page.
Orlando - FL