A personal Q&A with the founder of Royal Grading. Get to know the story, the values and the passion that shaped the company.
From childhood memories to founding Royal Grading.
Without a doubt: Modern Warfare 2 and Counter-Strike: Source. These are the games I spent most of my childhood playing. MW2 stood out because of its soundtrack—it created a unique atmosphere that stuck with me. And in Counter-Strike, it was the ba_jail mode that kept me hooked for countless hours. These games are more than just games to me—they’re memories.
Xbox 360
Gaming has been part of my life since childhood. I started actively collecting about a year and a half ago.
I wanted to buy back a piece of my childhood. Since gaming played such a big role in it, I started rebuilding those memories step by step through collecting. At this point, I’m pretty sure I’ll keep these games for the rest of my life.
Part of it was the desire to express myself creatively—and part of it was simply my ego telling me, “You can do this too.” Up until then, I had only built things digitally. Royal Grading was my way of creating something physical and real.
A lack of individuality and uniqueness. I wanted to create something that stands out and feels personal.
Before I even had the name, I knew I wanted to include a wax seal. That aesthetic led me to the concept of “Royal”—something classic, premium, and timeless.
Transparency, trust, and honesty.
No shortcuts, no influence, no bribery. I only grade items when I have a good gut feeling about what’s in front of me. That said, mistakes can happen. If someone can fake a €40,000 Rolex, they can fake a €50 game too. Being honest about that is part of staying trustworthy.
For anyone who wants to preserve and seal their memories.
A huge one. Without the community, Royal Grading is nothing.
Ideally, as part of a strong community of people who all share the same passion.
Childhood.