[KevHw]

I'd like to offer some thoughts about my perspective.
I agree a lot with what cyberkid said. As for thoughts on people blaming video games etc, it's true that there are a lot more other distractions and freedoms we can enjoy aside from modelling but that doesn't necessarily mean it completely takes people away from the hobby. How many fantastic builds have we seen inspired by video games, movies etc? I'm grateful for the increased sources of inspiration. Maybe it's not a decline in numbers of modellers as such, but rather a decline in the percentage of things people do as hobbies, taken up by modelling.

It is a shame that some companies charge quite a lot for some items but I love seeing the innovation from modellers who find and share so many ideas to get around having to buy something you could make at home. It's just one of the ways this hobby is growing. (I also doubt there being a decline; remember that thread about how busy Hiroboy's store was?).

It was such an enlightenment when I first joined this forum and was so pleasantly surprised at how many people share this hobby, young and old, male and female. I don't agree with MPWR's point on it being an adult hobby though. I just know that with age comes experience. I just love it when someone posts his/her builds and you can instantly see that person has a real talent.


As far as the initial questions are concerned, the things I think manufacturers COULD beneficially offer us, would be quality and licensing. Bring out more varied, high quality kits at reasonable prices....but we all know that will never happen! Detail-up parts are already out there and clever people on this forum already offer their cost-saving ideas. It's kits that are the bases of our work.