Sales are up and down. Pirating is still a very serious issue and people still need convincing that cardstock models are worth their time (and in many cases better than plaster). I’ve just learned to keep my mouth shut about it because it’s a reality and it isn’t going away. I just read on a forum the other day

“Hey, I found this really cool website that makes awesome paper models. I picked up CWU and it’s amazing! If anyone wants a copy send me your e-mail”.

I see that kind of double standard CONSTANTLY and it really hurts. One person from a large forum group will buy the model that everyone wants and then distribute it amongst the group. This trickledown pirating is almost worse in a way because the person at the top of the chain thinks he is justified in sharing what he purchased. I’ll say it again and I’ll keep saying it, we price our sets at such a low price point to avoid this very logic. I mean COME ON PEOPLE! Would you rather pay $40.00 for one plaster building or $15.00 for an entire castle? I think you can afford to support WorldWorks if you like what we do (even after buying an ink refill kit and cardstock).

Thankfully we have a dedicated audience base that appreciates the time and effort we put into the sets. You guys keep us going from month to month. It’s that other 80% of users who would rather “find” or “share” our products that really hurt us. Doesn’t matter that it’s plastered over every page “Pirating KILLS small business”, there is still a disconnect there and they simply don’t care. I understand the pirate’s plight in many ways but they need to separate monstrous corporate money barons from small start-ups in their logic. They need to send a message to “big business” that they reward businesses that sell reasonably priced product.

So anyway…I think the question was “are things as desperate as they used to be?”. The answer is a bit foggy. We are on the fence in a way and I am throwing all my energy behind WorldWorks this year in an attempt to get out of that fog. I have come close many times to throwing in the towel but I refuse to let pirates or competition squash my dreams and I refuse to let you guys down. I’ll make things bigger and better to a point where the larger industry simply can’t ignore us anymore. As long as I can afford to pay the bills and keep a roof over my families’ head I will continue to do what I love to do.

I think that persistence is paying off with some much needed attention from a company I cannot mention at this time