Has This Forum Been Depleted Of Members?

[🪦 Jasonlivessince1980 ●]

Speaking of dead, myspace... lol Social networking hasn't really killed horror forums, if anything, my facebook has expanded considerably thanks to friends I've made on these forums in the past two years. We're between Jason movies and stuff has slowed down... old dudes are losing interest and focusing on other aspects of their lives, not much new blood coming in for now. I agree with Lars that this past year has been a great one for collectors, between HLM, HUD the Black/Red 7, Josh Stephenson's work, the Hangman, the new "Hell" piece, my God I wish I could afford them all! There's a lot more happening now and on the way...

Its funny, I had forgotten my childhood love for Jason and all things horror until the remake, lousy as it was in some respects, brought it all back, then I discovered the forums here and I was like "people paint hockey masks? Thats amazing!" My enthusiasm has only increased over time, especially after seeing all the fantastic artistry around here. I understand people get jaded by conflicts, getting ripped off, waiting forever for a piece or seeing hockey masks everywhere, but ah well, that's just how it goes.

[🪦 Chainsaw ●]

In my opinion it's just the ebb and flow of any community based around collecting high end pieces. The economy I think plays a bigger role then most realise, without the disposable income to buy new pieces, and then subsequently take pictures and post them, it reduces a large amount of the regular new topics. NIGHTOWL is a community that's more then just masks, but that is where the foundation is, decrease on the masks, decrease on the posting. I like seeing new Leatherface, Jason, Mike, Freddy stuff, but it can get to the point there's just not a whole lot more to say on the subject. Time of year is a BIG factor too, between money being spent on Christmas, and people not having the time to take pics, or even stop by to post. I'm with the guys that don't mind this drop off though, when you look at some of the topics that were being posted, to what's being posted now, quality FAR surpasses quantity.
I've been around this hobby for a pretty good stretch of time now, and it's just part and parcel, things slow down, and then pick up, like I said ebb and flow.

I also have to agree with Travis. I have also noticed a decline in activity in recent months which I've attributed to natural fluctuation in a potentially high dollar hobby. I've only been around for the past 5 1/2 years but I've seen this before. One major factor, in my opinion, is the cost of the hobby. I've seen a lot of members come and go and sometimes I'm left thinking that the cost may have driven some away.

Another potential factor is the age of collectors. It seems that a lot of the same guys that were around when I first joined the community have since moved on. Again, this left me thinking about the role that age and security plays in the collecting world. A lot of guys I met at first were young, and somewhat unestablished in careers providing stable sources of income. Being young and living at home makes it easy to spend a couple hundred dollars on a mask. But as years go by and the need to find some stability in life takes a front seat, mask purchases and the hobby may get left behind. I was 32 years when I started collecting masks, but I had been working in a professional environment for 7 years with decent income. Sure I've slowed down a lot since buying my house but I still manage to purchase a few nice pieces each year. This may be more difficult in your early 20's just 'starting out'. I don't see it as the older guys losing interest... I see more of the younger collectors 'moving on' to 'settle in'.

I know that not having the disposible income to purchase masks should affect a member's ability to post, but I think it can affect their perception. Example.... a buddy of mine doesn't have the cash at the moment to make purchases, so he purposely stays away from the forums as it's too tempting (I feel that!).
Many factors... many reasons... leading to the same conclusion... just part of the game! Enjoy it while we're here :thumbsup:

[🪦 DrenTheLiar ●]

I also have to agree with Travis. I have also noticed a decline in activity in recent months which I've attributed to natural fluctuation in a potentially high dollar hobby. I've only been around for the past 5 1/2 years but I've seen this before. One major factor, in my opinion, is the cost of the hobby. I've seen a lot of members come and go and sometimes I'm left thinking that the cost may have driven some away.

Another potential factor is the age of collectors. It seems that a lot of the same guys that were around when I first joined the community have since moved on. Again, this left me thinking about the role that age and security plays in the collecting world. A lot of guys I met at first were young, and somewhat unestablished in careers providing stable sources of income. Being young and living at home makes it easy to spend a couple hundred dollars on a mask. But as years go by and the need to find some stability in life takes a front seat, mask purchases and the hobby may get left behind. I was 32 years when I started collecting masks, but I had been working in a professional environment for 7 years with decent income. Sure I've slowed down a lot since buying my house but I still manage to purchase a few nice pieces each year. This may be more difficult in your early 20's just 'starting out'. I don't see it as the older guys losing interest... I see more of the younger collectors 'moving on' to 'settle in'.

I know that not having the disposible income to purchase masks should affect a member's ability to post, but I think it can affect their perception. Example.... a buddy of mine doesn't have the cash at the moment to make purchases, so he purposely stays away from the forums as it's too tempting (I feel that!).
Many factors... many reasons... leading to the same conclusion... just part of the game! Enjoy it while we're here :thumbsup:

I just moved into my own apartment and it has essentially killed off any hopes of buying any new masks like I used to. But I've been lucky since I moved out in September and have sold a few things and gotten some "bonus money" to get some really nice stuff for myself. I love this hobby and even though the game has considerably changed for me, it's far from over. Just because I can't buy like I used to doesn't mean I stop for good. Masks are my second love (first before I met my lady) and it's really what makes me me so I don't think I could ever become completely disinterested. This is beyond a want anymore. It's become a need. This is my drug man (or my anti-drug, you could say). I started at seventeen and am now 21 and since gotten a stable job with solid income (but again, I now have bills and bills to pay) and I still have lost any love or desire to collect and get what I can how I can.

[🪦 The Beast ●]

I used to browse these forums every day.

This is the first time I've been on here or posted in probably.... 6 months? I don't know... it's been a while.
whats up guys?

[🪦 adam ●]

I've been around for a bit, and still check the boards now and again, met some cool guys and had a lot of fun. The reason I don't really get into collecting anymore is: I achieved what I came to do, essentially, which was get a hold of some items I've always wanted. After awhile though, it got tiresome, especially with so much. It didn't really "give back" anymore, and I realized that I had a room full of heads lining the walls. I guess one might say I've moved on to what I feel are more "mature" things in life to invest in, and have found more involved hobbies that I can truly grow from as a person. Still lots of amazing talent, but some of the price tags have become a funny commentary in themselves. I guess I still lurk to keep the door open to contact some friends and occasionally look at some amazing work. The thing is it just doesn't speak to me as something I really want anymore.

[🪦 puckface ●]

if it weren't for this forum, I would never have been able to spill mountain dew all over adam's shoes at ozzfest years ago. :thumbsup:

I cherish that memory, so...

[🪦 stainboy ●]

The redesign was necessary .The old forum hardly worked because it was so out dated.
I'm not used to the new design yet and I want my colors back, I just have to get a breather to get with my guys to get things working better.
[color="#FFFF00"]For those who are still active Thanks![/color]

We have new members weekly maybe they are waiting for a good time to jump in. This is the slowest time of the year for us monster makers. People are focused on buying Christmas presents while juggling bills.
I'd take quality over quantity any day.

No, I'd like to respond for all of those who are still active, [color="#FFFF00"]we thank YOU,[/color] Justin. We appreciate you keeping the forums open.

When I started this thread, I never meant it to be an open-complaint forum - I didn't think we'd get a myriad of responses stemming from the redesign of the site to the horrors of our economy. I guess I just wanted to see more posts on multiple different topics. Whereas I, as well, value quality over quantity, I guess I also hope for quality within quantity.

Thank you to all of you, for your time...

Michael "Stainboy"

[🪦 glamourdoll13 ●]

I try and stop by as much as possible, I've just been behind with work, catching up on orders, hanging with the lady...etc.... The holiday's have definitely taken up a lot of my free time as well. I have to agree with some of the others. I think this year was an amazing year for collectors. A lot of great pieces have came out, and I'm thank full that people are still making the monsters/villains I love! I love seeing every everybody's work and new scores, whether it be a Jason, MM, Fred, Leatherface, zombie ect.

[🪦 kaizu13 ●]

Been busy as hell and haven't been able to check here and other sites as often.
Haven't had the time to score anything worthy enough to share to the good people of NIGHTOWL weat:

[🪦 Ray Pena ●]

I visit the forum every day pretty much and love reading all the new scores and deals people get. I don't post much any more cause I'm so strapped for cash can't really buy anything at this point in time. I still chime in every now and then if I see something that looks really cool.