[overgard]

I doubt the last claim; even if the materials were cheap enough you're dealing with a lot of assembly. If capitalism has taught us anything it's that people will pay for convenience. Plus packaging and branding are huge in those markets. Shopping for and opening the toy is like half the excitement!

[zupreme]

I agree. Toys which require a great deal of assembly effort will probably remain viable in the marketplace - for now.

But now that the 3d-printing door has been opened I do think there are already lots of smart people working on companion technologies to bridge the articulation and assembly gaps.